WOODSTOCK–Gary S. Thulander, president and general manager of the Woodstock Inn & Resort, announced Friday, July 1, that Chair #1 at the Suicide Six Ski Area will be completely replaced, with installation scheduled for completion in time for a mid-December opening. The new quad chairlift will double the capacity of the current chair, offering a more comfortable and rapid ascent to the summit.
“We recognized the need to upgrade this chairlift as part of the long-term support of the regional ski community including local schools, season pass holders, the Woodstock Ski Runners program, and visiting skiers,” said Thulander. “Increased chair capacity means a dramatic upgrade to the overall experience of the mountain by all levels of skiers, racers and snowboarders.”
Leitner-Poma of America, Inc., Grand Junction, Colo., has been selected to install the new quad chairlift at an estimated cost of $1.5 million. Funding for the new chairlift is being provided through a grant from the Laurance S. Rockefeller Fund, according to Ellen R.C. Pomeroy, a Fund director.
“The directors of the Laurance S. Rockefeller Fund are pleased to provide support for a new ski lift at Suicide Six,” said Pomeroy. “This funding echoes Mr. Rockefeller’s long-standing commitment to the vitality of Woodstock and to his vision of Suicide Six as an important and iconic amenity for both the Resort and the community.”
Recognized as one of the oldest ski areas in the country, Suicide Six has a rich history. America’s first rope tow, introduced on nearby Gilbert’s Hill in 1934, inspired the opening of Suicide Six in 1936. In 1961 Laurance S. Rockefeller purchased Suicide Six from its founder, Wallace “Bunny” Bertram, as part of his vision for the community of Woodstock. Today, Suicide Six is one of Vermont’s leading family-friendly ski resorts featuring more than 100 acres of skiing on 24 trails and slopes with terrain suitable for all abilities.
