HANOVER, N.H. (WCAX) – The unseasonably warm winter and sparse snowfall has been a challenge to many Nordic ski areas in the region. But a new snowmaking system at ski trails in the Upper Valley is filling in for Mother Nature.
With teperatures in the 50s this week, the snow is melting fast at cross-country ski trails across the region. That is unless you are at Oak Hill in Hanover.
Anne Steele is a big fan of Nordic skiing and says this winter has not been ideal. “Way too short,” she said.
But the winter is now extended at the Oak Hill Outdoor Center. Ninety snowmaking hydrants now line the brand-new internationally-certified 3.3-kilometer track.
“I’m so glad, I’m so grateful that I can come here and ski. It has just been amazing,” Steele said.
The $6 million project will eventually include lights for night skiing and solar panels. The nonprofit Friends of Oak Hill was formed to raise about half the money. Dartmouth College is funding the other half.
“This year especially, we don’t have a lot of snow,” said Jasmine Drolet, a junior on the Dartmouth Nordic ski team. “It’s really exciting to have snowmaking and to have wide raceable trails.”
“It’s a game changer for our program,” said Cami Thomspon, the team’s head coach. She says the venue will be hosting the NCAA National Championships here next winter. “To be able to plan on running workouts and plan on racing here without worrying about where are we going to ski today.”
Oak Hill has been around for decades. There are 20 kilometers of trails in all. But, in the past, skiers here would have to travel to ski areas in Ripton or Craftsbury when natural snow was sparse. “This is a community asset and Dartmouth is obviously a very large component of that community but it’s not the only component. You know, we have one of the largest ski clubs in the country located here,” said Peter Milliken with Friends of Oak Hill.
“You go fast down hills. It’s challenging going up which, is fun,” said Hugo Hilton, a 9-years-old skier with the Ford Sayre Ski Club. A lot of laps are in his future. “You can do it now through the whole winter instead of just like when there is snow.”
The trail crew says weather permitting, they hope to be blowing snow a couple more times this winter to ensure that the skiing continues into April.
https://www.oakhilloutdoorcenter.org/