Windham Mountain - Windham Mountain

Windham Mountain is a ski resort located in the town of Windham, New York (US), in the northern section of the Catskill Mountains, approximately 3 hours north of New York City. It has 54 trails and 12 lifts, including two high-speed detachable quads, one from the bottom to top of each peak. The highest peak is situated at 3,100 feet (940 m) with a vertical rise of 1,600 feet (490 m) from the base. Snowmaking covers 98% of the trail area of 265 acres (1.1 km²).

History

The idea of a public ski resort in the northern Catskills was first conceived in the New York state assembly during the late 1950s. in 1960, what is now Windham was opened by a group of private investors as Cave Mountain Ski Area led by the Sheridan Brothers; Tom, Bob & Jim. The ski area saw the construction of its first lodge and snow-making equipment in 1963,as the mountain saw quick expansion in the following years with many new trails and lifts opening.

The expansion continued in 1987, with the construction of several new trails and a new lift on what is now known as "east" peak, Windham's second summit.

1993 saw the installation of the mountain's first ever high-speed quad chairlift, serving the mountain's west peak, as by that time the mountain contained over 30 trails on two peaks, along with real estate developments and a modern lodge. In 1997, lights were installed on several lower mountain trails as Windham became the only mountain in the Catskills to feature night skiing.

The 2006-2007 ski season featured $5 million in off-season investments,as 3 new trails were cut, one from the top of East Peak and two smaller ones among the trails that exist already. These new trails are named Wedgie, Whiskey Jack and Wapeka. These new trails have created a new entry way to get from the west side to the bottom of the East Peak Express Quad. A new high-speed quad was added to replace the G-lift Triple at East Peak, it is currently the fastest lift on the mountain and moves at more than 1,000 feet per minute. The old G-lift triple moved across the mountain to replace the Wonderama Triple, and another carpet was added to the beginner area.

Windham also underwent major renovations prior to the 2013/14 ski season. The former learn to ski area was expanded and relocated to what used to be the parking lot, and was renamed Whisper run. Parking was moved to the north and across the street from the lower parking lot, below Whisper run.

Skiing the mountain

Windham features 54 trails on 285 skiable acres. The trails are situated on two separate mountain peaks, known as East Peak and West Peak. Of the trails 13 are designated beginner, 24 intermediate, and 17 expert skill level. The mountain also features six terrain parks and night skiing on select, lower mountain runs. 98% of trails are covered by snowmaking.

Windham Mountain is also home of the Adaptive Sports Foundation which provides the physical and intellectually disabled with lessons on how to ski, snowboard, bike ride, and a various amount of other types of sports.

Controversy

Privately owned Windham Mountain opposes expansion, development, and continued existence of publicly owned Belleayre Ski Center. This is because Belleayre is able to charge a lower price for their tickets due to their public financing. Windham and Hunter Mountains, in Greene County, both have expressed the sentiment that they are unable to compete with Belleayre, and that it should not be allowed to be publicly financed. This has caused tensions to rise between Greene and Ulster counties, which both depend on the tourism revenues created by the mountains. Recently, an Ulster County state senator called for a boycott of all businesses in Greene County.

References

External links

• Official site
• Interactive trail map
• 3dSkiMap of Windham Mountain Ski Resort
• Official Site of the Adaptive Sports Foundation which operates out of Windham Mountain
• History of Windham Mountain