NORTHEASTSLOPES.ORGServing Skiers and Riders of All Ages Since 1936
Media and Photo Galley
T-Bar Dedication Dec 26, 2009
Journal Opinion - Northeast Slopes receives $70,000 donation.
Rutland Herald - Nonprofit ski area to restore 1963 T-bar!
The
dedication of the lift to John A Pierson, Jr was a Grand success. Of
particular note was the beautiful Barre marble plaque hung on the
bottom terminal with a dedication of the lift to John. The Blodgett
family attended the event and Leland Blodgett, the donor that finally
helped us to realize the completion of the T-bar for the 2009/2010 season, was remembered for his kindness and generosity. Speeches by Steve Simpson, Leland's brother Putter Blodgett, and John's daughter Kay were very well received.
Big Thanks You's go out to the Waterbury VT radio
station WDEV (550 AM) for broadcasting the ceremony, Vermont Ski Area
Association and Vermont Ski Museum for underwriting the cost of the
live broadcast, and both the East Corinth General Store and Waits River
General Store for catering the event.
Journal Opinion - Northeast Slopes receives $70,000 donation.
Rutland Herald - Nonprofit ski area to restore 1963 T-bar!
Footage Shoot By Louise Young ~ Photographer
EAST CORINTH - Since 2004, the Board of Directors of Northeast Slopes in East Corinth has been raising money towards a T-bar ski lift for the community run ski hill. Despite approximately $120,000 in donations and grants from area residents and private foundations, it seemed almost certain the organization would have to borrow the remaining one-third of the project's projected construction costs. The Board understood that without the new lift, the ski hill could not attract the new skiers it needed to stay open, but with debt, a bad snow year could spell the end of the 72-year old ski hill altogether.
It was at this juncture that Leland Blodgett stepped up and offered his financial support. After speaking with Treasurer John Pierson about how much was needed to avoid a bank loan, he sent Northeast Slopes a check for $70,000. His only request was that it be used towards the T-bar project.
As a young man, Blodgett skied for the Bradford Academy ski team and understood what the ski hill meant to the community. Born in the same year the ski tow opened its slopes (1936), Blodgett witnessed the value the slopes added to the community. He was a strong but quiet supporter of skiing in all its forms, racing for Bradford Academy in the early 1950's and then for Middlebury College. He went on to become a qualified ski instructor and taught skiing for a season in Australia. He also visited the Austrian Alps and later took up Nordic ski racing. Leland Blodgett is described by those who knew him as a quiet but thoughtful man.
By all accounts, he was dutiful son and a generous caring member of his community. He acted charitably throughout his life, selflessly giving to the Middlebury ski team, Wright 's Mountain Town Forest and most recently to the Northeast Slopes.
Blodgett died on Oct. 19, 2008 at the age of 72. His passing sadly means he will not see the most recent focus of his generosity come to fruition. The Board of Directors at Northeast Slopes are immensely grateful for his silent generosity and will long remember his belief in the ski tow and what it means to the community.
The T-bar is now up and running. It has already doubled skier visits to the hill.
Northeast Slopes is a historic landmark that exemplifies the true spirit of rural Vermont. Established in 1936, Northeast Slopes takes pride in being the oldest continuously operating ski tow in the United States and probably North America. Before the days of motorized grooming equipment, its hillsides were smoothed for skiing by a harrow pulled by a pair of Belgian workhorses.
While modern grooming has now replaced the horses, the mechanics of the hill’s two rope tows are the same, each using the engine of a car to send skiers up the slope. One change we are proud to welcome, however, is the installation of the new T-bar for the 2009/10 season. This runs alongside the main rope tow, but continues further up the hill to the summit, making it easier to access additional ski-able terrain and take in a spectacular view. The small lodge at the hill’s base where skiers can eat and warm up is still part of the original warm-up hut, updated in 1972.
The ski hill was first known as a training grounds for the Dartmouth ski team, offering lodging, a day pass and meal for only two dollars. In the 1950’s, a well-known ski instructor from Stowe, Bud Philips, operated a ski school on the hill. Over the years, as prices stayed low, the ski hill became home to many winter sport lovers, particularly local children enrolled in Bradford and Corinth’s junior school ski programs. Since its inception, literally thousands of community members from throughout Vermont’s Waits River Valley and New Hampshire’s Upper Valley have learned to ski on this small but challenging hill.
In short, Northeast Slopes has a long and colorful history that has long been a focal point for this rural community. Whether you ski, snowboard or just like to watch, it's certainly worth a visit.
While modern grooming has now replaced the horses, the mechanics of the hill’s two rope tows are the same, each using the engine of a car to send skiers up the slope. One change we are proud to welcome, however, is the installation of the new T-bar for the 2009/10 season. This runs alongside the main rope tow, but continues further up the hill to the summit, making it easier to access additional ski-able terrain and take in a spectacular view. The small lodge at the hill’s base where skiers can eat and warm up is still part of the original warm-up hut, updated in 1972.
The ski hill was first known as a training grounds for the Dartmouth ski team, offering lodging, a day pass and meal for only two dollars. In the 1950’s, a well-known ski instructor from Stowe, Bud Philips, operated a ski school on the hill. Over the years, as prices stayed low, the ski hill became home to many winter sport lovers, particularly local children enrolled in Bradford and Corinth’s junior school ski programs. Since its inception, literally thousands of community members from throughout Vermont’s Waits River Valley and New Hampshire’s Upper Valley have learned to ski on this small but challenging hill.
In short, Northeast Slopes has a long and colorful history that has long been a focal point for this rural community. Whether you ski, snowboard or just like to watch, it's certainly worth a visit.
