Letter: Keep the upbeat news coming!

Thank you Ski Racing Media for sharing Todd Firestone’s letter: Why the Pandemic Could Spur Needed Reform for the North American Ski Industry (September 14, 2020). Mr. Firestone is spot on when he states that a small ski area within walking distance of a neighborhood, or small town has numerous intrinsic benefits that add a tremendous balance to the week long sojourn to the big resorts of Europe and North America. Like Mr. Firestone, my husband and two younger children recently drove across the upper US and saw more small ski hills than we could count. As an avid ski family, we had a fraternal excitement for the locals who could enjoy the easy access and simple pleasures these hills seemed to exude. My own six children grew up skiing at HoliMont Ski Club located 30 miles south of Buffalo, NY. Despite its humble vertical drop of just over 700 feet, the hill is a wintertime haven not only to Western New Yorkers, but also Canadians who drive down from Southern Ontario and numerous families from Cleveland and Pittsburgh. HoliMont, which is open 7 days a week, has hosted everything from NorAm Snowboard Racing to U14 State competitions, but what it will always be remembered for by the people who have spent years there recreating with others is the values of family and serendipitous fun it instills. (Think homemade ski jumps, border cross trails, and our own small ski academy by day and potluck dinners, Euchre tournaments and sledding at night.) The flexible and “can-do” nature of HoliMont’s Board, and Manager Ed Youmans, and Snow Sports Director, Travis Widger, makes it well poised to put together fantastic opportunities for winter fun this year despite the constraints COVID throws at them.

A HUGE thanks to Mr. Firestone for sharing his upbeat letter to keep us all eager for the season ahead.

— Martha Mangan
Derby, NY

This letter was submitted in response to the letter, “Why the pandemic could spur needed reform of the North American ski industry.” Have some thoughts on this? Send a letter to the editor. If it’s good, we’ll publish it. Letters to the editor are wholly the opinion of the author. Ski Racing Media does not endorse, edit, or fact-check letters to the editor.