“If you had told me we’d have all the logging for the new trail done by 3 this afternoon, I would have told you, you were crazy.” – Mike Hussey on the progress of the new race trail.
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| Patty Ross and Mike Hussey survey the scene. |
Since beginning the process of the new trail roughly a year ago, there have been a solid stream of goals and objectives. Approval from the college, approval from Ripton town residents, approval from the state by way of an Act 250 permit and a lengthy planning process with alum and renown trail builder, John Morton and his business partner, David Lindahl were just steps along the way. Tropical Storm Irene slowed the process but as of today, all the trees necessary to remove from the site are down and the ebb and flow of what will be one of the best courses in the country is beginning to take shape. Excavation rolls soon and with plans to race the new trail at this year’s carnival events, there’s a lot of work to be done to get it to a race-ready condition. Early visits with FIS representatives have taken place with more to follow soon. The home of the Middlebury Ski team is soon to be home to an Eastern course favorite.
Simultaneously, the touring center itself is getting a facelift, improved adaptive bathroom facilities and indoor access to the second floor promising a wider more inviting place to enjoy some soup out of the cold, pick up a tin of wax and figure out the conditions of the moment.
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| The touring center's new look takes shape. |
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