WESTFIELD – On April 9, the Blandford Ski Area held an emergency meeting for all members, past and present. The meeting was well attended, according to marketing director David Fraser.
Broadway Chair at Blandford Ski Area. (Photo submitted)
“150 members attended, young and old, people who have been members for years, or who just became members last year,” Fraser said on Monday. He said in the eight years he has been involved with the club, they have never called an emergency meeting before.
The purpose was to let members know that they were in need of early bird signups, the discounted membership rate that helps the Blandford Ski area get through the off season. The discounted rate is offered from late February through the end of April. The goal is 800 memberships; as of Monday, they had a little less than 200. Fraser said they were heading in a direction they didn’t want to be going.
They did get signups at the meeting. One woman, whose family had been members for years gave a donation of $5,000. Fraser said her kids, who are now grown, had been through the ski school program. “We’ve been around since 1936. A lot of people learned to ski there,” he said.
Vintage photo of skiers on J bar at Blandford Ski Area. (Photo submitted)
The Blandford Ski Area, which is owned by the Springfield Ski Club, celebrated its 80th season this winter as the oldest club-owned ski area in North America. It’s run by an all-volunteer 15-member board of directors, that Fraser said works very hard to keep it running. During the season, they hire a mountain manager who is in charge of making snow, and also hire snow sports instructors. Ski teams from local schools, including Westfield, Agawam and Wilbraham/Monson hold their practices there. School groups and clubs also take lessons or just ski after school on Wednesdays and Fridays nights.
“We’ve been around since 1936. A lot of people learned to ski there,” said Dave Fraser, Blandford Ski Area marketing director. (Photo submitted)
Memberships are down in part due to a couple of bad snow seasons. Not enough snow combined with the drought caused problems for the ski area. In order to make snow, they pump water from Nye Brook into a holding pond, but can only do that at certain times and according to environmental regulations. When the brook isn’t running, they can’t make snow, even if the night temperatures are cold enough. He said the ski area did manage to open for Christmas vacation week this past year, something they haven’t had in a few years.
The club has also been operating on one groomer the last couple of years. Two years ago, they had to lease a groomer when both of the club-owned machines were down. This year, Fraser said they were able to get their older one going, but it has more than 10,000 hours on it. “That seems to be a lot for a groomer,” he said.
Another good result from the emergency meeting was people offering their ideas for fund raising and volunteering to help. Several people had social media experience, and suggested the club hold a GoFundMe event. Fraser, who works for WGBY public television, said he is looking into that possibility.
Skiier enjoying conditions at Blandford Ski Area. (Photo submitted)
Fraser said he will be in touch with people who signed up to help once the club finalizes the events they will be doing in late summer and early fall. One of the events they are working on is a “Not so Flat 5k” in October, before their open house in November. Fraser said the Knox Trail Riders are also interested in doing something on the mountain this summer, which is currently before the Blandford Select Board.
“All of these things are money makers for us,” Fraser said.
The lodge and the grounds are also available for weddings and functions. People who want to know more may call the main office number at 413-848-2860.
Fraser said that for friends or families who are thinking of joining, this would be a good year. He also said that people who no longer ski or are no longer in the area can make a cash donation online at www.skiblandford.org.
“With memberships and off-season events, we can turn things around,” he said.
