(L-R) Ron Crozier, the new General Manager at Blandford Ski Area and Dick McCann, GM of Ski Butternut.
BLANDFORD – Butternut Ski Basin General Manager Dick McCann and Blandford Ski Area new GM Ron Crozier were on the agenda for the Blandford Board of Selectmen meeting Monday, but the meeting was cancelled due to illness and a scheduled absence.
McCann, a Blandford resident, said they were going to introduce themselves to the selectmen, introduce Crozier as the new GM, and update the town on the goings on at Blandford Ski Area. Butternut Ski Basin bought the Blandford Ski Area over the summer, with the closing taking place on Sept. 1.
Crozier previously worked for Butternut from 1999 to 2004. He said the new position of general manager was like “coming home.” When he worked for the ski area the last time, he lived in East Otis. This time, he commuted briefly from Pennsylvania to start, then bought the same house he and his wife formerly owned, and moved back to East Otis. He said his wife’s family is from the Otis area.
Crozier said they are working at Blandford to make the place presentable. Projects include maintenance of the chair lift, mowing the slopes, and weed eating. They’ve repaired Blandford’s snow guns, and leased four more from the manufacturer. “More firepower,” he said. They also bought a “new used” Pisten Bully groomer.
Ron said he’s just met with the ski patrol who have completed their pre-season lift evacuation and refresher training. “They’re good people – a lot of firefighters,” Crozier said. The ski school instructors are also going to be familiar faces, along with Sharon Lussier, who will continue to handle area school programs at Blandford.
Crozier said there is no actual opening date yet. “It will be based on the workload,” he said. “And the weather,” added McCann.
McCann said a new website at skiblandford.com should be up and running by next week. At the same time, they will be launching an advertising campaign for a $199 Season’s Pass special. “We hope to build the business back,” McCann said. “We know we’ll make some inroads.”
