Broadway Chair at Blandford Ski Area. (Photo submitted)
WESTFIELD – Conversations and rumors have been circulating via social media about the future of the Blandford Ski Area, since an emergency meeting was held in April and an early membership drive fell short.
Blandford Ski Area, which is owned by the Springfield Ski Club, celebrated its 80th season this winter and is the oldest club-owned ski area in North America.
35-year member Don Belisle of Westfield said that he’s heard the club is actively seeking a buyer, and he’s not happy about the rumors.
“Members should be kept informed,” Belisle, a former board member and treasurer of the club said, adding that the club owns the mountain, not the board of directors. “With a little bit of effort, we can keep the club going. We’ve run that club in leaner times than this,” he said.
In response to an inquiry from The Westfield News, Mike Gagnon, president of the Blandford Ski Area sent the following email: “The Blandford Ski Area Board of Directors is currently reviewing all options to insure the continuous operation of the ski area and we have yet to determine what our exact path forward will be. That being said, we cannot provide any further details at this time but will disclose information as soon as it becomes available.”
The annual meeting of the membership past and present will be held on May 23 at 7 p.m. at the Blandford Ski Area lodge.
