2022 Advance Local Media LLC. Snow Reports and conditions for Toggenburg Mountain. Toggenburg has been part of the Central New York ski scene since 1953. And that wasn't during a pandemic. There are nice fall lines skiers right, a fun basher along an old liftline, a pod of twisty and interesting runs far skiers left. Rumors are meaningless, of course, especially in this country, where a. believe that Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton are Satan-worshipping supervillains hustling an international child trafficking ring and the only thing that can stop them is the Batman/Jesus cyborg known as Donald Trump. No lodging at the area, but accommodations are available 10 minutes away. When the Greekenburg Pass, good at both mountains, went on sale in the spring, I figured the Freedom Pass exit was just a business decision. A petition of unclear origin (it is signed by The Central New York Skiing Public) materialized online, to inform of your position that you do not believe it is in his best interest or the interest of the CNY skiing community to close Toggenburg Mountain for many reasons. I assume they meant, to inform you of our position Nonetheless, its intent is clear. Greek Peak joined the Indy Pass. These included Vail-owned Falls Creek and Hotham (along with. Which whatever. The PA fourth- and fifth-grade Snow Pass program has been eliminated and will no longer be available, Pennsylvania Ski Areas Association Executive Director Linda Irvin wrote in an email to, . There are nice fall lines skiers right, a fun basher along an old liftline, a pod of twisty and interesting runs far skiers left. But the rumors fly that the current owners need cash, that buying out the other owner was a really poorly timed expense. Right now we all feel chained to the wall, and we are desperately searching for a way out of this constrained existence. The timing seemed great. Greek Peak got a brand-new quad in 2013, the crown jewel of an investment spree that now, . But that statement, datelined Feb. 19, 2020, emerged at the height of optimistic evergrowth steamrolling directly toward Hurricane Covid. Ninety percent of the states ski areas are still family-owned outfits, tap-dancing from year to year along the knife edge between lifts spinning and swinging in the wind. Each ticket required an adult lift ticket purchase, and the program itself carried a nominal fee. One cold night in February of that year, two young men were working overnight, grooming. The skiing, frankly, is not amazing. Whether the tram hangs from 50 feet up or rides on rubber and/or steel wheels on a track, these things suck. A person who loves ski areas (Harris also formerly owned Indy Pass partner Snow Ridge, situated upstate on the snow-bombed Tug Plateau) buying another ski area is typically a good thing. Colorado mountain towns. Skiers and boarders appreciate the mountain's layout, convenient parking, and mix of trails. For the second consecutive Southern Hemisphere winter, ski resorts in Australia involuntarily shut down to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. Toggenburg Mountain in Fabius, New York has officially been soldand its new owner plans to close it down for good. All rights reserved. Families like Toggenburg Mountain, which is why they keep returning. New York still has the most active areas of any U.S. state, but that doesnt mean losing another especially a homegrown operation like Toggenburg, which had been run by the same family for 62 years before Greek Peak bought it wouldnt be traumatic to the states ski swagger and confidence. Weve reached peak inertia in America, where building or tearing down anything ignites such a ballistic response from partisans on either side that compromise is impossible. Meanwhile back in the real world we all spent a year indoors wearing masks and doing nothing until the accumulated miracles of centuries of science produced in record time a vaccine that could largely prevent this virus that rearranged our world. For the second consecutive Southern Hemisphere winter, ski resorts in Australia involuntarily shut down to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. as a play for the Syracuse market, a two-mountain, one-pass combo that would funnel skiers south, from the smaller resort (Togg) to the larger (Greek Peak). And if you dont like it, do what I do: ride the Cannonball Quad to Cannons summit. Some, like Tuxedo Ridge and Hickory, were still operating in the last decade. In terms of priorities, the tramway needs to replace what he called the current primary systems. These include the tram cars which would increase capacity from 80 to 100 passengers the hanger arms, carriage trolleys, electromechanical components and the motor and braking systems, he said. Toggenburg Mountain Winter Sports Center is family owned and operated, located on Toggenburg Road off NY Route 80, one mile east of the Village of Fabius in Central New York State. You dont have to die from amputation to fix this. The PA fourth- and fifth-grade Snow Pass program has been eliminated and will no longer be available, Pennsylvania Ski Areas Association Executive Director Linda Irvin wrote in an email to The Storm Skiing Journal. Harris said he has no immediate plans for the Toggenburg property. Toggenburgs newest lift is a 1986 Borvig triple (the Hall double they installed in 2011 had been in use at Holiday Valley since 1984), and, while Meier invested in snowmaking and grooming at the ski area, transformative investment was absent. This year the program will be fulfilled electronically/digitally, so we will no longer be mailing coupon booklets as we did before.. I hit Toggenburg last winter. But earlier this week, rumors started dribbling onto. But that statement, datelined Feb. 19, 2020, emerged at the height of optimistic evergrowth steamrolling directly toward Hurricane Covid. He said Harris approached him a year ago about buying Toggenburg. Toggenburg, with 21 trails, employed about 75 to 90 people in the winter. That cumulative upgrade would give the tramway an extra 20 years of operation, while a new tramway would last between 40 and 50 years, he said. Unfortunately, its a very hard decision, but there are a number of reasons, Harris said. Peter Harris, president of Intermountain Management (also known as SkiCNY.com), owner and operator of Song Mountain in Tully and Labrador Mountain in Truxton, said Tuesday that Toggenburg will not reopen this winter and that its operations will be absorbed by those of Song and Labrador. What was a year ago menacing and mysterious had suddenly been demoted to preventable disease. Sometime after midnight, the groomer broke down and they came off the hill to look for a part to repair it. It did that, but not to the degree he had hoped, he said. So the captive splashes around and comes up with a bag containing a hacksaw, and after fruitlessly trying to sever the chain he realizes that he instead has to cut off his foot. Its possible that some version of the program could emerge, but not anytime soon. Almost every year, new glades appeared on Greek Peaks trailmap. Please, When the owners of New Yorks Greek Peak ski area bought Toggenburg six years ago, they. If a U.S. state ever forces another ski area shutdown, skiing is probably the least of our concerns. Labrador has the most terrain of the three, and some long difficult runs, but nobody has ever been able to convince me that they have a decent bunny slope for beginners. Sitting on the side of Alpha for the last 2 (or 3?) or whatever that I for some reason watched one time and a dude wakes up chained to a pipe and the Sawmaster or whatever hes called leaves some kind of clue that the tool to unlock freedom was in the adjacent bathtub. Which is why I would welcome one possible option laid out at the meeting with the governor: replacing the tram. One day like that is enough to drive someone out of skiing for good. Chair 4 is ~50 years. So get ready for new tram cars. The passport programs are nice because it allows us to measure how states are doing, but as long as ski areas are encouraging skiing and riding to youth and have programs that make it accessible, we can build the next generation of snowsports enthusiasts.. But the place is cut up with ravines that choke off good glade skiing, and most of the runs have an overgroomed sameness to them. Now, its new owner Peter Harris says that people who have already bought passes for next season will be getting a refund in the mail. And while Greek has the only dedicated chairlift serving a great beginner slope in CNY, the Alpha Slope, the chair has been there since 1970 and can't be slowed for beginners to load. , We are committed to the future of Toggenburg Meier abandoned the project if he does indeed abandon it. The Meiers bought out Stemermans 50% share of Toggenburg and Greek Peak two years ago. I want to sit in a goddamn chair with my skis on like the lazy American that I am. New Hampshire skier visits finished just short of 2.3 million, consistent with the 10-year-average. But earlier this week, rumors started dribbling onto New York Ski Blogs message boards and elsewhere that Labrador and Song owner, president and general manager Peter Harris was purchasing Toggenburg. When Jiminy Peak, in 1999, they upgraded the snowmaking system and drew up plans to install a high-speed quad. movies because Im generally too squeamish and they haunt me forever after, and if youre like this too then maybe stop reading now. But John Meier, who took full ownership of both mountains after buying out partner Marc Stemerman in 2019, declined to aggressively transform Toggenburg in the manner he had revitalized Greek Peak, and the mountains followed starkly different trajectories. Copyright 1995-2022 Mountain News Corporation. Greek Peak was mid-renaissance, glimmering with millions in snowmaking, grooming, and chairlift upgrades. And a three-mountain pass lining up a triangle of options just south of Syracuse and right off Interstate 81 is a compelling option in the Epic and Ikon dessert of Central New York. Toggenburgs previous owners, John and Christine Meier, said they sold their mountain so that they could focus on running Greek Peak in Virgil, which offers year-round events such as an indoor water park and lodging, according to Spectrum Local News. Syracuse.com reports that Harris said Toggenburg will not reopen this winter and that its operations will be absorbed by those of Song and Labrador Mountains. Greek Peak joined the Indy Pass. Thats unlikely. Toggenburg, former owner Jim Hickey. The skiing, frankly, is not amazing. Why is it still sitting on the ground rusting? So the captive splashes around and comes up with a bag containing a hacksaw, and after fruitlessly trying to sever the chain he realizes that he instead has to cut off his foot. A petition of unclear origin (it is signed by The Central New York Skiing Public). Is the Executioner Coming for Yet Another Classic Ski Area? Ski Area Management (@saminfo) August 4, 2021. Pennsylvania suspended their program for the 2020-21 ski season, citing Covid complications. I think it was $30. Among them, the labor shortage caused by the coronavirus pandemic and a lack of business to support three ski resorts located within a 12-mile radius, he said. Three years later, with the ski area continuing to lose money, they closed it, probably forever. New York Ski Blog documents a tragedy at the now-lost Ski Wing resort in Western New York: The now defunct ski area in Allegany, N.Y. began as the Grosstal Ski Area. Grosstal is German for big valley an 813-foot vertical drop with a challenging headwall, an enticing trail map, one chairlift, two T-bars, a rope tow, night skiing and snowmaking. Grosstal is German for big valley an 813-foot vertical drop with a challenging headwall, an enticing trail map, one chairlift, two T-bars, a rope tow, night skiing and snowmaking. Unfortunately when they went back into the lodge, they interrupted a burglary in progress. Shutdowns, novel last March in the maw of an ill-understood virus, have since become political kryptonite. Sorry. You are an idiot who is endangering yourself and everyone around you, including children too young to be vaccinated. New York has enough lost ski areas (estimates run as high as 300). at the now-lost Ski Wing resort in Western New York: in Allegany, N.Y. began as the Grosstal Ski Area. The passport programs are nice because it allows us to measure how states are doing, but as long as ski areas are encouraging skiing and riding to youth and have programs that make it accessible, we can build the next generation of snowsports enthusiasts., When my daughter was in fourth grade and too green to justify travel to mega-mountains, I acquired a. for her. A family who takes advantage of the discounted experience one year is liable to repeat it the next and, the habit formed, begin to become the person buying the $169 Ikon Pass in April and seeking out season rentals. Its probably a great place for families who dont want to get run over. Copyright 1995-2022. Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement updated 7/1/2022). But the place is cut up with ravines that choke off good glade skiing, and most of the runs have an overgroomed sameness to them. They look awesome. It has a vertical drop of 700 feet. No one has responded. The oldest is Chair 2. This is super important because our data shows that the earlier we can get kids on snow the more apt they are to become lifelong skiers and riders. ), in the midst of a bomber snow cycle. Still, I hate trams. Unfortunately, the program will not return for next season either. Chair 5, which services the east side was installed in the late 1970s. Greek Peak and Toggenburgs main competitors, Song and Labrador, had merged passes and operations the previous year. Pennsylvania suspended their program for the 2020-21 ski season. When Jiminy Peak bought nearby Brodie in 1999, they upgraded the snowmaking system and drew up plans to install a high-speed quad. It was installed around 1960 and "reengineered" (shortened) about 20 years ago. You dont have to die from amputation to fix this. in America, where building or tearing down anything ignites such a ballistic response from partisans on either side that compromise is impossible. And they never introduced a true, seamless joint pass, as Song and Labrador had done each mountain retained its individual pass, with a buy-up option for the joint pass. The Snow Pass program was no longer working for all of our member ski areas and consumers in a way thatit could be managed in a post-pandemic operations environment. Yes, Greek installed a nice 4 person chair 10 seasons ago, and has upgraded the snowmaking and some of the lights. Which he does. He said he bought Toggenburg with the hope that it would drive more business from the Syracuse area to Greek Peak. Still, small-time expansions dont always work out. , , consistent with the 10-year-average. But theres a scene in. The NSAA supports these and so many other projects across the country that help get kids on snow, NSAA President and CEO Kelly Pawlak wrote in an email to The Storm Skiing Journal. Its really a bitter-sweet moment for us, said Meier. Only in this case Im just happy to be skiing with no lift lines. I asked Greek Peak PR why and did not receive an answer. Some, like Tuxedo Ridge and Hickory, were still operating in the last decade. The potential tram upgrade that I discussed with Cannon GM John DeVivo on, last fall may be closer to reality. The mountains re-opened earlier this week after extended shutdowns: While this may ignite fears of future disruptions to North American skiing, Id say theres a better chance well see Jane Goodall live-stream a trophy hunt for silverback gorillas than another virus-related U.S. ski-area shutdown. Toggenburg did not. We anticipate offering the program as in past years, with all members [including Vails three Vermont mountains and Alterras two] participating. Bousquets new lodge is coming up fast, while lift projects at Catamount and Butternut are on schedule and Berkshire Easts lift project appears to be stalled. Lift projects at, , while lift projects at Catamount and Butternut are on schedule and Berkshire Easts lift project appears to be stalled. Toggenburgs trailmap has not changed substantially since the 1980s. Camper facilities available with no utilities. 3,000 feet of Snowbird elevator shafts is stand in ski boots crammed between 124 other knuckleheads. It was her first real, immersive winter, and it made her a skier, capable of managing a couple thousand contiguous feet of vertical. Then, a few months back, Toggenburg unceremoniously dropped off the 2021-22 Freedom Pass reciprocal coalition, while Greek Peak remained. You will not be the last person alive because you alone resisted the Grand Conspiracy and you will not realize the American fantasy of the lone hero at the wheel of a fabulous muscle car battling zombies with your amazing arsenal of machine guns with your kick-ass and everloyal attack hound at your side. It would be unusual for Harris to buy Toggenburg with the sole intention of closing it. Covid rules change with updated guidance from health officials. And a three-mountain pass lining up a triangle of options just south of Syracuse and right off Interstate 81 is a compelling option in the Epic and Ikon dessert of Central New York. 40 years ago these places could get away with limited snowmaking to fill in the gaps, now they need it just to stay open. I want to sit in a goddamn chair with my skis on like the lazy American that I am. The Meiers, who are also owners of Greek Peak Mountain Resort in the Cortland County town of Virgil, and Elmira businessman Marc Stemerman bought Toggenburg in 2015 from Jim Hickey, whose family owned the Fabius resort since its opening 68 years ago. they hope to come up with another program that all of our members can participate in, but it will not be available for this upcoming winter, Irvin said. Stumbling upon them, a family begins to dream of a winter invigorated by the outdoors. New, larger tram boxes would be a welcome upgrade for the iconic, 41-year-old lift, which, according to DeVivo, generates around $2 million in year-round revenue. and elsewhere that Labrador and Song owner, president and general manager Peter Harris was purchasing Toggenburg. It was world-class adventure on a hobos budget. This is super important because our data shows that the earlier we can get kids on snow the more apt they are to become lifelong skiers and riders. Management doesn't really say. Upgrades at Mount Southington. Which whatever. Per the, Still, I hate trams. He then finds a message that says something like oh yeah the key to your chain is in the bathtub hahaha. And the horrified now-footless person then either dies or crawls away - not that the resolution really matters. But embedded within the rumors was a sinister twist, which in its various versions added up to this: Harris was buying Toggenburg to shut it down and possibly transform it into a housing development, driving its skier traffic to his existing mountains. Theres little point in predicting what may happen to Toggenburg before the sale has even been confirmed. . Tog, Lab, Song. By closing it, Harris said he will be able to make investments in infrastructure and equipment at Song and Labrador that will improve the overall experience for skiers and snowboarders. But the last thing I want to do after skiing. On a 3 week ski trip to Innsbruck, we took one ride up Axamer Lizum's "Funicular", and immediately made the decision to avoid the thing, and anything like it, the rest of the trip. While my quest to uncover the fate of Toggenburg was about as fruitful as a mid-February apple harvest, I had more luck confirming another internet rumor: the demise of Ski PAs fourth- and fifth-grade Snow Pass program. Then, a few months back, Toggenburg unceremoniously dropped off the, , while Greek Peak remained. Toggenburgs, . Night skiing/boarding is available. Note: Pricing above is subject to change and is based on resort ticket window prices published on resorts website. When my daughter was in fourth grade and too green to justify travel to mega-mountains, I acquired a New York State passport for her. Really. Combined with Greek Peaks 210,000 skiers visits and 4,700 passes, the two ski areas had a strong story to pitch to Central New York skiers.