Cochran's Ski Area receives only a fraction of its operating income from ticket sales and instructional programs. We could not keep the hill going without the immense generosity of the Cochran family and its extended family of supporters. Your very-much-appreciated donation of any size is fully tax deductible!
A Non-Profit Mission: In the summer of 1998, Cochran’s Ski Area became a non-profit corporation with the goal of providing area youth and families with affordable skiing and riding, lessons and race training, in the Cochran tradition. Since that time, the following goals have been achieved:
* IRS grants Cochran’s 501(c)(3) status & area operates “in the black” seven of eight seasons while accumulating a $15,000 contingency fund;
* Local businesses and individuals donate time, materials and funds to upgrade facilities including resurfacing of the parking lot, repair of T-bar lift after wind-storm damage, and addition of a modern Bombardier grooming machine;
* 2,500 Vermonters, including 500+ school children, utilize Cochran’s annually; special programming and scholarships are regularly offered for children from diverse walks of life.
Community Snowmaking Campaign: State-of-the-art snowmaking is the primary goal during this critical phase which is currently underway. A pump station on the WinooskiRiver, three-phase power, new steel piping and mobile energy efficient snow guns have been installed to bring a reliable skiing and riding surface to two-thirds of our slopes. Completion of the system, a new grooming machine and the addition of a maintenance building are still needed at an estimated cost of $150,000. A successful campaign will result in:
* An increased capacity to serve the community, including young students and high school alpine race teams in need of an after-school practice area;
* Improved financial standing through greater facility utilization and installation of a highly efficient snowmaking system;
* The ability to maintain affordable skiing & riding for area children and families.
21st Century Cochran’s: Cochran’s will serve the long-term needs of Vermont’s children and families by maintaining a critical community resource for affordable outdoor recreation and educational purposes. This responsibility will be accomplished – in part – through:
* Studying the demand and desirability of expanding terrain for alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, and race training;
* Making the property available for year-round recreational and educational uses including kids camps, nature hikes, community meetings, and increased children’s programming;
* The preservation of 600 acres of critical open space in perpetuity.
“No child will be denied the opportunity to ski or ride.”