Middlebury College Snow Bowl
Encyclopedia
The Middlebury College Snow Bowl is a ski area in Hancock, Vermont
, 13 miles (20.9 km) east of Middlebury in the Green Mountains
. The site has been owned and operated by Middlebury College
since its first trails were cut in 1934. The Snow Bowl has 17 trails and 3 lifts, offering access to more than 110 acre (0.4451546 km²) of terrain. In 2006, it became the first carbon-neutral ski area in the United States.
, the Snow Bowl is one of two remaining college-owned ski areas in the eastern United States.
on land willed to Middlebury College by Joseph Battell
. The property is surrounded by the Joseph Battell Wilderness, land once owned by the College now part of the Green Mountain National Forest
. Averaging 250 inches (6.4 m) annually, additional snowmaking
covers nearly half of all trails, including most terrain served by the Worth Mountain and Sheehan chairlifts. The Snow Bowl's eastern face, colloquially known as "the backside", relies mainly on natural snow and is accessed by the Bailey Falls triple chairlift.
A volunteer ski patrol
, staffed primarily by students, provides on-mountain medical services. Members are certified as Outdoor Emergency Care
technicians and trained in first aid, chairlift evacuation, and toboggan handling.
Hancock, Vermont
Hancock is a town in Addison County, Vermont, United States. The town was named for John Hancock. The population was 382 at the 2000 census. Hancock is home to the Middlebury College Snow Bowl and contains Middlebury Gap....
, 13 miles (20.9 km) east of Middlebury in the Green Mountains
Green Mountains
The Green Mountains are a mountain range in the U.S. state of Vermont. The range extends approximately .-Peaks:The most notable mountains in the range include:*Mount Mansfield, , the highest point in Vermont*Killington Peak, *Mount Ellen,...
. The site has been owned and operated by Middlebury College
Middlebury College
Middlebury College is a private liberal arts college located in Middlebury, Vermont, USA. Founded in 1800, it is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the United States. Drawing 2,400 undergraduates from all 50 United States and over 70 countries, Middlebury offers 44 majors in the arts,...
since its first trails were cut in 1934. The Snow Bowl has 17 trails and 3 lifts, offering access to more than 110 acre (0.4451546 km²) of terrain. In 2006, it became the first carbon-neutral ski area in the United States.
History
The third-oldest ski area in Vermont, the Snow Bowl has hosted intercollegiate competitions since the 1930s. The original lodge--a traditional log cabin--was built in 1938 and remains the oldest standing base lodge in the nation. A modern lodge, Neil Starr Shelter, was completed in 1962 and completely renovated and expanded in 2004. Along with the Dartmouth SkiwayDartmouth Skiway
The Dartmouth Skiway is a ski area located about twenty minutes north of Dartmouth College in Lyme, New Hampshire. It has thirty trails from easiest to most difficult on over 100 acres of skiable area....
, the Snow Bowl is one of two remaining college-owned ski areas in the eastern United States.
The Mountain
Located on the north slope of Worth Mountain, the Snow Bowl rises near Middlebury GapMiddlebury Gap
Middlebury Gap, is a mountain pass in the Green Mountains of Vermont.The height of land of the pass is located in Addison County.On the southeast side of the height of land, the notch is drained by the Robbins Branch, thence into the Hancock Branch of the White River, which drains into the...
on land willed to Middlebury College by Joseph Battell
Joseph Battell
Joseph Battell was a publisher and philanthropist from Middlebury, Vermont. Battell is credited with preserving Vermont forest land including the land for Camel's Hump State Park. Battell edited a newspaper and authored several books, including the "American Morgan Horse Registry"...
. The property is surrounded by the Joseph Battell Wilderness, land once owned by the College now part of the Green Mountain National Forest
Green Mountain National Forest
Green Mountain National Forest is a national forest located in Vermontwhich supports a variety of wildlife, including beaver, moose, black bear, and white tailed deer. It also supports an abundant variety of bird species. The forest has been referred to as the 'granite backbone' of the state...
. Averaging 250 inches (6.4 m) annually, additional snowmaking
Snowmaking
Snowmaking is the production of snow by forcing water and pressurized air through a "snow gun" or "snow cannon", on ski slopes. Snowmaking is mainly used at ski resorts to supplement natural snow. This allows ski resorts to improve the reliability of their snow cover and to extend their ski...
covers nearly half of all trails, including most terrain served by the Worth Mountain and Sheehan chairlifts. The Snow Bowl's eastern face, colloquially known as "the backside", relies mainly on natural snow and is accessed by the Bailey Falls triple chairlift.
A volunteer ski patrol
Ski patrol
A Ski Patrol is an organization that provides Emergency Medical and rescue services to skiers and participants of other snow sports, either at a ski area or in a back country setting. Patrollers are trained in Basic or Advanced Life Support to stabilize and transport patients to definitive care,...
, staffed primarily by students, provides on-mountain medical services. Members are certified as Outdoor Emergency Care
Outdoor Emergency Care
Outdoor Emergency Care is an award winning course that was first developed by the National Ski Patrol in the 1980s for certification in first aid, CPR and other pre-hospital care and treatment for possible injuries in non-urban settings...
technicians and trained in first aid, chairlift evacuation, and toboggan handling.