Since 2015, the Poma lifts at the Hickory Ski Center in New York have not spun. Two years ago, the Hickory Ski Center was purchased by locals. Since then, they’ve brought many activities back to the mountain, and are working on bringing back lift-serviced skiing to Hickory.
Last week, Hickory gave an update on the latest happenings at the ski area. One thing that has eluded them so far is reopening the lifts. While the Poma Lifts have been approved to operate from the State of New York, liability insurance costs have blocked them from running them to the public. This month, they’ll be meeting with an insurance company to try and work out a partnership.
If that doesn’t work though, they have another idea for bringing people up the mountain. Last spring, they had an autonomous vehicle company test out their product on Hickory’s terrain. The company is returning for pre-season testing this fall. It has been confirmed by the Storm Skiing Journal & Podcast that this would be the dolaGon autonomous vehicle. It’s unclear if they would still purchase the autonomous vehicle if they’re able to acquire insurance for the Poma lifts.
In terms of the summertime, Hickory has continued to grow its activities. Over the past couple of years, they’ve built out an extensive hiking network, with five different trails to the Three Sisters Peak. The hiking map is available online, with Hickory planning to add them to AllTrails in the near future. An 18-hole disc golf course is also being installed, with its completion expected this fall.
Another idea they have in the future is to add a taproom to the base lodge. Hickory completed the lodge inspections, so they know they can add it. They are working with Hickory Hill Brewery and Event Planning to complete the lease agreement and building permits, with a projected opening in early 2024.
Let’s keep our fingers crossed for a snowy winter at the Hickory Ski Center.
Mountain Stats
Trails: 19
Lifts: 4
Vertical Drop: 1200 feet
Skiable Acreage: 225
Location: Warrensburg, New York
Image/Video Credits: DolaGon (Featured Image), Hickory Ski Center
