View near the Hill The Hill Ski Lodge Miti-Mite Base Nothing to it! Hold on tight! Base to Face! Ready to jump! Lollipop Race! Up the Mite_Mite! Proud to be! Racer Ready! JIV Racer 1 JIV Racer 2 JIV Racer 3 JIV Racer 4
The Cochran family opened their first rope tow in 1961 to provide skiing for their children and neighboring kids during the week. Since then the backyard training area has grown into a challenging ski area with expanded lifts and slopes. But the love and thrill of downhill skiing that started the Cochran's on the road to World Cup and Olympic competition still permeates the Cochran Ski Area, the downhill ski area with the cross-country atmosphere. Friendly people, interesting skiing.
Cochran's Ski Area History and Direction
In the Beginning
Cochran's Ski Area was established in 1961 when Mickey and Ginny Cochran purchased an old hillside farm along the Winooski River in Richmond, Vermont. Transforming the land with hard work and Mickey's gifts as a mechanical engineer, the ski area consisted of a couple of backyard trails and a short rope tow installed so that their children and neighbors could enjoy skiing and race training.
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In the next decade, the ski area helped put all four of the "Skiing Cochrans" on the road to Olympic and World Cup success as members of the United Ski Team, which Mickey coached during the 1973/74 ski season. Not long after Barbara Ann captured the Olympic gold medal in slalom in 1972, the small facility grew into a local winter recreation area with four lifts and eight slopes attracting a loyal contingent of children and families from around Vermont.
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Cochran's Today
Since the Cochran's ruled the slopes, scores of other Vermont skiers and racers have emerged to take their place at home and abroad - many of them grounded in the Cochran's technique and love for the sport of skiing. Today, Cochran's Ski Area is a nonprofit interprise and home to a junior race team, hundreds of school children and a host of learn-to-ski & snowboard programs.
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In the summer of 1998, Cochran's Ski Area became a nonprofit corporation with the goal of providing area youth and families with affordable skiing and snowboarding, lessons and race training, in the Cochran tradition. "No child will be denied the opportunity to ski or ride." Scholarships and employment opportunities are available for those in need.
On Thursday, February 11, 1999, Cochran's Ski Area was granted nonprofit, 501(c)(3) tax status by the Internal Revenue Service.
There's a long history to the planning and process which has brought Cochran's to where they are now and includes several years of hard work and energy from the Cochran family as well as Ski Club Members past & present. More recently, a group comprised of many of the individuals presently on the Board of Directors met with Ginny & Mickey with the goal of looking towards the Ski Area's future in light of Mickey's failing health. The Cochran group listened to their dreams, concerns and desire that a non profit organization be formed to continue the tradition of Cochran's Ski Area. Several evenings of discussion and writing led to a proposal which Mickey & Ginny received graciously and directed the group to proceed. The heart of the proposal lay in the formation of a "Not for Profit" organization which would work towards the fulfillment of short and long term goals directed towards the development of a healthy ski area which would remain both affordable and with a focus on families skiing together. Cochran's mission statement sums it up best -
"To provide affordable skiing/snowboarding, lessons and race training for area youths and families and continue the tradition Mickey & Ginny have created".
Of course all this planning and dreaming isn't worth it's salt if Cochran's does not maintain what they have and build upon it. Several efforts are in progress for this season's preparation. The Communication Committee has been working hard to develop a data base, newsletter, this web site, audio visual presentations and a plan of action for going public with the "Cochran's News". Dick Farrell is chairing a committee charged with maintaining and developing our ski instruction and after school programs. Rob Banfield has already worked magic in beginning the clean up process on the hill and around the lodges. Many are working hard to perform the face lift to the inside of the ski lodge and a committee is working on finishing that task as well as some improvements to the exterior. Others are involved with trail, lift, and equipment maintenance & repairs. Additional efforts are being made to accomplish a list of minimal improvements this summer and fall including adding to the ski rental inventory, bringing power to the lodge, parking lot & access road upgrades, and temporary upgrades to the existing snow making system.
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The ski area now has officially become a corporation with the title of "Cochran's Ski Area, Inc." which was founded by the Cochran Family (Ginny, Marilyn, Bob, Lindy & Barbara Ann) and is governed by a Board of Directors (the five Cochran's, Steve Kelley, Chris Brown, Dick Farrell, Bill Shouldice III, Marilynne Johnson, Dave Furney, Dave Healy and Mark Gilbert). Cochran's organization is in the process of filing for 501(c)3 status (tax exempt, not for profit) with the IRS. Ginny and Lindy recently completed a day trip to St. Johnsbury to sign the paperwork for a trust which has been established for the Cochran's. Though this does not immediately effect the Cochran organization, it is an important step for the Cochran's in dealing with estate and future planning which in the end affects the ski area. Downs, Rachlin & Martin, who have been providing legal counsel to Cochran's pro bono, recently completed the draft of the lease for the ski area which is now being reviewed by Ginny and the Organization. Rick Sharp is also assisting with legal counsel to assure that both parties are properly represented in this process.
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Several months of brainstorming, site walks, phone calls and research have led to the development of a visionary master plan for the Area, detailed so clearly by Jeff Dunham. The plan may be viewed in Cochran's ski lodge. Though this is by no means the determined "future" of Cochran's, it is an effective tool Cochran's is using for business planning, for marketing and developing the Cochran "Vision". Budgets, an order of priorities, and a five year development plan has been determined for potential improvements to the Area. The "Development Committee" is now researching the permit process in preparation for final planning and design once a course of action is set. The improvement priorities and five year plan are being used to develop operational cost and cash flow projections for the same period. This information will help us determine what type of revenues will be needed to support potential improvements.
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The "Soul" and "Vision" of Cochran's
Any successful recreational business in this modern world of entertainment opportunities must have an effective marketing plan. Cochran's has been fortunate to have the guidance, assistance and energy of David Kemp, partner of Jager Di Paola Kemp in Burlington. David has helped Cochran clarify the "Soul" of Cochran's which is defined as "Vermont's ski area for kids" and is now working with Dave Healy at developing a logo, slogans, brochures and an advertising campaign. A market survey, directed by Holly Wilkinson-Ray, is just being completed which will give us valuable information on what past, current and potential Cochran skiers would like to see happen at the Area. This information, combined with the mission and soul statements, cash flow and revenue projections, potential master plan for improvements and marketing plan, form the foundation upon which the Cochran "Vision" for the Ski Area will be built. A vision the Area will be able to start constructing in the coming months.
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Dreams are only dreams until you make them come true, and that takes money. A capital fundraising committee has been meeting to this effect. Plans are being developed for a capital fundraising campaign which will require the resources and products of all Cochran's efforts. Brochures and publications detailing our business plan, mission and vision statements are being created to demonstrate to potential contributors the value of what Cochran's can offer. Our "Fundraising Committee" is also focusing on alternative funding sources including grant writing. Dave Furney has already successfully acquired a $15,000 operational grant for children's programs which we will receive as soon as our "Not for Profit" status and lease are confirmed. Julie McGowan, a grant writer for the UVM School of Medicine, is assisting with researching potential foundations and grants we can apply.
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