Happy December! Another year is almost over, and what a year it was. You can relive some of the highlights in our 2020 Season Recap story. We’ve said it before but we’ll say it again: we’re so grateful to have been able to make this weird and wonderful season happen with all of you.
So what’s going on at the mountain now that the lift’s not spinning? Year-round staff who are able to do their off-season work from home have been banished back to their home offices (i.e. basements, kitchen tables, blanket forts….whatever’s clever) to weather out the winter. Our operations team remains onsite, working on ongoing maintenance and some mountain improvement projects for 2021. Take a look:
Most of trail crew’s work since closing weekend has focused on end-of-season and early-winter cleanup. (We got hit by our first snowstorm last week, which took down quite a few trees out on the hill.) But that’s not all they’ve been up to: the final drop on Lower NE Style probably looks a little different than when you saw it last, and down in the XC network they’ve built an extension of 820.
We’ll be grooming some XC trails for fat biking this winter as conditions allow. Check our conditions page for updates on which trails are open and which have been groomed.
Downstairs in the bike shop, the team is working their way steadily through the breakdown and rebuild of our entire 2020 fleet. The shop itself is also gearing up for a bit of revamp in 2021: the backyard is being reconfigured to accommodate more shop space, better bike storage, and a more streamlined rental process. We’re in the very early stages of that project now, but are looking forward to sharing more updates with you this winter.
Are you in the market for a new bike of your own? There are a handful of 2020 rental and demo bikes still available for purchase. Give the bike shop a call between 10am and 4pm Monday through Saturday for the details. You can reach them at (603) 286-7677 x 112.
Upstairs, Calvin and Ben are keeping the Highland Pub running for the locals. Dine-in options are available for folks who want to warm up by the wood stove and watch the football game (or a Mighty Ducks marathon, depending on who has control of the remote). You can also call ahead or order online for takeout. They’re open 11am-8pm Friday through Sunday. Swing through and get your Highland pizza fix.
Enrollment for 2021 summer camps is now open! Enroll before January 1 and save $200 off your Ayr Academy session or $100 off your Summer Ride tuition. As an extra Early Bird incentive, you’ll also be entered to win a custom Highland Camps dirt jumper! We’ve teamed up with Kona and Spank to build a sweet ride for one lucky winner, featuring a Kona Shonky DJ frame, Spank bars, stem, wheels, and grips, and a Highland DJ saddle.
Have questions about summer camp? Not sure whether Summer Ride or Ayr Academy will be the best fit for you? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at camps@highlandmountain.com.
Catch up on the latest episode of Highland Is Home! This time around we’re highlighting four female riders: Chelsea Read, Brooke Trine, Dawn Bourque, and Tania Lillak. Once generally considered outliers in the sport, in recent years the women of Highland have set the stage for an explosion of progression.
Dawn has been dominating races since the nineties and was one of the first few riders at the mountain on Highland’s opening day in 2006. Brooke had never ridden a mountain bike before her first visit to Highland last year, and now she’s competing at Crankworx. Chelsea and Tania keep raising the bar, challenging themselves and helping others to pick off feature after feature on the slopestyle course and around the mountain. All four of them prove, over and over again, that women on bikes aren’t a novelty: just pay attention and see what they can do. (Read more)
The final episode in this year’s series, Generations, will come out at the end of the month. Keep an eye on our YouTube and social accounts to be the first to watch it!
That’s all for now, folks! Wishing you and yours a safe and happy holiday season. (And if you’re still looking for gifts, might we suggest something…Highland-themed?) Mark your calendars for April 28: in only 138 short days we’ll see you back at the hill!
Don’t Miss Out:
– Registration for Adult Ayr Academy is open: Sign up before January 1 and save $100
– Hoodies are back in stock: Order your Highland gear by 12/17 for delivery in time for Christmas
– Now Hiring: We’re seeking a Bike Shop Retail Specialist to join the full-time team
