First of all we would like to thank more than 600 people who submitted their Green Peak trail name ideas and the stories behind them. The Marketing Team and Waterville Valley Resort Management staff went through all the suggestions and read every single email and letter. During the final phase we kept or tweaked some of the great suggestions based on the character of the trail and the story behind it. We are proud to present the new trail names, stories behind them, and the most fascinating quotes about people and stories from the contest participant
(TRAVPR.COM) USA - March 14th, 2017 -
This is very exciting. First of all we would like to thank more than 600 people who submitted their Green Peak trail name ideas and the stories behind them. The Marketing Team and Waterville Valley Resort Management staff went through all the suggestions and read every single email and letter. During the final phase we kept or tweaked some of the great suggestions based on the character of the trail and the story behind it. We are proud to present the new trail names, stories behind them, and the most fascinating quotes about people and stories from the contest participants.
Trail 51 – Chandler’s Way
Named in honor of Kathy Chandler
Kathy is in the Waterville Valley Hall of Fame 2016, U.S. Disabled Snow Sports Hall of Fame 2012 (formerly the Disabled Ski Hall of Fame), founder of the first adaptive skiing program at Waterville Valley, founder of Ability Plus, Adaptive Coordinator for PSIA-e (Adaptive Division), PSIA certified examiner for both alpine and adaptive divisions.
Named by Waterville Valley Adaptive Snowsports Program
Trail 52 – Bourbon Street
Named in honor of Keith Sutherland
Katherine McClellan: "Keith worked at Waterville Valley for many years. Keith worked his way up to Head of Snow Surfaces and Mountain Manager. He dedicated many hours to Waterville Valley, and he was part of the planning of Green Peak before retiring. He was always at the mountain in the morning, checking in to make sure everything was running".
The story goes, he was given 44 bottles of Bourbon when he retired (one for every year he was at Waterville). Keith was one smooth operator.
Named by Waterville Valley Resort Senior Staff and long-time First Chair Joe Robertie
Trail 53 – Mean Jean’s Ravine
Named in honor of Jean Brosseau
Robert Armet: "Jean has been a loyal, conscious, and dedicated employee for 28+ years".
Emma Lundberg: "Jean comes back every season, time and time again, and is a consistent character that many people both hope and expect to see each ski season".
Kim Kelly: "Jean has sat on her stool at the cafeteria with all of her jewels for many years, always ready to help regulars and new visitors alike".
But employees watch out! She won’t let you get away with anything out of line! The name "Mean Jean" is very fitting to such a rugged trail.
Named by over 60 people who nominated Jean Brosseau
Trail 54 – Wayne Wong Way
Named in honor of Wayne Wong
Pamela Turner: "Inspiring to young and old alike, Wayne Wong set the bar for freestyle skiing in the East and, in particular, at Waterville Valley. Elegant and strong, he demonstrated a type of skiing that embraced the poetry of ballet and encompassed the strength of an athlete. He was a joy to watch, a pleasure to be around, and a mentor to many future and aspiring freestyle skiers. He brought both class and character to Waterville and is a part of the history of Mount Tecumseh".
Gail Marshalka: "His name was often connected to Waterville in the 70's and I remember seeing him perform his freestyle magic on your slopes".
Ian Young: "The first ever international freestyle skiing competition was held in Waterville Valley in 1971. The term freestyle was yet to be invented, so the event was named the National Championships of Exhibition Skiing. Wayne Wong was sponsored to enter by his friends. Over the next few years he became the poster boy for this new sport".
At the age of 21, Wong travelled from Vancouver on $200 in sponsorship money to the first World Cup Freestyle event held on Waterville Valley's True Grit. Trail 54 drops off of Trail 51 so everyone should be careful not to go the wrong way - go Wayne Wong's Way!
Named by Ian Young and Gail Marshalka
Trail 55 – Clean Shaven
Named in honor of Butch Cushing
Antonia Stewart: "Butch has put his heart and soul into making lift operation and Waterville Valley the best it can be. Butch has been at Waterville Valley for over 33 years. He has seen trails cut and built, and has provided years upon years of customer service and loyalty. He previously worked in Ski Patrol where his caring nature shone. From saving lives in ski patrol to making and selling renowned baked potatoes, he always puts the guest first and brings smiles to everyone he meets".
Butch loved to patrol the slopes as much as he was beloved by guests and staff. Now he is training the next generation of lift attendants to be conscientious, caring, and dedicated to the experience of every skier and rider, even greeting Passholders by name. He believes that every guest and Waterville Valley Resort as a whole deserves an extremely high level of respect and attention.
Lift operations value and expectation of excellence goes as far as military grade shaving standards for all lift attendants. Trail 55 has a very clean fall line all the way down and it is going to be a perfectly grated slope. In honor of Butch, this trail will be of the highest standards, and definitely Clean Shaven!
Named by Waterville Valley Resort Senior Staff
Trail 56 – Pfosi’s Pfolly
Named in honor of Paul Pfosi
The original director of the Waterville Valley Snowsports School in 1968, he also ran a lodge in the Valley called Pfosi's Lodge.
Robert Mann: "A former member of the Swiss National Team, Paul established the early European culture at Waterville Valley Resort".
Don Warnock: "I remember Paul Pfosi greeting us on our arrival at the Lodge, and he and his staff couldn't have been nicer or more accommodating during the entire week. We loved our stay at Pfosi's Lodge and Waterville Valley, and got hooked on skiing, and we've been going back ever since, As time went on, both our sons learned to ski at Waterville Valley, and our oldest son eventually became an instructor and taught at Waterville Valley for more than 8 years. We eventually bought property just outside the valley and continue to ski Waterville every year. I really believe Paul Pfosi's genuine interest in making sure we were having a good time contributed to a great first ski experience for my wife and I, and kept us coming back for forty years"
Trail 56 is a trail you can accidentally end up on if you don't pay attention, a Pfolly you may want to make on purpose!
Named by Don Warnock
Trail 57 – Governors Run
Named in honor of Governors John H. Sununu and Chris Sununu
The family tradition started here when John H. Sununu was the Governor of New Hampshire (1983 - 1989) and would bring the family to ski every winter. The trail name "Governors Run" was chosen in honor of both the current New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu who spearheaded the new Green Peak Expansion when he served Waterville Valley as CEO, and his father, former New Hampshire Governor John H. Sununu.
Named by Robert Perreault
Trail 58 – Piano Man
Named in honor of Lenny Emery
Richard and Ellie Scherr: "To Lenny, there was never a bad day of skiing at Waterville Valley. From the opening day in November to Closing in April, he'd never miss "first chair" - often recording 120+ days of skiing. If it rained, when asked how it was to Lenny "it was a great day". When there was bullet proof ice, to Lenny "it was a great day of firm skiing". Lenny passed away much too soon a few years ago. He is buried up the hill here in Waterville Valley. Lenny always had a wonderful sense of humor. The inscription on his gravestone reads "I'd rather be here than Loon".
Margaret Turner: "Lenny was part of the team that built the ski area and ran the Bird's Nest for several years, living in the loft space above. He left us his skier's prayer, which is featured at the entrance to the Schwendi Hut:
When the mountain starts to sparkle
In the dawn's early sun
And you're getting off the chair
For your first powder run
Look out upon my Valley just before you go
And if your voice is truth
And your heart is pure I'll be your snow".
Pk. Conti: "He was a fixture at the Mountain"
Named by Pk. Conti
Trail 59 – Calvert’s Crossing
Named in honor of Richard "Dick" Calvert
Born on June 11, 1923, and one of the oldest ski racers in New England. He is also the last of his WWII 10th Mountain Division to continue ski racing. He has been a member of the Waterville Valley Silver Streaks for over 30 years and continues to bring his lovely wife, Millie, to the mountain weekly to participate in the Silver Streaks. Dick is a wonderful human being with a joyous heart that brings energy and inspiration to everyone around him. He reminds us all what to aspire to, at any age.
Named by Waterville Valley Resort Silver Streaks
Trail 60 – Ruffled Feathers
Name in honor of William "Bill" Feather
Carol Stewart: "In memory of Bill Feathers, our long time ski patrol leader".
Jennifer Boisvert: "Bill was a professional in every aspect of his position. He spent countless hours both on and off the mountain making it a safe place for guests to enjoy. His top priority was safety. He would arrive early in the mornings and make sure all trails and personnel were ready to go for the paying customer".
Bill started vacationing in Waterville Valley in 1986 from New Jersey, and in 1994 sold his business to move to the Valley. Bill was in Ski Patrol for 22 years: Assistant Director 2001-2005; Director 2005-2016; PSPA - for 22 years, and Instructor Trainer for 9 years. His legacy will live on as his trail sign guides future generations. William H. Feather passed away unexpectedly on December 30th, 2016.
Named by Jennifer Boisvert and Mrs. Pud Feather
BONUS:
Preston's Path
Named in honor of Nick and Suzi Preston.
Dennis Evgenov: “This name is dedicated to the Preston family. Nick was a long time freestyle coach at BBTS at Waterville. He has dedicated his life to the mountain and the Sport. Skiing is his passion, and where ever he might be, Waterville is always him home mountain. He also has seen great success as a coach. He has coached many Olympic hopefuls, and a two time Olympic medalist Hannah Kearney. Here at Waterville they both helped pioneer the sport of freestyle skiing, and it is only logical to name a trail after this dynasty of skiers since Waterville does boast to be the "Birthplace of Freestyle skiing".
The trail under the Northside lift has opened this season for the first time as an official trail. We have recently enjoyed opening it every chance we can and it has become a natural mogul run. It's only fitting that the Preston's have a mogul run named after them! Nick and Suzi Preston together have done so much for not only the sport and youth in Freestyle, but for Waterville Valley Resort in general.
Named by Dennis Evgenov
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