Cochran's Ski Area is a small local family hill located just outside the town of Richmond, VT about a 2 hour drive from Montreal along Autoroutes 10 & 35 and Interstate 89. It boasts 3 surface lifts, 1 t-bar, rope tow, and a handle tow called a Mighty Might. There are 8 trails to ski, 4 Easy, 3 Intermediate, and 1 Expert on a vertical of 350 feet. Snowmaking covers 66% of the skiable terrain. The hours of operation are Tuesday to Thursday from 3-6 pm, Friday 3-8 pm, Saturday and Sunday's from 9am to 4pm. They offer an afterschool ski program to children in the nearby neighboring towns and including Richmond on a 9-10 week schedule. Most, if not all skiers here are young families and children learning how to ski for the first time, and right up to the young aspiring racer going through their paces with the Cochran's race program. The hill hosts weekly races and is a training area for 8 local high schools, and shares the hill with 800 school children from elementary school programs.
The Mountain and the Ski Trails
Cochran's is a small area that has been a cornerstone in the Richmond area since the 1960's when it began as a backyard rope tow area by Ginnie and Mickey Cochran for their children and locals alike. The main lift here is a 1,600 foot t-bar that brings you to the top where you find the expert Race Trail to the t-bar's left, and to the right, the I-89 and Route 2 intermediate trails, the short expert pitch The Face, and the easy Elbow trail. At the base, the Mighty Might handle tow is to the right looking uphill, where the beginner's area is located. There is the chalet where you can grab a quick bite to eat, pick up your lift ticket, or to have a break to warm up with a hot chocolate. The rental shop is situated in the chalet as well. You will find the walls lined with a rich history that is Cochran's. Racing pinnies, trophies, and some old photos are proudly displayed. There is surely a family-friendly atmosphere that can be found here at Cochran's.
Unique Features
The unique feature here at Cochran's is their mission; No child will be denied the opportunity to ski or ride. In 1998 the hill became a registered non-profit organization providing area youth and families with affordable skiing, snowboarding, lessons, and race training. The ski hill is rich in racing history starting with the Cochran family themselves, and they continue the tradition of providing an area for the locals that Mickey & Ginnie Cochran began all those years ago.
Why visit Cochran's Ski Area?
Skiing at Cochran's, you are not going to be skiing a major resort. You are skiing in an area that is so rich in local ski history that you can feel it. By skiing here, you will contribute to a non-profit organization that provides locals with an affordable place to go to, hopefully for years to come. What this hill lacks in size, they sure make up for it by having a huge heart and giving back to the community.
