SARANAC LAKE - After a winter that saw a $20,000 increase in revenue over last year, Mount Pisgah Ski Center is scheduled to close for the season on Sunday.
Manager Matt Cook said recent warm weather has affected the base of snow at the village-run mountain.
"There's still a lot of base, especially on the Suicide trail because of all the snow we made for our races this year," Cook said. "But it's going quick."
Cook said he'll check conditions on Sunday morning before making the official call.
"But right now I think closing day will be Sunday," he said.
Cook described this ski season at Pisgah, his second winter on the job, as "phenomenal." Nearly 400 season passes were sold this year, well above the usual average of 220, he said. As of Friday, revenue from the sale of season passes, day passes and tubing passes was just shy of $90,000.
"I think with a good (final) weekend we certainly could top $90,000," Cook said.
In the previous five years, average revenues at Mount Pisgah totaled $57,000 including nearly $70,000 last year, Cook said.
He attributed the increase in revenue this winter to several upgrades: a new control panel for the mountain's T-bar lift, repairs to the lift, new features in the terrain park, improved lighting and better marketing.
Offering two-hour tubing passes and a $10 lift ticket for the last hour-and-a-half each day also helped boost revenue, Cook said.
The mountain still lost money for the village, but less than in prior years. Cook said this is largely because of several big investments including $20,000 for the new control system, $15,000 for the new lights and $6,000 in repairs to a groomer.
Cook said he thinks Mount Pisgah is turning the corner.
"There's no reason why we can't see a profit up here in a couple more years," he said.
Cook said Pisgah may open up again Friday for a special fundraiser for a new T-bar lift. More details on that event will be made available next week.
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Contact Chris Knight at 891-2600 ext. 24 or cknight@adirondackdailyenterprise.com.
