Our Mission

By providing access to introductory and competitive programs in Alpine and Nordic skiing and ski racing within the backdrop of a fun, supportive, family-oriented environment, it is the mission of Woodstock Ski Runners to continue our proud tradition of instilling in our children the love of Winter and skiing.

About Woodstock Ski Runners

Founded in 1932, Woodstock Ski Runners is the oldest ski club in the Eastern United States. Two years later, Bunny Bertram built the Nation’s first rope tow on Gilbert Hill in Pomfret. He and his friends used this rope tow to explore the surrounding hills, including Hill #6. Bertram often joked that to ski hill #6 would be “suicide.” He soon purchased the property and opened Suicide 6 Ski Area. Recognizing the stewardship of the land surrounding the mountain, the ski area in 2022 opted to adopt an Abenaki name, Saskadena. Saskadena means “standing mountain” in Abenaki. Woodstock Ski Runners has based our alpine programs here, enjoying the great location, family environment, and challenging terrain of Saskadena Six.

Today, Ski Runners offers both Alpine and Nordic programs for kids ages 6-19. Local school children just learning snowsports enjoy our benchmark Friday Learn-to-Ski Program, a local tradition now in it’s 62nd year. More experienced skiers seek the thrill of speed through our many alpine racing programs. Our nordic programs train nearby at the beautiful Woodstock Nordic Center.

While the real goal is to have fun while sharing the enjoyment of snowsports, Ski Runners does boast a strong history of race results. Both the alpine & nordic programs have produced several Vermont State Championship & Eastern Regional medalists. The Woodstock Union High School Ski Team, comprised largely of Ski Runners kids, has won numerous Men’s and Women’s State Championships.

Ski Runners & Saskadena 6 host the annual Fisk Trophy Race, the longest-running FIS event in the United States. The FISK invites an elite field to compete, including many NCAA athletes and current & former U.S. Ski Team members. The names on the FISK Cup read like a who’s who of U.S. ski racing history.

Most importantly, we are a club of people that love Winter, love skiing, and love sharing it with our kids. While skiing is what we teach, the kids learn lessons in sportsmanship, hard work, and perseverance. Most of the kids, and even their parents, make lasting friendships through Ski Runners. Come join us!