The CTA welcomed a friendly and engaged crowed to its 30th Annual Meeting on Saturday November 16th. Following positive reports on the organization’s well-being from Chairman Rich Larsen and Treasurer Jan Rozendaal, Alan Binnick was elected to the Board of Directors for his first term. Trina Hosmer, Bob Jordan, Pete Lane, Rich Larsen, and Bill Michels were re-elected to additional terms. Departing members Jan Rozendaal and Dagny St. John were recognized for their years of service.
Although there were a still a few empty seats when the business meeting ended, those filled quickly by the time the main program began. For just over an hour, conversation focused on Vermont’s evolving backcountry ski culture. Panelists David Goodman (author of Best Backcountry Skiing in the Northeast), Dickie Hall (North American Telemark Association founder), Dun Cochrane (GMNF Forester), Craig Whipple (Director of VT State Parks), and Peter Nelson (Executive Director of Friends of Tuckerman Ravine) shared their thoughts on the opportunities and challenges faced by Vermont and New England’s backcountry skiing community. While representing different perspectives, each spoke with passion and conviction about the importance of backcountry skiers coming together to protect and manage the resources they love. Issues of particular interest brought up by panelists and participants included processes for working with public land managers to create and maintain new backcountry ski trails and glades, the impacts of informal glade cutting, access issues, rescue procedures, and ski area uphill travel policies. More questions were raised than answered, and the conversation will continue. We hope to help find some of the answers and plan to share our learning process on the CTA website. If interested in following the conversation check back often as we will post updates as things develop.
In closing, Jim Fredericks and Jan Rozendaal, who together, as Executive Director and Board Chairman respectively, led the CTA from 2007 to 2012 were honored for their service. For over 6 years, they worked consistently and successfully to build awareness of the CTA, develop CTA’s current slate of events, and stabilize the organization’s financial position. The CTA would not be where it is today without their careful stewardship.
