c.1946
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Hickory Ski Center - In the spring of 1946 Hans and Fran Winbauer and
Ken and Flo Bates purchased a farm and farmhouse on Pine
Mountain from a family named Walsh. Along with friends and relatives
they converted the farmhouse into a ski lodge and cleared slopes, using a team
of horses pulling a mower on the lower slopes. A luxury Packard powered
the first rope tow. In their first season, 1947-48, they took in $800 on
one weekend, and the tickets were only $ 2 each. The Winbauers bought out
the Bates, and in 1955 they sold to Hickory Hill Corporation for $1 and
shares of stock in the corporation. Hickory thrived for many years, with
much of its operation supported by volunteers among its shareholders.
Declining snowfalls and changes in skiers' expectations led to its
downfall. In 2009, when it was about to go on the auction block, Texas
businessman William VanPelt bought into the corporation and has been
investing heavily in the business, with plans to add snowmaking and a chair
lift.
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