In New Hampshire and Vermont, the COVID-19 ski season was a tale of two states
Gunnar Pope, of Lebanon, takes his last few turns down the slope at Whaleback Mountain in Enfield on Feb. 13. Valley News File photo — Jennifer Hauck
Published: 4/19/2021 1:00:05 PM
Saturday, the last day he was open for business this season, was a quiet one for Jack Henderson, owner of Henderson’s Ski and Snowboard on Route 4 in Quechee. Customers would occasionally show up to return their equipment rentals, but otherwise the most noticeable presence was the Grateful Dead and reggae music filling the store.
“I’m just so glad to get out of here,” said Henderson, but not for the reason you’d think. He called the 2020-21 winter ski season for his shop — the year when the COVID-19 pandemic that shut down entire countries and economies — “extraordinary” and one of the best he’s seen in 37 years of business. He reported a 30% increase in leasing of ski equipment both for adults and juniors and strong demand for climbing skins and new skis for backcountry skiing.