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Oak Stories


2024-05-23 17:11:16

Name:

Patricia Cote

Story:

Hello , I need to purchased a trail map for $30 The Trail is Thing On Side Winder


2024-01-25 11:39:41

Name:

Barbara Cafariella

Story:

Our dad, Tom Perkins, grew up in Speculator, trained as a medic in the Army and was a member of the Artic Ski Team while stationed in Alaska. When his military days were over, he came back to Speculator and put his training to use with the National Ski Patrol working at Oak Mountain in the winter. A jack of all trades, he also helped run the lifts (T-bars and rope tow days). Our parents (Tom & Margie) started us skiing at a young age (~3). We spent all our free time at the mountain. My brother (Andy) and sister (Dawn) both raced and often won ribbons and trophies for their speed. I enjoyed skiing too, but loved the doughnuts more and would try to convince my mom that we should go inside and get a doughnut. Our grandparents looked forward to coming and seeing us ski. When we got a little older we would assist in ski patrol trainings with our dad, playing victims, riding down in the toboggan. At the end of the day, we would help him “sweep” the trails for skiers in order to close for the day. I can remember cookouts at the top of the mountain and the annual ski patrol parties at the base where Dad would dance and shake what seemed the entire building. Andy, known to get some air on the Kunjamuk, later became a ski instructor at Oak. The tradition continued with Andy‘s kids (Ashley, Kate, Lizzie) skiing, snowboarding, and teaching at the mountain. Now his grandkids are hitting the snow. Dawn‘s daughter (Willa) took to the slopes at a young age too and loved to go straight down just like her Downhill Dawn mom. Here are a few photos of those days. I wish we had more that captured all those special times, but look forward to skiing at Oak with the next generation of our family.


2024-01-20 02:37:51

Name:

Karen Hensel Yacovelli

Story:

So glad to have found Oak when my grandchildren, nieces and nephews were learning to ski. Such a wonderful mountain where you feel so at home.


2024-01-13 00:18:56

Name:

Steve and Cyndy Myers

Story:

My wife, Cyndy Young Myers of Gloversville and her entire Young family grew up skiing at Oak. Cyndy has been skiing over 65 years! Her brother Terry (picture attached) was a long time ski patroller at Oak. Around 1975 Cyndy taught me to ski at Oak with our son Andrew. I was around 25 and Andrew was 6! Each of our other children- Lisa and John learned to ski at Oak and we skied every year there for the remaining years we lived in Gloversvillle until we moved to Guilderland in 1997. My kids are fantastic skiers and John, who now lives in VT, worked in the ski industry for many years and is a custom boot fitter. The best story for those who remember the "old" Oak and the Novessels (sp?) is that Cyndy skied with John while pregnant and when he was born in 1983 she skied with him on her back for 2 years riding the old T bar before we put him on skis! Attached is a picture of Cyndy with John at Oak!!! We now have a home in Lake Placid and we have attached a picture at Whiteface. We ski at Oak on occasion and always enjoy the many memories. Congrats on 75 years!!! Steve Myers


2024-01-05 18:20:02

Name:

Lindsay Gundersen

Story:

Dahlia (age 1) last year learning to snowboard!


2023-01-04 16:49:23

Name:

Robert Legge

Story:

In the mid-1960s when I was a young teenager, my family went skiing nearly every weekend, and driving from Rochester to Speculator's Oak Mountain was a favorite destination. One weekend I remember in particular. It was 1964 and the Beatlemania was just beginning. Any time I wasn't on the slopes I spent in the cafeteria where I pumped dime after dime into the jukebox to play the Beatles' "Love Me Do." It must have driven the cafeteria staff crazy!


2022-10-06 20:31:03

Name:

David Johnson

Story:

Not a snow story, but a summer story. I was a 19 year old at the Acorn Lodge with a date to hear a band in the summer of '73. On the way back home to Northville, we stopped at a secluded spot off the road along the way. Found out the next day about Robert Garrow's rampage. We went right by where he made his attack. It could have been us. Wow! Talk about scary!


2022-06-28 00:37:33

Name:

Jonathan Boyer

Story:

I learned to ski at Oak Mountain. I was 5 and it was around 1978. I have found memories of the T-bar which was a challenging run in and of itself. That steep section was scary! Looking to coming back this summer on the mountain bike!


2021-12-26 22:15:50

Name:

J. Michael Mancini

Story:

Great memories of Alpin Haus and & ski club bus trips to Oak during the early/mid ‘80’s. Once I was old enough to drive, it became a regular destination. Always enjoyed the great holiday student rates for the week between Christmas & New Year’s. Cheeseburger & fries, or chili always made the day special. Can’t wait until we move back this year and can ski there next winter.

Oak 70 stories
2020-06-21 13:45:39

Name:

Scott Mody

Story:

Why Telemedicine Market Trending in 2020? Know The Latest Innovation Telemedicine is the use of electronic communication to provide healthcare services to remote patients. Social distancing is one of the main strategies to mitigate the spread of infection with COVID-19. Physicians need to exploit telemedicine technology to provide patients with healthcare services, thus encouraging social distancing and reducing the risk of corona virus infection. Growing number of positive cases of corona virus along with chronic respiratory diseases have raised the adoption of telemedicine facility. According to the report, global demand for telemedicine market was valued at approximately USD 134.40 Billion in 2019 and is expected to generate revenue of around USD 131.06 Billion by end of 2027, growing at a CAGR of around 18.2% between 2020 and 2027. https://www.reportcrux.com/summary/2884/Cancer-Diagnostics-Market


2020-02-18 15:08:38

Name:

Liz Droege

Story:

I learned to ski here! I remember my dad on the t bar, it was behind his knees as we went up!! I was about 5!! On one trip my brother around 6-7 thought my dad got injured he walked to the top looking for my dad!! The ski patrol went on the loud speaker telling people to be careful a child was going up the mountain!! He came down safely and my dad was fine!!! Always an adventure at oak mountain! This was in the 60’s!

Oak 70 stories
2020-01-21 16:28:30

Name:

Dean Holley

Story:

Circa: 1960’s The Holley family Mom was in the Acorn lodge. We made the scene at Oak Mtn from Gloversville every Sunday after Church. Oak was the place to be on the weekends! (Still is) Notice the Bear Trap bindings on me! Keep the tips up, and good skiing!! Dean Holley

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2019-11-04 23:32:46

Name:

John Busch

Story:

Last year My sons and a friend of mine were trying to decide were to ski one weekend, I had joined albany ski club and for this weekend Oak was on the association list for discounted tickets so we figured we would give it a try, On the way up we started hitting flurries around Northville and by the time we hit Wells it was dumping snow and it didn’t stop for the rest of the day.We we’re having a discussion on the way about Glen Plake and how he was doing his small mountain tour and how he was at Willard earlier that week, much to our surprise there was his RV ! We skied all day in the in the fast accumulating POW and even go to make a few runs with ski legend Glen Plake and his wife!!!! The conditions were epic, lift lines short and food in the bar was delicious and reasonably priced. Don’t think twice just go.


2019-02-22 12:49:51

Name:

Barbara Tracy

Story:

Loved when we were volunteers to keep Oak open through the village. Had lots of laughs being Queen of Oak. Still love volunteering at Oak.


2019-02-22 12:47:41

Name:

K Miller Wilt

Story:

We drove up from Syracuse to ski at Oak Mountain on the Weekend. Best time ever! Thank you Oak Mountain!


2019-02-13 02:43:35

Name:

Carol Felice

Story:

I was living down the road on Piseco Lake back in 1980. Skied at Oak Mtn. all the time, whether on my alpine skis or my Nordic skis. I took my 19 year old little sister, visiting from the flatter land of southern NJ, to x-c ski at Oak Mtn. to teach her about climbing and descending. We took the west-most beginner trail. The climbing went fine but her snowplow was a disaster; non-existent! And she cried in terror trying to ski down. We had been equal ski buddies growing up in NJ but I hadn't realized that Oak Mtn changed my abilities and perspective so much. Such a great little mountain.

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2019-02-11 19:18:40

Name:

Martha Reilly

Story:

Our family took our first ski lesson at Oak Mountain and we loved it!! The instructors were incredibly knowledgeable and helpful and made the entire experience fantastic!! We had a wonderful time as a family and are so excited to return!! Thank you!


2019-02-10 22:30:14

Name:

Scheve

Story:

Today 2/10/19 Oak Race Team set up a training course for u12-u14 for the ADK council clubs we are in the Snow Ridge Ski Club. After training the jump and bumps the super g slalom course gates werr set up and included the jump and bumps . What a beautiful trail for the course. I was imagining the tv camera cranes televising the jr olympics, lol. Great day for the athletes, they did wonderful! Thank You, fine folks at OAK mountain! We loved it!


2019-02-01 22:08:01

Name:

Diane Jazeboski

Story:

I learned to ski at Oak 60+ years ago. My parents gave me skis for Christmas so that I could join my friend Linda & her family on the slopes. It wasn't long before my parents,brother & cousin were skiing also. After church on Sunday my parents would load all of us in the car for the trip from Perth to Speculator. Driving along narrow, twisty old Rt. 30 was quite exciting with log trucks in transit, frost heaves & pot holes we were so happy to drive past the Osborne Hotel & arrive at Oak Mt. Our stop for lunch included homemade sandwiches, fruit & my Mom always made date nut bread for the occasion. The rope tow made us stronger & it seemed we always had fresh powder! We had wonderful days skiing & making memories.

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2019-01-31 20:10:41

Name:

Katy Novosel-Diedrich

Story:

Having fun skiing and ending of a hard day of work!

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2019-01-31 20:02:22

Name:

Katy Novosel-Diedrich

Story:

I am proud of the dedicated years of hard work and effort our family devoted to the development and success of Oak Mountain.

Oak 70 stories
2019-01-29 18:03:51

Name:

Gail Setlock

Story:

I learned to ski at Oak Mt when i was 3 years old. i remember it looking like the above photo, with the old lodge and the rope tow. I LOVED skiing at Oak ! i remember seeing the Oak Mt instructors teaching students, and knew that someday I too would be a ski instructor. And my dream came true! i taught skiing at Greek Peak while in college, and for a couple years at Oak for the after school ski program in the late 80's. I am now the Snow Sports School Director at Gore Mtn, and PSIA examiner -- which i attribute my ski career success to my childhood days skiing at Oak. My family spent weekends and holiday weeks at our camp in Lake Pleasant when i was growing up, and we would ski each day at Oak. We invited friends and cousins to come stay with us and they too learned to ski at Oak! While my skiing career has ventured out to other places, my heart still belongs to Oak Mountain. Happy 70th Anniversary, Oak Mountain !!!


2019-01-29 17:31:30

Name:

.Fran Gramlich

Story:

The 70th Anniversary sounds like a great idea. I'd like to loan you the map that was on the side of the lifthouse from Kay Gifford's time as manager through Germains. It's 51"x41", oil on plywood, framed, and glass covered. I also have a skip-jack found in an old Page barn, Occasionally you'd see one on the Beginner Hill; but today nobody has heard of this one ski, which might be the grandfather of the slalom water ski.

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2019-01-19 00:52:31

Name:

Mike Westfall

Story:

I would ski at Oak when I was a child and young adult. Brought wife and daughters to Oak again in 2013 and had lessons and a day of skiing. Went back again in 2018 all the way from Daphne, Alabama.


2019-01-10 04:00:08

Name:

Tod Teitsma

Story:

I spent from 9 to 14 skiing at oak with my family and have a tin of pictures from 69 to 75 that i would love to send you. We are booked to come up the weekend of feb 8-10 for the first time since 75. With my sister an both of out families. I can bring a fab with pictures. Please call me at 802-999-4457 if you would like to talk. My name is Todd Teitsma. Thanks see you on the Friday feb 8th

Oak 70 stories
2019-01-09 17:14:28

Name:

Florence Braunius

Story:

Here’s a look back to March 1957. Florence Aird Braunius, Joan Morris Wood, Judy Morris Kojetin, and Arvin Aird.

Oak 70 stories
2019-01-09 17:12:09

Name:

Emily Snyder

Story:

I grew up going to Speculator every year to spend winter vacations skiing at Oak Mountain. I began skiing there at the age of 3, and have many fond memories of navigating my first turns on the bunny hill, and riding the T-bar ALL the way up the mountain! My family always went with my dad's brother and his family, and I remember my brothers and I racing my cousins and showing each other up on the jumps along side the trails. It was the best place to learn to ski, and it still feels like home when I return.

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