FRANKLIN — Despite a successful opening weekend, the lack of snow this winter season has left the Veterans Memorial Ski Area struggling to stay open. After what was thought to be an unseasonably warm weather anomaly last year, it seems a pattern is forming. This weather has made the success and future of smaller ski areas like “The Vets” unpredictable.

The ski area is closed this weekend, due to the warm weather this past week, according to an email from Robyn Morrill, treasurer of the Franklin Outing Club, the nonprofit volunteer organization that runs the hill. Morrill also wrote the ski area will most likely be closed for skiing and snowboarding for the rest of the winter season, as there is no snow in the forecast in the coming weeks.

After rescheduling, their season opening on the first weekend of February was a success after receiving enough natural snow to cover the trails. But it became clear natural snow was not able to cover what was necessary to remain open. The ski area purchased one snow cannon to produce manmade snow. Last weekend was the first time ever the ski area opened with the combination of natural and manmade snow. The section of the mountain with the rope tow was covered entirely by manmade snow.

“Our most exciting thing right now is this will be the first year ever that we see our manmade snow up here. We opened up because of that,” President Timothy Morrill said. “So that’s a pretty big deal for us. It wasn’t an easy task, but the team and volunteers made it happen.”

Volunteer Mark Pickard has been working maintenance with the ski area for about 15 years. He was part of making the manmade snow coverage happen.

“We made snow last week for three days. All day long, all night long. And we’re volunteering to do this.”

The recent warm weather has halted this progress, and the snow has begun to melt. Vice President Julie Bisson, who has skied at Veteran Memorial Ski Area for 31 years, said winter has changed since she was a child.

“I’ve always remembered when I was a kid coming up here for Christmas vacation and having plenty of snow,” she said. “But last year, we opened on Jan. 27. And then this year, we were going to open that same weekend and we couldn’t because of the rain.”

The board emphasized that despite these challenges, smaller ski areas like this one are important to keep alive. While they don’t provide rentals, they strive to keep prices affordable. Lift tickets stay under $30 for both adults and children, and children under 6 can ski and snowboard free.

For the first time in about 20 years, The Vets offered lessons. Those prices were kept low due to a $4,000 donation from Pemi Youth Center. Being a smaller ski area also means it’s perfect for anyone who wants to learn to ski or snowboard.

“We kind of call ourselves a beginner area. So being able to get back to ski lessons, I think is really going to help us grow to that,” said Timothy.

Many skiers and boarders also buy memberships to the Franklin Outing Club. While there are some additional benefits, like access to the donation room and a discount on renting the hill in spring and summer, the membership is mostly to support the ski area. Skiers and riders on Sunday expressed their appreciation for The Vets.

“We bought the family membership here. It’s only $50 and it goes to a really good cause,” Mary Nolin said. “I think skiing is a little bit exclusive if you think about it, with the price barrier if you don’t have skis and the rentals. So, I think what they tried to accomplish is really important for the Lakes Region and to get the next generation of skiers on the slopes.”

But despite the already low cost of skiing and snowboarding at The Vets, there are also weekends where use of the hill is free. Businesses can sponsor days to provide free lift tickets. Marie Rabinowitz with Pawsome Adventures, a dog concierge service, sponsored the ski area on Sunday. She spent the day in the lodge with a client’s dog named Michael Jackson, or “MJ” for short, who got a lot of attention from passersby. Rabinowitz was happy to sponsor the day.

Get involved

To learn more about memberships and The Veterans Memorial Ski Area, visit skithevets.org.

“I’ve been snowboarding and skiing for over four decades. And when I moved to Franklin, and I discovered this place, for me it’s really important to support my community,” Rabinowitz said. “And having a business right here in Franklin, it’s important to me.

“When I pay $800, it’s our neighbors, it’s my friends’ kids; it’s my community that directly benefit out of it.”

This sense of community, and love for a local spot, is how the board feels as well. Even with the lack of snow, pivoting to other outdoor recreational activities throughout the year is their next move.

“Yes, we’re a ski area, but we’re looking at other things that are just outdoor recreation,” said Robyn. “So, there comes a time where we can’t do this anymore, but we will still be striving to continue to offer outdoor recreation in some form to the community.”

The ski area puts on events throughout the summer and fall, including Oktoberfest, with bands, food, beer vendors and kids games. This year, at the end of the winter season, they will hold a luau event.

Timothy said his main reason to keep the ski area going is his love for it and the memories he’s made throughout the years.

“This is our heart and soul and we all care about it,” he said. “Global warming might make it hard to be a ski area, but we’re not quite ready to let it go, and we’re gonna keep fighting as long as we can.”

To learn more about the Veterans Memorial Ski Area and membership, visit skithevets.org, or facebook.com/FranklinOutingClub.

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