Nearly a century after the first Snow Train brought skiers to North Creek, the spirit of winter recreation is thriving through local students discovering Gore Mountain.
A contagious energy for snow sports comes alive on the faces of Johnsburg Elementary School students in the Learn to Ski Program. What began at Johnsburg Central School in the 2019-2020 season with 20 second graders taking ski lessons every Thursday for six weeks has grown into a cornerstone program. Today, the program has fourth graders skiing each Tuesday, second graders on Wednesday, and third graders on Thursday.
“The kids love it,” says Kim McKenna, the program coordinator and a Johnsburg Central Schools third grade teacher. “They never want it to end. On the last day, someone is always in tears because they don’t want it to be over.”
That emotional response speaks to more than just fun. It reflects a sense of belonging, confidence, and discovery unfolding beyond the classroom.
Importantly, it’s a program that works because the community works together. Johnsburg Schools provide bus transportation to the mountain, and Gore provides every child in the Johnsburg School District with a free season pass. Additionally, a large collection of quality skis, boots, and equipment is made available by donations to the Johnsburg Youth Committee. All of this ensures that every child can participate regardless of experience or means.
“We work together to give them this opportunity,” says McKenna, “And they learn new skills and grow to love the sport. It puts a huge smile on my face, and I have many parents thanking me all the time. Parents are very grateful their children have access to equipment they can continue using throughout the season.”
Regarding the benefits resulting from this community collaboration, McKenna says, “We live in a ski town with an amazing mountain in our backyard, and the importance of lifelong activities are forever rewarding and beneficial.”
A note one parent left under her car’s windshield wiper one day exemplifies the program’s impact. It thanked her for making the program possible and expressing her delight in how her child found something they loved, developed skills, and gained a sense of pride.
“Our students are getting experiences they would probably never get, especially at such a young age,” says McKenna. “Some of the kids start out feeling nervous or intimidated, but in the end, they love it. They gain so much confidence and personal pride with themselves. It is amazing watching them grow and develop outside the classroom and learning from someone else. They talk about the ski program all the time and are always asking when it will start.”
The program’s success is unmistakable. Participation has more than doubled, with 45 Johnsburg students enrolled this season. It has been so well-received that the Gore team created a Gore Regional Schools (GRS) program, offering similar ski and ride opportunities at rates sharply discounted for all area students aged seven to 18. Now, on six consecutive Saturdays more than 300 additional youth are skiing and riding at Gore, learning skills, and enjoying healthy outdoor activity.
For Gore’s Snowsports Director, Yaron Steinhauer, the purpose is as much about community as it is about skiing. “The important thing is we’re not only giving a chance for young people to come out and enjoy these sports, but we’re also fulfilling a need in our local communities,” he says. “It’s rewarding for our instructors to connect with people from our communities. Others come from all over, but for the ones who live here, they have this great opportunity to enjoy a local mountain in their own backyard.”
That sense of ownership – and access – matters in a place like Johnsburg, where the mountain has long shaped the economy and identity. Programs like this ensure the Snow Train legacy isn’t just preserved but also shared.
McKenna understands and appreciates the broader impact of her work. She says, “Being a teacher is much more than just teaching subjects in class but more about helping students grow socially and emotionally. This program enhances those skills. I’ve always had a passion for the outdoors and when I heard this program was going to start, I jumped all over it.”
She is also quick to credit the many partners who make it possible. “Lots of teamwork, patience, communication and planning are involved,” she says. “It is a lot of preparation, and I couldn’t do it without the support of everyone else, including our school, other teachers, ski swap program, donations, all the parents, Gore Mountain and their instructors, the Gore rental shop, as well as our local ski shop, Adirondack All Seasons Outfitters. They have been a pleasure to work with and a huge contributor and supporter of the program as well as our students.”
Community Collaboration and the Enduring Snow Train Legacy
Ultimately, these student ski days deliver far more than time on the slopes. They build confidence, strengthen community connections, and introduce students to a lifelong pursuit of outdoor activity and well-being.
It all stands as proof that the joy and excitement unleashed by the 378 skiers on that first Snow Train was just the beginning. Thoughtful stewardship from both the Town of Johnsburg and Gore Mountain continues to shape the history and spirit of the region, which has, in turn, cleared the way for this rewarding collaboration with the schools.
The Snow Train may no longer arrive in North Creek, but its spirit endures – carried forward by the laughter, determination, and bright winter days of Johnsburg’s youngest skiers.