Cochran's Ski Area is a nonprofit enterprise and home to a junior race team, hundreds of school children and a host of learn-to-ski & snowboard programs.
The Cochran family opened their first rope tow in 1961 to provide skiing for their children and neighboring kids during the week.
Since then the backyard training area has grown into a challenging ski area with expanded lifts and slopes.
But the love and thrill of downhill skiing that started the Cochran's on the road to World Cup and Olympic competition still permeates the Cochran Ski Area, the downhill ski area with the cross-country atmosphere.
Take Interstate 89 to Exit 11, south on Route 2 to Richmond village. Turn right at the stop light, onto Bridge Street, cross the bridge and continue to the Old Round Church. Turn left on Cochran Road and go about 1 mile. The ski area is on the right.