Cochran's Ski Area

What Cochran's Ski Area does

Cochran's Ski Area is a non-profit, IRS 501(c)(3) community ski area located at 910 Cochran Road in Richmond, Vermont, founded in 1961 by Mickey and Ginny Cochran and granted tax-exempt status in 1998 as the first 501(c)(3) ski area in the United States. The facility operates a single hill on rope-tow, T-bar, and handle-tow lifts with snowmaking capability, serving local families, youth, and beginner through intermediate skiers in the Richmond, Hinesburg, Starksboro, and New Haven communities. The organization runs a structured lesson ecosystem that spans Ski Tots (ages 3-5), 4-Day Lesson Series (ages 6+), Kids Adventure Camp, T's for Tots, Private Lessons, and after-school programs delivered through partnerships with four local elementary schools (Richmond Elementary, Hinesburg Community, Robinson, Beeman), serving roughly 2,000 youth annually. A separately branded Cochran's Ski Club delivers alpine race training under Program Director Andrew Wagner, with Olympic gold medalist Barbara Ann Cochran participating in coaching.

The business model combines several low-price revenue streams: season passes ($295 family / $195 individual), walk-up lift tickets ($5-$19), and a menu of lesson products priced $70-$195, all with need-based financial assistance and free admission for children 5 and under and seniors 72+. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via on-site sales and a WordPress-based website, with no third-party resellers. A material share of operating support comes from tax-deductible donations and fundraising, anchored by the annual Rope-a-thon marathon targeting $175,000, plus ancillary events such as the Nordic X citizens race ($25/entry) and gift certificates. The organization reports 1-10 employees, is led day-to-day by Manager Jimmy Cochran with Ski School Director Sue Carpenter, and received a $32,900 grant from the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation in May 2024.

Name

Cochran's Ski Area

Legal name

Cochran's Ski Area

Website

https://cochranskiarea.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cochran's Ski Area is a non-profit 501(c)(3) community ski hill in Richmond, Vermont, founded in 1961 and operating since 1998 as the first IRS tax-exempt ski area in the U.S. It delivers affordable alpine skiing, lessons, school partnerships, and youth race training to local families and approximately 2,000 youth annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ski Resort Services

NAICS

Skiing Facilities (71392)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Ski Areas & Lift Operations (Independent Mountains) (THAAAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Ski & Snowboard Schools (Instruction & Coaching) (THAAAJAC)

Keywords

• Alpine ski area
• Ski instruction programs
• Youth ski racing
• Season lift passes
• Nonprofit ski resort

Headquarters

HQ city

Richmond

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Season Passes: Season passes sold on an annual basis with tiered pricing: Family pass at $295, Individual at $195, with reduced-price options for those with financial need. Includes option to donate passes to families in need.
2. Lift Tickets: Day tickets sold at varying price points: Adult weekend/vacation $19, Child $14, Friday night $5, mid-week afternoon $10. Senior citizens 72+ and children 5 and under are free.
3. Lesson Programs: Instructional programs including 4-day lesson series ($175 with lift tickets, $70 equipment rental), Ski Tots parent-child program ($195), T-bar Tots ($140 parent-child with equipment), private lessons ($99/hour for one person, $179 for two), and Kids Adventure Camp ($150).
4. Donations and Fundraising: As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, the ski area relies on donations and annual fundraising. The Rope-a-thon is the primary fundraiser targeting $175,000 annually. Donations support the General Ski Area Fund, School Programs, Snowmaking, and Biking operations.
5. Gift Certificates: Gift certificates sold at the snack bar or via email request for winter recreation gifts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Cochran's Ski Area operates a non-profit community alpine ski facility in Richmond, Vermont, providing affordable skiing and snowboarding access via rope-tow, T-bar, and handle-tow lifts, along with a comprehensive suite of lesson programs (Ski Tots, 4-Day Lesson Series, Kids Adventure Camp, private lessons, after-school programs) and youth race training through Cochran's Ski Club. Revenue is generated through lift access (season passes and day tickets), instruction fees, and donations, with mission-driven financial assistance ensuring access for families in need.

Product overview

Cochran's Ski Area is a non-profit 501(c)(3) ski facility in Richmond, Vermont — the nation's first tax-exempt ski area. The company offers a unified service portfolio centered on affordable family skiing and racing, combining core ski area operations with a comprehensive lesson program ecosystem and community fundraising events. Core offerings include lift access (season passes and day tickets), while the instruction portfolio spans structured programs from Ski Tots (ages 3-5) through adult lessons, including the 4-Day Lesson Series, Kids Adventure Camp, T's for Tots, After School Programs, and Private Lessons. Cochran's Ski Club provides alpine race training for children ages 6+, while special events include the Nordic X race and the annual Rope-a-thon fundraiser. The ecosystem is tied together by need-based financial assistance and a mission ensuring no child is denied skiing opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cochran's Ski Club: A separate entity providing alpine race training opportunities to children ages 6 and up in a family-oriented environment. Operates at cochransskiclub.org with its own mission, programs, training, and coaching staff led by Program Director Andrew Wagner.

Products and services

• Ski Area Operations Core ski facility operating alpine skiing and snowboarding on rope-tow, T-bar, and handle-tow lifts in Richmond, Vermont, with snowmaking and terrain suitable for all skill levels including the Mighty-Mite beginner hill.
• Season Passes

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,000 kids served annually through school programs
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• KilawitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner listed on the ski area website. Nature of partnership not explicitly detailed beyond community partner status.
• Local Business DealersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal ski dealers listed as community partners. Provides equipment access for ski area customers.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mad River Glen: Cooperatively-owned independent ski area in Fayston, Vermont operating a single mountain with traditional lift infrastructure and a strong community/cult following. Directly comparable to Cochran's as a small, values-driven Vermont ski area prioritizing character and locals over scale.
• Bolton Valley Resort: Small, family-oriented independent ski resort in Bolton, Vermont with night skiing, lessons, and learn-to-ski programs serving the Burlington-area community. Comparable in scale, geography, and target market to Cochran's local-family and youth focus.
• Magic Mountain: Small, independent ski area in Londonderry, Vermont known for its traditional, skier-focused vibe and community ownership heritage. Closely mirrors Cochran's positioning as a small, character-driven Vermont ski hill serving locals and families.
• Smugglers' Notch Resort: Family-owned Vermont ski resort famous for its kids programs, ski school, and family vacation packages. Directly comparable to Cochran's emphasis on youth instruction, family-friendly programming, and community-centered operations, though at a larger scale.
• Pico Mountain: Independent ski area in Killington, Vermont with a focus on local skiers, ski school, and racing programs. Comparable to Cochran's as a smaller Vermont mountain emphasizing lessons, racing, and the local community over destination tourism.
• Burke Mountain: Small Northeast Kingdom Vermont ski area with a notable alpine racing academy (Burke Mountain Academy). Comparable to Cochran's in scale and Vermont setting, with overlapping youth ski racing and instructional programming.
• Suicide Six Ski Area: Small community ski area in Pomfret, Vermont historically known as a racing hill and local family mountain. Highly comparable to Cochran's heritage, scale, and role as a teaching/training hill for young racers.
• Hard'ack Recreation Area: Municipal/community ski hill in St. Albans, Vermont offering affordable skiing and lessons to local families. Comparable to Cochran's in mission of accessible, community-supported skiing in Vermont.

Broad incumbents

• Sugarbush Resort: Large destination ski resort in Warren, Vermont with full ski school, racing programs (GVCC), and multi-season offerings. Overlaps with Cochran's on ski instruction and racing but operates at destination scale.
• Stowe Mountain Resort: Premier Vermont ski resort with comprehensive ski school and racing programs. Serves as the dominant scaled competitor in the Vermont market where Cochran's operates, providing context for the premium/large-resort segment Cochran's does not target.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cochransskiarea
• Instagraminstagram.com/cochransskiarea
• Xx.com/cochranskiarea
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cochran-ski-area

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cochran's Ski Area