Ski for free this season at Storrs Hill thanks to grant

Skiing will be free this season at Storrs Hill in Lebanon, N.H., after a grant from the Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation. (Storrs Hill)

An act of generosity is going to go a long way this winter in putting smiles on the faces of ski enthusiasts in the Upper Valley.

The Lebanon Outing Club announced Dec. 11 that it had received a grant from the Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation that would cover the cost of everyone’s skiing and riding at the city-owned Storrs Hill.

The LOC operates the hill and offers public skiing Friday night through Sunday afternoon and vacation periods, but also offers instructional programs, including ski jumping, telemark and backcountry during midweek evenings.

“This project embodies the spirit of our community, providing an opportunity for everyone to enjoy the outdoors and experience the magic of winter sports,” said LOC president and Storrs Hill general manager Cory Grant. “We hope this initiative brings neighbors together and inspires a love of skiing in a fun and accessible way.”

The LOC hopes the initial grant can create a template for the community to keep it free beyond this year.

This is not the first time Storrs Hill has been the recipient of a grant from the Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation, which has donated millions of dollars to many organizations in the Upper Valley since its inception in 1999. The LOC was able to install a stainless steel track to the ski jump in 2018, and two years later it was able to acquire platter pole replacements, thanks to grants.

Storrs Hill has a 300-foot vertical drop and offers 20 acres of skiing on seven trails, a terrain park and a K50 ski jump.