Timber Ridge Ski Partners

Recreational skiers know that broken bones and waiting in lift lines, in that order, are the two most disagreeable possibilities in that otherwise delightful sport.

Two Dartmouth men, Jeff Pitchford '64 and Dick Chase '60, partners in Timber Ridge ski development, are determined to eliminate at least the lift waiting at their "Uncrowded Mountain," an 800-acre ski and vacation home community in Windham, Vt.

To that end. Timber Ridge last month announced the opening of a new 3,000-foot (800 vertical) double chairlift and the continuance of controlled operation which limits skiers on the mountain each day to 250. (Reservations are advised.)

Pitchford hopes that Timber Ridge will eventually become a private club, with skiing there for members and guests only. He decries the practice of luring investors and season ticket holders with promises of uncrowded skiing and then selling as many tickets as possible, adding, "At Timber Ridge, we intend to keep the promise."

Both Chase and Pitchford are 1965 Tuck School graduates. They bought the former "Glebe Mountain Farm" in 1967. Pitchford, who entered Dartmouth at the age of 24 after military service, grew up in England and amidst Switzerland's mountains, directed the Dartmouth Outing Club ski program, and skied for Great Britain in the 1960 Olympics. He is the president and onsite manager of Timber Ridge. Chase, who lives in Suffield, Conn, (but not, obviously, on weekends) is project director for the Greater Hartford Community Development Corporation. He has had varied experience in project analysis and banking, including two years in Singapore for Morgan Guaranty Trust.

Dick Chase '60 (left) and Jeff Pitchford '64, partners in developing Timber Ridge SkiArea, Windham, Vt., pose before a chopper used to set towers for a new lift.