The Magical ROI of Team Effort

Interview by Alex Kaufman l STE Online Editor

Photos courtesy savemagicvermont.com

Editor's Note: The venerable Magic Mountain has been on the upswing recently. Last winter, they announced reaching a critical threshold in their effort to become skier owned which released funds for mountain upgrades. This fall they are continuing their tradition of inviting their devoted fans to lend a hand prepping the famed steeps and woods for whatever amount of snow decides to fall this winter in southern Vermont. I caught up with one of the internet's leading Magic men, Greg Williams, who is also a key figure in the (now seemingly successful) Save Magic crew for some fresh scoop. - AK

Machetes and coffee..

For a few years now we've seen this name "Save Magic" around the interwebs. Explain what this group is about to those who may not know.

"Save Magic" was created @ the start to simply raise awareness that the mountain needed help if it were to survive.  It started with the idea of making simple bumper stickers to spread the word.  The site was started extremely basic & has evolved quite a bit from there. 

Then the thought came of T-shirts with all profits going to the mountain in hopes to purchase a share.  Multiple shares later, we still have people asking for them. 

The Save Magic crew realized the Red Chair was in desperate need of a paint job so we formulated a plan & contacted a professional company to quote the job.  Once that was done we asked the Magic faithful to "pledge" chairs for $100 each to cover the cost.  We were simply blown away by the outburst of donaters.  All are recognized on a sign on the side of the lift house. Now we have the prettiest Red chair in the world!

Ride the Red. Thank these people..

Clearly Magic is cut from a different cloth. Speaking of cutting, what's the volunteer glade work schedule like this year?

Work days will continue the next one being 10/6 followed by another 10/20.  It is really a great time & is showing tremendous progress on the mountain.  We've been mainly clearing deadfall on the sides of trails & in the glades from previous years storms but there's also work going on @ the base area.  Painting, powerwashing, etc.  Really informal & love people to come out in any capacity.  We will take all the help we can get!

Suggested items: Gloves. Hat. Shades. Water. Stoke.

What's involved in the process of deciding where to focus for the fall volunteer days? 

Where to focus?  Whatever you'd like to do.  We DO NOT want anyone hacking down the forest by any means. Mainly just cleaning up things.  Our close friend Matt has been instrumental taking this on.  He's up on the mountain & works very hard even on weekends that aren't "volunteer days".  He is a true asset to the mountain.

Matt doin' work. Per usual.

Basically, if you have something you're good at, we'll put you to work. Painting, cleaning, trailwork, whatever. Just show up!  If you get tired relax on the deck for a few.  No pressure @ all.  We're out there to get things done but have a good time while doing so.  Volunteers days have snowballed (pun intended) quite a bit.  We used to have only a few of us go up & camp & do a small amount of whatever we could get done.  I think the last one we had approx 30 people & got an amazing amount accomplished.

Now that some thresholds have been met in regards to share sales, you expecting to see anything different on Glebe Mtn this year?

I'm expecting to see the best skiing bar none in Southern Vermont.  But that's nothing new.  Magic's terrain will rival anywhere. 

From your perspective, how does the comparison to MRG strike you. What's good/bad about it?

Magic's vibe is not like anywhere else.  I love MRG but feel like Magic is a bit different.  We're a family.  My friend Jeff said it best.  Magic is like skiing @ Cheers.  Everyone knows everyone & truly embrace newcomers. 

Greg Williams ascending his favorite 1700 vertical feet.

Any misconceptions about Magic you think could use addressing?

Misconception:  DON'T get me started.  Magic has the reputation of only being good "when it snows".  It's like fingers scratched across a blackboard ever time I here "I always come here when it dumps".  The mountain skis phenomally just about every day.  The grooming team has been nothing short of amazing the last several years & there is great skiing fo all abilities. 

In your perfect world, what would the skiing experience be like at Magic 5 years from now?

In 5 years I hope to skiing Magic the same way I have for the last 34.  With my friends & family.  We're doing the best we can to try to help because most of us cannot imagine skiing elsewhere.

How many pairs of skis have you destroyed lapping the Red Chair?

Skis are meant to be broken.  No shortage for the Magic crew.

The next volunteer days are Oct 6 and 20th. You are invited. They are like this..