In early November, Dartmouth College announced a $5 million plan to improve the trail system and facilities at Oak Hill-Storrs Pond Recreation Area. Not only will this benefit the athletes at the school and in the local community, but the college also plans to host the NCAA Skiing Championships in 2025.

Potential projects include constructing five overlapping course loops, adding lighting to trails, purchasing snow-making equipment, and adding a new garage for the snow-grooming vehicle. The hope is that the work will be completed by the beginning of the 2023-2024 ski season.

Dartmouth Women’s Nordic Head Coach Cami Thompson Graves is excited about the upgrades and how they will affect her team. She explains how this project will help athletes train regularly and be more successful. In addition, because the trails have narrowed and become overgrown, races are limited to only certain types. But the new loops will open up doors for hosting more events.

But the upgrades aren’t just for competitive skiers at Dartmouth College. Recreational skiers and snowboarders, snowshoers, and ice skaters can also enjoy the area’s trails. These projects will further engage the community and, hopefully, bring more locals out to the snow during ski season.

The $5 million improvement plan will be funded by both the college and private donors. The Friends of Oak Hill, a non-profit organization, will assist in designing, constructing and managing the new facilities.