Dear Ashwabay Alliance Community,
When I was ten years old, my friend Andy asked me to go skiing with him. I had never been on skis before, but he showed up at my house determined to change that.
Andy brought over a pair of wooden skis taller than I was, old leather boots, and long poles with leather rings tied around the bottoms. We found a little hill near my home, strapped on the wire-clip bindings, and down I went–right into a lifetime of skiing.
Forty-five years later I found myself skiing in tandem with athletes at Challenge Aspen. It was there that people with physical and mental differences taught me far more about courage than I could ever teach them. Together we carved down the long runs at Snowmass and Aspen, and every time I clicked into my skis, I thought about how Andy set me on this path all those years ago.
That’s one of the reasons Mt. Ashwabay means so much to me, and to our community. The same spark that hooked me at ten years old is still accessible, still welcoming, and still affordable right here on our little hill.
Our Holiday Mini Camps are a perfect way for young skiers to feel that same confidence, pride, and joy. They’re safe, thoughtful, and designed for beginners and intermediate skiers who need a bit of guidance and encouragement. I can’t recommend them enough, and early-bird pricing is available through December 15.
And for our Nordic community—you’ve already made the most of this early snow, and the excitement is contagious.
Last year’s Summit Ski Race was our biggest ever, and with this recent storm, we’re already feeling that familiar buzz again. Registration for the 20th Annual Summit Ski Race is now open. Whether you’re racing, joining a team, or cheering from the sidelines, it’s always a special day on the hill.
Every season at Ashwabay is shaped by people who care deeply about this place—parents, coaches, volunteers, and community members who pitch in wherever they can. If you feel called to help at the Summit Ski Race this winter, we’d love to have you join us.
And when it’s time to warm up at night, there’s nothing better than catching a performance at The Backstage or StageNorth. The holiday lineup is packed with familiar faces, new artists, and performances that bring our community together in the coziest way. It’s one more reason winter here feels so special.
Respectfully,
Garry Schalla
A Record-Breaking GivingTuesday—Thanks to You
We’re still smiling from what happened on GivingTuesday. What started as a hopeful $25,000 goal turned into something truly extraordinary: more than $61,000 raised for the Ashwabay Alliance.
Two hundred and thirty-five people—from long-time supporters to families skiing with us for the very first time—showed up. Together, you unlocked the full $25,000 matching pool offered by early supporters and a few deeply committed board members. By the end of the day, the outpouring of generosity had more than doubled our original goal.
What moved us just as much as the gifts were the *stories* you shared.
People wrote about:
- Spending summer nights under the Big Blue Tent
- Learning to master the T-bar
- Attending their first Blue Canvas Orchestra show
- Teaching their kids to ski
These stories poured in throughout the day—each one a reminder of why these places matter and how deeply they’re woven into the identity of this community.
Jackie Moore, our Director of Advancement, said it best:
“People responded with incredible generosity and heart. Every gift, every memory, every message reminded us how much the Big Top, Mt. Ashwabay, and our gathering spaces mean to people.”
And Board Chair Keith Kylmala—who helped make the match pool possible—reflected on what makes this region so special:
“Ashwabay has always been at its best when the community lifts together. This outpouring of support shows how deeply people care about this organization’s future.”
As we move into a busy winter season and prepare for Big Top Chautauqua’s 40th Anniversary in 2026, we feel deeply grounded by the support this community continues to show. Your generosity isn’t just a number—it’s what keeps the lights glowing under the tent, the lifts turning on cold mornings, the trails groomed, and the arts alive.
From all of us at the Ashwabay Alliance: thank you! You’re the reason this work continues.
People Who Make It Happen: John Jewell, Head Mechanic at Mt. Ashwabay
If you’ve ridden the chairlift on a bluebird afternoon, were the first to carve fresh corduroy, or skied the Nordic trails under a sky full of stars, there’s a good chance John Jewell helped make that happen.
John has been part of Mt. Ashwabay for nearly a decade. He first arrived in 2015 as a head lift operator, worked his way into management, stepped briefly into commercial fishing (yes—on Lake Superior and in Alaska), and ultimately returned to the place that felt like home.
Today, John serves as Mt. Ashwabay’s head mechanic—the person who fixes everything and makes sure every piece of equipment is safe, functional, and ready for winter.
If the lift stalls mid-day, John’s already on the move. If a machine won’t start, he’s elbow-deep in the engine. No matter the day or the hour, if the hill is open John’s at Mt. Ashwabay.
Right now, he’s focused on the final push toward opening day this Saturday.
The lift chairs are hung and fully slip- and brake-tested. The computers have been checked and rechecked.
Ashwabay’s grooming fleet—a mix of character and capability—ranges from the PistenBully to Toyotas on tracks to “Harold,” the big Nordic groomer. Each machine needs attention before it can shape the hill and smooth the trails.
And when a Thanksgiving snowstorm drops 16+ inches John’s attention quickly shifts from snowmaking to snowpacking.
For John, no matter where the work pulls him, his work and pride are rooted in this community.
Most of what he does happens late at night, in the maintenance shop, or lying under a groomer in the cold, while the rest of us are warm in bed. But what he wants people to know is how much *heart* the crew at Mt. Ashwabay pours into each season.
“There’s a lot of late nights spent being cold, wet, and tired—but we keep going. And we thrive when kids, families, and people come to enjoy what we’ve worked so hard to make happen.” And with that, John makes a simple request:
“Be kind. Be patient. And remember to thank the lifties—they’re out there in the cold, wind, and snow so everyone else can enjoy the hill.”
That’s the spirit of Ashwabay: a place held together by people who care deeply—not just about the hill, but about the joy it brings to every skier, snowboarder, and family who shows up each winter.
Quick Snowmaking Facts:
- Snowmaking begins once temps drop below 25°
- Humidity needs to stay under 60% for quality snow
- Alpine runs require a 12-inch base to open
- The race course needs a solid 18 inches
- By opening day, roughly 2 million gallons of water—mixed with SnowMax—become dependable, man-made snow
