State, county officials tour Paul Smith’s College VIC

State Sen. Dan Stec and Franklin County Legislature Economic Committee Chair Andrea Dumas toured the Paul Smith’s College VIC in April and met with Interim President Jon Strauss, VIC Director Scott van Laer, and Director of Sports Initiatives John Morgan.

An update on the progress of the E. Philip Saunders Nordic Biathlon stadium was presented. Paul Smith’s is the only college in the country with a combination Nordic trail system and biathlon range attached to its campus. The sport and education initiative being implemented at Paul Smith’s provides elite athletes the opportunity to attain a college degree while pursuing their Olympic dreams.

A plan for the reopening the old Jenkins Mountain ski area for open woods skiing was presented. Backcountry skiing has become the fastest growing segment of the ski industry and this opportunity at the Paul Smith’s VIC could dramatically increase winter recreational tourism in Franklin County. There was also a dialogue of a future mountain bike trail system on and around Jenkins Mountain.

Van Lear presented the upcoming programs and events to be held at the VIC this summer. Concerts, naturalist excursions and guided adventure tours are all currently being scheduled.

All trails at the PSC VIC remain open from dawn till dusk and the building, including theater, retail store and display areas, will be open on weekends beginning Saturday May 22nd from 9:00am-5:00pm.

About the Paul Smith’s College VIC
The VIC is dedicated to fostering connections with nature for students, neighbors, and visitors by providing outdoor recreation opportunities, experiential education programs, festivals, and art exhibitions. Additional information on upcoming programs can be found at paulsmiths.edu/vic or by calling 518-327-6241.