The Faces of Oak Mountain

Oak Mountain is a family friendly ski mountain located in Speculator, NY. Even though it is considered "small," it takes a team of dedicated people to keep it going not just in the winter but all year  long. I interviewed a few of Oak Mountain's MVPs. Here are a few faces to keep an eye out for when you hit the mountain this year!

Laura O'Brien

Laura & Maddison O'Brien Oak Mountain
Laura & Maddison O'Brien Oak Mountain

Name: Laura O'Brien
Job title/responsibilities: VP Sales/ Marketing, Wedding Director, and Owner (so I definitely do a little bit of everything)
Where are you most likely to be found at Oak Mountain: Depends on the day, usually ski school or the office.
Hometown: Springfield, NH
Skiing, snowboarding, or tubing: Snowboarding, then skiing and snowshoeing!
Favorite trail: The Thing!
Favorite meal at the Acorn: That's tough; I really love the Alfredo and the fish specials!
Favorite thing about the Adirondacks: How incredibly beautiful it is, every season has its own character. :)
Favorite Oak Mountain event : Pondskimming for sure, it is always a blast! Maybe one of these years I will try it! :)

Matt O'Brien

Matt & Tucker O'Brien Oak Mountain
Matt & Tucker O'Brien Oak Mountain

Name: Matt O'Brien
Job title/responsibilities: General Manager
Where are you most likely to be found at Oak Mountain: Hanging from a tower, grooming, fixing something, you name it.
Hometown: Waitsfield, VT
Skiing, snowboarding, or tubing: Skiing
Favorite trail: Oak Mountain Run
Favorite meal at the Acorn: Prime rib special
Favorite thing about the Adirondacks: Prime rib special
Favorite Oak Mountain event : Pondskimming

Crystal O'Brien

 

Crystal O'Brien Oak Mountain
Crystal O'Brien Oak Mountain

Name: Crystal O'Brien
Job title/responsibilities: Director of Guest Services/helping with day to day tasks
Where are you most likely to be found at Oak Mountain: The ticket window
Hometown: Moretown, VT
Skiing, snowboarding, or tubing: No preference! I'm a beginner skier so I'm still learning what I like best.
Favorite trail: Since I don't ski well I cant say what my favorite trail is from that perspective, but I can say that my favorite view is from the top of Oak Mountain Run, and that I love our snowshoe trails.
Favorite meal at the Acorn: Picking a favorite meal from the Acorn is tough, only because one of my favorite things to do is try the different specials. But if I had to choose, the Vermont cheddar burger is one of the best.
Favorite thing about the Adirondacks: Hiking, the lakes, camping, and many other things.
Favorite Oak Mountain event : Pondskimming is one of my favorite events because it's always full of fun and laughter.

Maggie Miller 

Maggie Miller Oak Mountain
Maggie Miller Oak Mountain

Name: Maggie Miller
Job title/responsibilities: Assistant Race Team Coach
Where are you most likely to be found at Oak Mountain: On Kunjamuck
Hometown: Bernardsville, NJ
Skiing, snowboarding, or tubing: Skiing
Favorite trail: Oak Mountain Run
Favorite meal at the Acorn: Turkey avocado BLT
Favorite thing about the Adirondacks: The mountains — whether it's skiing, hiking, or running, the views are awesome!
Favorite Oak Mountain event: The first downhill ski race we hosted here at Oak was my favorite event. It attracted a huge crowd of new people to the mountain and everyone had a great time!

Tom Preston

 

Tom Preston Oak Mountain
Tom Preston Oak Mountain

Name: Tom Preston
Job title/responsibilities: On Hill Supervisor & Mountain Ambassador
Where are you most likely to be found at Oak Mountain: Base area/Bunny Hill
Hometown: Piseco, New York
Skiing, snowboarding, or gubing: Skiing
Favorite trail: Thing/Tag/freshly groomed Sacandaga
Favorite meal at the Acorn: Well-done wings (garlic parm)
Favorite thing about the Adirondacks: Four distinct seasons, each with its own character and things to do.
Favorite Oak Mountain event: I have two. The last day of the pre-school 8-week program — because the kids have progressed from "never evers to wedgers" on the Bunny Hill, AND the kids torch light parade on New Year's Eve. They are so proud to be a part of this event!!

Oak Mountain Trail Map
Oak Mountain Trail Map

 Now that you've been introduced, it's time to get out there and check Oak Mountain out for yourself! And if you see any of these friendly faces, be sure to say hello!

This week in related ADK news:

First tracks

8 reasons Titus rocks

Whiteface insider’s guide

Owls and raptors and geese, oh my!

Winter wheels

Winterfest

Locals dish