While fall has taken care of the natural transformation, a physical transformation is also underway at Powder Ridge ski area.
It's only been a month since Powder Ridge Mountain Park and Resort bought the property from the Town of Middlefield but already significant improvement to the site has been made.
For one, uncontrolled weeds and tall grass that had taken over Powder Ridge making it nearly unrecognizable during summer months are no more. Gone too are the shards of glass from broken windows and piles of ransacked equipment and material left behind when the ski area closed in 2006.
During a visit to the property on Monday, owner Sean Hayes walked through the massive building that once served as the ski area's rental center and where hundreds of pairs of skis and ski boots once lined the walls.
"This building got gutted," said Hayes.
The building also got a new roof, which means Hayes is one step closer to transforming it into Powder Ridge's new welcome center and group sales area.
And while roofs have been a priority, Hayes points out that workers have also spent the first month cleaning the buildings so that he has a better idea of what exactly is needed to restore the property.
"You can only go so fast. You've got to be organized and steady. We're slowly turning as we discover new things," he said. "It's a big project."
Despite the constant activity at the site, Hayes is discouraged to find that the property continues to be vandalized. In an effort to prevent further damage he's installing solar sensors and cameras to monitor the property.
He's also busy thinking about 2013.
"We're doing mountain biking trails all over this hill next summer. That will be the first thing to open, in my opinion," Hayes said.
To that end, Hayes is inviting anyone interested in mountain biking at Powder Ridge or interested in helping design the trails to his regular meet-and-greet sessions at the Blackbird Tavern.
The sessions are held every Tuesday from 4-6 p.m.
Next month, Powder Ridge will also welcome back the Ski and Board Swap, a regular event in the ski area's heyday. The event will be held on Nov. 3 from 10-5 p.m. at Powder Ridge.
