A Page From North Quabbin History: An Athol connection in New Mexico

Carla Charter pf Phillpston.

Carla Charter pf Phillpston. Paul Franz

Drew Judycki, Athol native and owner of Red River Ski and Summer Area.

Drew Judycki, Athol native and owner of Red River Ski and Summer Area. PHOTO COURTESY OF MAGGIE JUDYCKI

The Judycki family. Top row, left to right, are Maggie, Denny and their son Eric. Bottom row, are Alex and Linton Judycki.

The Judycki family. Top row, left to right, are Maggie, Denny and their son Eric. Bottom row, are Alex and Linton Judycki. PHOTO COURTESY OF MAGGIE JUDYCKI

Linton Judycki, the current owner of the Red River Ski and Summer Area, stands next to the plaque honoring his father Drew Judycki and uncle Dennis Judycki, at the top of the Silverado Run at the Red River Ski Area.

Linton Judycki, the current owner of the Red River Ski and Summer Area, stands next to the plaque honoring his father Drew Judycki and uncle Dennis Judycki, at the top of the Silverado Run at the Red River Ski Area. PHOTO COURTESY OF MAGGIE JUDYCKI

Published: 08-13-2024 2:03 PM

By Carla Charter

At Red River Ski and Summer Area in Red River, New Mexico, at the top of the Platinum Chairlift is a sign which reads “Athol, 2,180 Miles Away.”

The story of this sign begins in Athol, Massachusetts, with Frank Judycki, an Athol native, his wife Helen, and their sons, Drew and Denny. Both sons graduated from Athol High School, with Denny graduating in 1962 and Drew graduating in 1966.

“Frank loved skiing and taught his sons the sport, beginning at the age of 3,” said Maggie Judycki, wife of the late Denny Judycki. “The family all skied together, locally and throughout New England. Helen did not ski, but she made great lunches and waited in the warm lodge.”

Frank also shared his love of skiing by teaching others at Ward Hill in Phillipston.

“He taught a lot of young kids how to ski in the area,” Maggie said. “They had a style of skiing that was so distinctive, it was striking on the hill. They had a unique, beautiful skiing form, a great rhythm. You could see them skiing at a great distance and know who it was.”

After high school, Drew attended Highland University in Las Vegas. He began working at Red River Ski Area as an instructor and was later being promoted to ski school director, then general manger, then managing partner, and became the sole owner of the facility in 2004. Drew died in May 2008.

Upon his death, Denny, who had retired from the U.S. Department of Transportation after 40 years of service, temporarily took over as president and general manager of the ski area for 10 years, until Drew's children were old enough to run the ski area. The ski area is now run by Drew's son, Linton. At the top of the ski area is a plaque dedicated to the brothers, who have now both passed away.

“People are often surprised to know there is a ski area in New Mexico,” said Maggie. “The ski area is located in the southern part of the Rockies and has an 8,750 feet elevation from the base. Many visitors come from Oklahoma and Texas.”

Maggie added that among the things that make the ski area unique is that “Red River Ski and Summer Area is still owned by an individual, while many other ski areas are owned by conglomerates these days.”

Red River Ski and Summer area offers 30 different trails for beginning, intermediate and advanced skiers. In the summer, the business offers hiking, horseback riding, fishing, scenic rides on the chairlift and tubing. It also plays host to weddings and family reunions.

More information on the Red River Ski and Summer area can be found at www.redriverskiarea.com.

Carla Charter is a freelance writer from Phillipston. Her writing focuses on the history of the North Quabbin area. Contact her at cjfreelancewriter@earthlink.net.