The Cochran family opened their first rope tow in 1961 to provide skiing for their children and neighboring kids during the week. Since then the backyard training area has grown into a challenging ski area with expanded lifts and slopes. But the love and thrill of downhill skiing that started the Cochran’s on the road to World Cup and Olympic competition still permeates the Cochran Ski Area, the downhill ski area with the cross-country atmosphere. Friendly people, interesting skiing.