Family is well-groomed

Home or away, Cochrans succeed on slopes

November 19, 2009|Tony Chamberlain, Globe Correspondent

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Mickey Cochran, originally from Chelmsford, once pitched and lost, 1-0, to future Hall of Famer Robin Roberts in an amateur league game, and coached the UVM ski team to the longest undefeated streak in NCAA history. And if he was a tough coach, his children said his message never wavered: skiing is a sport to stay passionate about.

“As far as my own skiing goes, I was motivated by never wanting to lose to my brother,’’ said Marilyn. “And I think we all had the feeling that there was nothing we couldn’t do if we tried hard enough.’’

Cochran’s Ski Area still holds trappings of the old days. In the lodge, race bibs from European competitions and championship medals are on display, and yellowing newspaper clippings are pressed under glass table tops.

Of course, the place is small. But, as Lewis said, “The kids think it’s fantastic. They love the rope tow and the old-style skiing with little trails coming out everywhere that you have to climb up to get to. It’s just a lot of fun to ski there. The kids love it and when I take them there to ski there I become a kid again.’’