“Let’s Go! Echo Valley Slides Into a New Era Under New Local Ownership”

If you’ve lived in the greater Kalamazoo area for any length of time, you know Echo Valley isn’t just a place—it’s a winter rite of passage. Generations have white-knuckled those wooden rails, screamed down the chutes, and thawed out in the lodge with cocoa and cheeks still stinging from the cold. So when local entrepreneurs Hank Avink and Sarah Avink announced they’d taken over the operation—thanking longtime steward Melody Stirk and promising both refreshes and preserved traditions—the community let out a collective “Let’s go!”

A legacy carved in ice and concrete

Echo Valley’s story stretches back nearly a century. In the 1930s, local ski jumper Harold J. Moore Sr. transformed what was once known as Devil’s Gorge—a motorcycle hill climb site—into a winter sports destination.

He built the first ski jump in 1934, and after a few storm-related setbacks, a sturdy steel-frame jump became the centerpiece of Kalamazoo’s early ski scene. Moore soon added toboggan runs in 1936 after visiting other Michigan resorts for inspiration. The first run was made of mud and wood, but by the following year, he was hand-pouring concrete chutes—the foundation for what would become one of Michigan’s most iconic winter attractions.

Through the 1940s and ’50s, more runs were added, along with a lodge and skating rink fed by Campbell Lake. By 1960, Echo Valley featured eight runs, each stretching over a quarter mile and capable of sending riders speeding at up to 60 mph. The remnants of the old ski jump were torn down that same year to make room for the seventh and eighth toboggan runs, marking the end of one chapter and the solidifying of another.

If you’d like to see Echo Valley in its earliest days, watch the home movies filmed by Harold J. Moore Sr. and shared by his grandson on Facebook. The footage captures the birth of the park—families skating, sledding, and building the foundations of a Kalamazoo legend.

New stewards, same spirit—plus fresh energy

Hank and Sarah are truly locals giving back: Sarah from the Gull Lake area, Hank from Schoolcraft. They bring their community roots to this venture. In an interview with MLive, Hank Avink said the couple has “about two months to prepare the winter attraction for the upcoming season,” noting that their focus is on making the park safe, fun, and ready for families as quickly as possible.

Their plan includes:

• Getting all eight toboggan runs usable for this winter.

• Bringing back ice skating with a brand-new refrigerated outdoor rink.

• Continuing to partner with local businesses—like Norman Camera and The Performance Studio—to make upgrades and share resources.

• Leaning into the heritage of the place—while updating lodge amenities, streamlining operations, and making sure the park remains accessible and family-friendly.

Why it matters for the community

When a legacy venue like Echo Valley continues under local ownership and operating with community in mind, it does more than unlock weekend plans—it strengthens our regional identity. From Schoolcraft to Gull Lake to the city of Kalamazoo, this reopening (or revitalization) is a shared win:

• Winter fun for families, giving kids something memorable to look forward to.

• Part-time jobs and work-experience opportunities (teens, students) in a place with meaning.

• Another reason for visitors to come to Southwest Michigan during the “shoulder” season when many think of staying in.

Echo Valley’s revival is also a case study in how small businesses, when rooted in community and legacy, can carry forward traditions while creating new ones.

How you can help keep the momentum going

• Come out this season. Bring the kids, bring your neighbors, buy the cocoa. Show up.

• Share your Echo Valley memory. On social media, post your throwbacks and tag Echo Valley—it builds buzz and affirms the tradition.

• Support local-business networks. The Avinks are working with local trades, mentors, and business partners—so showing up means you’re supporting the entire ecosystem.

• Be patient and positive. They’ve intentionally said that not everything will be finished this year—but the momentum is strong. Encouragement matters.

From hand-built concrete chutes in the 1930s to a modern season of tubing, tobogganing, and ice skating, Echo Valley has always been where we come together to feel brave, laugh hard, and warm up side-by-side. Here’s to Hank and Sarah for stepping in as the next stewards—and to every small business and neighbor who’s helping them bring it to life again.

We’ll see you on the hill. 🛷❄️