Lost NH Ski Areas

Billd72 · 03-05-2010, 09:50 PM

The NELSAP (New England Lost Ski Area Project) web site is great, brings back a lot of memories. I remember skiing at Copple Crown as a kid in the late 60's. Burned through a few sets of gloves on the old rope tow. I was really proud of myself when I mustered enough courage to ride the T bar to the "top".

fatlazyless · 03-06-2010, 07:20 AM

Seems like the modern high speed quads have taken some of the fun & friendliness out of ski areas!

Used to be that getting on and off the old two seat lifts was more of a challenge and there were loaders who were positioned to help you on & off the lifts. Now, the modern four-seater quads slow down for getting on and slow down for getting off the lift and no longer need loaders to assist people onto the chair. The new quads can be run by one person sitting inside the nearby control room, at the bottom and top of the lift. Just seems like something is missing now without that friendly loader hovering behind the chair.

And, the old two seaters were pretty much 10-15 minutes of forced confinement with a total stranger which almost always lead to 10-15 minutes of pleasant conversation. With the four seater quads....those dynamics have changed.

Waterville Valley still occaisionally runs the original 1966 two seater, High Country chair, up top the mountain, but frequently it's closed due to winds or due to lack of customers. It is the slowest chairlift ever built, in the history of snow, and I sure would like to see it be replaced with a retro-1950's style rope tow. Powered by an old Model A engine up the top, and running a 1" diameter, brown sisal rope; it could be terrific fun to get pulled up the top, lose your grip, and back down through a five person pile up......that's real skiing...that's what skiing used to be!

Yankee · 03-30-2010, 07:47 PM

Moose Mountain in Wakefield. I learned to ski there and remember that after a huge snowstorm in the 70's that they had to plow out a path through the snow for the chairlift. I also remember that they had night skiing; the last time that I went there was at night and I think it was in '89. They had old school incandescent bulbs whose brightness would vary depending upon on the number of people who were on the chair lift.

Anyone else ever skied there?

riverat · 03-31-2010, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yankee

Moose Mountain in Wakefield. I learned to ski there and remember that after a huge snowstorm in the 70's that they had to plow out a path through the snow for the chairlift. I also remember that they had night skiing; the last time that I went there was at night and I think it was in '89. They had old school incandescent bulbs whose brightness would vary depending upon on the number of people who were on the chair lift.

Anyone else ever skied there?

Blue Hill Ski Area - Rochester/Milton Line - Tow Rope - closed approx. 1970
http://www.nelsap.org/nh/bluehills.html

SIKSUKR · 03-31-2010, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yankee

Moose Mountain in Wakefield. I learned to ski there and remember that after a huge snowstorm in the 70's that they had to plow out a path through the snow for the chairlift. I also remember that they had night skiing; the last time that I went there was at night and I think it was in '89. They had old school incandescent bulbs whose brightness would vary depending upon on the number of people who were on the chair lift.

Anyone else ever skied there?

I skied it in the late 70's.NELSAP website says that Moose was located in Brookfield and they believe it closed around 1987.

BroadHopper · 03-31-2010, 11:07 AM

I think Moose mountain reopen for tubing this season.

I am good friend of Mike Hickey, whose father ran the ski school at Moose Mountain in the 60's and 70's. Skied there a few times as well as Mt Whittier and Copple Crown.

eyenotall777 · 04-02-2010, 12:48 PM

Has in fact re-opened. This past winter was the 2nd season open, 1st season of snowtubing. They also serve breakfast on the weekends and lunch Thurs-Sun.

Great location w/ direct access to snowmobile trails as well and very snowmobiler friendly. Been there quite a few times. Nice place to take a break off the trails.

Link below

http://www.moosemountainrecreation.com/home.html

tomboymom · 04-05-2010, 02:11 PM

Abenaki ski area in Wolfeboro is alive and thriving. Snowmaking now (with upgrades planned for next year) means they are open all season, and the ancient Tucker Sno Cat has been replaced with a modern groomer. Credit for keeping this local gem alive goes to the non-profit Friends of Abenaki, and a very dedicated group of workers and volunteers.

03-05-2010, 09:50 PM	#1
Billd72 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Stone Ridge, N.Y. Posts: 13 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Lost NH Ski Area The NELSAP (New England Lost Ski Area Project) web site is great, brings back a lot of memories. I remember skiing at Copple Crown as a kid in the late 60's. Burned through a few sets of gloves on the old rope tow. I was really proud of myself when I mustered enough courage to ride the T bar to the "top".

03-06-2010, 07:20 AM	#2
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,792 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 301 Thanked 1,024 Times in 745 Posts	Seems like the modern high speed quads have taken some of the fun & friendliness out of ski areas! Used to be that getting on and off the old two seat lifts was more of a challenge and there were loaders who were positioned to help you on & off the lifts. Now, the modern four-seater quads slow down for getting on and slow down for getting off the lift and no longer need loaders to assist people onto the chair. The new quads can be run by one person sitting inside the nearby control room, at the bottom and top of the lift. Just seems like something is missing now without that friendly loader hovering behind the chair. And, the old two seaters were pretty much 10-15 minutes of forced confinement with a total stranger which almost always lead to 10-15 minutes of pleasant conversation. With the four seater quads....those dynamics have changed. Waterville Valley still occaisionally runs the original 1966 two seater, High Country chair, up top the mountain, but frequently it's closed due to winds or due to lack of customers. It is the slowest chairlift ever built, in the history of snow, and I sure would like to see it be replaced with a retro-1950's style rope tow. Powered by an old Model A engine up the top, and running a 1" diameter, brown sisal rope; it could be terrific fun to get pulled up the top, lose your grip, and back down through a five person pile up......that's real skiing...that's what skiing used to be! __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

03-30-2010, 07:47 PM	#3
Yankee Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 150 Thanks: 19 Thanked 38 Times in 23 Posts	Other place not on your list! Moose Mountain in Wakefield. I learned to ski there and remember that after a huge snowstorm in the 70's that they had to plow out a path through the snow for the chairlift. I also remember that they had night skiing; the last time that I went there was at night and I think it was in '89. They had old school incandescent bulbs whose brightness would vary depending upon on the number of people who were on the chair lift. Anyone else ever skied there?

03-31-2010, 11:07 AM	#6
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,591 Thanks: 3,232 Thanked 1,107 Times in 797 Posts	Moose Mountain I think Moose mountain reopen for tubing this season. I am good friend of Mike Hickey, whose father ran the ski school at Moose Mountain in the 60's and 70's. Skied there a few times as well as Mt Whittier and Copple Crown. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

04-02-2010, 12:48 PM	#7
eyenotall777 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 154 Thanks: 39 Thanked 28 Times in 19 Posts	Moose mtn recreation-brookfield Has in fact re-opened. This past winter was the 2nd season open, 1st season of snowtubing. They also serve breakfast on the weekends and lunch Thurs-Sun. Great location w/ direct access to snowmobile trails as well and very snowmobiler friendly. Been there quite a few times. Nice place to take a break off the trails. Link below http://www.moosemountainrecreation.com/home.html

04-05-2010, 02:11 PM	#8
tomboymom Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 41 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Abenaki Abenaki ski area in Wolfeboro is alive and thriving. Snowmaking now (with upgrades planned for next year) means they are open all season, and the ancient Tucker Sno Cat has been replaced with a modern groomer. Credit for keeping this local gem alive goes to the non-profit Friends of Abenaki, and a very dedicated group of workers and volunteers.