Film about "abandonded ski areas"

Forums:

https://www.outsideonline.com/2252141/abandoned-ski-documentary

During Colorado’s heyday of ski area growth, there were nearly 200 ski resorts in operation. Today, there are roughly 30. Abandoned explores the questions of what happened and what it was like to ski those smaller hills that have since shuttered. 

I am a little disappointed that the "film" shown is just a teaser to a larger project that has a link to a funding page. I am a fan of abandoned ski areas and have skied more than a few of them back east. The only one I did in the West was Berthoud the year before it reopened. It's a shame it is closed again. Fun doing car laps at that place. 

There is a similar documentary about Vermont and its closed ski hills. Lifts powered by old VW bugs and such. It is interesting history.

The New England Lost Ski Area Project (NELSAP) web site is a good source for information about "lost" ski areas in New England, as well as other states. It's fun to read some of the stories of the old days. I got into skiing lost areas when I found out that a friend of mine's backyard was one of the areas in NJ. When I learned that, I knew that I had to take a few runs.

http://www.nelsap.org/

There was also a local country club/golf course in NJ that used to allow people to ski/sled a lovely, fairly long slope behind one of the holes. Although few people used it, when they had to close access, there was a vocal local group of residents that complained for a few years afterwards. It was a piece of local history and something that was a right of passage for families. During these protests one winter, we had a 2+ ft storm that ended around 4am in the morning. Later that day when it turned into a bluebird day, the local newspaper took a photo of one set of figure eight tracks down the slope. It wasn't the easiest thing to do before employees showed up that day, but it had to be done. I only wish I could have laid down a few more. ;-) 

I am a little disappointed that the "film" shown is just a teaser to a larger project that has a link to a funding page. I am a fan of abandoned ski areas and have skied more than a few of them back east. The only one I did in the West was Berthoud the year before it reopened. It's a shame it is closed again. Fun doing car laps at that place.<<<

Yeah, same ... it took me a few seconds to figure it all out, so felt kind of mildly "duped".

However, I do think it's a very cool idea.   There are two I always pass:  Ski Dallas (few miles south of Dallas Divide) and Stoner Ski Area (about 10 miles north of Dolores).

http://www.coloradoskihistory.com/lost/skidallas.html

http://www.coloradoskihistory.com/lost/stoner.html

^

Not for nuthin' but a Colorado ski area named Stoner Ski Area that was operated by the Ski-Hi Club is probably a great candidate for a revival!  

A few weeks ago my buddy and I went to Mt. Greylock in Mass to skin up and ski down.  I love learning about old ski resorts and the history behind them.   It was spring skiing so conditions were soft and warm but still a blast.  Very cool to ski down and see old rusted chairlifts and dilapidated structures.  I’ll try to post pics if I ever learn how to. 

Thunderbolt Trail on Greylock is the shit. http://www.thunderboltskirun.com/trail.html

 

Not for nuthin' but a Colorado ski area named Stoner Ski Area that was operated by the Ski-Hi Club is probably a great candidate for a revival! <<<

You might be on to something, but it's location / lower elevation makes it hit or miss for sufficient natural snowfall.  It's not really all that big, so I guess snowmaking could be a possibility if sufficient water rights are available.

Up until about 8 years ago, the "Stoner Cafe" was in operation ... my dad still talks about it.

 

Rode the lift yesterday with a couple who was somehow affiliated with Cuchara (I didn't quite get whole story) who now live in Telluride part time.  They mentioned the film, which is now online:

http://www.theroadwesttraveled.com/abandoned-film/

There's a bunch in CT. Mostly mom and pop backyard operations.  Woodbury Ski and Raquet is probably the biggest hill that remains closed.  Rod kept that open for years by hosting concerts during the summer(everyone from The Band to Phish), though the town fines usually outweighed any profit, and let us party and have our own bands in the lodge on winter weekends.  He was the PT Barnum of the NE ski scene and was at every GD show within a 300 mile radius handing out flyers for his next venture.  

 

^^^^Thunderbolt Trail on Greylock is the shit.
 

I did that one year, it's insane 

>>>> own bands in the lodge on winter weekends

 

remember the trio from Ridgefield that played the lodge often circa 88-91ish:

Free Association

but they found out somebody else had that name so they changed to

Refried Confusion?

John on guitar, Kieth on Bass and Marcus(rip) on drums

<< Woodbury Ski and Raquet - Rod (Taylor)

Bless that Rod Taylor,, between the concerts and the skiing, he gave us kids a hell of a place to enjoy. If not for him I never would have learned to ski.  Working there you got to ski for free as well as free equipment.  Thanks Rod !

Former U.S. Olympic ski team member Roderick G. Taylor, age 70, of Morris, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday July 5, 2014. 

Rod graduated from local West Hartford Schools. He received his B.S. degree in Economics from Western State College of Colorado. A world class athlete and tennis pro, Rod was most recognized for his contributions to the U.S. Olympic Ski Team from 1967-1971, gaining the title of National Downhill Champion in 1970 after winning Aspen's famed Roche Cup.

Badass skier, great guy. Since he passed the place tried to survive with reggae concerts, it couldn't.  But it was recently sold to the guys that own Quassy Amusement Park. They're planning a complete hill overhaul this year and hope to reopen for next winter. Can't wait to see how they transform it, they did a great job at quassy.

I know we've come a long way
We're changing day to day
But tell me, where do the children play?

 

ratio3x2_900 (1).jpg

^Noice pics Raz!

Brings me back. 
Saw Max Creek, Anthem there! Saw Yellowman at a Reggea fest (maybe Rita was there I'm not sure )

That is a cool pic, very throwbackish.  I wish it were still the status quo everywhere and not the runaway freight train of the rich having coopted public lands as their private playgrounds!

Here's a receipt I hijacked from a FB group where someone posted the bill from a lunch tab at Aspen Highlands about a week ago:

273502298_10225458321497785_2733796859016718713_n.jpg

 

For those wondering what "veuve spray x 125" is, this line item reflects $17,000 worth of Veuve Clicquot champagne sprayed for/on the actual luncheon patrons themselves. 

 

....and I suspect the 10 fools in "Trucker Hats" made more of a mess than that one around them parts too.

*but maybe that is yet another drink I've never heard of

More than I paid for my last three cars,,, combined.

I'll have your best shit, and a coke

The bid to resurrect Cuchara Ski Valley has officially shit the bed.

Earn your turns

FTR:  Highlands used to be awesome and was somewhat of a living throwback until it was "targeted" by $$$

Spent one season in Aspen in the early 90's and it was easily my favorite mountain of the bunch ... especially since Ajax didn't allow snowboarding at the time, but the parking lot was a real "lot" scene.   When I think of the good ol days, it's that season at Highlands ... even getting constantly slammed on the poma lift (around 4:00 mark) when I was learning to ride it up on my snowboard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq5vWC5BFgI