Lost Areas #14 - Published 24 March 1994
Subject: LOST "COLORADO" SKI AREAS - EDITION 14
Greetings from THE COLORADO SKIER
Researching "lost" Colorado ski areas is the hobby of THE COLORADO
SKIER. But we ran out of lost areas in Colorado. So we started on
another region of the country, namely the southern Mid-Atlantic
states. Next stop NEW HAMPSHIRE. Is your state next?
For more info on skiing and ski areas, check out our separately posted
companion articles entitled: "THE COLORADO SKIER - TRIVIA" (with
skiing trivia questions), "THE COLORADO SKIER - SKI NEWS" (current
ski area news), and "THE TCS LISTS" which contains statistics on ski
areas (and other related subjects).
[NOTE: We will be posting to "rec.skiing.alpine" in the future (and
to "rec.skiing" until it shuts down in June). Is this OK with you
TCS readers who are switching to ".snowboarding" and ".nordic"?]
LOST "COLORADO" SKI AREAS - EDITION #14
EDITOR'S REMARKS:
A. Lots of neat stuff to cover in this issue. Section 1.0 finishes
off the ski areas of the southern Mid-Atlantic states, and also
the rest of the Southern ski areas (both open and closed). In
Section 2.0 we answer a request by covering some states in the
Plains region. In Section 3.0 you finally get a taste of New
Hampshire. And in Section 4.0 we discuss our new plan to research
and document ALL of the "Lost" ski areas of the entire U.S.
B. Some of the data in this post was obtained from "THE WHITE BOOK OF
SKI AREAS", which is copyrighted by Inter-Ski Services, Inc.
1. THE LOST SKI AREAS OF THE MID-ATLANTIC STATES
{Copyright 1994, The Colorado Skier. All rights reserved.}
[Note: TCS defines "Mid-Atlantic" as Delaware, Maryland, D.C.,
Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.]
1A. Here are ten "lost" areas from the last issue plus some "planned"
areas [Note: If you have any updates or corrections to this
info, we would love (OK, like) to hear from you.]
OREGON RIDGE (Hunt Valley, MD), [closed], Located 15 miles
north of Baltimore off I-83 at the Hunt Valley exit, near the town
of Cockeysville. Now used for sledding. Opened in 1964, was
definitely open thru 1969. We have one obscure reference for 1974.
[Curiously, we never found this area on a highway map.]
Vertical Drop: 300 ft Top: Base:
Lifts: 1 chairlift, 6 rope tows
JOSH (city?) remembers this area being open around 1974. RICK (now
in Colorado) says it was definitely open when he left Baltimore in
1965. He believes it was used as a ski test area for Head skis,
located in nearby Timonium, MD.
SNAGGY MOUNTAIN (Terra Alta, WV), [name change], This was the
first name (circa 1968) for MOUNTAINTOP (early 70's) which
eventually (1976) became ALPINE LAKE (still open).
Vertical Drop: 300 ft Lifts: 2 Pomas
SHAWNEE-LAND (Winchester, VA), [obscure], References in 1968 & 74.
Vertical Drop: 400 ft Top: Base:
Lifts: 1 T-bar, 2 rope tows
SHEEPBACK MOUNTAIN (Maggie Valley, NC), [planned], Reported to be
under construction in 1968. Note that CATALOOCHEE (at Maggie
Valley) was already open at that time. A 1990 reference says "No
info since 1985". Lifts: 2 chairs, one T-bar (planned)
SKILAND (Charlesville, VA), [obscure], Used "polysnow" (circa
1973).
Vertical Drop: 140 ft Lifts: 2 rope tows
SKI WAY (Braddock Heights, MD), [name change], Changed name to
BRADDOCK HEIGHTS SKI WAY in 1966.
Lifts: 1 T-bar, 1 rope
STRUDEL RUN (Braddock Heights, MD), [very obscure], "Located"
next to SKI WAY (see above) at Braddock Heights, sharing same phone
number, in 1964. Probably the same area.
Lifts: 1 T-bar
TORY MOUNTAIN (Harman, WV), [obscure], We had this one listed as
a "planned" area, circa 1984. However, we have found a ski area
south of Harman near the town of Job, on three different brands of
maps, from the 1983, 84 period. Therefore we will have to assume
that the area did actually open. No other data. Note that two of
our four sources spell the name "TROY", rather than TORY. Anyone
got a detailed map with a "mountain" named Tory or Troy?
??? (Renick, WV), [very obscure], While researching Tory/Troy Mtn,
we found a ski area off US 219 on a 1983 WV map. No other data.
WEISS KNOB (Davis, WV), [obscure], Located on WV 32, just east
of CANAAN VALLEY. Historic area built by the Washington (D.C.) Ski
Club in the mid-fifties. The area eventually closed when the
larger CANAAN VALLEY area opened in 1972. Currently used by the
White Grass Ski Touring Center. The lifts have been removed.
Thanks to DONALD (Chantilly, VA) for some of the info.
Vertical Drop: 625 ft Lifts: 3 rope tows
Note: We (with help from DON) are 90% sure that SKYLINE and
RAPPAHANNOCK are the same ski area.
SKYLINE/RAPPAHANNOCK (Washington, VA), [closed], Located 2 miles
west of Washington on VA 625. Founded by the Skyline Ski Club in
1961. Used the SKYLINE name until 1972, then switched to
RAPPAHANNOCK. Closed about 1975. Data are for 1972.
Vertical Drop: 575 ft Top: 1500 Base: 925
Lifts: 1 chairlift, 1 T-bar, 2 rope tows
Other Planned Areas:
COLLEGE MOUNTAIN (Emmittsburg, MD), [planned], 1992 planning for
a $20 mill day ski area. No current activity. There was
opposition from St. Mary's College which, curiously, is located
many miles away in SE Maryland. Perhaps the college owns land in
the projected ski area location.
FLAT TOP MOUNTAIN (Flat Top, WV), [planned], Planned around 1979
for private land, with a vertical of 500 ft. Probably turned into
WINTERPLACE (still open), which opened (600 feet vertical) around
1983.
LAUREL CREEK (Lewisburg, WV), [planned], Originally scheduled to
be a private area for homeowners. Now planned as a private area
open to the public. Phase I was to include 100% snowmaking and a
quad and double chair serving 1000 feet of vertical. Development
had not started as of 1992.
MACE KNOB (Cheat Bridge, WV), [planned], To be located north of
SNOWSHOE, near the town of Cheat Bridge. Also known as CHEAT
MOUNTAIN. Planning, circa 1991.
RICHWOOD (Richwood, WV), [planned], Municipal area, no funds,
circa 1990.
Note: No downhill snow skiing areas were discovered in DELAWARE,
D.C., or SOUTH CAROLINA.
1B. OTHER SKI AREAS OF THE SOUTH
[Note: For bookkeeping purposes we now have combined the Southern
Mid-Atlantic and the Southeast into one new region called "SOUTH".]
ALABAMA
CLOUDMONT RESORT (Mentone, AL), [still open], Opened in 1972.
Vertical Drop: 150 ft Top: 1800 Base: 1650
Lifts: 2 rope tows Used a polysnow surface some years.
ARKANSAS
MARBLE FALLS (Dog Patch, AR), [closed], Located on Hiway 7 south
of Harrison. Operated from about 1973 to 1978.
Vertical Drop: 220 ft Top: 3000 Base: 2780
Lifts: 1 chairlift, 3 rope tows
GEORGIA
VINING'S RIDGE (Atlanta, GA), [closed], Located 9 miles north at
I-75 and I-285, on Vining's Rd in Vining. Operated in late 70's
(77-80). Used an "astroturf" ski surface. Open year-around.
Vertical Drop: 140 ft Lifts: 1 Poma
SKY VALLEY (Dillard, GA), [still open], Open since 1971.
Vertical Drop: 210 ft Top: 3325 Base: 3115
Lifts: 1 double chair, 1 rope tow
KENTUCKY
GENERAL BUTLER (Carrollton, KY), [name change], Original name for
SKI BUTLER (which is located in General Butler State Park).
SKI BUTLER (Carrollton, KY), [still open], Area opened around
1982. Changed to this name in 1986. Night skiing.
Vertical Drop: 300 ft Top: 800 Base: 500
Lifts: 1 triple chair, 2 double chairs, 1 T-bar, 3 rope tows
TENNESSEE
CEDAR CLIFF (Waynesboro, TN), [obscure], Open for the 78/79
season with 1 T-bar and 1 rope tow.
ENGLISH MTN (?), [very obscure] Only one reference, circa 1977.
LONG MOUNTAIN (Nashville), [obscure], Located 1 mile from
Nashville on Hiway 46E. Quad chair and rope tow in 1979.
MT. HARRISON (Gatlinburg), [name change], This was the name for
the OBER GATLINBURG ski area (which is located on Mt. Harrison)
when it opened in 1960. The name changed to GATLINBURG in the mid-
sixties and the current name was adopted in the mid-seventies.
RENEGADE (Crossville), [closed], Located at Crab Orchard exit off
I-40, 10 miles east of Crossville. Operated from 1969 to 1978.
Vertical Drop: 425 ft Top: Base: 2700
Lifts: 1 chairlift, 1 J-bar, 2 rope tows
OBER GATLINBURG (Gatlinburg), [still open], Opened in 1960. The
tram is used for access only.
Vertical Drop: 600 ft Top: 3300 Base: 2700
Lifts: 1 Tram (120 pass.), 2 quads, 2 double chairs.
Note: No downhill snow skiing areas have been discovered in FLORIDA,
MISSISSIPPI, or LOUISIANA.
2. THE LOST SKI AREAS OF KANSAS AND NEBRASKA
2A. KANSAS
GREENWOOD HEIGHTS (Beaumont), [closed], Located 1 mile southeast
of Beaumont (50 miles due east of Wichita). Operated from about
1968 to 1973.
Vertical Drop: 158 ft Top: 1578 Base: 1420
Lifts: 1 chairlift, 2 T-bars
MONT BLEU (Lawrence), [closed], Located 4 miles east of Lawrence,
off Hiway 10. Operated from about 1968 to 1983.
Vertical Drop: 230 ft Top: 1230 Base: 1000
Lifts: 1 T-bar, 1 rope tow
STEVE (city?) says that MONT BLEU had a chairlift in the mid-
sixties but sold it to a ski area near St. Louis. Well, HIDDEN
VALLEY, MO opened in 1968, but sans chairlifts, which weren't added
until the 70's. Can we pin those years down, Steve?
2B. NEBRASKA
DEVIL'S NEST (Crofton), [obscure], Located to the north of
Crofton, near Lewis & Clark Lake. Operated in the 1972, 73 time
frame.
Vertical Drop: 450 ft Lifts: 1 chairlift, 1 Poma
TRAIL RIDGE (Gretna), [name change], Located about 30 miles
southwest of Omaha. Opened in 1980. Changed name to NEBRASKI
(still open) in 1991.
NEBRASKI (Gretna), [still open]
Vertical Drop: 200 ft Top: 1250 Base: 1050
Lifts: 1 doublechair, 1 T-bar, 3 rope tows night skiing
3. THE LOST SKI AREAS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
Finally, a new state! Who remembers these "Lost Ski Areas"?
Alpine Ridge Bobcat
Crotched Mountain Dundee
Evergreen Fitzwilliam
Garrison Hill Hogback Ski Track
Inn at East Hill Farm King's Grant
Lakeview Mittersill
Note: We are currently tracking 60 "lost" ski areas in New
Hampshire, which places it among the top five states, along with
Colorado, California, New York, and Maine.
4. "LOST" IN SPACE - Back in January we got restless and decided to
expand our list of LOST ski areas to include all states. Two
weeks and a lot of typing later, we had a list started (just ski
area names and towns) for ALL of the Lost Ski Areas in the entire
U.S. (42 states). Now we can easily red-line as we find data.
Why do we bring it up? Well, the list currently stands at about
910 names. Consider this: So far, in the LOST posts, we have
covered 80 Colorado areas and 30 southeastern areas. That's 110
Lost areas in 1.5 years. Subtract 110 from 910, assume 10 areas
per post, assume 6 posts per year, and you can see that it will
take about 13 years to cover all the currently known areas. Wow!
To pick up the pace, we will try to do one "Lost" post every three
issues, about every six weeks. [our pattern will be Trivia, Lost,
News, Trivia, Lost, Lists, repeat.] We will try to cover a major
state (e.g., NH) and some minor region (e.g., Kansas/Nebraska)
each issue. AND we will try to cover the states that YOU are
interested in. You may remember that we had a vote on which
states to cover after Colorado. The winner was VA/NC. Next was
NH and then NY. There were a few votes for Utah and Calif. Care
to vote again? (NH is next, regardless - we are heavy into
research). BTW, OUR vote is for California. That's the state
(besides CO) we know most about.
5. LOST SKI AREA FOLLOW-UP and OTHER NEWS
a. DEEP CREEK - DON (VA) says that DEEP CREEK, MD (circa mid-60's) is
not the same area as WISP (1968 - still open). BTW, many thanks
to Don for checking his maps and actually calling a historical
society to provide some lost ski area history.
Oh, yes - Don claims that while climbing nearby Mt. Bierstadt, he
observed that the ski runs at GENEVA BASIN, CO spell out the word
"S K I". It's amazing what happens to flatlanders when they hit
that thin air at high altitudes, isn't it? Take some deep
breaths, Don. Actually there is a run on the left side of the
main chair which has a very definite "S" shape. Then you can
build a case for the next run to the right touching the chair
line, making a "K". Of course the "I" is easy, there are lots of
them, altho one ends up with S K I I I and some "J"s and an "X"
and even the Roman numeral III. And people call us weird!
b. MT. ROSE - Three folks have written to state that SLIDE MOUNTAIN
is indeed now part of MT ROSE. (altho, to complicate matters, the
combined area is actually located on "Slide Mountain". There are
no downhill facilities on "Mt. Rose".)
c. MT. CHARLESTON - a ghost gondola? We mentioned finding a gondola
listed back in the 70's. JAN-ERIK has seen the terrain, but not
the gondola. Consider a horizontal rectangle with the east side
being US 95 to Las Vegas, the top being hiway 156 to LEE Canyon
(the existing ski area), the bottom being Hiway 157 to "Mt.
Charleston", and the left side being Hiway 158 connecting the two.
At the lower left corner is the "Mt. Charleston Lodge - Village"
with no signs of a gondola. Anyone else with an idea?
d. CHAMA - George (New Mexico?) wants to know about a planned area
near Chama, NM. Here is what we have:
ARRIBA (Chama), [planned], There was planning for an area by
this name circa 1990-92. The area was to be located on Brazos
Peak (Elev 11,400 ft), about 10 miles southeast of Chama. Some
runs have been cut, but status is uncertain. Previous attempts at
building a ski area here used the name RIO BRAZOS (1979) and SKI
ENSENADA (Penasco Ski Corp. - 1990). The ski area name comes from
it being located in Rio ARRIBA county. Note that there is also a
prominent snowmobiling area outside of Chama.
e. CATAMOUNT - DAVE (Boulder) took exception to some of our remarks
about the planned LAKE CATAMOUNT ski area near Steamboat, CO.
1) He says Steamboat doesn't need a second nearby area to survive
as a destination resort. They are doing just fine on their own.
Apparently so (the same could be said for Crested Butte).
2) Steamboat Springs (the town) doesn't really need the business.
They are a prosperous town summer and winter. Can't argue.
3) This growth may be too fast and could (if not carefully
planned and controlled) ruin the Yampa Valley. We agree. When
you drive down off Rabbit Ears Pass you (now) look out over open
space and ranchlands and the view from up on the ski area is much
the same. The idea of a strip city from Steamboat to Catamount is
appalling. It would look like Park City. Good points, Dave. Any
other opinions out there?
f. INSERT (SKI AREA) NAME - If anyone wants to see a repeat of a
specific "lost Colorado ski area", just ask. Or if you are just
curious about a lost area anywhere in the country - bring it up,
we will do the research.
6. MISCELLANY
a. Have we mentioned lately that we love this "job". Researching
lost ski areas is fun. And you guys help in two ways. You read
the newsletters, therefore we have to write them, therefore we
have to do the research, it keeps us moving. And, you write in
with data on areas and questions about areas. That's great. We
already thanked DON. Thanx also to JOSHUA (Bedford, MA) who sent
us his list of Lost NH ski areas. That was most helpful.
Then there is MIKE from Colo Springs, who read our list of lost
Colorado ski areas and allowed as how he had skied at, helped
build, or worked at "most" of them. His was a fun letter!
b. Someone volunteered to make TCS "Lost" issues available on his
host via FTP. Any progress, Bob?
c. Was it just us or was the Oscar telecast just plain lousy this
year? No surprises (except best supporting actress), some of the
worst songs ever nominated - performed badly, and that ballet
number - apparently Debbie didn't get a chance to rehearse the
dancers. The opening number ("Putting It Together" - Bernadette
Peters) was great, tho. Bring back Billy Crystal.
d. WARNING - Don't ever buy magazines from a sleazeball company
called "Publishers Direct Services" of Longwood, FL. A friend
showed some interest so they sent her a bill for 6 magazines for 5
years (many bucks). She tried to cancel the order and now they
are threatening "collection agency", "destroy her credit",
"garnishing wages", etc. A strange way to sell magazines.
e. HELP! - Chair 54, where are you? At BRIAN HEAD, UT, thru 1993,
on the east facing slopes, there was a chairlift called "Navajo"
serving several runs with Indian themed names. On the 93-94 trail
map, the Navajo chair is gone (altho the name is now used on the
former "Stardust" chair). Now the "Navajo" runs are only
accessible by snowcat. Why would a ski area remove a chairlift
which was the only access to several runs and not replace it?
7. EPILOG
a. Please provide your city name in E-Mails to TCS.
Cheers from THE COLORADO SKIER
"Altho much of Georgia was burned down during the filming of "Gone
With The Wind", this dynamic state has rebuilt itself and is now an
important part of the "new south" which is the same as the "old
south" except that most of the pickup trucks are now Japanese."
Dave Barry
