July Newsletter 2024

**Shaver Pond, Grafton Lakes State Park, pic by M Waldman**

LOST SKI AREAS ALONG THE TACONIC RANGE

During these sweltering days of mid-summer, it might be interesting—as well as cooling—to grab an ice-filled glass, a shaded chair, and remember winter.

Winter in the day was a prolonged snow-filled season. Ski areas abounded. They were in many cases small, outfitted with rope tows, affordable, easy to manage, and inexpensive to run. There were no costly “liability” issues. There were no big groomers and no snowmaking. Who needed that anyway? Sometimes skiers had to pack the slopes themselves before they could ski them. Lodges were traditional ski huts that were cozy and warm, and you brought your own food. Many areas were used mostly by locals, and they were family affairs.

Where were these areas and what happened to them?

Williams College Ski Area: Found in Williamstown, MA at the end of Bee Hill Rd./Albany Post Road is the parking for what was the Williams College Ski Area and now serves as a recently upgraded trailhead for a network of trails owned by Williamstown Rural Lands and DEC. The racing trail from the summit of Berlin Mountain was steep and narrow and was used from 1960 to about 1975. It included two ski jumps that are still intact. Most of the old ski trail is now overgrown.

The Thunderbolt Trail: Newly revived as a trail for aggressive backcountry skiers, the Thunderbolt was once one of the most popular ski and racing trails in the region and was serviced by a train that brought thousands of skiers to the eastern base of Greylock in Adams, Ma. Dropping more than 2000’ in 1.6 miles, it challenges everyone. Built by the CCC in 1934, it was the site of international races in the late 30s that attracted Olympians and inspired a local ski culture that was so strong, 20 men from Adams enlisted in the 10th Mountain Division in WW2. Locals continued to use the trail through the 40s and 50s, but after it was abandoned and became a hiking trail only, it became overgrown and badly eroded. Since 2008 volunteers of the Thunderbolt Ski Runners have cleared it for an annual sanctioned race, and the town of Adams holds a Thunderfest celebration.

Goodell Hollow Ski Club: now called the Mount Greylock Ski Club. In spite of efforts to build a tram to create a ski area on the east slope of Mount Greylock, it was the western slope that dips into the Hopper that has provided decades of skiing for families who want a small, mostly volunteer, and now quaintly intimate ski area, one renowned for the deep snow that falls in that bowl. The Club bought the farm site and began cutting trails in the 1930s to early 1940s. The long access road leading past the trailheads for Roaring Brook Trail and Trail of the Ledges used to mean a slow snowy trek by foot from Route 7 into the area that is now car-accessible. Here, where it’s easy for parents to keep an eye on the kids, the 17 mostly beginner trails and glades are still serviced by two rope tows. Members maintain the trails, run the lifts, patrol the slopes, and keep the lodge warm and cozy. Anyone can join the other approximately 150 members for an affordable seasonal fee.

Brodie Mountain: Operating since the 1930s, Brodie Mountain was a big popular lively ski area for generations of locals and tourists. Located on the Eastern slope of the Taconic Ridge where now an array of windmills rotates languidly along the crest, belying its storied past, Brodie’s slopes are slowly overgrowing. In the 60s, 70s and 80s, Brodie and its Blarney Room upstairs was the go-to place for a day of skiing followed by an evening of “spirits,” music, dinner, and dancing. You didn’t need to be a skier to have an enjoyable time at Brodie. “Kelley’s Irish Alps,” as it was called, held spectacular riotous races and events that on St. Patrick’s Day could border on the wild. Teens and their friends, parents who had ditched the kids for the evening, moon-eyed young lovers, and even oldsters could enjoy the energy in that lodge. The skiing was good too, with wide gently sloping ski slopes serviced by a number of chairlifts. Brodie was bought by Jiminy Peak in 1999, perhaps with the goal of linking it with Jiminy, but the expenses of running two ski areas with their energy needs and capital and liability expenses were too much for the Fairbanks who owned Jiminy. Brodie’s last year was 2002, and it is certainly a lost treasure for the area.

Prospect Ski Area: Located just east of Bennington and at a high elevation, Prospect thrived as a downhill ski area from 1938 to the 1980s. Now a quieter and beloved XC ski area and home of the Williams College Nordic Ski Team, this rack of gorgeous slopes was saved in 2018 by a consortium of the Vermont Land Trust and individual donors and is managed by the nonprofit Prospect Mountain Association. Area ski teams come here to practice and race on the generous snow and perfect grooming. In the day, Prospect boasted some steep slopes and heavy and reliable snow for downhill skiers.

Mt. Raimer at Petersburg Pass: Go up to the height of land between Berlin and Williamstown on Rt. 2 and just to the south of the road you’ll look up at a ski area that was popular up until the late 1970s. If you hike the new Sarah Tenney Trails on the south side of Rt. 2 you will cross and recross the old downhill ski runs and will trip over some of the ski lift infrastructure and cables. Today Petersburg Pass is the popular trailhead for the Taconic Crest Trail that runs north through Hopkins Forest and south to Berlin Mountain along the ridge. There is nothing left of the lodge that existed there, and while backcountry skiers are hoping to open the trails again, this decision rests with DEC.

BECOME A HIKE LEADER!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to lead a group on a hike or cycle? Being an outings leader is very rewarding! As a leader you get to take people on hikes and to places and vistas they could not have visited alone. These people are always grateful for the effort the leader puts into the outing.

You can lead easy 3-mile hikes or more strenuous 6 to 8-mile hikes. We have hikers of all abilities. You can also choose to only lead one hike per season or lead one every month or whatever fits your schedule.

You may ask, but do I qualify? For starters, many of the ideas about trip planning and what to do during the trip are things you may already do when planning and going on a family vacation or hike. You may have learned some leadership skills in prior employment as a supervisor or manager, or by observing other outing leaders. You are already hiking, you know what to wear, what to pack, you can read a map, you have your favorite trails and you know how to get there. Plus, you enjoy meeting others while hiking.

The THC will provide additional training and one or two of our experienced leaders will co-lead with you on the first couple hikes you lead. Interested? Contact us at taconichikingclb@gmail.com (no “u” in club).

OUTINGS: Refer to the THC website outings page for details about the outings and how to register. We schedule on a monthly and short-term basis, so check the website periodically.

Wednesday, July 3: Paddle- Lock 7 Niskauna B
Wednesday, July 10: Albert Family Community Forest C+/B-
Thursday, July 11: Stony Ledge C
Thursday, July 18: Grafton Lakes State Park, Mill Pond to White Lily Pond RT B-
Tuesday, July 23: Mt Greylock B+
Thursday, July 25: Field Farm C
Friday, July 26: Paddle - Minerva Stream, Olmstedville B
Monday, July 29: Olivia’s Overlook - Burbank Preserve and Kripalu Trails C