Wanna ride a classic Poma double chairlift with floating bullwheel one last season?

IBRAKEFORTBARS

Of course you do. You know you do. Holiday Mountain in Monticello, NY, is a southern Catskills ski hill that is under new ownership and the owners are doing amazing things. One of which: the roughly 3,000 ft. long Turkey Trot Poma double chair with a floating bullwheel is being placed into service after having sat several seasons idle for one last season. Holiday Mt. is the ski hill you can see when driving on Rt. 17S and, to driver's right, you can see a blue floating bullwheel with counterweight. This is a place I have wanted to ski since I was very little and am so grateful we're granted one more chance to ride an old classic Poma chair. Holiday Mountain has two of these and only the Turkey Trot is able to run. The lift with the floating bullwheel visible from the highway hasn't run in twenty years and its counterweight has already sunk to the ground. Honestly, the Turkey Trot double, itself, is a lift I thought no one would ever ride again. After next season, both classic Poma doubles will understandably be removed. The Turkey Trot double is being replaced with a Borvig quad that got purchased from Massanutten Resort down there in Harrisonburg, VA

marcski

The new owner is a good man. I know him and his family. He is certainly doing a lot to get that place back in order. He just finished getting the summer operations (funpark) ready and they will be open this weekend. In addition to the mini golf the park also sports go-carts, bumper cars and boats, rock climbing and mountain slides. He is also doing a lot of work all over the mountain. Clearing and widening overgrown trails, replacing snow making pipes and restoring lifts. We can always use a new (or restored) feeder hill. I wish him the best of luck. And, I, too, am looking forward to getting a few runs there this season.

IBRAKEFORTBARS

The new owner is a good man. I know him and his family. He is certainly doing a lot to get that place back in order. He just finished getting the summer operations (funpark) ready and they will be open this weekend. In addition to the mini golf the park also sports go-carts, bumper cars and boats, rock climbing and mountain slides. He is also doing a lot of work all over the mountain. Clearing and widening overgrown trails, replacing snow making pipes and restoring lifts. We can always use a new (or restored) feeder hill. I wish him the best of luck. And, I, too, am looking forward to getting a few runs there this season.

I couldn't agree more. In a FB live feed he described in detail all the stages they'll take to reopen the long-shuttered areas of the ski hill as well as repair erosion and address drainage issues. Also, he detailed some new expert trails to be cut lookers right to the Roman Candle triple chair. They're on the hunt for a quality used chairlift to replace the decades-long-unused #1 double (the one with the floating bullwheel visible from the highway). It's not a long lift line: only about 1,200 feet. I'm thinking they should consider installing a new surface lift in case low-mileage quad or triple chairlifts are unavailable. It could then function as a reliever lift as well as be dedicated to racing events over on trails Christmas Bowl or New Years Eve.

lotsoskiing

I hope they make it!

IBRAKEFORTBARS

I hope they make it!

They just might. The community has really rallied around them and the buzz on social media is palpable. Ownership seems to be doing everything right (addressing trail re-opening, heavy snowmaking, and buying quality replacement lifts) and is being an open book towards their future plans. The owner grew up skiing Holiday Mountain and the pride and vested interest in resurrecting the skiing and boarding is evident.

ciscokid

Got a classic Poma float an hour down the road circa ‘71

As far as the Catskills in the lower Hudson Valley area, it’s always had trouble seems to me, but I hope this guy makes a good go of it

trackbiker

I couldn't agree more. In a FB live feed he described in detail all the stages they'll take to reopen the long-shuttered areas of the ski hill as well as repair erosion and address drainage issues. Also, he detailed some new expert trails to be cut lookers right to the Roman Candle triple chair. They're on the hunt for a quality used chairlift to replace the decades-long-unused #1 double (the one with the floating bullwheel visible from the highway). It's not a long lift line: only about 1,200 feet. I'm thinking they should consider installing a new surface lift in case low-mileage quad or triple chairlifts are unavailable. It could then function as a reliever lift as well as be dedicated to racing events over on trails Christmas Bowl or New Years Eve.

Supposedly he bought a used quad from Massanutten to replace the lift.

IBRAKEFORTBARS

Supposedly he bought a used quad from Massanutten to replace the lift.

That's exactly what he did: the quad will replace the Turkey Trot Poma double. He's on the hunt for another chair to replace the one visible from the highway.

lotsoskiing

I rode the Sterling Forest one many moons ago...

conrad

I do! If circumstances allow I'll try to pay a visit.

ne_skier

I rode the Sterling Forest one many moons ago...

That one had a pretty unique return. It was originally built in 1962, earlier than both of Holiday Mtn's doubles and the one Poma at Hunter. Seems like it had a little more of a support structure and wasn't entirely floating. This is probably the best photo there is of it, I have a newer one but as the resort's abandoned it's covered with brush.
http://www.chairlift.org/pics/sterling/ster1.jpg

ski_it

Oh man I almost stopped in last weekend, when I saw Bob, to take some pics, but I figured you’d all cheat or know the area anyway, so what’s the point .
Hope they keep it running

lotsoskiing

I rode the Sterling Forest one many moons ago...
That one had a pretty unique return. It was originally built in 1962, earlier than both of Holiday Mtn's doubles and the one Poma at Hunter. Seems like it had a little more of a support structure and wasn't entirely floating. This is probably the best photo there is of it, I have a newer one but as the resort's abandoned it's covered with brush.
http://www.chairlift.org/pics/sterling/ster1.jpg

I thought the Alley Cat lift (blue) was floating as well, but can't find pics. They also had a Borvig on The Bowl?

Very fond memories of skiing there. Sad to see it all done.

ciscokid

While we’re near that neck of the woods has anyone ( lotososkiing) ever been here?

lotsoskiing

While we’re near that neck of the woods has anyone ( lotososkiing) ever been here?

No, wish I had, though! Cool view.

ciscokid

Wow you’re fast

lotsoskiing

Wow you’re fast

Slow night...

JMaul

While we’re near that neck of the woods has anyone ( lotososkiing) ever been here?

Not to hijack the thread (but I am and in my defense, I didn't start it)
but it's for sale.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/Mount-Meenagha-Rd-Cragsmoor-NY-12420/2109691553_zpid/

lotsoskiing

While we’re near that neck of the woods has anyone ( lotososkiing) ever been here?

Not to hijack the thread (but I am and in my defense, I didn't start it)
but it's for sale.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/Mount-Meenagha-Rd-Cragsmoor-NY-12420/2109691553_zpid/

Wow, could have had it in 2013 for $80k...dang

It is beautiful but I am a few millions shy of being able to swing it.

ciscokid

I find that hard to believe

436 acres of swamp would have sold for more 10 years ago