The 8 Oldest Ski Areas

TomWhite

When I saw the first entry, I thought, hum ski areas? But the rest are regular ski areas. A few in the NE. One outside of Pittsburgh where I skied in the 60s. I can think of a couple in N England that could be included.

The 8 Oldest Ski Resorts in the U.S.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/tripideas/the-8-oldest-ski-resorts-in-the-u-s/ar-AA1v4flf?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=95605a7290b64a03d9827b097fbafbd1&ei=12

NewEnglandSkier13

Odd criteria. It seems that having a ski jump, not necessarily a lift, qualifies somewhere as becoming a "ski area." And it's definitely inaccurate, as there are plenty more ski area which opened before Sun Valley in 1936.

ski_it

The title of the article is actually "The 8 Oldest Ski Resorts in the U.S." I can't see how Storrs was ever a "resort". And the NSAA info kinda disagrees: https://nsaa.org/webdocs/Media_Public/IndustryStats/ski_area_by_year_open_2024.pdf
The article list:
1. Howelsen Hill, Colorado
2. Storrs Hill Ski Area, New Hampshire
3. Granlibakken Tahoe, California
4. Cooper Spur Mountain Resort, Oregon
5. Mt. Hood Skibowl, Oregon
6. Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Pennsylvania
7. Bousquet Mountain, Massachusetts
8. Sun Valley Resort, Idaho

NSAA:
1. Howelsen Hill Ski Area CO www.steamboatsprings.net/ski 1915
2. Eaglebrook School MA www.eaglebrook.org 1922
3. Storrs Hill Ski Area NH www.skistorrshill.com 1923
4. Mountain High Resort CA www.mthigh.com 1924
5. Cooper Spur Mountain Resort OR www.cooperspur.com 1927
6. Granlibakken Tahoe Ski Area CA www.granlibakken.com 1927
7. Mt. Hood Skibowl OR www.skibowl.com 1927
8. Timberline Summit Pass OR timberlinelodge.com 1927
9. Bousquet Ski Area MA www.bousquetmountain.com 1932
10. Seven Springs Mountain Resort PA www.7springs.com 1932
11. Mont Ripley Ski Area MI www.skimontripley.com 1933
12. Wildcat Mountain NH www.skiwildcat.com 1933
28. Sun Valley Resort ID www.sunvalley.com 1936 - ur right Sam.

rickbolger

I'm skeptical of any list of this sort. Wildcat was really what, 1958? If Gunstock applied similar logic they could claim 1918.

marcski

From their website:

Mount Peter is the oldest operating ski area in New York State, and one of only a few remaining family-operated ski areas in America. You may have heard about our famous Free Beginner Ski & Snowboard School, or maybe our reputation for great snowmaking and expert grooming.

Since 1936, Mount Peter has been a wintertime destination for everyone from beginners to competitors; local friends, tourists from around the world and countless families. Our beautiful spot in the picturesque Warwick Valley is the backdrop of fond memories that span generations.

Also:
Bromley: 1936.

I think they were skiing and racing on Mt. Mansfield pre-lift 1934.

Pico: 1937

and wasn't Suicide Six the first lift in the USA early 30's?

NewEnglandSkier13

marcski;c-67108 wroteFrom their website:

Mount Peter is the oldest operating ski area in New York State, and one of only a few remaining family-operated ski areas in America. You may have heard about our famous Free Beginner Ski & Snowboard School, or maybe our reputation for great snowmaking and expert grooming.

Since 1936, Mount Peter has been a wintertime destination for everyone from beginners to competitors; local friends, tourists from around the world and countless families. Our beautiful spot in the picturesque Warwick Valley is the backdrop of fond memories that span generations.

Also:
Bromley: 1936.

I think they were skiing and racing on Mt. Mansfield pre-lift 1934.

Pico: 1937

and wasn't Suicide Six the first lift in the USA early 30's?

No, it was just down the road from it though.

z1000307470

The North Creek Ski Bowl (now attached to Gore) opened in 1934.
https://www.adirondack.net/history/north-creek-ski-bowl/

powderstud

Both Cannon and Mount Mansfield had trails cut on them before lifts were put in in the early 1930s. Both should be on this list if it is to be accurate.

TomWhite

Gunstock started with a single chairlift in 1936/37.

NewEnglandSkier13

TomWhite;c-67113 wroteGunstock started with a single chairlift in 1936/37.

Gunstock's first chairlift opened in 1938.

joshua_segal

Might be a less subjective list if it were based on when the first lift was installed. Here are a few.

Gilbert Hill Rope Tow - 1934
Stowe rope tow, Toll House slope - 1937
Cannon Mountain Tramway - 1938
Gunstock Single - 1938
...

TomWhite

NewEnglandSkier13;c-67114 wrote
TomWhite;c-67113 wroteGunstock started with a single chairlift in 1936/37.
Gunstock's first chairlift opened in 1938.

Ok, there are 2 plaques, one says 1936 the other 1937. I'll check next I'm there. Perhaps the lodge was built in 1936 with or without a rope tow or chairlift. Of course, whoever is correct about their source, doesn't mean the source is correct.

rickbolger

Applying the zigzag logic that puts Howelsen Hill atop the list:

"Early downhill skiing trails on Gunstock Mountain were developed by members of the Winnipesaukee Ski Club (now known as the Gunstock Ski Club), which was reportedly established in 1918"

NewEnglandSkiHistory.

And they ignored Nansen ski club, which predates the automobile.

conrad

Northeast Slopes is 1936. They must not be a NSAA member.

ski_it

NSAA has Gunstock, S6 as 1937, Mount Peter, Bromley: 1936, Gore, Pico, Stowe 1934. No clue what their criteria is.
This says there was a jump somewhere at Stowe 1920 and first trails cut in 1932. NESH says 1933 or 34.
https://stowehistoricalsociety.org/new-page