Abandoned area, Thornton, NH

obienick

Looking through some UGSS topo maps I just came across an interesting find…

In the very southeast corner of Thornton, NH just off NH-49, I found a mapped ski area. I find no reference to this on NELSAP.

Looks to be about 140’ vertical served by about a 600’ long lift with southwest exposure. The slope is still visible in modern aerial imagery.

Here’s the c. 1980’s USGS topo:

Here’s a more modern aerial image:

Anybody have any knowledge of this area?

millerm277

Poking around on HistoricAerials and the tax maps, there's 1972 imagery that looks a lot like it may have been established already by that time (or just built).

Additionally, the tax maps indicate that it's all within the Gateway Condos property/community, and at least one recent townhome listing there notes that the community/HOA contains "an amazing sledding hill".

The Gateway Condos appear to have also been built in the early 1970s by the property listings.

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My guess (without evidence) is that it was built by the developer as an amenity to sell the condos/townhomes, probably fell into disuse or got insurance-d out of existence at some point.

I'd guess the HOA or town might have some records.

justkeepmovingne

For easier investigation, this area is on Gateway Rd in Thornton.

The entire parcel surrounding Gateway Rd including the ski hill save for the condos is labeled as “Common Land” owned by “Upper Mad River Rd Country Homes” according to Regrid.

There’s an old Redfin listing for the property at the top of the ski hill. Built 1980, meaning we can assume this ski operation was done by that point. The last couple pictures show what is likely the top of the ski hill.

Nothing is mentioned about a ski hill, though.

https://www.redfin.com/NH/Thornton/156-Judges-Rd-03285/unit-11/home/110161328

Additionally, the Welch Mt Chalet has a picture of this sledding hill, stating it’s a 2 minute walk from the chalet to the top of the sledding hill - likely the ski hill as the chalet doesn’t appear to have a cleared slope when referring to Google maps.

http://www.welchmountainchalet.com/Amenities.html

NELSAP

I do have a few emails from the past about this:

"I was wondering if you had any info on an old ski area at the Gateway Condos in Thornton NH. The Gateway is a condo complex from probably the 60s and they had an old rope tow area. I live right down the street from it and have skied and sledded the hill many times. It's about 300 verts, and lots of fun considering it's basically 'our' ski area. Many families come to sled on it but my wife and I have been the only one I've seen ski it."

"skier's left has a graded track with concrete blocks (counterweights?) at top, about 300 vert. guessing.since burned resort complex held carroll reed ski shop in seventies. not sure if there ever was any history there."

Bkroon9175

Spoke to a friend in Thorton who has lived there for years. They said the sledding hill at Gateway Condos was in fact a tow served hill years ago.

obienick

Interesting. And thanks for the information! I was very surprised to find it on the USGS topo map.