ss20
Well-known member
This should be a pretty cool thread for the history buffs like myself. Concept is simple. Best resort in the northeast by decade. For example, in the 90s, Killington was king of skiing. It had growth, 1,000,000 visits, the best terrain, the best lifts, the best nightlife, and the longest season.
Here's my decade-by-decade list.
1930s and 1940s: Bousquet
This was the the first place in New England to have more than a couple slopes and a rope tow. Skiing was the main attraction. Fueled by the ski trains that went up to Pittsfield.
1950s: Stowe
2 mountains and a massive network of trails that would qualify as a medium-sized resort even by today's standard's. 60 years later and the legacy hasn't died.
1960s: Mount Snow
It'd be easier to list what wasn't here. A complex lift system. Trails unique for being wide. And all the quirks of Mt. Snow like the air car, Fountain mountain, outdoor pool, indoor skating, and the infamous nuclear bomb plan...
1970s: ????
Mother Nature and insurance costs won. Couldn't think of anything for this one.
1980s: Sunday River
Otten turned the little ski area into a rival for Killington. Not new trails, but new mountains added every couple of years. Condos! Condos! Condos! Classic "if you build it, they will come" story.
1990s: Killington
The crown jewel of the northeast was at its peak. 1,000,000 skier visits says it all.
2000s: Stowe
Modernized its lift system and became the undisputed luxury resort in the East. Backed up by amazing terrain.
2010s: Jay Peak
Recreating "family" resort with the new waterpark and hotel. West Bowl would be nice. New Bonnie detachable lift? And on top of all this Jay keeps on gaining a reputation for its tree skiing.
Your lists?
Here's my decade-by-decade list.
1930s and 1940s: Bousquet
This was the the first place in New England to have more than a couple slopes and a rope tow. Skiing was the main attraction. Fueled by the ski trains that went up to Pittsfield.
1950s: Stowe
2 mountains and a massive network of trails that would qualify as a medium-sized resort even by today's standard's. 60 years later and the legacy hasn't died.
1960s: Mount Snow
It'd be easier to list what wasn't here. A complex lift system. Trails unique for being wide. And all the quirks of Mt. Snow like the air car, Fountain mountain, outdoor pool, indoor skating, and the infamous nuclear bomb plan...
1970s: ????
Mother Nature and insurance costs won. Couldn't think of anything for this one.
1980s: Sunday River
Otten turned the little ski area into a rival for Killington. Not new trails, but new mountains added every couple of years. Condos! Condos! Condos! Classic "if you build it, they will come" story.
1990s: Killington
The crown jewel of the northeast was at its peak. 1,000,000 skier visits says it all.
2000s: Stowe
Modernized its lift system and became the undisputed luxury resort in the East. Backed up by amazing terrain.
2010s: Jay Peak
Recreating "family" resort with the new waterpark and hotel. West Bowl would be nice. New Bonnie detachable lift? And on top of all this Jay keeps on gaining a reputation for its tree skiing.
Your lists?