The Revival of Prospect Hill?!

[AMAC2233]

A contractor proposes to cover the "main slope" at the old Prospect Hill Ski Area in Waltham, Mass (former rope tow from the early 90's) with a synthetic snow surface during the spring, summer and fall for the price of $6 million.

The Article in Globe West.

 

[nycskier]

Its cool to see ski areas re-open. Even if it just a small place.

 

[kickstand]

As a Waltham native who knows something about their politics and the area surrounding Prospect Hill, I can tell you not to hold your breath. I would be absolutely floored if this went in. This blurb alone pretty much shoots it down:

"In addition, the land to be used by the ski complex would have to be replaced by a piece of parkland equivalent in size, nature, and value -- and such parcels are in short supply in areas adjoining the park."

 

[jack97]

The article did seem pessimistic. I'm just wondering if a place like Nashoba Valley would consider it. It's on private land, they have swimming and volleyball summer camps/programs for children and teens. Figure it would fall in line with their business model.

 

[Angus]

prospect hill was the local hill where a Lexington irrigation company - one of the early pioneers of snow making - conducted a lot of their testing in the early days. I worked up 3rd ave (right next door) in the late '80's and at that time the hill still had the lifts on it. I stopped by last year and everything has been disassembled and saplings now dot the trail. there has also been a ton of residential development on the road in the last 15 years. iIknow a bit about local politics - lots of hands will be out looking for "linkages" - haven't read the article yet but I'd say DOA!

 

[Angus]

now gone back and read the article, it mentions a proposed resort in Fort Worth TX that had a long article written about it in this past Saturday/Weekend edition. A bunch of investors are talking about ponying up (or their bankers) a couple of hundred million $$ for this place which would have misting machines and shaded slopes! sounded pretty wild and pretty tenuous! Is this the wave of the future - carpet our slopes?

 

[tcharron]

A contractor proposes to cover the "main slope" at the old Prospect Hill Ski Area in Waltham, Mass (former rope tow from the early 90's) with a synthetic snow surface during the spring, summer and fall for the price of $6 million.

The Article in Globe West.

LOL!

I was just talking to some friends over beers and an artificial ski area came up as possible money makers in New England.

 

[MadPadraic]

LOL!

I was just talking to some friends over beers and an artificial ski area came up as possible money makers in New England.

If you get a chance, check out the pricing structure on some of England's artificial slopes. They do well over there, but of course they don't have what we have. Alas, we don't have cheap flights to Geneva.

 

[tcharron]

If you get a chance, check out the pricing structure on some of England's artificial slopes. They do well over there, but of course they don't have what we have. Alas, we don't have cheap flights to Geneva.

Hehe, unfortionatly, the conversations always end with 'If I only had millions of dollars.. I could make MILLIONS!'..

 

[nycskier]

Skiing on astro turf! That is unreal. Wouldn't it hurt like hell if you fell? I play softball on turf fields and believe me no one wants to slide on it!

But hey, skiing on turf in the middle of July would be an interesting concept!

 

[nycskier]

Here is the snowflex website:

http://www.snowflex.com/