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DCSki Lost Ski Areas

According to USA Today, the number of ski areas in the United States has dropped from 727 in 1985 to 485 in 2008. There are around 30 major ski resorts active in the Mid-Atlantic region, from the northern tips of North Carolina to the northern tips of Pennsylvania. But over the decades, there have been many other ski areas in this region that have come and gone. Lost Ski AreasThrough the help of readers, DCSki has uncovered information on 83 "lost" Mid-Atlantic ski areas.

The purpose of this page is to preserve the memory of these lost ski areas. For some areas, we have extensive details including comments and photos from the original operators of the area. For others, we have little more than a distant memory from a DCSki reader. Below, you'll find a compilation of lost ski areas in the Mid-Atlantic. Click on a ski area's name to view historical details about the area.

If you have any additional information about a ski area you would like to contribute, or if you know of additional areas that should be added to this list, let DCSki's Editor know. To learn about lost areas in New England, be sure to check out the excellent New England Lost Ski Areas Project (NELSAP) web site.

You may also view a list of recent updates.

 
Recent Updates
Wolf Hollow Ski Area
Added additional images from Kevin Whipple.
2009-07-03
Tamiment Resort
Added additional images from Kevin Whipple.
2009-07-03
Split Rock Lodge
Added additional photos from Kevin Whipple.
2009-07-03
Ghost or Unfinished Hill near Harmon, West Virginia
Created profile. Credit to John Wuerthner.
2009-06-27
Areas in Garrett County, including Crook's Nest, Sweeney's Hill, and Marsh Hill.
2009-06-27
Hanley's Happy Hill Ski Area
Updated with additional info and photos from Kevin Whipple.
2009-05-23
PocoNorth
Added additional images from Kevin Whipple.
2009-05-23
Pocono Manor Ski Area
Added additional images from Kevin Whipple.
2009-05-23
Pocono Lake Preserve
Added image from Kevin Whipple.
2009-05-23
Penn Hills Resort
Added additional images from Kevin Whipple.
2009-05-23
North Mountain
Updated with additional information and images from Kevin Whipple.
2009-05-23
Mount Tone / Sno-Hill Ski Area
Additional addition images and photos from Kevin Whipple.
2009-05-23
Mount Airy Lodge
Included additional images from Kevin Whipple.
2009-05-23
Oregon Ridge
Added scans from Woody Bousquet.
2009-04-18
Highland Ski Area
Updated with additional information from Ezra Burgess.
2009-03-22

Recent reader comments on lost area profiles:

Comments on Mount Airy Lodge
My mom worked as the social director there during WWII. She was a school teacher and worked there at least two summers. Fred Waring would have his orchester in the theater. Mom had her own car and would pick up guests at the train station to bring them to the hotel, once there they were captive. She met my father who lived in Philadelphia there one summer, he came back the next and the rest is history. I have an old Mt. Airy post card from then and pictures of my mother on the grounds. I kinda wanted to visit the place but I now know....it's gone !
This comment was about the lost ski area:

Mount Airy Lodge
Comments on Ghost or Unfinished Hill near Harmon, West Virginia
This is Tory Mountain.

Harman, WV, not Harmon.
This comment was about the lost ski area:

Ghost or Unfinished Hill near Harmon, West Virginia
Comments on Shawnee Land
Haha well Dad, it looks like there are others that tell stories about a mythical place called Shanee Land!
Wish I had a place to make up stories and tell my kids about.
This comment was about the lost ski area:

Shawnee Land
Comments on Shawnee Land
WOW, the things you find with a simple search, i spent many years (1957-1973)enjoying the horses, swimming, hunting, sking and the other kids with the same idea of how to spend the weekends. Teen club at the lodge, swan lake house and finally at the ski lodge, live music a few times! what a hoot. My kids think shawneeland is something I made up and tell stories about... David
This comment was about the lost ski area:

Shawnee Land
Comments on Area outside Lenhartsville
The name was originally Big Valley. It was opened for the 1969/70 season. Had a T-bar, double chair and a rope tow. It offered just over 500 feet vertical and some challenging if short terrain. THe middle upper trail called "Big Valley" was a particularly good place to prepare for trips to big mountains. It was acquired by the family that owned Hahn Fire Equipment (a fire engine manufacturer in Hamburg, PA) and renamed Hahn Mountain.
This comment was about the lost ski area:

Area outside Lenhartsville
Comments on Braddock Heights Ski Way
I actually grew up in Braddock Heights from '90-'97 and didn't get the chance to ski there, but I did enjoy the thrill I got from my inner tubes/sleds/shovels. The great thing about being a kid was I didn't need a lift due to our high amounts of energy. We even built a jump out of snow towards the bottom. For safety's sake, I'm glad it was around during my days, beats trying to sled down an icy Old Swimming Pool Road in the dead of winter.

I hope some of my old buds get a chance to post here.

Thanks for posting everyone, I love reading about all the comments from way back when. It real feels great to look back and say I lived in Braddock Heights!
This comment was about the lost ski area:

Braddock Heights Ski Way

If you are interested in ski area history from other geographic regions, we recommend these excellent web sites:


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Canaan Valley Resort: Canaan Valley Resort, located outside Davis, West Virginia features 39 slopes for beginning, intermediate, and advanced West Virginia skiing. With a vertical drop of 850 feet and the longest run at 6,000 feet, the experience is as challenging as you want it to be. Night skiing is also offered for an exhilarating skiing experience. Canaan Valley Resort and Timberline Four Seasons Resort have joined forces for the 2007-2008 ski season to offer guests the ability to ski both mountains at their leisure for one price. The new two-day pass allows skiers to enjoy over 75 slopes and trails, making a truly memorable trip to the mountains. In addition to fun on the slopes, Canaan Valley Resort offers a plethora of outdoor activities to whet an appetite for adventure. Cross-country terrain abounds in the valley, and guests without skis can choose to slide down the tube park, try their hands at airboarding or lace up their skates on the covered ice rink.


Hidden Valley Resort: Hidden Valley Four Seasons Resort is the perfect place for a family getaway. With 28 slopes for skiing and snowboarding, terrain parks, a half pipe and snow tubing, there's something for everyone at this popular Mid-Atlantic family resort. New automated snowmaking ensures plenty of powder for winter sports and recreation! Off the slopes, visit the new ski and board shop, new eateries, and sports club. With a topnotch ski school and programs for beginners and children, Hidden Valley offers an ideal setting for all ages. Located in Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands, Hidden Valley is within easy driving distance (200 miles) of Baltimore and Washington D.C. For lodging information or reservations, please call 814-443-8000 ext. 259.


Liberty Mountain Resort: Your favorite ski area, Liberty Mountain Resort, has the perfect accommodations for your year-round needs. Plan a conference, reunion, or every bride's dream wedding! We feature in-house catering and multiple banquet rooms to host any event from the smallest of gatherings to the largest of celebrations. Our New Challenge Course at Boulder Ridge is the perfect way to spend a few unique hours with your group! Our custom-designed courses meet any group's needs, from high to low impact, emphasizing problem solving or high adrenaline adventure! Meal and lodging options complete the experience. The mountainside Liberty Hotel is perfect for extended stays. Other amenities include our outdoor swimming pool, hiking, and adjacent golf and billiards facilities. Area attractions & shopping are less than 10 miles away in historic Gettysburg, and outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking the Appalachian Trail or Catoctin Mountain State Park.


Snowshoe Mountain Resort: Leave the hassles and high costs of air travel at the terminal! Drive to Snowshoe Mountain and get 2 nights lodging and 2 days skiing for as low as just $109 per person. Available midweek, non-holiday. Call 1-877-441-4FUN to make your reservations.


SnowshoeRealEstate.com: Ski-in/Ski-out, free parking, equipment rental discounts, best rates on the mountain. Great website with lots of pictures of every unit. "3 Clicks to a Reservation," it's fast and easy. We specialize in renting properties that are closest to the slopes. Ski-in/Ski-out ... that's the way we like it. Condos, Townhomes, Mountain Houses. All our units are on top of Snowshoe Mountain with high speed lifts outside your door. Park your car in front of your unit and hit the slopes right away.


Whitetail Resort: Head to Whitetail for some of the best skiing and riding in the mid Atlantic Region! Enjoy nearly 1,000 feet of vertical and the Region's only High Speed Quad Chairlift. Spend less time on the road and more time carving down some expert terrain like Bold Decision or intermediate favorites Limelight and Snow Dancer! Don't worry, there is plenty of fun to be had for all ability levels, and for freestylers be sure to check out Jib Junction Terrain Park (not for the faint of heart)! We even have Park Place 101 for the beginner freestyler! Don't forget about Whitetail Adventure Tubing, fun for all ages!


Wintergreen Resort: Located 2 1/2 hours from the Beltway, Wintergreen Resort offers the most extensive beginner-to-expert terrain for skiers and snowboarders and Virginia's largest tubing park. The addition of high speed lifts and Virginia's most powerful snowmaking system means faster lifts, shorter lines and more runs everyday. Call Wintergreen Resort at 1-800-266-2444 now to Ski 2 days and stay 1 night from just $87!

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