DCSki reader Mark Bedle writes about a lost ski area in the Poconos region of Pennsylvania:
Woody Bousquet uncovered a ski patch for “Mount Airy Lodge” in Mt. Pocono, PA, so we now believe the area name was Mount Airy Lodge, instead of Mount Aire Lodge.
Kevin Whipple provided the following information about Mount Airy Lodge in September, 2007:
“I have some additional information on Mount Airy Lodge, near Mount Pocono, PA in Monroe County.
The Mount Airy Resort is located one mile from Rte. 611 between Mount Pocono and Swiftwater. The old lodge has been ripped down to make way for the new slot casino. The lifts have been removed. The pictures I took are from 2004.
From ultimateskiguide.com, Mount Airy had 25 acres, a 250-foot vertical, snowmaking, no night skiing, 60” annual snowfall, 85% beginner, 15% intermediate, longest run of 1/2 mile, and 3 lifts.
I only know of two lifts, which were Hall (I think) double chairs. The vertical couldn’t have been more than 150 feet.
Most of the trails doubled as golf holes in the summer. Everything was of easy grade, but there was a nice little pitch towards the base. The clubhouse for the golf course was the ski lodge in the winter. I can’t say I was sad to see the old Mount Airy Lodge torn down as it had become an eyesore over the years. I also can’t say I’m happy to see a slot casino built in it’s place.”
Kevin provides the following photos.
mount airey lodge, offered two, side by side, hall double chairlifts, on maybe 150' of vertical. the trails were mostly golf holes in summer. very easy grade, with a moderate pitch near the base to keep things interesting. the chairlifts have been removed recently, the old mount airey lodge has been torn down to make room for a new pocono slot casino. the area still boasts a very fine golf coarse (many holes were ski runs).
mount airey lodge, offered two, side by side, hall double chairlifts, on maybe 150' of vertical. the trails were mostly golf holes in summer. very easy grade, with a moderate pitch near the base to keep things interesting. the chairlifts have been removed recently, the old mount airey lodge has been torn down to make room for a new pocono slot casino. the area still boasts a very fine golf coarse (many holes were ski runs).
I never heard of a Mt. Aire, but Mount Airy Lodge in the Poconos was the destination of the 1969 Senior Class Trip for Salesianum High School, in Wilmington, Delaware. One of my classmates reluctantly decided to try skiing for the first time. He broke his leg! The rest of the Seniors simply had a ball. It was a great trip and one of my earliest adventures in skiing. I think I may have one of those Mt. Airy patches on my oldest ski jacket. This was one of my first trips away from where I learned to ski, Chadds Peak, also a lost area. Thanks for creating this site. I now live in Montana.
The Pennsbury High School class of 1974 had their class trip there. Fun was had by all. 150 students
attended. What happened to Jerry N ?
Back in 1989 my wife, daughter, and I spent a few days there on a winter vacation. It was the first time my daughter, who was then 5, tried skiing. She never made through the entire lesson before giving up. I persisted and spent the entire morning skiing in the rain. This was my 2nd time on skis, the 1st was at Ski Mountain in Pine Hill NJ in 1969 or 1970. This all led to a later in life love of skiing for both my daughter and I starting around 2000. We are both now ski patrollers at a PA resort.
Back in 1989 my wife, daughter, and I spent a few days there on a winter vacation. It was the first time my daughter, who was then 5, tried skiing. She never made through the entire lesson before giving up. I persisted and spent the entire morning skiing in the rain. This was my 2nd time on skis, the 1st was at Ski Mountain in Pine Hill NJ in 1969 or 1970. This all led to a later in life love of skiing for both my daughter and I starting around 2000. We are both now ski patrollers at a PA resort.
My Father worked there one time, He was a local plummer. His name was Joseph S. Townsend He told us how awesome the place was and enjoyed his work. I am very proud of him. He also worked on an old house in stroudsburg but had gotten gravely ill and couldn't finish it. It is now an abuse center. He did that for me because I was in an abusive marriage. So his way was to help build a place for others to go to for help. He worked for Mr. Price. We want to come and see the casino.
Does anyone remember the social director at Mt. Airy, named Kevin? Is that the Kevin who provided the photos? I went there for about 15 years (Stricklands and Mt. Airy), starting with 4 couples for a weekend and ended up with 30 couples having a blast weekend every February.
Was Pococno Garden Lodge a part of Mt.Airy Lodge? My husband and I stayed at PGL 25 years ago and I wanted to go back for our 25th anniversary. Ican't seemed to find PGL, if anyone knows if it still is around please write back.
Pocono Garden Lodge has been closed for years. Just like Mt. Airy Lodge, Pocono Garden Lodge was left to deteriorate. I don't think you would want to go back for your 25th anniversary.....check out this website if you are interested in seeing some photos of the abandoned Pocono Garden Lodge property. This website will show you how terrible the place looks. Also, you can see some photos of how Mt. Airy looked before it was demolished for the casino. www.ver.ca/bratchny/poconos/. Let us know if you would like to stay there.
Attn: Correction to website listed above:
the website for photos of abandoned pocono gardens lodge & mt. airy lodge:
www.uer.ca/bratchny/poconos/
I worked at Mt Airy Lodge in the early 1980's and lived across the street at the Apple House. For a young girl from Florida ... the snow and cold weather was quite exciting.
Coy
I remember I had gone to Mt Airy Lodge with family and friends in the late 80's when I was about 8 yrs old or so. I'll never forget how upset I was that I didn't get to go skiing. On the flip side I had a blast on the tiny in-door ice skating rink and the a small tennis court.
I also remember roasting marshmallows in the fireplace and I still have a necklace charm I made from back then.
That was also the side where I got attacked by geese by the pond. Funny and fond memories
I grew up in the Pocono's, fairly close to Mt Airy and have fond memories of watching fire works during the summer and riding snowmobiles in the winter. My friend's father was part owner during the 70s and 80s, so we were able to enjoy some of the fun things even though we weren't guests. I hated seeing how it deteriorated over the years.
I Miss Cooking In Mount airys Coffee Shop In The Early 80s.Meals On The Days Off Were In The Employees Dining Room "sidehall".Living Quarters Were Across The Street At The "600block".Ill Always Miss Mt. Airy.
Vince & I spent our honeymoon in l959, we had our own little private cottage, we have fond memories-wanted to spend a week-end for our 50th!!! So sorry to read about the demolition-maybe we'll go to the casino!
i ran mt airy lodge ski area 84-88 also was aquatics director in summer,taught water skiing also and helped with special projects, still teaching skiing as a full time pro in northern new england at a popular destination resort...
My parents took me there once in tehearly 80's I remember having fun on teh uncrowded easy slopes and learning how to jump off a hay bale jump someone built. They also had a slope where you could ride Ski Bobs - a small bike like device with skis instead of wheels. We ended up getting snowed in during a blizard and having to stay an extra day or two.
One Comment Askes if anyone remembers Kevin, and yes I do. Kevin was an awesome Social Director at Pocono Gardens Lodge, where I was General Manager around 1997. I worked closely with him on many fun projects. He was always great with guests. Does anyone know where he is now. I also had a a couple of weeks standing in for Mr. Patrilak, (when he was hospitalized) as GM of Mount Airy and Stricklands. There were some wonderfull people working hard to keep those three properties going in those days. Does anyone know where are they now?. All three of these vacation spots, will be remembered most fondly by both the vacationers, honeymooners and
the devoted and loyal employees that shared the
experience. It left a mark in our hearts and historic fond memories. If anyone has any info.
please email me: shirleymiller4@yahoo.com
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 !
We were so disappointed to read that Mt. Airy Lodge had been destroyed. My husband and I spent our honeymoon there in 1970 and were discussing going back there next year for our 40th to reminisce but I guess that is not going to happen.
My inlaws had stayed at the Mt. Airy Lodge when they first got married in the early '50's. Later they reserved a 'cabin' for us in the mid '90's. Our cabin had a small swimming pool with a sauna.
We had dinner and a show in the main building. It was a fun weekend and very crowded at check in time. It reminded me of what I'd seen in the movies of ski weekends!
My wife and I honeymooned there 24 years ago tomorrow (2/15/1987) for a week. We were 22 at the time. We had a great time! We had a private cabin with our own indoor pool along with the shower for two, heart shaped tub and king sized round bed. We went skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating, and sled riding. We still remember our waiter's name "Lisandro" who served us in the hotel dining room as well as for room service in the cabin. Very sad to see the pics of the place being demolished. I still have my brochure though!
