DCSki Editorial Overview
The story in brief
Crystal Ridge Ski Area operated near Virginville, Pennsylvania, beginning in the 1960s and predating nearby Hahn Mountain by about a decade. It was a modest, family-oriented hill with a small slope and a larger slope, inexpensive all-day tickets, and no night skiing according to the profile. At opening, skiing cost 50 cents for the small slope or $1 for both, making Crystal Ridge an accessible local gathering place.
The area’s character survives in memories of children learning to ski, families sharing rides, and friends returning for turns after public ticket sales ended. Accounts place that transition roughly three or four years after Hahn Mountain opened; afterward, Crystal Ridge operated informally after fresh snow for family and friends. Its original A-frame lodge, heated by two large open fireplaces, remains standing and has been converted into a private home. Though the slopes are now overgrown with trees and brush, recollections from former skiers and an original founder’s family preserve Crystal Ridge as a small but meaningful part of the region’s ski history.
Generated from DCSki's historical profile and reader-contributed memories.
Dave P. writes in with information about Crystal Ridge, a lost ski area in Pennsylvania:
“Crystal Ridge was located about 20 miles East of Hahn Mountain Ski Area. Crystal Ridge was started about 10 years before Hahn Mt. was developed and Crystal Ridge stopped selling tickets to the public about 3 or 4 years after Hahn Mt. opened up. Crystal Ridge would run after new snows for family members and friends only after it stopped selling tickets to the public. When it opened back in the 60’s tickets were 50 cents for the small slope and $1 for the small and large slopes. For that price you could ski from sun up to sun down. They did not have night skiing. Crystal Ridge was a great little ski area and now is over grown with trees and brush but the lodge (A-frame) still stands and has been converted into a house and someone is currently livinging in the large A-frame with the original two large fireplaces (the only heat source when the ski area was operating).
Great site, I am glad I found it. After Crystal Ridge stopped operating I started going to Big Valley later know as Hahn Mt. This too was a great ski slope.”
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