A Brief History of Skiing in Brattleboro at Memorial Park Location
Part 1. 1937-1950’s
*The primary people, with a far reaching vision of skiing, who got together in the early summer of 1937 and formed a plan to build and operate a ski tow in Brattleboro were Robert Billings, Elliot Barber, Floyd Messenger and John Dunham. These men, who were looking to the future, were prominent citizens in town.
*On November 10, 1937, on the Charles Clark Farm, where the Living Memorial Park is now located, construction of the "Guilford Street Ski Tow" was begun in earnest. It was an 1100 foot rope tow that had its’ terminal building built up on two large timbers and located across the street from the William Cushman house which still stands today. IT was quite modern by any standards in that it had a fairly large electric motor for power that would easily handle 300 skiers per hour. When the rope reached the top it traveled around a three foot bull wheel and came back to the bottom riding on Model A Ford wheels fixed to the top of light poles about 16 feet high and 60 feet apart. At the end of the day the bottom rope that traveled along the ground pulling skiers to the top of the fill was lifted up by a ski patrol member and placed on the lower wheel about five feet off the ground so that it would not freeze to the ground.
*It was planned to open the Guilford Street Ski Tow to the public in December that year; however, there was very little snow. While some old timers say they skied there in December, it is generally believed that these were the five prominent citizens and their families and friends along with prospective members of the soon to be organized Brattleboro Ski Patrol. The facility opened to the public the first Saturday in January 1938. An all day ticker cost 35 cents, after 1:00 p.m. the half-day ticket cost 25 cents. In 1939, lights were added, and the tow operated three nights each week and the ticket price was 25 cents. There were numerous promotions, such as four tickets for 75 cents.
*After war was declared on December 8, 1941, there were many changes in the town. Members of the Vermont National Guard unit in Brattleboro left in mass, more that 200 at one time. Men were being drafted, and men and women were volunteering in considerable numbers. Of the four original men, only John Dunham remained behind, and with the help of Holland Douglas and several others the Ski Area continued to operate during the war.
*The Brattleboro Ski Patrol was formed in January 1938. Some of the original members included Holland Douglas, "Ozzie" Stowell, Edward Dunklee, Dr. Richard Stevens, Bruce Buchanan, Madeline Messenger, "Benny" Zakauskas, Floyd Messenger and Clyde Benedict. This group functioned as an independent patrol until 1941, when it formally became affiliated with the National Ski Patrol System. Today the Brattleboro Ski Patrol is the second oldest, continuous NSPS Ski Patrol in the Easter Division. In 2001 the Brattleboro Ski Patrol celebrated 60 years of service within the National Ski Patrol System and 63 years as a ski patrol.
*Our family lived just across the Creamery Bridge at 125 Western Avenue and from all the windows facing the avenue we had an excellent view of the ski area. My mother had a pair of Northland double groove skis and with those skis I had the good fortune to ski at the Guilford Street Ski Tow in 1938. After the tow closed for the day, I would shovel snow into the ruts, and then pack the towline with my skis. They paid me in lift tickets, which was fine with me.
Nick Collins
Director
Brattleboro Ski Patrol
Part 2. 1957-2001
It recently came to our attention, thanks to Nick Collins, that skiing at what is now Living Memorial Park, began back in the 30’s and was one of the first three ski areas in the US with a lift east of the Mississippi. Bus loads of skiers from Connecticut and New York would come on weekends to ski here. Some report up to a thousand people would be lined up for the winter sport.
In 1957 the current Dopplemeyer T-bar lift was installed and the town began running the operation. Due to undependable snowfall (and other factors) the town ceased operating the hill in 1995. A private group of citizens banded to re-open the hill in 1997, knowing there was no money from the town. We hated to see this treasure sit idle and fall apart.
We called our newly formed not-for-profit operation: Living Memorial Park Snow Sports, Inc. Safety is an important concern to our group. We have excellent coverage with the US Ski Patrol and all our lift operators are trained to maintain a safe operation. Since the T-Bar has been upgraded we have had no breakdowns.
It’s great to see lines at the hill again and support from area businesses and individuals have proven that Brattleboro is proud of our little ski hill. Snowboarders and skiers are about even with a handful of telemark skiers thrown in. Our weekend average is just under 100 patrons per day and 20-30 people come on Thursdays and Fridays when we are open between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. No one complains about the $5.00 lift ticket and often people pay more in order to contribute to our expense.
Why Snow Sports Took Over Management of the Ski Area
*We hated to see a 40-year tradition end
*The hill was a special feature that Brattleboro could boast about – a treasure unique to this town
*Enough people had a sentimental attachment to the hill and wanted to get it up and running again
*We have a commitment to give families in the Brattleboro area the opportunity to ski and board right here in town at an affordable price
*A band of committed volunteers remain hard at work keeping this project alive. We are dependent on volunteers to do all aspects of this project. It is a great way for people interested in keeping skiing and boarding alive in Brattleboro to be involved.
*The small hill has the ideal slope for beginner boarders, skiers and telemarkers as well as a warm-up hill for the more experienced.
*People who live and work in Brattleboro can get to the slopes in a short time
*The project provides a work site for high school students’ community service obligation
How We Are Financed
*Donations. We are currently seeking donations for this season with appeal letters mailed every fall.
*Volunteer labor and in-kind services.
Accomplishments to Date
*Newly built upper lift building
*Rewired to code – lights and controls
*Night skiing added
*Updated safety features
*Cleared hill areas of excess brush to expand ski and boarding terrain
*Purchased and maintain snow groomer
*Maintenance to ski lift including painting and repair
What We Need
*Volunteers as:
Future Plans
*Snow making
*Maintenance garage
*Snowboard park