Lost Trails

Exploring the History of Two Abandoned Ski Areas

By Jeremy K. Davis

Did you know that the Adirondacks are home to at least 85 former, or “lost” ski areas? These ski areas were once centers of recreation for local communities, where countless skiers once enjoyed their snowy slopes. Many factors led to their demise – competition, decreasing populations, the land being sold for housing developments, lack of capital investments, and a whole host of other reasons.

While many of these areas are now completely overgrown and indistinguishable from the surrounding landscapes, or are on private property, some can still be explored by hikers. Let’s explore the history of two of these areas – and how to check them out for yourself this summer. Blister Hill is an easy hike in Warrensburg, while Marble Mountain in Wilmington is more moderate.

Blister Hill on Hackensack Mountain

Warrensburg, 1970-1979. In the early 1960s, community leaders and civic organizations, including the Kiwanis in Warrensburg, saw the growth in skiing and wished to provide an in-town beginner slope. It would be a project with great intentions and a lot of hard work, but delays and various issues plagued the ski area from the start.

In January 1963, the Kiwanis Club started the process of opening a town ski area. John Hickey, who was the chairman of the Committee for Public Affairs of the Kiwanis, drafted a proposal to open a ski area. The chamber of commerce also supported the idea. The goal was to “provide a wholesome activity for teenagers, would be good for physical fitness, and would be a great training ground for the little ones.” It took the committee until 1964 to find a suitable location on Hackensack Mountain, on land was donated by Clara King Osborne and Julia King Willett. 

In 1965, trail locations were selected on Hackensack, as well as a 600-foot lift line where a rope tow would be installed. By this time, the Warrensburg Ski Club and the Jaycees was involved in the project, now known as the Hackensack Tow.

In November 1965, the gentle beginner’s slope on a vertical drop of 80 feet was cleared. “Operation Brush Cut” was held on November 13, 1965, and was led by volunteers. More plans were finalized to have the town’s Park Department run the ski area, with ski patrol duties being split with the Warrensburg Ski Club. Rope for the tow was donated, and students from the vocational school reconditioned a gas engine. A warming hut was also built during this time.

Despite all of this work, it was too late to open the ski area for the season, and a problem with a right-of-way access kept the area from opening during the next two as well. 

Vandalism to the warming hut and rope tow struck in 1968 into March of 1969, right as the ski area was finally going to be turned over from the Jaycees and Kiwanis to the town. This event certainly hit hard to all the volunteers who had worked on this project for more than half a decade, but they were undeterred and made the appropriate repairs.

On April 10, 1969, the Town of Warrensburg took official control of the ski area. It was during this time that the new name of the ski area was revealed to be Blister Hill, named by Maynard Baker, who had selected the best name in a contest. 

Blister Hill finally opened to the public free of charge on Sunday, February 22, 1970. From that first season until the 1978-79 ski season, Blister Hill provided a wonderful location for youths to ski for free in a safe environment. Many fun winter events and junior races were held at Blister Hill.

Sadly, the last ski season was in 1979. Vandals hit the area hard later that year, burning the rope tow engine and destroying other facilities, closing the ski area for good. The burned-out lift engine was left at the top of the slope, which gradually became reforested over the next several decades.

Exploring Blister Hill – Located on town land on the lowest slopes of Hackensack Mountain, Blister Hill still features remnants of the former ski operation and can be explored freely. The hike to the top of the ski area is quite short – just a few minutes, but you can extend your hike to the top of Hackensack Mountain – consult the trail map at the kiosk in the parking lot if you wish to do so.

To reach the trailhead, drive north on NY Route 9 through Warrensburg until just before the Grand Union supermarket, then turn right onto Emerson Avenue. Take the second right onto Sunset Avenue (you will see a hiking sign next to the stop sign). Follow Sunset Avenue for a tenth of a mile, and you will see the entrance for the Hackensack Mountain parking lot, which was also used for the former ski area.

As you look up the hillside, it is hard to believe that this used to be an open ski slope, now forest. As you face the hill, you’ll notice a hiking trail heading up the slope on the left. Walk up this trail, which is briefly steep and then levels out to the summit of the old ski area. You will soon come across the engine for the rope tow. On the ground, toppled lift towers still show burn marks from the fire in the late 1970s.

If you wish, you can walk a short distance down the former lift line, though this is becoming overgrown and difficult to follow. Additional toppled lift towers can be found along the old lift line. 

Whiteface Mountain Ski Center/Marble Mountain

Wilmington, 1949-1960. The original Whiteface Mountain Ski Center, also referred to as Marble Mountain, the largest ski area development ever to close in the state, has the record for the largest vertical drop ski area to close east of the Mississippi. On paper, it looked like the area would have been incredibly successful, with six ski lifts, including a T-bar, numerous trails, a handsome base lodge and an eye-popping 2,500 foot vertical drop. Instead, it had a fatal flaw that prevented it from becoming a true success. 

Although plans to develop the original Whiteface were developed prior to World War II, along with a NYS Constitutional Amendment to approve the development, it was not until after the war that the newly created Whiteface Mountain commenced work on the project.

The ski trails were laid out in 1946 by two of skiing’s finest masters – Otto Schniebs and Hannes Schneider. Hannes was a famous Austrian instructor who developed the Arlberg technique and operated a thriving ski school at Cranmore Mountain, New Hampshire, among other accomplishments.

Overseeing the development was manager Arthur Draper, a former member of the 10th Mountain Division. He hired 40 Seabees to work on the clearing of the ski trails.

In October and November 1947, clearing of the $128,000 Roebling T-bar lift line began. This lift would have a vertical drop of 900 feet and would be the most substantial lift in the Adirondacks. It would be over 3,000 feet in length and carry 700 skiers per hour. 

By October 1948, the T-bar was finally completed. Also during this time, there was a spectacular $200,000 base lodge. Inside was a full cafeteria and large sitting areas, a wax room, first aid station and communication station. It featured a panoramic view of the slopes. 

Once completed, the ski area was impressive, with multiple sections. Beginners would be able to use a practice slope with a rope tow below the parking lot, or ski down a trail to the bottom of the T-bar. If they wished to return to the lodge, they could take a short and steep rope tow from near the base of the T-bar. From the bottom of the T-bar was another trail that connected to the Ski School Slope and rope tow. 

If they choose to ride the T-bar, four trails and a slalom slope were available. Also available were Sno-Cat rides on a trailer up the Whiteface Memorial Highway to the Sno-Cat Trail which led up to another skiing area at the 4,400 foot level. Skiers could be taken up in groups of 30 to enjoy the high elevation, narrow trails and two rope tows which served them. Once finished for the day, they would ski down the Wilmington Trail back to the top of the T-bar. If they wished, they could also stop at the Lookout Mountain Shelter (now known as Porcupine Lodge and a part of the present Whiteface Mountain) at the top, which featured a snack bar. Scattered about the mountain were 12 first aid caches, which stored supplies and toboggans, with a certified ski patrol to assist in the case of an accident. 

Christmas Day 1948 saw the first skiers in the upper area using the Sno-Cat, with the practice and ski school slopes and tows opening on January 1, 1949. The T-bar would operate for skiers for the first time on January 2 with a grand opening on February 19. 

It was during the first few seasons that Marble Mountain’s fatal flaw was discovered – howling, persistent wind. Although snowfall was relatively plentiful, it was quickly blown away or turned into ice by these winds. This severely limited operation of the T-bar trails, and a good part of the time only the beginner tow was in operation. 

More bad luck struck Marble Mountain on May 6, 1951, when its beautiful base lodge, worth $200,000, was destroyed in a blaze. A new lodge was built on the exact footprint of the previous lodge, finally completed in 1953. 

With all these issues, it was becoming clear that the ski area was not living up to its potential as a major resort designed to attract skiers from far and wide. While there were some busy days, and plans to try to increase visitors, it was clear that something had to give.

In 1957, efforts in the state legislature were made to consider other alternatives. In May of 1957, the Whiteface Mountain Authority was reorganized to develop what is now known as Whiteface Mountain. Marble Mountain continued to operate on weekends and holidays as an overflow area but soon closed for good at the end of the 1959-1960 ski season.

Exploring Marble Mountain – This lost area is accessible by driving west from Wilmington on NY Route 431 (aka Whiteface Memorial Highway) and turning left onto Marble Mountain Lane – one-mile before the Whiteface Toll House. At the end of the lane, turn left as the road veers away from the Atmospheric Science Research Center (which is the former base lodge and not open to the public) and park on the left. From the parking area, look for the trail descending from the access road, follow this for a short distance until it merges into a wider dirt road and bear left. After another tenth of a mile, you will reach the base of the former T-bar.

Equipment has been installed on the foundation of the T-bar, but it is clearly visible. The lift line is directly ahead of the foundation but is unmarked. The lift line is a 3,300-foot-long hike, 900 feet vertically up the mountain. Along the line, you will see plenty of foundations for the lift towers, as well as a toboggan shelter/cache approximately one-third of the way up. The trail does contain numerous small and loose rocks, so sturdy footwear is recommended. While hiking, look to the right, as remnants of ski trails can just be made out through the forest. 

Once you reach the top of the lift line, a large counterweight to the T-bar is on the left, along with expansive views. If you turn right at the end of the line, the trail shortly intersects with the Wilmington Trail, follow signs to hike to the summit of Esther and Whiteface mountains. There is not a lot to see in this section regarding the former area besides the hiking trail (and Porcupine Lodge), as much of the upper section has become overgrown.

Jeremy Davis is the author of five books, including “Lost Ski Areas of the Southern Adirondacks” and “Lost Ski Areas of the Northern Adirondacks” – available: nelsap.org. He serves on the New England Ski Museum board of directors and is a director of operations of Weather Routing Inc. in Glens Falls.