Mt Prospect Ski Tow

[1HappyHiker]

What does anyone know about this place (photo below)?

My observation skills are frequently a bit lacking, and so this sign might have been here for years and I just never noticed it. I recently pulled into the parking area where the sign is located (east side Rt. 3 just outside Lancaster) and walked up the gated road leading to the slopes. It kind of, sort of, maybe looks like the place might be operational (once there’s sufficient snow!). I mean, the slopes look recently mowed, plus the tow rope looks new, etc.

I know this place is listed as a NH Lost Ski Area, but like I said, it looks like maybe it’s either back up & running, or perhaps some group is working toward that end?

And, just as an FYI, if for whatever warped reason you might want to whack to the top of Mt. Prospect from the top of the ski slope, it’s a short 20 minute whack through open hardwoods! Yes, this warped person did that! How does that expression go . . . “because it was there”?!

 

[Quietman]

I found this.
Mount Prospect Grant

 

[rocket21]

If I recall, they reopened last year. By the looks of the sign, I assume it was windy?

 

[Fisher Cat]

It was put back into operation by the work and voluntary efforts of locals, Whitefield mostly, but also Jefferson and Lancaster too, along with others.Its a great place to get your young ones started without paying gobs of money. It was one of the first places I skied. Back then the sign had a beautiful powder blue sky backdrop with a red skier shussing down at an angle. Ah, the 70's, what magical colors, who knew the 80's would change all that beauty.

 

[bikehikeskifish]

... By the looks of the sign, I assume it was windy?

 

[rocket21]

Oh wow, apparently the sign is possessed!

 

[1HappyHiker]

OK Tim, that’s pretty cool! BUT, if I drive by there again and that sign is on the ground, I’ll know what happened to it! You’ve really got that sign a-rockin’!!

 

[1HappyHiker]

It was put back into operation by the work and voluntary efforts of locals, Whitefield mostly, but also Jefferson and Lancaster too, along with others.Its a great place to get your young ones started without paying gobs of money. It was one of the first places I skied. Back then the sign had a beautiful powder blue sky backdrop with a red skier shussing down at an angle. Ah, the 70's, what magical colors, who knew the 80's would change all that beauty.

Thanks for that info Fisher Cat! Very much appreciated!
(Will definitely check it out later in the year once we get a good snow cover.)

I found this.
Mount Prospect Grant

Thanks for the link!

 

[Quietman]

While looking for info, I also found this in the town's 2008 warrant items.

ARTICLE 26: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) to pay for the cost of insurance that is required by the state to operate the Mt Prospect ski club. (By Petition) (Not recommended by the Board of Selectmen or the Budget Committee)

Don't know if it passed. Insurance costs seem to be the main reason that many smaller areas closed.

 

[1HappyHiker]

Old Postcards

As an addendum to my original posting about the Mt. Prospect Ski Tow area, I want to share some old postcards that were scanned and supplied to me by the Weeks State Park Association.

 

[rocket21]

Nice! I'm going to alert NELSAPers to this post.

 

[1HappyHiker]

More Info

Not trying to prolong this thread by “bumping it up a notch” with another reply! However, I just got some additional info from the Weeks State Park Association to pass along.

_ The postcards that I posted were printed in the 1950’s.

_ As snow conditions permit, the ski area will be open this winter from 1 to 4 PM on the weekends and on Wednesdays.
(The fee is $5 for youngsters and $7 for adults.)

This enterprise is supported in large part through the efforts of individuals from Lancaster and the town.

 

[DougPaul]

1HappyHiker:

Re: Postcards.

The banding in the images looks like a morie pattern due to the relative dot pitch of the postcard and the pixel pitch of the scanner. You might be able to get better images with a different scanner or by photographing them with a digital camera. (This effect is a form of aliasing.)

Doug

 

[1HappyHiker]

1HappyHiker:

Re: Postcards.

The banding in the images looks like a morie pattern due to the relative dot pitch of the postcard and the pixel pitch of the scanner. You might be able to get better images with a different scanner or by photographing them with a digital camera. (This effect is a form of aliasing.)

Doug

Thanks Doug for the tips . . . much appreciated!
The postcard images were sent to me by courtesy of the Weeks State Park Association. Don't know what type of equipment and capabilities they might have.

 

[zman]

Hey, check out this piece in the Boston Globe!!!

http://www.boston.com/news/local/ne...09/03/14/little_hill_thrills/?s_campaign=8315


$7 for a lift ticket without all the hype!!!!!!

"Mount Prospect doesn't have to strain for authenticity. Its three runs - including "Suicide," named for a steep initial descent - look much as they did in the 1940s, when the area first opened. Snow is not so much groomed as it is flattened using a 1976 Thiokol Packmaster. The rope tow runs, snow permitting, from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Proceeds from the $7 day passes ($5 for children) cover gasoline for the engine and the biggest expense, insurance, which the town of Lancaster helps to cover. The land, in Weeks State Park, is leased from the state for a nominal fee."

gotta check it out!!!!