Skiers Name the Lost Ski Areas They Wish Would Reopen
Ski areas come and go, but the memories created at them can last for decades. We asked Unofficial Networks readers on Facebook which closed ski area they would most like to see reopen, and the responses highlighted just how many forgotten mountains still hold a special place in skiers’ memories.
From Colorado powder days to classic New England ski hills, the responses covered ski areas across North America. Several mountains received multiple mentions, while dozens of others were remembered for their terrain, affordability, accessibility, or role in introducing people to skiing.
Ascutney and Big Tupper Stand Out
Mount Ascutney in Vermont was one of the more frequently mentioned areas. One skier described it as a mountain with a great trail system, while another remembered its steep and narrow terrain, 1,800 feet of vertical and old-school atmosphere. Another response called Ascutney a mountain that could become a gem again with the right investor. Ascutney does still operate as a small community hill, with backcountry touring access to the top.
Big Tupper in New York also got multiple responses. One skier remembered riding Hickory Ski Center for the first time on its final day of lift operations during a 24-inch powder day.
Colorado Ski Areas Still Hold Strong Memories
Colorado got several nostalgic responses, particularly for Geneva Basin and Berthoud Pass. One skier named both areas, while another specifically remembered Berthoud Pass as a place where every visit seemed to produce a powder day. Their final visit featured waist-deep snow that they described as the deepest powder they had ever skied.
Another reader said they wanted Geneva Basin and Berthoud Pass back as feeder resorts that could offer more affordable skiing than today’s largest destinations. St. Mary’s Glacier was also mentioned alongside Geneva Basin as a former ski area that provided relatively close access to skiing from Denver.
The List Spans North America
The responses stretched far beyond Colorado and Vermont. Skiers mentioned Ski Rio in New Mexico, Fortress Mountain in Alberta, Mount Agamenticus in Maine, Mt. Waterman in California, Mount Mancelona in Michigan, Telemark in Wisconsin and Hawksnest in North Carolina.
Ski Rio received an especially detailed response. One skier said the New Mexico area had significant potential and offered something for everyone, but struggled with its remote location and limited advertising during its years of operation from 1982 to 2000. One skier recalled how Mount Agamenticus’s day and night skiing programs gave local children an opportunity to learn and helped spark a lifelong love of skiing.
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