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Butternut Basin in the late 1960s or early 1970s
Ski Butternut
Great Barrington, Massachusetts
Status: Open
First Season:1936-37
Vertical Drop:1000 feet
Standing Lifts:4 quads, 1 triple, surface lifts
Past Lifts:5 doubles, surface lifts
Left: Butternut Basin in the late 1960s or early 1970s
Recent NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News:
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10/25/2017: Ski Butternut Ownership Completes Purcha...
SkiNewEngland.net Profile
Located on 1,770 foot Warner Mountain in southwestern Massachusetts, Ski Butternut is a popular mid-sized ski area.

G-Bar-S Dude Ranch

G-Bar-S Ranch
G-Bar-S Ranch

Ski Butternut's rich skiing history dates back to the 1936-37 season, when two trails were cut by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Rope tow service was also in place at that time.

The trails emptied into a large development known as G-Bar-S Dude Ranch. Years earlier, local entrepreneur Henry J. "Pop" Cairns was told he couldn't fish on a pond near Warner Mountain. Described by some as 'stubborn,' Cairns purchased the pond and the land around it in 1929. In 1936, he opened the G-Bar-S Ranch there. A native of Quebec, Cairns moved to the region in the 1920s, eventually owning petroleum distribution, lumber, and real estate businesses. In addition to his businesses, Cairns was involved in many local civil and church groups, as well as co-founding nearby Camp Stevens and Camp Sunrise for the Boy Scouts. Prior to settling on G-Bar-S Ranch name, Cairns called the complex the Great Barrington Sports Center.

By the time the 1939-40 season started, two rope tows were in place, running a combined 3,000 feet up Warner Mountain over a vertical drop of 630 feet. The facility was likely the second most popular in Berkshire County with 14,500 visitors that season.

Four rope tows were in place for the 1941-42 season. While some areas closed during World War II, G-Bar-S Ranch remained in operation. A fifth rope tow was in place when the 1948-49 season started. By this time, the ski area was marketed for beginners. Each trail was claimed to end in a different place, as to avoid potential bottlenecks.

Prior to the 1950-51 season, nearby Jug End Barn, Inc. purchased the G-Bar-S Ranch from the Cairns. General improvements were reportedly made to the area for the first season under the management of Robert Thompson.

The 1952-53 season was a disaster for G-Bar-S, which was reportedly only open for one week.

Following the 1953-54 season, Francis Maher's G Bar S Corp. purchased the facility for about $100,000. G Bar S Corp would operate the ski area for two seasons.

The End of G-Bar-S Ranch

The former G-Bar-S Ranch circa 1962
The former G-Bar-S Ranch circa 1962

In June of 1955, the main house of the G-Bar-S Ranch facility was lost in a fire. The ranch headquarters were then moved to the recreation hall, which was subsequently upgraded. In May of 1956, that building also burned to the ground. One month later, the property was sold to Stanley Wincek, owner of the Mountain View Club.

In September of 1956, G-Bar-S Ranch was sold at auction to Robert Wheeler for about $25,000. In addition to being the head of Wheeler & Taylor, Inc. (one time employer of Pop Cairns' daughter Alida), Wheeler was also part owner of Jug End Barn. At the time of the sale, the facility spanned 98 acres and included the ski area, the pond, a swimming pool, 12 cabins, and a bunkhouse. The ski area would likely sit idle after the auction. Wheeler reportedly was hoping to sell the land to the Massachusetts Department of Natural Resources, though the funds were never allocated.

In April of 1960, the old ski area was sold to James and Margaret Joyce of Barrington School, Inc. The school, which opened nearby in the fall of 1960, was purchasing land for a potential campus. Barrington School would quickly run into financial problems.

The Murdock Family Arrives

Construction of Butternut Basin (1963)
Construction of Butternut Basin (1963)

Meanwhile, Channing Murdock was scouring Southern New England in search of a potential ski development. In August of 1962, Channing and his wife Jane purchased the old G-Bar-S ski area from the Joyces and Barrington School for a reported $60,000. Weeks prior, the Murdocks entered into $100 per year lease for 800 acres of adjacent state-owned property, including multiple ski trails and rope tows. At the time of the purchase, the Berkshire Eagle described the property as "long languished as a clutter of disparate buildings and unfulfilled schemes." Murdock saw the location as being the best combination of location to population centers, topography, and snowfall.

A native of Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, Murdock graduated from Middlebury College and served in the Army before eventually ending up at Mohawk Mountain. Murdock managed the Connecticut ski area for two years, learning the entire operation from snowmaking to lift construction. His wife was a native of Londonderry, Vermont, who also graduated from Middlebury College and was a member of the ski team. Shortly after the purchase was completed, the young family moved into a house on the ski area property.

Murdock's plans called for a $250,000 development with a projected 1963-64 opening as Butternut Basin. Initial plans included 25 acres of new ski terrain in addition to the 10 acres from the prior developments, lower mountain snowmaking, a 4,100 foot long by 1,000 foot vertical double chairlift, a 3,500 square foot base lodge, and the expansion of the parking lot to fit 1,000 cars. An existing acre-and-a-half pond, two springs, and three wells were considered "an unlimited water supply." Murdock planned to develop "the biggest and best ski area south of Vermont."

In October 1962, Murdock formed Butternut Basin, Inc. In January 1963, Murdock was formally named president, his wife Jane treasurer, and Judge George R. McCormick vice president and clerk. Existing trails were being reclaimed at this point, with lift line clearing starting soon thereafter.

In March 1963, the Great Barrington Manufacturing Company announced it would be closing that spring after more than 70 years in operation, resulting in the loss of 125 jobs. The Berkshire Eagle opined that Butternut Basin may "help take up the employment slack left by the mill closing; much of it depends on how it is handled from here on in."

In April, Murdock signed an agreement to purchase a new Carlevaro & Savio double chairlift for $83,585. The lift featured a two-speed gear box to allow for summer sightseeing, as well as a mid-station. Meanwhile, large scale construction kicked off with Peter Argenta supervising the bulldozing of the new lift line and trails. Trail cutting and bulldozing was estimated at $1,000 per acre.

In May, Butternut Basin announced its first stock offering of 100 shares for a total of $100,000. Shareholder perks included free skiing (in lieu of interest) and butternuts.

Work continued through the summer with Channing managing the installation of the chairlift and a crew of six to twelve mostly high school students. Jane handled the bookkeeping and payroll, with Channing telling the Berkshire Eagle, "She does all this work, even though she's expecting our second child soon." Asked by a reporter when their child was due, Channing responded, "Around the first of November, along with the chairlift." Their second son, Timmy, was born just before the ski season started. Both in their mid to late 20s, the Murdocks were the youngest ski area owners around.

The base lodge was conceived by Murdock, designed by architect T. Merrill Prentice Jr., and constructed by a crew led by Rene Burdet. The 250-seat lodge had a $45,000 price tag, of which $4,000 was for glass. With peak motifs in the form of triangles throughout, form outweighed function when it came to the seats Murdock wanted, as the three legged chairs resulted in many falls during the first winter. Perhaps harkening to his former boss Walt Schoenknecht, there were subtle Asian influences, including Japanese-style paper lanterns and doors that were painted 'Chinese Red.'

Two 900-cubic-foot air compressors were rented from Larchmont Snow Engineering to power lower mountain snowmaking.

Paul Brown was named ski school director in advance of the season. An Army Medical Corps veteran, Brown had taught skiing at Dutch Hill and Hogback while attending Marlboro College, then at Mad River Glen, Mt. Snow, and Catamount, in addition to being ski school director at Big Tupper.

Construction continued as December arrived and was "aided by the lateness of the first snow fall," according to the Berkshire Eagle.

Butternut Basin Opens

Channing Murdock (left) and freshman season crowds (early 1964)
Channing Murdock (left) and freshman season crowds (early 1964)

The Murdocks opened their new ski area on Christmas Eve of 1963. In addition to the new chairlift, five rope tows were operational, including former G-Bar-S tows. Despite subpar snowpack, Butternut Basin reported 500 people per day during its first weekend of operation between Christmas and New Year's. Visiting that weekend, Berkshire Eagle writer Lee Goerlach commented that the staff were "pleasant and accommodating," noting that "Not only does Butternut have the longest chair lift around here but they have the longest hot dogs either of us had seen at a ski area. They were 10-inches long. And they toast their rolls."

The two trails from the top for the debut season were the novice Pied Piper, which the Berkshire Eagle noted "should have tremendous drawing power for the hundreds of new skiers who take to the slopes each year, also for the old timers who prefer their skiing easy," and the advanced Lucifer's Leap. Additional novice and intermediate terrain was accessible on the lower mountain from the rope tows.

Crowds continued to grow was the season progressed. During one weekend in mid-January 1964, Butternut Basin saw 2,300 skiers, including CBS News's Walter Cronkite. The Berkshire Eagle declared the area as "one of the most promising Berkshire success stories in many years." Governor Endicott Peabody hit the slopes in mid-February. A late February weekend saw 2,800 skiers.

A late winter thaw brought Butternut's debut season to an end before the first weekend in March, resulting in 60 days of operation and a net profit.

The Sophomore Season

The summit double circa 1963-64
The summit double circa 1963-64

In early April, Channing Murdock announced $50,000 in improvements for the sophomore season, including a T-Bar serving the new East Area. Other projects included enlarging the parking lot and reportedly expanding snowmaking to the top of the mountain. Trail clearing for the new T-Bar slope started that month.

Tragedy struck the night of May 28, 1964, when former G-Bar-S owner Robert Wheeler's vehicle became stuck on Warner Mountain Road. When his secretary Madeline Winn attempted to push the vehicle, it rolled over her and slid down a ski trail, killing her.

G-Bar-S founder Henry Cairns passed away in June 1964 at the age of 73.

Bad luck continued into July, when a tractor working on the new slope ignited a 14-ton pile of hay, which burned throughout the afternoon and night and caused $500 in damage.

As the season approached, other improvements emerged, including a new sun deck for the lodge, a new ticket office, and the addition of the Whip trail from the summit. Off-season improvements totaled $70,000.

The 1964-65 season likely kicked off in early December on the novice rope tow slope, the only terrain Butternut Basin could cover with snowmaking before running out of water. Murdock lamented, "It is the first time in the memory of our Great Barrington neighbors that our pond has been dry. And we have no brooks or springs to draw from." Though the area was able to operate on a limited basis for a few days, it shut down before the end of the month due to a lack of snow.

A small storm in early January restored operations, but Murdock noted "It wasn't great, but at least people could ski. We reported poor to fair. By the end of the day it was pretty bad." Better weather conditions at the end of the month resulted in a 3,100 skier weekend.

Mid-1960s grooming at Butternut
Mid-1960s grooming at Butternut

Butternut limped through the poor winter, often with skiing only on the lower mountain. Newspaper snow reports of the era were extremely limited, leaving no room to denote the lack of summit skiing. One particular ski group attempted to get the Connecticut Ski Council to launch a boycott because of the "fallacious" ski reports, but was subsequently rejected due to its standing and the frequent issue with snow reporting in general.

Snowmaking continued into mid-March, with a subsequent snow storm restoring summit skiing for the first time in more than a month and allowing the season to extend into the first weekend of April. The area operated for 65 days with only 19 including skiing from the summit. Snowmaking took place over the course of 28 nights, increasing operating expenses and resulting in a break-even season.

Due to the poor season, no new trails or lifts were planned for the 1965 off season, as Murdock told the Berkshire Eagle, "we have trails cut which we haven't even skied yet."

Following the 1964-65 season, Butternut Basin announced it was opening a childrens' summer day camp. With a prime location for various summer activities, the camp operated into the 1980s.

Though there weren't any major investments during the 1965 off season, Murdock looked to increase Butternut's snowmaking water supply. At the start of the fall, Murdock rigged up snowmaking pipe between Butternut's pond and a neighbor's pond and temporarily pumped away the water (and relocated the fish). The project was expected to increase Butternut's water supply by 1 million gallons to 5 million gallons. In addition to the increased water supply, Butternut also added snowmaking capabilities to the T-Bar slope.

The 1965-66 season got off to a slow start, initially kicking off just before Christmas with lower mountain terrain. Heavy Christmas rain slowed momentum, limiting skiing to below the mid-station well into January.

The Clubhouse Lodge circa the mid to late 1960s
The Clubhouse Lodge circa the mid to late 1960s

In January, a new day care service opened in a "scaled-to-size log cabin" with "a long view of the main trails." Free nursey care was offered to mothers on certain weekdays in conjunction with discounted lift tickets.

The T-Bar opened for one of the first times (if not the first) in mid-January after snow was made using the new pipe on the slope.

A blizzard greatly improved conditions as February started. The rollercoaster continued, however, as warm rain forced a brief closure and retreat to lower mountain skiing. Warmer temperatures and rain continued to be a problem in March, forcing Butternut to make snow into the second week of the month. The subsequent weekend had "the best skiing we have had in three years," according to Murdock, but averaged only a few hundred skiers per day. The season likely came to a wet close just before the end of calendar winter.

Following the 1965-66 season, Butternut Basin became engulfed in state politics, as opponents of the Saddle Ball ski area and Beartown ski resort development proposals cited Butternut as an example of commercial development occurring on public land. Local hunters joined in the criticism, upset that the road climbing across the ski area into the state forest had been gated. The Berkshire Eagle was also dragged into the fray, as publisher Donald Miller was a director of Butternut Basin.

In late June 1966, Murdock donated the use of Butternut's facilities for the Laurel Festival. With events throughout the greater Great Barrington area, Butternut was a focal point with 5,000 people taking free scenic chairlift rides to see the laurel flowers on the ski slopes.

The summit double in the 1960s
The summit double in the 1960s

After finally receiving state approval, construction of the intermediate Applejack trail started in the fall of 1966. Snowmaking was installed on the lower portion of the trail. Two novice rope tows may have also been installed.

Norwegian Einar Aus, former Smugglers Notch ski school director, was hired to run Butternut's racing program for the 1966-67 season. The season kicked off just before Christmas and saw a record day after the holiday, as fresh snow drew 1,500 skiers. January business was disappointing, particularly after a thaw reportedly suspended operations for a week. The season rebounded in February, when snowstorms drew a record 1,900 skiers on a Saturday. Butternut Basin enjoyed a strong Washington's Birthday week, with Channing Murdock telling the Berkshire Eagle, "It was a great week. Almost as good as Christmas. It turned a mediocre season into a darned good one."

As the 1966-67 season came to a close, Murdock proclaimed business was double the previous best season, adding, "I don't expect to see another like it in a long time. If they could all be like this, the ski business would be something to be in."

Circa early 1967, a communications tower was constructed near the top of the chairlift, providing cable television to Great Barrington. The service included "a 24-hour local time-weather channel with bonus FM background music!"

The Butternut Day Camp continued to grow in 1967, adding bus transportation from Pittsfield. A promotional movie was produced showing the various activities. Meanwhile, plans were being developed to construct a 100-bed building and dedicated slope for winter ski camps.

Previous property owner James Joyce passed away on August 30, 1967 at the age of 65.

Snowmaking was finally expanded to the summit for the 1967-68 season via the Applejack trail. A lack of natural snow and issues with the new snowmaking compressors resulted in Butternut Basin not opening until a few days after Christmas, when a foot of snow fell. A few days later, the area hosted a record 2,300 skiers. Snowfall was scant thereafter, forcing Murdock to make snow "every day the weather permits." Nevertheless, business was strong enough to move forward with the installation of a new chairlift.

New Lifts and a Sister Area

Skiing at Butternut Basin in the 1960s
Skiing at Butternut Basin in the 1960s

Though Channing Murdock was hoping to expand Butternut in 1967, his proposal was halted by the state as they dealt with Saddle Ball ski area concerns. Murdock eventually signed a new lease with the state, which addressed some of the concerns raised by the Saddle Ball developers, while allowing him to expand. As a result, his annual state lease fees increased from $100 to between 2% and 3% of his gross ski revenue, the latter being estimated at about $100,000. In addition, Murdock had to give the state control over any development on his adjacent private property, as well as to agree to a prohibition of alcohol sales.

The Butternut Day Camp continued during the 1968 off-season, as Einar Aus was named camp director. In addition, Butternut hosted a two-day circus in June.

Meanwhile, with a new lease agreement in hand, a new Carlevaro & Savio chairlift was installed, serving two new intermediate trails in the Highline Area. In addition, the base lodge was expanded by 2,500 feet (extending each gambrel, a process made difficult because of the 13 by 7 foot windows) and snowmaking was improved, covering terrain from the new chairlift and Pied Piper from the summit. Einar Aus was named Ski School Director, as Paul Brown moved to Hawaii.

The 1968-69 season likely started in mid-December. The largest crowd over the Christmas to New Year's holiday was 1,600, but lift lines were reportedly not a problem, as Channing Murdock told the Berkshire Eagle, "the new chair is doing the work it should." The second weekend in January saw a new single-day record of 2,416 skiers.

Meanwhile, Butternut Basin was developing a robust local school program, providing 10 weeks of tickets and lessons for $20. Channing Murdock told the Berkshire Eagle, "This was not a skiing town when we came here, and the future of skiing is getting your local kids going."

The 1968-69 season featured strong snowfall, allowing Butternut to stop making snow after early February. Snowpack held through late March, when rains dissipated the snow and crowds. Business reportedly doubled, leaving Channing Murdock to label the season as "tremendous." By early April, plans were being made for more lifts and another lodge expansion.

A few months after the 1968-69 season came to an end, Channing Murdock and his brother Robert purchased defunct Satan's Ridge in nearby Connecticut. The area would reopen for 1969-70 as Ski Sundown and would remain under Murdock's ownership for a few seasons.

1969 off-season happenings at Butternut Basin included the day camp, horse shows, and a dog show.

A third double was installed for the 1969-70 season, giving Butternut the largest number of chairlifts in the county. In addition to the new beginner chairlift, the base lodge was once again expanded, making it twice the size of the original structure.

The 1970s

A early 1970s then-and-now comparison
A early 1970s then-and-now comparison

The 1969-70 season enjoyed an early December start. The Carlevaro & Savio chairs arrived on Christmas Eve, allowing for the new beginner chairlift to open soon thereafter. Channing Murdock told the Berkshire Eagle, "It's the greatest thing which has ever happened to us. Even 3-year-olds can ride it alone. The guy at the bottom picks the little ones up by the jacket and sits them on the chair. The guy at the top takes them off. We can send 1,200 an hour up the hill, and never need to stop the lift because somebody has fallen."

Natural snow arrived after Christmas, but Butternut continued snowmaking. Jane Murdock to the Berkshire Eagle, "We want to keep conditions top notch. With all of that traffic, worn spots appear. We don't like even a bit of ice here." The weather wasn't as good in February, resulting in Murdock ordering a second snow cat and looking into ice pulverizing technology. The season lasted into early April.

1970 off-season projects totaled $75,000, including upgrades to the base lodge sun deck, acquiring a carillon, installing snowmaking on Lucifer's Leap from the summit, and purchasing a Bombardier powdermaker. Early snowmaking efforts resulted in Butternut's first ever November opening, starting the season just after Thanksgiving on the novice slope.

In December, Butternut hosted a large-scale Christmas party, which became an annual tradition. Some 200 people attended the evening event, which included Christmas carols, a torchlight parade, and the arrival of Santa Claus on a horse-drawn sleigh.

If a string of rainy Saturdays wasn't bad enough, the month of February ended with burglars breaking into the main office through the roof, bypassing the security system. Sledgehammers were then used to break into a safe and steal over $2,000 in cash. Nevertheless, extending into the second week of April, the 1970-71 season was Butternut Basin's best to-date.

In August 1971, Butternut hosted a large dog show for the Great Barrington Kennel Club, drawing 2,000 spectators and participants.

Butternut enjoyed its second November opening in a row in 1971, when nearly a foot of snow allowed for early operations and strong attendance until subsequent rain. Mild weather and rain plagued much of the season, resulting in Channing Murdock postponing a planned expansion. The area enjoyed a stronger Washington's birthday week and the season lasted to the start of April. Despite the mild weather, Murdock reported that Butternut ended the season in the black (though sister area Ski Sundown did not).

A Hedco snowgun was purchased and snowmaking capacity increased for the 1972-73 season. The season started in early December, but was soon met with mild weather and rain. Channing Murdock told the Berkshire Eagle in early February, "We like spring skiing, but not in midwinter." Skiing melted out after the second weekend in March, resulting in the worst season to date.

The 1973-74 season started in mid-December, but was faced with fuel shortages and mild weather. Channing Murdock told the Berkshire Eagle in late December, "I've never seen so much water in one winter. It's not a good business to be in this year."

Overbrook and Upper Mountain Lodge

The Upper Lodge
The Upper Lodge

The next big expansion took place at Butternut in 1975, when the Overbrook Area debuted. Serviced by Massachusetts' first triple chairlift, the new pod initially featured two intermediate trails. The Upper Lodge, designed by Butternut skier Lo-Yi Chan of Prentice, Chan & Ohlhausen, would open in 1979 near the new area.

In November of 1983, the Murdocks purchased 135 acres of land west of the ski area. While they had planned to build a new trail pod, the trails and lifts would not be constructed.

Celebrating their 30th season at Butternut, the Murdocks upgraded their original chairlift for 1993-94. A $750,000 project, the summit lift was converted into Massachusetts' second quad chairlift. While things appeared to be running smoothly, Butternut was about to suffer back to back tragedies.

Tragedies

In June of 1994, founder Channing Murdock was seriously injured in a biking crash. In addition to multiple broken bones, Murdock suffered permanent brain injuries that immediately ended his career.

The 1994-95 season was Butternut's worst in nearly a quarter of a century. In order to save money, new General Manager Jeff Murdock cancelled the area's property insurance. Two months later, in May of 1995, an F4 tornado hit Butternut, heavily damaging lifts, buildings, snowmaking equipment, and the countless trees that had been carefully planted and or saved over the years by Channing Murdock. Thanks to the help of ski areas all over the Northeast, as well as a $1.4 million Small Business Administration loan, Butternut was able to rebuild enough to reopen for 1995-96.

Recovery

The Top Flight Quad (2016)
The Top Flight Quad (2016)

Nearly a decade later, Butternut was able to start making sizable investments to its lift infrastructure again. Quad chairlifts were installed in consecutive seasons starting in 2004. As a result, Ski Butternut left the decade with 3 quads and a triple serving its core trails, giving it one of the largest uphill capacities in Southern New England. The last remaining vintage double chairlift was removed in 2021 when the Paddy Wagon quad was installed.

NewEnglandSkiConditions.com Reports
Month Average Percent of Terrain Open
February90%    (1 report)90 Open
Recent Conditions Reports
Feb. 12, 2016 by rocket21
Loose Granular, Frozen Granular
Ski Butternut on NewEnglandSkiConditions.com


NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News
Recent Articles
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Springfield Ski Club Approves Proposed Sale of Ski Blandford - Jul. 19, 2017
Ski Blandford May Be Sold to Ski Butternut - Jul. 1, 2017
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Ski Butternut NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News Page


CCC Trails
Trail Name
Status
Forgotten Bridge
Open
Taconic
Open


Expansion History
Project
Season
West Area
Cancelled
1980s
Summit Area
Open
1963-64
East Area
Open
1964-65
Highline Area
Open
1968-69
Overbrook Area
Open
1975-76


Image Gallery
1950 Boston GlobeJanuary 9, 1953 Berkshire Evening Eagle1953-54 Eastern Ski Map1954-55 Eastern Ski Map1964-65 Eastern Ski Map1965-66 Eastern Ski Map
View All Images in Ski Butternut Image Gallery


Lifts
Click on lift name for information and photos
Standing Lifts
Installed
The bottom terminal (2015)
Cruiser Quad
Doppelmayr-CTEC
Chairlift - Quad - Fixed
2005-06
The bottom terminal (2015)
Highline Quad
Doppelmayr-CTEC
Chairlift - Quad - Fixed
2004-05
The Overlook Triple circa the 1980s
Overbrook Triple
Thiokol
Chairlift - Triple - Fixed
1975-76
The top terminal (December 2021)
Paddy Wagon
SkyTrac
Chairlift - Quad - Fixed
2021-22
The Top Flight Quad wreckage after the May 1995 tornado
Top Flight Quad
CTEC-Carlevaro & Savio
Chairlift - Quad - Fixed
1993-94

Past Lifts
Seasons
East T-Bar
Doppelmayr
T-Bar
1964-65
-
1980-81
Granny's Double in 2002
Granny's Double
Mueller
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1981-82
-
2004-05
The Highline Double circa the 1960s
Highline Double
Carlevaro & Savio
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1968-69
-
2003-04
The Paddy Wagon Double (background) in the early 1980s
Paddy Wagon
Carlevaro & Savio-Stadeli
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1969-70
-
2020-21
The bottom terminal (2015)
Poma

Platter

-
The Scooter Double (foreground) in the early 1980s
Scooter Double
Poma-Borvig
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1977-78
-
2009-10
The Sheave Train Double circa the mid to late 1960s
Sheave Train
Carlevaro & Savio
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1963-64
-
1992-93


Maps
2023-24 Ski Butternut Trail Map
1936 Warner Mountain Ski Area Map1940-41 East Mountain State Forest Trail Map1963-64 Butternut Basin Trail Map1964-65 Butternut Basin Trail Map1968-69 Butternut Trail Map1969-70 Butternut Basin trail map
View All Ski Butternut Trail Maps

Year by Year History
Adult Weekend Full Day Lift Ticket; Adult Full Price Unlimited Season Pass
2020s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
2023-24$95.002023-24 Ticket Price Graph$599.002023-24 Season Pass Price Graph6.3 daysDecember 8March 172023-24 Skier Visit Graph
2022-23$85.002022-23 Ticket Price Graph$599.002022-23 Season Pass Price Graph7.0 daysDecember 17April 22022-23 Skier Visit Graph
2021-22$75.002021-22 Ticket Price Graph$439.002021-22 Season Pass Price Graph5.9 daysDecember 23March 272021-22 Skier Visit Graph
2020-21$65.002020-21 Ticket Price Graph$399.002020-21 Season Pass Price Graph6.1 daysDecember 18March 272020-21 Skier Visit Graph
2019-20$65.002019-20 Ticket Price Graph$399.002019-20 Season Pass Price Graph6.1 daysDecember 6March 152019-20 Skier Visit Graph
2010s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
2018-19$60.002018-19 Ticket Price Graph$399.002018-19 Season Pass Price Graph6.7 daysDecember 7March 302018-19 Skier Visit Graph
2017-18$60.002017-18 Ticket Price Graph$490.002017-18 Season Pass Price Graph8.2 daysDecember 14April 12017-18 Skier Visit Graph
2016-17$60.002016-17 Ticket Price Graph$455.002016-17 Season Pass Price Graph7.6 daysDecember 15April 22016-17 Skier Visit Graph
2015-16$60.002015-16 Ticket Price Graph$455.002015-16 Season Pass Price Graph7.6 daysJanuary 3March 132015-16 Skier Visit Graph
2014-15$55.002014-15 Ticket Price Graph$440.002014-15 Season Pass Price Graph8.0 daysDecember 5April 52014-15 Skier Visit Graph
2013-14$55.002013-14 Ticket Price Graph$440.002013-14 Season Pass Price Graph8.0 daysDecember 7April 62013-14 Skier Visit Graph
2012-13$55.002012-13 Ticket Price Graph$330.002012-13 Season Pass Price Graph6.0 daysDecember 15April 72012-13 Skier Visit Graph
2011-12$55.002011-12 Ticket Price Graph$330.002011-12 Season Pass Price Graph6.0 daysDecember 16March 182011-12 Skier Visit Graph
2010-11$55.002010-11 Ticket Price Graph$330.002010-11 Season Pass Price Graph6.0 daysDecember 10April 32010-11 Skier Visit Graph
2009-10$55.002009-10 Ticket Price Graph$279.002009-10 Season Pass Price Graph5.1 daysDecember 12March 282009-10 Skier Visit Graph
2000s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
2008-09$55.002008-09 Ticket Price Graph$279.002008-09 Season Pass Price Graph5.1 days2008-09 Skier Visit Graph
2007-08$50.002007-08 Ticket Price Graph$279.002007-08 Season Pass Price Graph5.6 daysDecember 72007-08 Skier Visit Graph
2006-07$49.002006-07 Ticket Price Graph$279.002006-07 Season Pass Price Graph5.7 daysApril 12006-07 Skier Visit Graph
2005-06$46.002005-06 Ticket Price Graph$199.002005-06 Season Pass Price Graph4.3 daysMarch 312005-06 Skier Visit Graph
2004-05$46.002004-05 Ticket Price Graph$299.002004-05 Season Pass Price Graph6.5 daysApril 102004-05 Skier Visit Graph
2003-04$45.002003-04 Ticket Price Graph$299.002003-04 Season Pass Price Graph6.6 daysDecember 6April 32003-04 Skier Visit Graph
2002-03$43.002002-03 Ticket Price Graph$299.002002-03 Season Pass Price Graph7.0 daysNovember 29April 62002-03 Skier Visit Graph
2001-02$41.002001-02 Ticket Price Graph2001-02 Season Pass Price Graph2001-02 Skier Visit Graph
2000-01$39.002000-01 Ticket Price Graph$495.002000-01 Season Pass Price Graph12.7 daysNovember 25April 82000-01 Skier Visit Graph
1999-00$39.001999-00 Ticket Price Graph1999-00 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 31999-00 Skier Visit Graph
1990s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1998-991998-99 Ticket Price Graph$495.001998-99 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 181998-99 Skier Visit Graph
1996-97$38.001996-97 Ticket Price Graph1996-97 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 71996-97 Skier Visit Graph
1995-961995-96 Ticket Price Graph1995-96 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 21995-96 Skier Visit Graph
1994-951994-95 Ticket Price Graph1994-95 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 31994-95 Skier Visit Graph
1993-94$36.001993-94 Ticket Price Graph$490.001993-94 Season Pass Price Graph13.6 daysApril 31993-94 Skier Visit Graph
1992-93$35.001992-93 Ticket Price Graph1992-93 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 211992-93 Skier Visit Graph
1991-92$33.001991-92 Ticket Price Graph1991-92 Season Pass Price Graph1991-92 Skier Visit Graph
1990-91$33.001990-91 Ticket Price Graph1990-91 Season Pass Price Graph1990-91 Skier Visit Graph
1989-90$30.001989-90 Ticket Price Graph1989-90 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 241989-90 Skier Visit Graph
1980s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1988-89$30.001988-89 Ticket Price Graph1988-89 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 261988-89 Skier Visit Graph
1987-88$28.001987-88 Ticket Price Graph1987-88 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 191987-88 Skier Visit Graph
1986-87$25.001986-87 Ticket Price Graph1986-87 Season Pass Price Graph1986-87 Skier Visit Graph
1985-86$24.001985-86 Ticket Price Graph1985-86 Season Pass Price Graph1985-86 Skier Visit Graph
1984-85$20.001984-85 Ticket Price Graph1984-85 Season Pass Price Graph1984-85 Skier Visit Graph
1982-83$18.001982-83 Ticket Price Graph1982-83 Season Pass Price Graph1982-83 Skier Visit Graph
1981-82$17.001981-82 Ticket Price Graph1981-82 Season Pass Price GraphApril 11120,0001981-82 Skier Visit Graph
1980-81$15.001980-81 Ticket Price Graph1980-81 Season Pass Price Graph100,0001980-81 Skier Visit Graph
1979-80$13.001979-80 Ticket Price Graph1979-80 Season Pass Price Graph1979-80 Skier Visit Graph
1970s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1978-79$12.001978-79 Ticket Price Graph1978-79 Season Pass Price GraphMarch 241978-79 Skier Visit Graph
1977-78$12.001977-78 Ticket Price Graph1977-78 Season Pass Price Graph110,0001977-78 Skier Visit Graph
1976-77$11.001976-77 Ticket Price Graph$160.001976-77 Season Pass Price Graph14.5 days1976-77 Skier Visit Graph
1975-76$11.001975-76 Ticket Price Graph1975-76 Season Pass Price Graph1975-76 Skier Visit Graph
1974-75$10.001974-75 Ticket Price Graph1974-75 Season Pass Price Graph1974-75 Skier Visit Graph
1973-74$9.001973-74 Ticket Price Graph1973-74 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 151973-74 Skier Visit Graph
1972-73$9.001972-73 Ticket Price Graph$140.001972-73 Season Pass Price Graph15.6 daysDecember 2March 111972-73 Skier Visit Graph
1971-72$9.001971-72 Ticket Price Graph$120.001971-72 Season Pass Price Graph13.3 daysNovember 261971-72 Skier Visit Graph
1970-71$8.001970-71 Ticket Price Graph$120.001970-71 Season Pass Price Graph15.0 daysNovember 27April 1180,0001970-71 Skier Visit Graph
1969-70$8.001969-70 Ticket Price Graph$110.001969-70 Season Pass Price Graph13.8 daysDecember 6April 568,0001969-70 Skier Visit Graph
1960s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1968-69$7.001968-69 Ticket Price Graph1968-69 Season Pass Price GraphMarch 301968-69 Skier Visit Graph
1967-68$6.501967-68 Ticket Price Graph1967-68 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 281967-68 Skier Visit Graph
1966-67$6.501966-67 Ticket Price Graph1966-67 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 18April 21966-67 Skier Visit Graph
1965-66$6.001965-66 Ticket Price Graph1965-66 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 23March 201965-66 Skier Visit Graph
1964-65$6.001964-65 Ticket Price Graph$80.001964-65 Season Pass Price Graph13.3 daysDecember 12April 41964-65 Skier Visit Graph
1963-64$6.001963-64 Ticket Price Graph$70.001963-64 Season Pass Price Graph11.7 daysDecember 24March 520,0001963-64 Skier Visit Graph
1950s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1952-531952-53 Ticket Price Graph1952-53 Season Pass Price GraphJanuary 41952-53 Skier Visit Graph
1951-521951-52 Ticket Price Graph1951-52 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 161951-52 Skier Visit Graph
1949-501949-50 Ticket Price Graph1949-50 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 101949-50 Skier Visit Graph
1940s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1948-491948-49 Ticket Price Graph1948-49 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 261948-49 Skier Visit Graph
1939-401939-40 Ticket Price Graph1939-40 Season Pass Price Graph14,5001939-40 Skier Visit Graph


Visitor Memories
"Skied a good part of my younger days at Butternut.Was on the ski Patrol with Ken Noad, Ski school with Einar, Coached Racing and Freestyle, and jumped over the tourist's heads on Lucifer's Leap. Had some really great days at Butternut...will always remember Jane and Channing. Thanks! BUTTERNUT."
Vic Radzevich, Jul. 9, 2014
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External Links
  • Ski Butternut - official site
  • Ski Butternut - Wikipedia
  • G-Bar-S Ranch - New England Lost Ski Areas Project
  • Last updated: September 10, 2024

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