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| Ski Valley |
| Cumberland, Rhode Island |
| Status: |
Lost/Defunct
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| First Season: | 1961-62 |
| Last Season: | 1984-85 |
| Vertical Drop: | 315 feet |
| Standing Lifts: | 0 |
| Past Lifts: | 1 double, surface lifts |
| Left: The Ski Valley water tank |
| Recent NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News:
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| 3/21/2016: Iconic Ski Valley Water Tank Scheduled f... |
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Located on Diamond Hill in Cumberland, Ski Valley first opened for the 1961-62 season as a surface lift area. Owned and operated by Fred Egan and family, the area had direct competition on the other side of the hill in the form of a state owned ski area named Diamond Hill.
In 1971, a year after Diamond Hill installed two new chairlifts, Ski Valley installed a new Hall double chairlift. The debt from this investment would catch up with Ski Valley, resulting in its removal circa 1978 due to foreclosure. Fred Egan suffered a heart attack around this time and would die about half a decade later, leaving his wife and sons to run the area.
Due to the pressure of running the area, Mary Egan decided to close Ski Valley after the 1984-85 season, selling much of the property to real estate developers Marguerite Building Corp. The iconic Ski Valley water tank was constructed in conjunction with the condominium development, which went ground to a halt in the early 1990s amongst real estate market issues. While some 100 condos were planned, not all were completed.
Image Gallery
Lifts
Click on lift name for information and photos
Maps
Year by Year History
Adult Weekend Full Day Lift Ticket; Adult Full Price Unlimited Season Pass
| 1980s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1983-84 | |  | | | | December 18 | | | | |
| 1970s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1970-71 | $3.50 | | | | | | | | | | | 1969-70 | $2.50 | | | | | | | | | |
| 1960s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1968-69 | $2.50 | | | | | | | | | | | 1967-68 | $2.50 | | | | | | | | | |
Visitor Memories
| "Yesterday I was driving past Mercymount and saw the Ski Valley sign. I just had to take a drive up. As students of Mercymount (1974--me, in 4th grade and my sister in 7th) I think you guys ran a special for lessons after school a couple days a week. My mom signed us up. So it began. Rental ski's, lace up boots, folded up blue jeans, and side stepping up the bunny slope for 30 feet...and snow plowing down. Vivid memories of learning to let the rope tow slide through your mitts while before taking full grasp. Remembering how mittens did not last long with that rope. Hitting that jump on the hill to the far right just at the base of the first peak. Oh the spread eagle's were perfect 10's LOL
It's where we learned to ski. It was a blast!!! Also remember your dad having that box with some animal tail sticking out the hole. He would walk around the lodge and ask people to pet it and when they did the top would fly open and scare the pants off all the kids.
We went on to ski EVERY mountain in NH (and yes we ALWAYS got the patches and put them on our jackets)
Sadly, both my mom and sister have passed on but those memories will always be with me and bring a smile to my face--like today.
I do have some old pictures that I will have to dig out
Thanks
Tom Mendillo" | | Tom Mendillo, Apr. 24, 2017 | | "We have your T-Bar! It is in excellent working condition and we have enjoyed its use continuously since 1986. If you are ever in the Philadelphia area please stop by and take a look. Sincerely, Wissahickon Ski Club, 265 Barren Hill Road, Conshohocken, PA 19428" | | Andrew Sabia, Oct. 1, 2016 | | "Hi everyone, good to hear all is well:)) But one person I was thinking about is your mom Mary. How is she doing? We visited her about 15 years ago on a trip to Conn. for a family reunion. My dad , brothers and I took a day away from family and drove all over RI and ended up at her house. Knocked on her door and when she answered she looked puzzled. After a few minutes she realized who these crazy people were:)) She hadn't changed a bit, cigarette and all:)) Loved your mom and dad:)) After that trip, I started going out to Utah to try and learn to snowboard since there was no such thing when we were kids. Loving the west, thinking of moving out there. Anyway, say hi to all the brothers from the Michon's:))" | | Debbi Jackson, Feb. 13, 2016 | | "Glad to hear that you are also doing well Dennis! Congratulations! on your family. Tell your family I said hello. Dr. Lynne T. Conte (Fontaine)" | | Dr. Lynne Conte (Fontaine), Feb. 12, 2016 | | "Debbi , so glad you had great memories at the ski area. It was a great place as a kid to grow up i to have alot of good memories . In 1989 moved to NH to Cannon mountain and ran the race program for 5 years ,them moved over to North Conway area working in the ski industry in the winter time until about 6 years ago . Also have a construction company called Concrete Works / Intervale nh . Married 3 kids 2 boys -1 girl and yes they all ski very well .We try to ski atleast 1 day a week together . Good to hear from you and memories of Ski Valley . Dennis Egan" | | Dennis Egan, Jan. 10, 2016 | | "Hi Debbi and Michael! Good to hear from you. Sorry to hear about your Dad Debbi. Congratulations! Michael on your large family." | | Dr. Lynne Conte Fontaine (Maiden), Jun. 7, 2015 | | "Getting. Old u guys. .. I can be reached. On facebook. Yes thi s is Michael Egan 6children. 13. Grandchildren. So far I been. A busy man .lve been been a Boat. Captain. For the past 30 year. s. All my children were born in Mexico except my oldest daughter Cheryl Ann. She was born in Fla." | | Michael Egan, Apr. 21, 2015 | | "My family and I started skiing here around 1964:) We soon became friends with the whole Egan family. My dad (Emile) worked in the ski rentals and many evenings he would stay all night and help Fred blow snow. My mom (Terry) worked the lunch counter, so my two brothers ( Michael and Scotty) and myself always had the best lunches ever. We loved the burgers, but the pizza was the best:)) Of course, like many young girls, I had the biggest crush ever on Dennis whom didn't even know I existed:( But watching him and brother David ski was always amazing. They were so good and fun to watch. I remember riding the T-bar up the biggest hill and halfway up you could try to stall the bar (try to pull it back far enough to get it to spring you up, like a rubber band). We always had so much fun there, so many great memories:) I used to call Fred 'my dad'. We moved to Florida in 71 and boy was I pissed:( No more skiing or Ski Valley or Dennis:)) HeHe. Anyway, a couple years ago, my dad passed. But before he left us, we broke out the old super 8 movies with the whole family present and had the most amazing fun watching them. So glad we have them, we laughed and giggled:) My mom has many photos too that we all still enjoy:)) Luv luv loved Ski Valley and the Egans:))" | | Debbi Jackson (Michon), Oct. 22, 2014 |
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External Links
Diamond Hill - FranklinSites.com Hiking Guide
Ski Valley - New England Lost Ski Areas Project
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Last updated: March 21, 2016
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