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| Hard'Ack Ski Area |
| St. Albans, Vermont |
| Status: |
Open
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| First Season: | 1960s |
| Vertical Drop: | 100 feet |
| Standing Lifts: | Surface lift |
| Past Lifts: | |
| Left: Hard'Ack Ski Area |
| Recent NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News:
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Located on the southeastern slope of Aldis Hill in St. Albans, Vermont, Hard'Ack is a small, non-profit recreational facility that features downhill and cross country skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and sledding during winter.
Hard'Ack's skiing history dates back to at least the 1965-66 season, when Hard'Ack, Inc. was registered in the State of Vermont as a business entity.
The ski area likely closed at some point in the 1990s, reportedly due to a lawsuit. Locals later joined together to reopen the ski area.
Snowmaking may have been added for the 2003-04 season.
The ski area continues to operate to this day, serviced by a rope tow.
Visitor Memories
| "I grew up in St. Albans in the 1960s - early 1970s. It was absolutely idyllic. I LOVED Hardack. We did a lot of night skiing, and the rope tow was soooo much fun. You had to make sure not to grab it too tightly or you'd suddenly jerk forward. It was a safe place, fun, and then we did Saturday ski lessons for $2.00 for a bus ride, and half-day skiing at Madonna Mountain / Sterling. Hardack Mountain had a myth about the silver wolf that was a ghost on the mountain and there was a big flat rock that was supposed to be where the wolf lived. St. Albans back then was safe, wonderful, and a terrific place to grow up. " | | Laura K, Jan. 29, 2022 | | "I grew up in St Albans in the 80's and we ALWAYS went to Hard'ack. Whether it was for sledding in the winter, or biking/hiking the trails, it was always fun. And kept us out of our parents hairs for HOURS!!! Great memories as a kid. From the look out point on the west side to the stone plack of the grey wolf that was shot there. Herb Mitchell was my neighbor as a kid. From what I understand he was one of the people to donate time, resources, and fabricate the tow rope system. Hopefully they find a way to remember him for his help." | | Brian Jackson, Jan. 30, 2018 | | "I remember skiing there for the first time in 1974, the cabin at the top of the rope tow contained half of a Pontiac with no doors. It had the tow rope connected to the rear differential. A man sat in the seat and operated the car which pulled the skiers up the hill. He said he had no need for the doors so sold them to a skiier that had an identical Pontiac." | | Trapper Johnson, May. 25, 2017 | | "I was one of the reincarnators, the above statements are pretty accurate.
The Hard'ack Trustees shal be building the Greg Brown Lodge a 64'x54',
1 1/2 story structure." | | Tim Hurlbut, Dec. 10, 2016 |
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External Links
Hard'ack, Inc. - official site
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Last updated: November 25, 2016
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