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Magic Mountain base area circa the 1960s
Magic Mountain Ski Area
Londonderry, Vermont
Status: Open
First Season:1960-61
Vertical Drop:1700 feet
Standing Lifts:1 quad, 2 doubles, surface lifts
Past Lifts:2 triples, 2 doubles, surface lifts
Left: Magic Mountain base area circa the 1960s
Recent NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News:
2/23/2024: Long-Awaited Black Line Quad Opens at Ma...
12/4/2022: Lift Construction Continues as December...
10/16/2022: Southern Vermont Lift Construction in Ho...
1/17/2022: Lift Construction Continues Mid-Season
SkiNewEngland.net Profile
Located in southern Vermont, Magic Mountain has long been known for its steep terrain and unique trails. Started by Hans Thorner as a small surface lift ski area in 1960, Magic Mountain grew to briefly become one of the largest ski areas in Vermont when it absorbed nearby Timber Ridge in 1987. After an extended closure during the 1990s, Magic reopened with its core footprint and has since remained in operation.

A Swiss Concept

A 1960s Magic Mountain postcard
A 1960s Magic Mountain postcard

Swiss native Hans Thorner moved to the United States in 1932, becoming one of the first certified ski instructors in America. In addition to operating ski schools across the country, Thorner also owned an inn and made films. After spending decades in the ski industry, Thorner thought something was lacking when skiers left American ski areas following a day on the slopes. His vision was to develop a ski area with a Swiss-like village where guests could participate in apres-ski activities. Joining with William Ingraham, Thorner settled on Glebe Mountain in Vermont for his resort's location. Wanting to capture the dream-like feeling of the famous Thomas Mann book, the name "Magic Mountain" was chosen.

Word of the plans began to emerge in early 1960, as Thorner sought to raise $350,000 to develop the resort. A cornerstone of his plan was to sell acreage to stockholders, as he felt ski area landowners should have a vested interest in the operation.

The Magic Mountain Corporation was established on June 27, with Thorner contributing $3,134 for what would become 28.5% of the stock. Thorner's ski school would operate as a separate entity, contributing 10% of its gross to the Magic Mountain Corporation. Construction of two slopes, a T-Bar, and base lodge commenced in July. Though the initial build out was modest with a vertical drop around 500 feet, medium term plans called for a much larger ski area and associated village.

The area debuted on December 23, 1960, with the T-Bar and an incomplete base lodge. Ironically, a snowstorm postponed the delivery of equipment for the cafeteria, limiting base lodge services at the time of opening. Magic Mountain had 62 investors when it opened for business.

Just after opening on the morning of January 19, 1961, the bottom lift house of the T-Bar caught fire, putting Magic out of commission. The community quickly rallied, attending a Fire Dance fundraiser at the lodge later in the month. Operations resumed soon thereafter.

Though there were hopes a chairlift would be installed in 1961 (boosted by the already-cut lift line), the only visible improvement for the 1961-62 season was a new trail from the top of the T-Bar down to the base lodge. Instead, the young corporation was dealing with internal problems, as William Ingraham filed a complaint with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), freezing sales of stock. Because of the requirement to be a shareholder in order to purchase land at the ski area, cashflow slowed. With an expansion plan on the horizon, the company received permission from the SEC to receive loans. Existing shareholders then lined up to lend the company money. Meanwhile, a major ski area opened at nearby Stratton Mountain.

Portending the expansion, Hans Thorner and his son Arthur travelled to Europe in April 1962, initially to attend the International Ski School Congress. After the event, the Thorners went to Cologne to visit with the Pohlig Company, where they inspected chairlift parts.

Big Mountain Skiing

The top of the Black Chair in the 1960s
The top of the Black Chair in the 1960s

Magic Mountain finally started to live up to its potential when the $300,000 Pohlig double chairlift was installed for 1962-63, opening the Upper Mountain. In addition to the new lift and trails, the main lodge was expanded and a new parking lot constructed.

The lift installation was reportedly the first to use a helicopter for the pouring of concrete. With Sikorksy Aircraft officials on site to record the event on September 13, the helicopter reportedly suffered a mechanical issue and came crashing down onto the lift line. Though the helicopter was destroyed by fire, pilot Frank Minjoy survived. Construction resumed days later using another helicopter.

The 1962-63 season was a success, extending into April. Bolstered by the new chairlift, ski revenue jumped by 600%. Following the season, the corporation's board of directors named Arthur Thorner vice president. 1963 off season improvements included more parking, a maintenance building, and another snow cat. Meanwhile, William Ingraham started his own ski area on the other side of the mountain, initially called Glebe Mountain Farm. The ski area later became known as Timber Ridge.

A novice chairlift was installed at Magic for the 1964-65 season, serving the new Hocus Pocus beginner area. In addition, plans for a new mile-long chairlift were announced for 1965. Unfortunately, the winter of 1964-65 was rough, with in Magic posting a $27,000 loss. Faced with its fourth loss on ski operations in five years, Magic postponed the chairlift project and focused on minor improvements and real estate work. The 1965-66 season resulted in a $6,000 loss and thus a further postponement of investment.

Magic rebounded with a record 1966-67 season, allowing it to pour profits into off season improvements. Three new trails were added, including Lower Medium and Upper Wand. Base facilities were improved, including a base lodge addition and a new ski patrol building. To improve snow conditions, snow fencing was installed on the upper mountain, a new snow cat was purchased, and a "mobile whipped cream maker" chemcial foam snowmaker was tested.

Magic received a $240,000 Small Business Administration loan in 1968, which was to be used to install snowmaking and another chairlift. A $250,000 snowmaking system was installed under the supervision of Alois Betschart that year, covering the Hocus Pocus novice slope and the lower half of the main chairlift slope. To facilitate the latter, a mid-station was added to the lift. The chairlift's electrical system was also changed from European to American to allow for smoother operation. The snowmaking system saw little use in its debut season due to plentiful early snowfall.

A three story lodge addition (complete with new restrooms) was constructed and three trails added for the 1969-70 season. Located on the west side of the ski area, Wizard provided a new intermediate route from the summit, while Talisman and Slide of Hans added to Magic's slate of challenging trails.

After ten years, Magic Mountain was still a family affair with Hans serving as President, son Arthur as Assistant General Manager, and son Peter as Ski Patrol Director. Reflecting on the changes in the industry, Thorner remarked to the Bennington Banner, "I hope we don't commercialize the essence of skiing. There's probably been some closeness, some brotherhood lost between skiers [with the advent of chairlifts], but there's still nothing that will clear the cobwebs like a good run: you are your own challenger."

Dealing with the new Vermont Act 250 law, Thorner presented a 10 year plan in 1971 that called for four new lifts. That year, a big expansion took place when the so-called Summit Area was opened with the installation of a new Heron-Poma double chairlift. The new lift provided a slightly increased vertical drop, serving new trails and increasing the area's uphill capacity.

On the evening of February 22, 1973, a Cessna 310 crashed into Magic Mountain, killing both on board. Peter Thorner was later awarded a Gold and Green Merit Star by the National Ski Patrol for assisting in the search and rescue mission. Two years later, on the night of February 3, 1975, two Air Force F-111 bombers collided near the mountain. The four crew members ejected, landing unharmed on the upper slopes of Magic Mountain.

As was the case at ski areas across New England, 1973-74 was a horrible winter for Magic Mountain. When asked by the Bennington Banner the following year, Hans Thorner replied, "We try to forget about that nightmare." Diversifying its revenue stream, Magic hosted a national hang glider competition in September.

While the other lifts in the 1971 ten year plan did not come to fruition, snowmaking improvements did occur. Snowmaking was expanded to the Show Off slope for the 1977-78 season, and then to the summit for the 1981-82 season.

New Ownership and Growth

Skiing at Magic Mountain in the 1960s
Skiing at Magic Mountain in the 1960s

In the midst of a string of bad winters in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Magic attempted to raise money for the top to bottom snowmaking project by selling 33 year season passes. In addition, a 50 foot wind turbine was installed atop the mountain.

After a quarter of a century of ownership, Hans Thorner sold Magic Mountain in 1985 to a group led by Simon Oren. For their first winter, the new ownership likely upgraded the aging Black Chair from a double to a triple.

The group purchased the defunct Timber Ridge ski area in 1986 and planned big changes for the following season.

For 1987-88, Timber Ridge was connected to Magic and renamed Timberside. The combined ski area, advertising 72 trails and 6 lifts, was called the Magic Mountains. In addition to the new terrain, a new Poma triple chairlift replaced the original Magic T-Bar, serving novice and intermediate terrain. Finally, as the season neared, the ownership group purchased nearby Bromley from Moore and Munger, Inc., the owners of Stratton.

Though Magic was being modernized, it wasn't fast enough. The winter of 1988-89 was so lean that the connecting trails between Magic and Timberside were seldom, if at all, open. In 1990, Oren sold his remaining interest in the company to partners Joe O'Donnell and Petros A. "Bob" Palandjian.

Closure and Liquidation

Following the 1990-91 season, the decision was made to shut down both Magic and Timber Ridge. In the spring of 1993, the owners decided to put Magic and Timber Ridge on the auction block. The Bank of Boston foreclosed on the resort that spring.

By the middle of the decade, both lifts at Timber Ridge were gone, along with the Sun Corner Triple and Little Chair at Magic.

A New Beginning

Reclaiming Magic circa 1997 or 1998
Reclaiming Magic circa 1997 or 1998

In August of 1995, Michael Boraski of Pennsylvania formed Glebe Mountain Ski Associates and purchased the ski area for a reported $350,000 in December of 1995. The group soon claimed it would be installing new lifts and investing $3 million into a 1996-97 reopening. That fall, however, the group postponed its reopening, citing clean up of leaking oil tanks as a last minute reason to postpone operations. No new lifts were installed

The area reopened without Timberside in December of 1997 with one triple chairlift, one double chairlift, and a new tubing park. While management was able to keep the ski area operating, it found itself unable to consistently make payroll or pay its bills.

Ownership and Management Changes

The partially installed Green Chair (2010)
The partially installed Green Chair (2010)

Facing mounting debt, a new ownership company was formed in November of 1998, named Old Fashioned Skiing Company, LLC. The new company, with some 40 owners, soon amassed tens of thousands of dollars in back taxes and penalties, prompting a foreclosure auction.

John Nelson, whose family had owned a home at the mountain for decades and was reportedly owed $1 million, purchased the area with four partners in August 2002 for a reported $500,000. Around this time, two used chairlifts were acquired. One was partially installed in 2003, but never completed.

Founder Hans Thorner passed away on December 27, 2003 at the age of 95.

James Sullivan took over operations of Magic Mountain in September of 2006. In 2009, plans to transfer the area to a cooperative setup were announced. After much effort in fundraising, the co-op recorded its 333rd share purchased in 2012, unlocking nearly $1 million capital for improvements.

Upper Magic Carpet (2019)
Upper Magic Carpet (2019)

In June 2014, property owner Tom Barker took over operational control of the ski area from James Sullivan and JLS Magic, LLC. While a subsequent ownership change was announced during the summer of 2015, the deal initially fell through. Negotiations resumed in the spring of 2016 with Ski Magic, LLC finally acquiring Magic in the fall of 2016.

The Black Quad (March 2024)
The Black Quad (March 2024)

Upon purchasing Magic Mountain, Ski Magic made significant investments in existing infrastructure, such as snowmaking and base facilities. The Green Chair was finally completed in January 2019. Following the 2018-19 season, the original summit chairlift was removed to make way for a fixed grip quad chairlift. Completion of the project was delayed by numerous issues, including the COVID-19 shutdown, engineering problems, and installation of a new haul rope. The lift finally debuted on February 22, 2024, giving Magic a second summit lift.

NewEnglandSkiConditions.com Reports
Month Average Percent of Terrain Open
December57%    (5 reports)57 Open
January70%    (9 reports)70 Open
February91%    (11 reports)91 Open
March41%    (5 reports)41 Open
April78%    (3 reports)78 Open
Recent Conditions Reports
Mar. 16, 2024 by rocket21
Spring Snow, Spring Snow
Feb. 21, 2024 by nordicgal
Loose Granular, Variable Conditions
Feb. 4, 2024 by indyskier29
Loose Granular, Variable Conditions
Feb. 4, 2024 by alpinevillagepres
Packed Powder, Frozen Granular
Jan. 20, 2024 by neskier
Powder, Variable Conditions
Magic Mountain Ski Area on NewEnglandSkiConditions.com


NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News
Recent Articles
Long-Awaited Black Line Quad Opens at Magic Mountain - Feb. 23, 2024
Lift Construction Continues as December Starts - Dec. 4, 2022
Southern Vermont Lift Construction in Home Stretch - Oct. 16, 2022
Lift Construction Continues Mid-Season - Jan. 17, 2022
New Bousquet Lift Opens; New Magic Lift Delayed Again - Feb. 18, 2021
Lift Construction Continues Mid-Season - Jan. 16, 2021
Lift Construction Season Heading into Home Stretch - Oct. 8, 2020
Lift Construction Progressing in Maine and Vermont - Jul. 1, 2020
Chairlift Chatter - Jan. 8, 2020
Lift Removals Already Underway in Vermont - Apr. 10, 2019
Magic Mountain Ski Area NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News Page


Expansion History
Project
Season
Timberside Interconnect
Abandoned
1987-88
Upper Mountain
Open
1962-63
Hocus Pocus Area
Open
1964-65
Summit Area
Open
1971-72


Image Gallery
1962-63 Eastern Ski Map1964-65 Eastern Ski Map1964-65 Eastern Ski Map1965-66 Eastern Ski Map1965-66 Eastern Ski Map1966-67 Eastern Ski Map
View All Images in Magic Mountain Ski Area Image Gallery


Lifts
Click on lift name for information and photos
Standing Lifts
Installed
The base terminal (December 2019)
Black Quad
Poma
Chairlift - Quad - Fixed
2023-24
The base terminal (December 2019)
Green Chair
Borvig
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
2018-19
The lift line (December 2019)
Red Chair
Heron-Poma
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1971-72

Past Lifts
Seasons
The idle Black Chair in 2016
Black Chair
Yan-Pohlig
Chairlift - Triple - Fixed
1985-86
-
2018-19
The Blue Chair circa the mid 1960s
Blue Chair
Pohlig
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1962-63
-
1984-85
The remains of the Little Chair in 2006
Little Chair
Hall
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1964-65
-
1994-95
The T-Bar circa the 1960s
Showoff T-Bar
Hall
T-Bar
1960-61
-
1986-87
The remains of the Sun Corner Chair in 2002
Sun Corner Triple
Poma
Chairlift - Triple - Fixed
1987-88
-
1994-95


Maps
2023-24 Magic Trail Map
1960 Magic Mountain Development Map1962-63 Magic Mountain Trail Map1972-73 Magic Mountain Trail Map1978-79 Magic Mountain trail map1981-82 Magic Mountain trail map2000-01 Magic Mountain Trail Map
View All Magic Mountain Ski Area 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
2022-23$94.342022-23 Ticket Price Graph$899.942022-23 Season Pass Price Graph9.5 daysDecember 18April 92022-23 Skier Visit Graph
2021-22$83.742021-22 Ticket Price Graph$846.942021-22 Season Pass Price Graph10.1 daysDecember 18March 272021-22 Skier Visit Graph
2020-21$78.442020-21 Ticket Price Graph$825.742020-21 Season Pass Price Graph10.5 daysDecember 17March 272020-21 Skier Visit Graph
2019-20$74.002019-20 Ticket Price Graph$779.002019-20 Season Pass Price Graph10.5 daysDecember 7March 152019-20 Skier Visit Graph
2010s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
2018-19$74.002018-19 Ticket Price Graph$749.002018-19 Season Pass Price Graph10.1 daysNovember 24April 72018-19 Skier Visit Graph
2017-18$69.002017-18 Ticket Price Graph$699.002017-18 Season Pass Price Graph10.1 daysDecember 16April 82017-18 Skier Visit Graph
2016-17$67.002016-17 Ticket Price Graph$679.002016-17 Season Pass Price Graph10.1 daysDecember 27April 92016-17 Skier Visit Graph
2015-16$67.002015-16 Ticket Price Graph$689.002015-16 Season Pass Price Graph10.3 daysJanuary 16March 132015-16 Skier Visit Graph
2014-15$63.002014-15 Ticket Price Graph$639.002014-15 Season Pass Price Graph10.1 daysDecember 20April 182014-15 Skier Visit Graph
2013-14$63.002013-14 Ticket Price Graph$539.002013-14 Season Pass Price Graph8.6 daysDecember 21April 62013-14 Skier Visit Graph
2012-13$59.002012-13 Ticket Price Graph$489.002012-13 Season Pass Price Graph8.3 daysDecember 26April 72012-13 Skier Visit Graph
2011-12$59.002011-12 Ticket Price Graph$449.002011-12 Season Pass Price Graph7.6 daysDecember 26March 172011-12 Skier Visit Graph
2010-112010-11 Ticket Price Graph$439.002010-11 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 18April 1019,4582010-11 Skier Visit Graph
2009-10$56.002009-10 Ticket Price Graph$429.002009-10 Season Pass Price Graph7.7 daysDecember 19April 319,0372009-10 Skier Visit Graph
2000s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
2008-09$56.002008-09 Ticket Price Graph$439.002008-09 Season Pass Price Graph7.8 daysDecember 2216,7252008-09 Skier Visit Graph
2007-08$56.002007-08 Ticket Price Graph$449.002007-08 Season Pass Price Graph8.0 daysApril 616,8702007-08 Skier Visit Graph
2006-07$49.002006-07 Ticket Price Graph$349.002006-07 Season Pass Price Graph7.1 daysDecember 3116,3772006-07 Skier Visit Graph
2005-06$49.002005-06 Ticket Price Graph$599.002005-06 Season Pass Price Graph12.2 days5,0002005-06 Skier Visit Graph
2004-05$49.002004-05 Ticket Price Graph$549.002004-05 Season Pass Price Graph11.2 daysDecember 2310,0002004-05 Skier Visit Graph
2003-04$46.002003-04 Ticket Price Graph$549.002003-04 Season Pass Price Graph11.9 daysDecember 16March 2113,7502003-04 Skier Visit Graph
2002-03$42.002002-03 Ticket Price Graph$499.002002-03 Season Pass Price Graph11.9 daysMarch 302002-03 Skier Visit Graph
2001-02$42.002001-02 Ticket Price Graph$499.002001-02 Season Pass Price Graph11.9 daysMarch 312001-02 Skier Visit Graph
2000-01$38.002000-01 Ticket Price Graph$595.002000-01 Season Pass Price Graph15.7 daysApril 825,0002000-01 Skier Visit Graph
1999-00$38.001999-00 Ticket Price Graph$695.001999-00 Season Pass Price Graph18.3 daysMarch 191999-00 Skier Visit Graph
1990s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1998-99$35.001998-99 Ticket Price Graph$295.001998-99 Season Pass Price Graph8.4 daysMarch 281998-99 Skier Visit Graph
1997-98$32.001997-98 Ticket Price Graph1997-98 Season Pass Price Graph30,0001997-98 Skier Visit Graph
1990-91$36.001990-91 Ticket Price Graph1990-91 Season Pass Price GraphMarch 311990-91 Skier Visit Graph
1989-90$34.001989-90 Ticket Price Graph1989-90 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 251989-90 Skier Visit Graph
1980s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1988-89$32.001988-89 Ticket Price Graph1988-89 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 241988-89 Skier Visit Graph
1987-88$30.001987-88 Ticket Price Graph1987-88 Season Pass Price Graph1987-88 Skier Visit Graph
1986-87$28.001986-87 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$24.001984-85 Ticket Price Graph$520.001984-85 Season Pass Price Graph21.7 days1984-85 Skier Visit Graph
1983-84$22.001983-84 Ticket Price Graph$520.001983-84 Season Pass Price Graph23.6 days1983-84 Skier Visit Graph
1982-83$20.001982-83 Ticket Price Graph$500.001982-83 Season Pass Price Graph25.0 days1982-83 Skier Visit Graph
1981-82$20.001981-82 Ticket Price Graph1981-82 Season Pass Price Graph1981-82 Skier Visit Graph
1980-81$17.001980-81 Ticket Price Graph1980-81 Season Pass Price Graph1980-81 Skier Visit Graph
1979-80$16.001979-80 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$15.001978-79 Ticket Price Graph1978-79 Season Pass Price Graph1978-79 Skier Visit Graph
1977-78$13.001977-78 Ticket Price Graph1977-78 Season Pass Price Graph1977-78 Skier Visit Graph
1976-77$12.001976-77 Ticket Price Graph1976-77 Season Pass Price Graph1976-77 Skier Visit Graph
1975-76$12.001975-76 Ticket Price Graph1975-76 Season Pass Price GraphMarch 211975-76 Skier Visit Graph
1974-75$10.001974-75 Ticket Price Graph1974-75 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 211974-75 Skier Visit Graph
1973-74$10.001973-74 Ticket Price Graph1973-74 Season Pass Price Graph1973-74 Skier Visit Graph
1972-73$10.001972-73 Ticket Price Graph1972-73 Season Pass Price Graph1972-73 Skier Visit Graph
1971-72$10.001971-72 Ticket Price Graph$185.001971-72 Season Pass Price Graph18.5 daysApril 161971-72 Skier Visit Graph
1970-71$10.001970-71 Ticket Price Graph1970-71 Season Pass Price Graph1970-71 Skier Visit Graph
1969-70$10.001969-70 Ticket Price Graph1969-70 Season Pass Price Graph1969-70 Skier Visit Graph
1960s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1968-69$8.501968-69 Ticket Price Graph1968-69 Season Pass Price Graph1968-69 Skier Visit Graph
1967-68$7.501967-68 Ticket Price Graph1967-68 Season Pass Price Graph1967-68 Skier Visit Graph
1966-67$7.001966-67 Ticket Price Graph$95.001966-67 Season Pass Price Graph13.6 days1966-67 Skier Visit Graph
1965-66$6.501965-66 Ticket Price Graph1965-66 Season Pass Price Graph1965-66 Skier Visit Graph
1964-65$7.001964-65 Ticket Price Graph1964-65 Season Pass Price Graph1964-65 Skier Visit Graph
1963-64$6.501963-64 Ticket Price Graph1963-64 Season Pass Price Graph1963-64 Skier Visit Graph
1962-63$6.501962-63 Ticket Price Graph1962-63 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 26April 730,0001962-63 Skier Visit Graph
1961-62$4.501961-62 Ticket Price Graph1961-62 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 22March 307,0001961-62 Skier Visit Graph
1960-61$4.501960-61 Ticket Price Graph$50.001960-61 Season Pass Price Graph11.1 daysDecember 237,8731960-61 Skier Visit Graph


2003-2004 through 2009-2010 visits include snow tubing

Visitor Memories
"My earlier submit was not enough info. Spent many years skiing there as a family from late 60's to late 70's. We owned a family vacation/rental home in East Jamaica on a dirt road off Rte 30 before crossing the west river. Maybe Howe Farm road now??? Then dad built a home on Nagic in the height of the Hans Thorner days. I was a junior ski patroler there 3 seasons with one of Trudie Dostals sons and a guy from the post horn. It was a great learning experience and providing assistance to skiers that unfortunately skied out of their ability! Many many fond memories, due in part, because they were the true wonder years. I was 4 '64 when dad was building home in East Jamaica and was probably 11 or 12 ('71/'72) when he started home at Magic. "
Douglas Mitchell, Dec. 27, 2022
"Shortest job I ever had was at the start of the 1962 season when I was between colleges. Arthur Thorner hired me as a Carpenter's Helper. First day I was just getting oriented at a work site expanding the base lodge. About an hour into the start of the day Hans Thorner came by, looked at me and growled, "Who the Hell are you?" I introduced myself, said I'd just started, and Hans said, "Who hired you?" Had no idea this was Arthur's father so I said, "Mr. Thorner hired me." At that he replied, "I'M Mr. Thorner and I never heard of you. Doesn't look like you're doing much. You're fired. Come to the office and pick up your pay. We'll give you half a day's pay." (two days later I had a better and longer job at Stratton.) "
Chip Taylor, Sep. 21, 2022
"I had the pleasure of working Winters in the Ski Shop for the Frank family 1963-1966. Loved skiing there and returned in 1967-68 when I was home. I loved working there and developing my people skills. I also got to ski the other side of the Mountain because I went to school with the Ingraham boys Ted, Dave, and Peter. I guess I was fortunate because I don't remember any of the years having a lack of snow."
Craig FEDOR, May. 20, 2018
"started skiing here in 1965 with my family of 7....it was an expensive sport for a family but my parents thought it was an important family activity. the best memories....we knew Hans and all the instructors. used to stay at the Snowden Motel....wonderful times!"
Penny Iatridis, Dec. 20, 2017
"I loved skiing here in the 1970's growing up-night skiing. I love the grand ol' two seater red lift to the top. At 6'4' hard to get the knees and legs on the bar. slow to top, maybe 10 minutes but great views to while the time away. A real `throwback' mountain that is a pleasure to ski even today! Love the `throwback' special days. Great job bringing back Magic!"
ed kobak, Dec. 7, 2017
"Been going here since I was 6. Always my favorite place to go. This year is gonna be LIT"
McHale Burgess, Dec. 11, 2016
"I was a ski instructor at Magic Mountain on weekends from 1964 to 1974. We had a house in Vt at Timber Ridge. I have wonderful memories of Hans Thorner and his family and all my old friends in Londonderry VT. Best time of my life!!"
jay shaw, Aug. 10, 2016
"William 'Bill' Ingraham was a partner with Hans Thorner in the founding of Magic. I recall their planning sessions in Bristol, CT. The fire in the first year of operation also took out the T-bar lift but they continued operations ferrying skiers to the top in the snowcat. Bill Ingraham spilt ways with Hans early on and started Glebe Mountain later to be Timber Ridge on the backside of Magic."
Wade Treadway, Jul. 8, 2015
"I skied Magic Mountain for the first time 3/1/2015. Me and my two sons. We are all good skiers. I loved the place. It reminds me of a old ski area. Very challenging and great snow. Not overly groomed and narrow trails. It is truly a skiers mountain. There were some snowboarders but they were into cruzing and we all got along great. I can't remember when I had more fun on the slopes. No crowds and very friendly operations staff. "
Paul Baldasarre, Mar. 4, 2015
"Fond memories."
Douglas Mitchell, Mar. 15, 2013
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External Links
  • Magic Mountain Ski Resort - official site
  • Last updated: March 19, 2024

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