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Located in the northwestern part of the state, Mohawk Mountain has been the cornerstone of the Connecticut ski industry for over half a century.
Mohawk Ski Trail
According to the Bridgeport Post, the origins of the Mohawk State Forest date back to 1921, when Alain White donated 2,000 acres to the state for public forestry, animal sanctuary, and public recreation. A wooden lookout tower was constructed one year later, followed by CCC roads and picnic areas in the mid 1930s, and a steel fire tower in 1937.
Downhill skiing on Mohawk Mountain may date back to 1937 or 1939, when the Connecticut Winter Sports Association reportedly cut an alpine ski trail in cooperation with the State Forest Department. It is not known if the trail was maintained during World War II, but some press accounts suggest it may have been in a state of disuse by the middle of the 1940s.
Surface Lift Era
A 1947 rendering of Mohawk Mountain |
The lift served ski development at Mohawk Mountain dates back to February of 1947, when six-foot four-inch tall Marine veteran Walt Schoenknecht entered into a lease with the State of Connecticut for about one hundred acres on the northwest side of Mohawk Mountain on a peak known as the Pinnacle. Under the terms of the lease, Schoenknecht could sell lift tickets and food, but not alcoholic beverages. Schoenknecht, his wife, and father reportedly started constructing the ski area around the Mohawk ski trail later that winter. At the time, Schoenknecht was operating Brodie, where he was later quoted by ski writer Lee Leahy as having "lost my shirt" due to competition and unfavorable lease terms. Two of the Brodie rope tows were relocated to his new Mohawk development.
Five new trails and three slopes were cut for the 1947-48 season, served by six rope tows. Trails were designed to minimize exposure to wind and sun for maximum snow retention. Three of the rope tows were tiered to allow access for the full 600 vertical feet, equipped with downhill sloped starts for easier loading. Schoenknecht's New Haven Ski Club assisted with the smoothing and seeding of the new trails.
A "mighty fancy" lodge (now known as the Pine Lodge) was constructed with a large fireplace and a sun deck.
Litchfield Hills Outing Club president Franklyn Ellis served as the first ski school director, while Walt's wife Peg, who served as a nurse during World War II, operated the first aid clinic and daycare.
The $45,000 area reportedly debuted the day after Christmas in 1947, operating on weekends, holidays, and the occasional midweek afternoon. The debut season had a strong start, with Schoenknecht stating, "A winter like this probably won't come again for years. We might as well be realistic about it."
The Timber Trail |
For its sophomore season, Mohawk added the Boulder Bowl. Served by tandem tows, the complex was composed of intermediate and expert terrain. With big numbers of skiers visiting, the parking lot was doubled to hold 600 cars, while area lodging facilities announced winter operations.
Early Experiments in Snowmaking
While the ski area was initially successful, a snow drought in the winter of 1949-50 brought operations to a halt. Ever the creative thinker, Walt purchased 500 tons of ice from Economy Ice Company and used a massive chipper to create a snow surface, which allowed the area to open on one slope served by multiple rope tows. At the same time, he was also taking part in preliminary experiments of compressed air snowmaking.
Another experiment attempted around this time was skiing on pine needles. In early October 1950, nearly three dozen skiers attempted the activity. One year later, a slope was covered with 80 tons of hay for a fall ski gathering of the Connecticut Ski Council.
Despite the various other experiments, the main focus was placed on developing a compressed air system. Taking inspiration from Tey Manufacturing Corp., Larchmont Engineering equipment was installed on the mountain in the fall of 1950, while a similar installation was constructed at Big Boulder in Pennsylvania. By the time the 1950-51 season rolled around, Mohawk's new snowmaking system was advertised regionally. The area featured nine rope tows, adding a tenth by 1952 and an eleventh soon thereafter.
Mt. Snow and Chairlifts
The Mohawk Double circa the 1960s |
Following the 1953-54 season, Schoenknecht announced the formation of the Mount Snow Development Corp, a company he controlled with a group of Connecticut investors. With a stated philosophy that "bigness is the secret of success," Mount Snow opened that winter and, like Mohawk before, was always experimenting with new technology.
Though Mount Snow was now Walt's primary focus, improvements continued at Mohawk, including a new trail in 1958 in preparation for the installation of a future chairlift. An extremely poor 1958-59 season may have slowed plans.
After years of tinkering with homegrown chain chairlifts at Mount Snow, Schoenknecht ordered multiple Carlevaro & Savio chairlifts for the 1960-61 season, including one for Mohawk Mountain. Channing Murdock was hired to manage the upgraded area, which also sported new mountain-top snowmaking ponds and an improved Pine Lodge. Connecticut's first chairlift likely debuted in January of 1961.
Following the 1961-62 season, Channing Murdock departed to start Butternut Basin. A few years later, he acquired the defunct Satan's Ridge ski area, reopening it as Ski Sundown.
Meanwhile, Schoenknecht focused on improving Mohawk's base facilities, as its lodge was cramped and still sported outdoor privies. He eventually acquired the 23-acre Bennett farm property and built the present day base area.
The base lodge circa the 1960s |
Circa 1963, Armand Marchand replaced Frank Ellis as ski school director.
On December 15, 1964, Mohawk Mountain Ski Area, Inc. was established. The Nutmeg Double was likely constructed for that season, serving a novice slope. Soon thereafter, Steve Hedden was named general manager. Eventually his father was operating a lift, his mother managing the lodge, and his wife managing the ski shop.
Rounding out the decade, uphill capacity was improved with the installation of the Arrow Head double and likely the Mohawk Poma in 1969.
Cross country skiing was emphasized for the 1972-73 season, with Mohawk adding nordic equipment to its ski shop and rental fleet.
After multiple bad seasons in the early 1970s, Mohawk invested its 1974-75 profits into doubling its snowmaking system, with Hedden commenting, "snowmaking five years ago was a hobby. Now it's do or die." The original chairlift was also reportedly rebuilt.
Walt's spirit lives on (2014) |
After losing ownership control of Mount Snow during the energy crisis, Walt's focus returned to Mohawk by the mid 1970s. Later that decade, Mohawk installed its first triple chairlift, the Boulder Triple.
After yet another disastrous winter in 1979-80, Mohawk continued to invest in snowmaking, achieving 90% coverage with by expanding the system to two more trails for the 1982-83 season.
Though Walt was still dreaming up new innovations (such as a new beginner lift design) and expansions at Mohawk (new trails, five more chairlifts, and night skiing), he was diagnosed with cancer. His daughter Carol Lugar returned to the area she grew up at and helped him manage it. Setting up the area for the future, Walt signed a new 30-year lease starting in January 1986, with Mohawk providing up to 1.85% of gross revenue to the state. The Deer Run double was likely constructed for the 1985-86 season, spreading out crowds, while the original chairlift was once again rebuilt for 1986-87. Walt passed away prior to the start of the 1987-88 season at the age of 68.
Tornado
Ruins from the tornado |
As the clocks at the mountain struck 4:37 on the afternoon of July 10, 1989, an F4 tornado ripped through Mohawk, leaving $1.5 to $2 million in damage. Pieces of the ski area were later found scattered miles away. Buildings were destroyed and lifts were toppled. Initial industry analysis was that the ski area would not be able to open for at least a year, if ever. However, with the help of ski areas across the country, Mohawk was able to rebuild in time to open for the 1989-90 season. Nonetheless, the financial impact would affect Mohawk for years until it finally received full payment from its insurance company.
Night Skiing Starts
Carol Lugar and early 1990s snowmaking |
Despite being located near a large population base, Mohawk Mountain operated as a day-only ski area for decades, due to a prohibition of alcohol on state property and a concern about creating a party-like atmosphere. In the fall of 1991, the state agreed to allow night skiing a Mohawk Mountain, provided that a detailed, fifteen-point list of requirements was followed. Mohawk added night skiing that winter, in part to help pay off tornado related debt. Alcohol remained banned, as Lugar told Skiing magazine, "We don't feel that drinking mixes with skiing any more than it mixes with driving. My child has to ride these lifts." Within two years, night skiing was providing over 25% of the area's skier visits.
Peg Schoenknecht passed away on July 29, 2008 at the age of 90.
Modernization
The Deer Run Triple passing over the original Pine Lodge (2014) |
A major lift infrastructure initiative took place starting in the 2000s, resulting in the installation of four triple chairlifts.
Mohawk's last double chairlift, the Arrow Head Double, was replaced in 2013 with the Arrowhead Triple.
With growing demand for more base facilities, Mohawk constructed a major lodge expansion in 2015, which doubled seating capacity.
A new 30-year lease was started in January 2017, covering 244 acres.
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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 |
| 2021-22 | $75.00 |  | $684.00 | | 9.1 days | | | | | | | 2020-21 | $67.00 | | $659.00 | | 9.8 days | December 12 | March 27 | | | | | 2019-20 | $67.00 | | $659.00 | | 9.8 days | November 23 | March 12 | | | |
| 2010s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 2018-19 | $65.00 | | $639.00 | | 9.8 days | November 23 | March 31 | | | | | 2017-18 | $64.00 | | $639.00 | | 10.0 days | December 9 | April 1 | | | | | 2016-17 | $62.00 | | $639.00 | | 10.3 days | December 17 | April 2 | | | | | 2015-16 | $60.00 | | $639.00 | | 10.7 days | January 2 | March 13 | | | | | 2014-15 | $60.00 | | $639.00 | | 10.7 days | November 28 | March 29 | | | | | 2013-14 | $58.00 | | $619.00 | | 10.7 days | November 29 | March 30 | | | | | 2012-13 | $56.00 | | $619.00 | | 11.1 days | December 15 | March 30 | | | | | 2011-12 | $54.00 | | $619.00 | | 11.5 days | December 17 | March 11 | | | | | 2010-11 | $52.00 | | | | | December 11 | March 27 | | | | | 2009-10 | $50.00 | | $599.00 | | 12.0 days | December 12 | March 28 | | | |
| 2000s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 2008-09 | $50.00 | | $599.00 | | 12.0 days | | | | | | | 2007-08 | $47.00 | | $599.00 | | 12.7 days | | | | | | | 2006-07 | $45.00 | | $599.00 | | 13.3 days | | | | | | | 2005-06 | $42.00 | | $599.00 | | 14.3 days | | | | | | | 2004-05 | $42.00 | | $660.00 | | 15.7 days | | | | | | | 2003-04 | $39.00 | | $690.00 | | 17.7 days | | | | | | | 2002-03 | $37.00 | | $690.00 | | 18.6 days | November 29 | | | | | | 2001-02 | $35.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 2000-01 | $32.00 | | $650.00 | | 20.3 days | | | | | | | 1999-00 | $30.00 | | $605.00 | | 20.2 days | | | | | |
| 1990s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1996-97 | | | | | | November 30 | | | | | | 1995-96 | $25.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1994-95 | $32.00 | | | | | December 3 | | | | | | 1993-94 | | | | | | November 27 | | | | | | 1992-93 | $29.00 | | | | | | April 8 | | | | | 1991-92 | $30.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1989-90 | $28.00 | | | | | November 24 | | | | |
| 1980s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1988-89 | $25.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1987-88 | $24.00 | | | | | November 28 | | | | | | 1986-87 | $23.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1984-85 | $18.50 | | | | | | | | | | | 1983-84 | $17.50 | | | | | | March 25 | | | | | 1982-83 | $17.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1981-82 | $15.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1980-81 | $13.50 | | | | | | | | | | | 1979-80 | $12.50 | | | | | December 22 | | | | |
| 1970s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1978-79 | $11.50 | | | | | | | | | | | 1977-78 | $10.50 | | | | | | | | | | | 1976-77 | $10.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1975-76 | $9.50 | | | | | | | | | | | 1974-75 | $8.50 | | | | | December 21 | | | | | | 1973-74 | $7.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1972-73 | $7.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1971-72 | $7.00 | | $80.00 | | 11.4 days | | | | | | | 1970-71 | | | | | | | March 28 | | | |
| 1960s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1968-69 | $6.00 | | | | | December 20 | | | | | | 1967-68 | $5.50 | | | | | | | | | | | 1966-67 | $5.50 | | $35.00 | | 6.4 days | | | | | | | 1964-65 | $5.50 | | | | | | | | | | | 1963-64 | $5.50 | | | | | | | | | | | 1961-62 | $5.50 | | | | | | | | | | | 1960-61 | $6.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1959-60 | $2.50 | | | | | | | | | |
| 1940s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1948-49 | | | | | | December 2 | | | | | | 1947-48 | $2.00 | | | | | December 26 | | | | |
Visitor Memories
| "I found Mohawk around 10 years ago. It's a fantastic place. The people who work there are the friendliest in the industry. As for the mountain, the terrain is fun and the snow is always great. I've never had a bad day there, and can't wait to get back. " | | Fred Burke, Nov. 30, 2018 | | "I was 17 and a member of the New Haven ski club and repeatedly skied Mohawk. In early 1954, at a club meeting, I remember Walt Schoenknecht saying "I have found a mountain in Vermont the gets a foot of snow when all the surrounding mountains don't get any and I am going to build a ski area there and call it 'Mt. Snow". He hired another member, Andy Andrews, to help him, and sure enough, they made Mt.Snow happen - much to my skeptical teenage mind at the time. I went south to college at Duke that year, and then, eventually out west and the Calif. sierras. I never skied Mohawk again or Mt.Snow, but I do remember reading about amazing growth of the resort and the dearth of snow in New England for so many winters. That was actual "climate change". " | | curtis cobb, Jun. 28, 2017 | | "My second day of skiing was here in 1971. Age 8. I remember wood skis, leather boots and safety straps. I wore jeans over long johns and remember being soaked to the bone at the end of the day, the result of falling dozens of times on the beginner are" | | Paul Friedman, Jun. 22, 2017 | | "I started working at Mohawk the first year it opened. I was 14 and madeSandwiches and helped in the kitchen. I worked there all through highSchool to get spending money. I loved it. " | | Suzanne Hedden williams, May. 12, 2016 |
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External Links
Mohawk Mountain - official site
1989 Tornado - Cornwall Historical Society
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Last updated: January 28, 2021
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