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Located between Bristol, Waterbury, and New Britain, Mt. Southington is a popular local ski area.
Early Surface Lift Years
A March 1964 public hearing for the proposed ski area |
Circa the early 1960s, Dr. Harold Richman and his wife were inspired to start a local ski area after a trip to Vermont. A native of New Britain, Richman served in the Navy during World War II, graduated Trinity College and Tufts Dental School, and opened an orthodontics practice in the area.
In the fall of 1963, Richman attempted to open a roller skating rink on Center Street in Southington, but was denied by the Zoning Board of Appeals. Meanwhile, Richman sought out real estate agents to find a potential site for a ski area as Interstate 84 came to fruition. After a few false starts, Richman enlisted broker Anthony Mastrianni Jr., who quickly locked up a dairy farm for the location. Mastrianni, who would become part of the ownership group, acquired options from 14 property owners. Two of the parcels had been previously slated for a large home development. William and James Palmisano, as well as Richman's brother George, were also investors in the ski area project.
Plans for Mt. Southington emerged in March 1964, which were to include three surface lifts and a chairlift serving terrain of all abilities. The 1964-65 season was to feature a beginner slope and temporary base lodge, with the rest of the proposed facilities to follow for the sophomore season. Snowmaking and night skiing were included in the plans and the ski season was projected to last from December through February.
Opening work for Mt. Southington (1964) |
Permits were issued in May to renovate the existing house and barn on the property. There were also plans to relocate a sawmill at the base of the ski area to a lot across the street, but this was reportedly rejected by the town. A few months later, the ski area received permission to instead construct a parking lot across the street.
Construction was underway in June 1964. In July, Richman announced a Doppelmayr T-Bar would be installed in time for the 1964-65 season and that the former Simons' cow barn would be renovated into a base lodge with a cafeteria, restrooms, and ski shop, while the farm house would become the office and nursery. Two corporations were formed to own and operate the ski area: Mount Southington Associates and Mount Southington Ski Area. Walter S. Ayre Jr. was named general manager, James D'Anconia operations manager, and Jim Day ski school director.
Further details emerged in November, as Ayre announced that the area would have two Doppelmayr T-Bars and three rope tows serving three trails and five slopes and 300 vertical feet. Ayre added that "personalized service and attention to individual needs will be a goal of the entire Mount Southington staff."
A Mt. Southington advertisement from the 1964-65 season |
Construction of the $200,000 project was considered largely complete as December arrived. A light snow fall resulted in a press party being held on December 6, 1964 and opening day being planned for December 12, but a subsequent arrival of warm weather postponed the debut. Snowmaking allowed a rope tow-served slope to likely open by December 20th. Though business was reportedly initially poor due to weather, snow over New Year's weekend resulted in a day with more than 1,000 skiers. The Meriden Morning Record described the lodge as, "a remodeled barn with large windows facing the slope. It has an outdoor terrace in Alpine style, and cafeteria facilities. The lower level of the lodge now houses an excellent rental and ski shop instead of farm animals as in the past."
In mid-January, Mt. Southington saw a Sunday crowd of over 2,000 skiers. A snow storm about a week later allowed the area to reportedly open all of its terrain for the first time. Meanwhile, William Hart had assumed the role of general manager.
Meanwhile, 17 property owners sued for an injunction to halt snowmaking, alleging the snowmaking compressors were too noisy. The group also alleged that operating a ski area on Sundays was illegal under Connecticut's "blue law." 85 other property owners subsequently signed a petition supporting the ski area. The injunction was avoided a month later when the ski area agreed to try to reduce snowmaking compressor and loud speaker noise. Other growing pains included concerns about ambulance usage, traffic, and the need for upgraded power lines.
The ski area's dedication ceremony, postponed from mid-December to Valentine's Day, was once again delayed due to rain. Warm weather did not let up, resulting in the ski area closing for the season at the start of March without holding its dedication.
Following the season, a permit was obtained to construct a summer theater building at the ski area. The same lawyer who represented the neighbors in the noise lawsuit took action against the Zoning Board of Appeals in attempt to halt the summer activity. Mt. Southington was able to proceed with its summer theater construction, opening the quonset-type facility at the end of June with a performance of Gypsy drawing 500 people. Anthony Mastrianni Jr. headed the theater company. The Meriden Journal noted the new building was "a witness of determination and careful planning. There is no seat in the audience further than 40 feet from the stage," adding, "The new theater facility has gone out of its way to be helpful to the town, and it deserves the support of all the townspeople." In August, the theater company purchased the land upon which the building stood from the ski area.
As the theater season wound down, ski area improvement work continued. Three new slopes (one for each ability) were cleared, while the snowmaking compressor system was converted to electric to reduce noise. The Town of Southington also made improvements to Mt. Vernon Road. Meanwhile, ski school director Jim Day departed to Otis Ridge. John Rigby took over the position at Mt. Southington and was general manager by the time the 1966-67 season rolled around.
Mt. Southington circa the late 1960s |
In December 1965, the International Aerial Tramway Corp., American distributor of Doppelmayr lifts, placed a lien on Mt. Southington, seeking $13,000 in damages. A third Doppelmayr T-Bar was advertised for the 1965-66 season, running parallel to the longer T-Bar from the debut season.
The 1965-66 season kicked off a few days before Christmas, buoyed by a few inches of natural snow. With a fleet of 3 T-Bars and 3 rope tows, Mt. Southington advertised a 5,000 skiers per hour uphill capacity. A plastic carpet called "Lift-track" was installed on the lift lines to improve the uphill experience. The season came to a close at the end of calendar winter.
Summer theater continued during the 1966 off-season, though an outside group was brought in to operate it.
As the 1966-67 season approached, Mt. Southington began publicizing plans to install a chairlift. Still advertising a 5,000 skiers per hour uphill capacity, the 1966-67 lift fleet had one less rope tow. Meanwhile, the Mt. Southington Ski Club was announced to help develop youth racing. Ski school continued to be a cornerstone of the operation, with manager John Rigby claiming the $3 two-hour lesson to be the lowest cost in New England. An estimated 14% of Mt. Southington skiers were taking part in lessons.
Upper Mountain Expansion
Mt. Southington circa the 1970s |
After three years of operating with the lower slopes, Southington began its expansion upward in 1967 by cutting five new trails. While a chairlift line was surveyed at the time, the upper mountain was served by a rope tow for the 1967-68 and 1968-69 seasons. In order to develop more skiers, Southington had special programs such as Ladies Day, in which free babysitting was offered.
The Avalanche double chairlift was installed for the 1969-70 season, giving the mountain its first top to bottom lift.
The base area (1970s) |
NASTAR racing was added circa 1973-74, reportedly claiming the second highest participation rate in New England.
Southington's next expansion build up took place in the late 1970s, starting with the installation of a J-Bar for the 1977-78 season. The following year, Mt. Southington's first triple chairlift, Stardust, was installed, giving the mountain its second top to bottom lift.
Growth continued in the 1980s, including the night skiing business when a liquor license was procured at the start of the decade. Trails were improved, as were snowmaking capabilities. The expert Tester trail had lights and snowmaking infrastructure installed for the 1982-83 season.
Night skiing at Mt. Southington circa the mid 2010s |
Lift improvements resumed in the 2000s, as the Avalanche double was rebuilt and the Northstar double chairlift and Thunderbolt double chairlift were installed.
By the mid 2010s, all of Mt. Southington's trails were lit for night skiing, while the area also featured 100% snowmaking with a 1,800 gallon per minute system served by a million gallon reservoir.
NewEnglandSkiConditions.com Reports
NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News
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. Window price, including RFID fee and taxes when known.
| 2020s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 2024-25 | $80.00 |  | $755.00 | | 9.4 days | December 7 | | | | | | 2023-24 | $70.00 | | $750.00 | | 10.7 days | December 23 | March 10 | | | | | 2022-23 | $68.00 | | $725.00 | | 10.7 days | December 17 | March 19 | | | | | 2021-22 | $64.00 | | $675.00 | | 10.5 days | December 26 | March 20 | | | | | 2020-21 | $62.00 | | $650.00 | | 10.5 days | December 18 | March 27 | | | | | 2019-20 | $62.00 | | | | | December 12 | March 8 | | | |
| 2010s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 2018-19 | $60.00 | | $660.00 | | 11.0 days | December 1 | March 24 | | | | | 2017-18 | $59.00 | | $580.00 | | 9.8 days | December 16 | March 25 | | | | | 2016-17 | $58.00 | | $560.00 | | 9.7 days | December 17 | March 26 | | | | | 2015-16 | $58.00 | | $560.00 | | 9.7 days | January 5 | March 11 | | | | | 2014-15 | $56.00 | | $550.00 | | 9.8 days | December 7 | March 29 | | | | | 2013-14 | $55.00 | | $550.00 | | 10.0 days | December 1 | March 29 | | | | | 2012-13 | $54.00 | | $540.00 | | 10.0 days | December 30 | March 30 | | | | | 2011-12 | $53.00 | | $540.00 | | 10.2 days | December 20 | March 11 | | | | | 2010-11 | $52.00 | | $535.00 | | 10.3 days | | | | | | | 2009-10 | $50.00 | | $535.00 | | 10.7 days | | | | | |
| 2000s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 2008-09 | $48.00 | | $535.00 | | 11.1 days | | | | | | | 2007-08 | $44.00 | | $524.00 | | 11.9 days | | | | | | | 2006-07 | $42.00 | | $499.00 | | 11.9 days | | | | | | | 2005-06 | $37.00 | | $469.00 | | 12.7 days | | | | | | | 2004-05 | $35.00 | | $459.00 | | 13.1 days | | | | | | | 2003-04 | $32.00 | | $449.00 | | 14.0 days | | | | | | | 2002-03 | $30.00 | | $439.00 | | 14.6 days | | | | | | | 2001-02 | $30.00 | | $429.00 | | 14.3 days | | | | | | | 2000-01 | $30.00 | | $389.00 | | 13.0 days | | | | | | | 1999-00 | $29.00 | | | | | | | | | |
| 1990s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1998-99 | $28.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1995-96 | | | | | | December 9 | | | | | | 1994-95 | | | | | | December 17 | | | | | | 1992-93 | $26.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1991-92 | $26.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1989-90 | $24.00 | | $440.00 | | 18.3 days | | | | | |
| 1980s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1988-89 | $23.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1987-88 | $22.00 | | | | | | | 100,000 | | | | 1986-87 | $20.00 | | $357.50 | | 17.9 days | | | | | | | 1985-86 | $19.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1984-85 | $17.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1982-83 | $15.00 | | | | | December 16 | | | | | | 1980-81 | $12.00 | | | | | | February 18 | | | | | 1979-80 | $12.00 | | | | | | | | | |
| 1970s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1978-79 | $10.50 | | | | | | | | | | | 1977-78 | $9.50 | | | | | | | | | | | 1976-77 | $9.00 | | $160.00 | | 17.8 days | | | | | | | 1975-76 | $8.75 | | $165.00 | | 18.9 days | | | | | | | 1974-75 | $8.50 | | | | | November 27 | | | | | | 1973-74 | $8.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1972-73 | $7.50 | | | | | November 18 | | | | | | 1971-72 | $7.50 | | $140.00 | | 18.7 days | | | | | | | 1970-71 | $6.50 | | | | | | March 21 | | | | | 1969-70 | $6.50 | | | | | | | 29,000 | | |
| 1960s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1968-69 | $4.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1967-68 | $4.50 | | | | | | | | | | | 1966-67 | $4.50 | | | | | December 17 | | 21,871 | | | | 1965-66 | | | | | | December 22 | March 20 | | | | | 1964-65 | | | | | | December 20 | March 3 | 18,000 | | |
Visitor Memories
External Links
Mount Southington - official site
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Last updated: February 18, 2025
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