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Powderhouse Hill South Berwick, Maine Status: Open First Season: 1939-40 Vertical Drop: 175 feet Standing Lifts: Surface lift Past Lifts: Left: Looking down the Powderhouse Hill slope (2015) Recent NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News: Located near downtown South Berwick, Powderhouse Hill is a small, rope-tow served ski area. 294 foot Powderhouse Hill was reportedly named after a gun powder magazine that was located near the summit during the early years of South Berwick. Skiing on Powderhouse Hill dates back to at least 1938, though its not known if there was a rope tow at the area at that time. Meanwhile, a rope tow opened on Bauneg Beg in North Berwick in January 1938. The rope tow drive (2015) A rope tow was in place on Powderhouse Hill by the early 1940s, reportedly constructed by William "Bill" Hardy. New management extended the tow to 700 feet long for the 1940-41 season. An observation station was constructed atop the hill in early 1942 as part of World War II defense. The 30-acre "Hooper Home and Farm" property, including the rope tow, was reportedly sold at auction in September 1942. In December 1957, Bill Hardy promoted a new 750-foot rope tow on Powderhouse Hill. Hardy had more recently operated a rope tow on Barnard's Hill in Eliot. Initial hours were slated for afternoons on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, providing "good beginner and intermediate skiing close to home if we have any snow at all." The tow was in operation by mid-January. Hardy reportedly sold the ski area after a couple of seasons to a group called the Agamenticus Ski Club. The group reportedly widened the slope and relocated the rope tow (now 900 feet long), operating the area through the 1963-64 season. The opening of nearby chairlift-served Mt. Agamenticus ski area in 1964-65 may have put some strain on the small rope tow facility, but Powder House Ski Club was formed as a non-profit company in Maine in December of 1964 to acquire the ski equipment from the Agamenticus Ski Club. Run by Benjamin Hill, Robert Lane, and Richard Gagnon, the group obtained a lease from property owner Herbert Day. The area initially operated on weekends and holidays from 10 AM to 4 PM, but subsequently eliminated the morning hours. A new "comfort station" was constructed for the 1967-68 season. Powderhouse Hill (2008) A new policy was instituted for the 1974-75 season by the South Berwick Recreation Committee, limiting access to the ski area to residents and their guests. Residents could ski for free during the season after paying a 25 cent fee, while guests were still required to pay a daily fee. The area may have opened before Christmas for the 1976-77 season. By this time, the non-resident restrictions appear to have been lifted. Hours of operation were Saturdays, Sundays, and vacation weeks, 10 AM to 4 PM, and Wednesday and Friday nights. Powderhouse Hill (2015) The property was reportedly transitioned to town ownership in the 1980s or 1990s. Tragedy struck on January 16, 1993, when a 12-year-old girl hit a rope tow pole while sledding at the area after hours. Elizabeth Huggard died at Wentworth Douglass hospital the following day. Powderhouse Hill (2008) Longtime Powderhouse Hill volunteer Robert Lane passed away on February 20, 2007 at the age of 84. The area faced possible closure in 2009 when liability insurance concerns surfaced due to the area being operated by a non-profit organization. To keep the area open, it was absorbed into the town recreational department. Powderhouse Hill (2015) The rope tow was rebuilt for the 2010-11 season to improve reliability. In 2013-14, the ski area experimented with a small snowmaking system. Powderhouse Hill suffered through a brief 2023-24 season, opening for one day in April. The area rebounded with a better 2024-25 season, reaching 2,000 skier visits on its final day of operations in early March. Powderhouse Hill continues to operate its 1938 Ford rope tow for both day and night skiing sessions. NewEnglandSkiConditions.com Reports Month Average Percent of Terrain Open February 100%    (1 report) Recent Conditions Reports Feb. 14, 2015 by rocket21 Packed Powder, Powder Powderhouse Hill on NewEnglandSkiConditions.com 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 2025-26 $5.00 December 3 2024-25 January 22 March 5 2023-24 $5.00 April 4 April 4 2022-23 $5.00 January 25 March 18 2021-22 $5.00 January 7 March 6 2020-21 December 19 February 21 2019-20 $5.00 December 4 February 23 2010s Ticket Price Season Pass Price Pass Payback Opening Day Closing Day Skier Visits 2018-19 $5.00 January 20 March 13 2017-18 $5.00 December 27 March 25 2016-17 $5.00 December 31 March 26 2015-16 $5.00 January 3 February 14 2014-15 $5.00 January 9 April 1 2013-14 $5.00 December 15 March 22 2012-13 $5.00 December 28 2011-12 $5.00 January 13 2010-11 $5.00 2009-10 $5.00 December 26 2000s Ticket Price Season Pass Price Pass Payback Opening Day Closing Day Skier Visits 2008-09 $5.00 December 26 March 29 1970s Ticket Price Season Pass Price Pass Payback Opening Day Closing Day Skier Visits 1976-77 December 22 1969-70 $1.50 1940s Ticket Price Season Pass Price Pass Payback Opening Day Closing Day Skier Visits 1940-41 February 2 Visitor Memories "back when i was young myself and siblings use 2 look forward 2 slideing down that hill when we visited my cousins and my uncle herbie and aunt mary what a great time 2 grow up things were much slower then and you made your own fun outdoors know computers ans sitting on your but all day those memories are forever we really had some great times on that hill its a shame they cant slide there now it was so much fun" matthew day, Sep. 5, 2015 "I stopped by Powderhouse Hill for an afternoon of skiing last winter. The main slope has great groomed conditions for carving, while the trees on skiers right added some variety. Well worth the whopping $5 ticket price!" Jeremy Clark, Sep. 4, 2015 Add a memory of Powderhouse Hill First Name: Last Name: E-Mail Address: Comments: External Links Powderhouse Hill - official site Powderhouse Hill - New England Lost Ski Areas Project Powderhouse Hill - SmallSkiAreas.com Last updated: January 25, 2026

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