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| Kimball Union Academy Ski Area |
| Plainfield, New Hampshire |
| Status: |
Lost/Defunct
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| First Season: | 1950s |
| Last Season: | 1970s |
| Vertical Drop: | 300 feet |
| Standing Lifts: | |
| Past Lifts: | Surface lifts |
| Left: The former base lodge (2024) |
| Recent NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News:
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Located in the village of Meriden in Plainfield, New Hampshire, Kimball Union Academy is a private secondary school that has been operation since 1813. The northeastern slope of French's Ledge was home to Kimball Union Academy's ski hill for parts of multiple decades.
Potato Patch Hill
Early lift-served skiing at Kimball Union Academy |
Lift-served skiing at Kimball Union Academy reportedly dates back to the 1938-39 season, when a rope tow was installed on Potato Patch Hill on the northeastern side of campus. Math and physics teacher Wayland Porter designed and installed the rope tow, which used a 1926 Pierce-Arrow engine. According to the New England Lost Ski Areas Project, the tow operated through the late 1940s. It is possible that the tow was still in operation in the late 1950s.
French's Ledge
An undated photo of the ski area and Kimball Union Academy |
Porter's Cabin was reportedly constructed atop the French's Ledge ridge just prior to World War II. According to Kimball Union Academy's 200 anniversary publication, development of ski facilities on French's Ledges near the cabin started in 1948 under the leadership of Ira Townsend. Ski trails were constructed and it is possible that a portable rope tow was installed. Meanwhile, Townsend's ski team won the 1955-56 Eastern Prep School Championships.
Ira Townsend atop the platter pull |
The school reportedly hosted its first ski meet on the French's Ledge slopes during the 1959-60 season. A 50-meter jump may have been built soon thereafter, followed by a cross-country ski trail for the winter of 1961-62. The new 4.3 mile nordic course hosted the Eastern Amateur Ski Association Junior Nordic Championships in March 1962, consisting of cross-country skiing and jumping. Around this time, the facility was referred to as the Ira P. Townsend Ski Hill. At full build-out, the 300 vertical foot downhill area included an A-frame lodge, two ski jumps, and a platter pull lift (purchased from Mt. Whittier).
Kimball Union Academy was set to host the Eastern Prep School Championship ski meet in early March 1965, however a lack of snow forced the event to be relocated to Tenney Mountain.
Closure
The former base lodge (2024) |
The ski hill closed in 1973 or 1974 when the platter pull lift haul rope reportedly snapped. Downhill ski activities were subsequently relocated to Ascutney and Whaleback.
Potato Patch Hill developer Wayland Porter passed away on January 9, 1978 at the age off 82.
In 2005, a new foot bridge (named after Townsend) was constructed over Bloods Brook, restoring access to the French's Ledge from points east. By 2013, 15 kilometers of nordic trails were being groomed, including a loops around the former downhill ski area.
Ira Townsend passed away on September 26, 2016 at the age of 96.
As of 2024, hiking and ski trails wind their way through the former ski hill, including gladed areas. The platter pull top terminal structure partially collapsed between 2014 and 2024. The former base lodge is also gradually collapsing.
Lifts
Click on lift name for information and photos
Maps
Visitor Memories
External Links
Kimball Union Academy - official site
Kimball Union Academy Slope - New England Lost Ski Areas Project
Potato Patch - New England Lost Ski Areas Project
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Last updated: July 16, 2024
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