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Located southwest of the Lakes Region in New Hampshire, Ragged Mountain's 2,286 foot summit is one of the highest peaks in Merrimack County.
Early Attempts
Ragged Mountain had been considered for skiing dating back to the initial boom of the sport in the 1930s. In December 1937, the Boston Globe mentioned a "Winter sports center" in Danbury on the "eastern slope of Ragged Mountain at about 1500 feet above sea level."
A potential major development almost started in 1955, when a Danbury-based corporation named Ragged Mtn. Ski Area, Inc. was registered. In the fall of 1956, word began to emerge of a possible 1956-57 opening of Ragged Mountain ski area. Plans included a 4,000 foot Pomalift and a 300 foot rope tow, serving two trails and three slopes. Former Ascutney manager George Dunning was part of the project. The corporation was dissolved in 1959.
Another attempt was publicized in the spring of 1962. New London engineer Clyde Benedict announced a two-phase, $600,000 development that would be funded by selling chalet lots at the base of the mountain.
In early 1963, State Senator Arthur M. Drake sponsored a bill that funded the construction of access roads to two proposed ski areas, Willard Basin and Ragged Mountain. Of the two, only Ragged Mountain ski area would open.
In the spring of 1964, Governor John King approved a $300,000 Industrial Park Authority loan for the development of Ragged Mountain ski area.
Ragged Mountain Ski Area Finally Opens
Construction of the base lodge (December 1964) |
With Richard S. Guild as President and Earle Chandler as General Manager, about $300,000 was spent to develop Ragged Mountain ski area for the 1964-65 season. A native of Bartlett, New Hampshire, Chandler had worked for the US Forest Service, had been a manager Belknap, was a former state representative, and was involved in the cancelled Big Bear ski area. Leveraging his skiing and logging experience, Chandler designed the Ragged Mountain trail layout. Part of a proposed 10 year, $3 million project, the initial phase of development included a Hall double chairlift and T-Bar. Described as a family area, two expert trails, two intermediate trails, a novice trail, and two novice slopes were expected for the debut season, spanning 80 acres. The lodge featured two wings with a third wing proposed to result in a "C" shape. The ski shop was operated by Francis Piche of Laconia. Long term plans for Ragged included two more trail complexes (including another mountain peak) and the addition of a golf course to become a year round resort. With no snowmaking system, the ski area relied on natural snow.
The Town Meeting/T-Bar slope circa the 1960s |
Ragged Mountain opened in January 1965 on minimal snow in the midst of a subpar winter. Concord Monitor writer Sue McLane described the conditions as "ragged," noting a source "broke his ski in a water bar on his first trip down!" The area's toilets were also reportedly not functional.
The area soon made regional headlines in February, as Boston Patriots star wide receiver Gino Cappelletti went skiing with Ragged Ski School Director Hans Jaeger.
Local school programs were an early focus at Ragged, as the area provided free lift tickets and lessons to Danbury students.
The base area circa the 1960s |
Whereas the winter of 1964-65 was mild to start, Ragged was boosted by March snowfall. As April arrived, the area had all trails and lifts open for what was likely its last weekend of operation.
As the 1965-66 season approached, Earle Chandler told a newspaper writer that a "lack of mid-week patronage" was a problem, and that "Route 104 connecting Route 93 and Route 4 should be improved immediately."
1965 off-season work was reportedly focused on constructing drainage, improving trails for skiing with minimal snow, and cutting a new trail. The 1965-66 season kicked off a week before Christmas. Rain impeded on holiday business, hampering Christmas weekend and resulting in closure over New Year's weekend. Natural snow resurrected the season a few days later. By early February, Ragged was reporting three feet of base and saw a weekend with over 2,000 skiers. A thaw hit soon thereafter, wiping out much of the snowpack. The season nevertheless extended into the start of April, with Earle Chandler noting, "we didn't do quite as well as we had expected."
The 1966-67 season once again saw Ragged Mountain Corporation not making any significant investments, though a chalet development was reportedly in the works. The season likely briefly started in mid-December with the T-Bar and 3 to 8 inches of snow before pausing due to lack of snow until after Christmas. Skiing resumed for a few weeks until a January thaw once again suspended operations. Ragged made headlines later that winter when Boston Patriots star wide receiver Gino Cappelletti brought former Patriots All Star defensive back Fred Bruney to the area. The season likely ran into the first weekend of April.
The present day Village Green slope in the 1960s |
Though a second chairlift was planned for the Northeast Peak area soon thereafter, it would not come to fruition for decades. Instead, Ragged found itself in financial trouble.
Ski patrol director Roger Pederson was promoted to general manager in advance of the 1967-68 season, a position he would hold for more than half a decade. Hans Jaeger remained as ski school director. No major off-season improvements were announced.
Under Pederson's leadership, a new program was implemented in which ski patrollers would stop out-of-control skiers and issue them a ticket for a free lesson. Pederson told the Boston Globe, "It's a tactful way around an embarrassing situation. Instead of cautioning or reprimanding a skier, we're showing him we are concerned with his safety and the safety of others." Hans Jaeger noted that, "skiing is like driving a car; it is not necessary to go too fast. Once the fundamental turns are mastered, anyone can ski under control and have fun."
Ragged's fourth season was its earliest opening to-date, kicking off during the second week in December on 8" of snow. One week later, on limited remaining snow, Hans Jaeger gave free lessons all day to skiers of all abilities.
Mike Beatrice of the Boston Globe gave Ragged a favorable review in January of 1968, saying it "might well be termed the most overlooked ski resort in New England. Every skier we've talked with says it's great - not crowded, not too expert, exciting runs."
By late February, general manager Roger Pederson reported that "We're running slightly ahead of last winter, although not significantly so. We've done extremely well with the little snow we've had." The season likely melted out amidst an extended thaw in mid-March. Meanwhile, financial problems were brewing.
1968 Foreclosure
The base lodge circa the 1960s |
Late in the summer of 1968, Indian Head National Bank, holder of the state industrial authority backed loan, commenced foreclosure proceedings on Ragged Mountain Corporation, scheduling an auction in October. Indian Head National Bank Vice President H.E. Harrington commented, "The bank is now going through procedures required by law to foreclose the corporation's mortgage. We hope and are doing our best to see that the foreclosure will not take place. The bank is not anxious to see it go through."
Ragged Mountain Corporation president Joseph Noonan told the Concord Monitor that he was working "frantically to straighten the matter out." According to New Hampshire Industrial Development Authority executive secretary Basillica Kounes, one possible outcome was that the state could purchase the property.
A few hours before the October 16, 1968 auction was to take place, Virginia resident James Foote purchased a controlling interest in Ragged Mountain Corporation, rescuing the ski area. Foote also reportedly acquired an option on 1,000 acres of land near the ski area. In a letter to Danbury residents, Foote announced the corporation was studying the development "of a year round recreational community within Danbury." The town was apparently so enthused with the development that it put "Ski Ragged" on the cover of its 1968 Annual Report.
The 1968-69 season likely kicked off following a storm in mid-December. Another storm ushered in Christmas week, bumping Ragged's advertised base to almost 2 feet. Prior to a January thaw, the area reported that business was up by 30 percent. The winter rebounded after the thaw and was reporting 3 to 4 feet of base by the end of February. The season likely ran until mid-April. Unfortunately, this was to be the only good season during Foote's tenure as owner.
No major improvements were noted for the 1969 offseason. In stark contrast to the prior winter, the 1969-70 season likely started just before Christmas on a base of just 1 to 4 inches.
A post-Christmas storm improved snowpack.
Apart from the addition of the Sunnyside Trail in 1970, no sizable developments took place in the subsequent years. Instead, without snowmaking, Ragged was forced into bankruptcy following the disastrous 1973-74 season. Foote later estimated his losses from ownership of Ragged at $400,000.
Bankruptcy and Closure
The Summit Double circa the 1970s |
In July of 1974, the State of New Hampshire purchased Ragged Mountain at auction for about $231,000. That fall, the state sold Ragged Mountain to a group including Bob Dunn, owner of Boston Hill ski area in Massachusetts. Combined season passes were eventually offered.
In an early 1979 review, Ski magazine described Ragged as having "a strange physical profile: It has no novice terrain, and very few truly expert trails." It also described base area accommodations as "only four rooms, for which the demand tends to be underwhelming."
The 1980s had a rough start for Ragged Mountain, as the area seldom operated during the rough 1979-80 season. Following the 1981-82 season, the area likely ceased operations.
In June 1984, Mohammed Khusro of North Reading, Massachusetts announced that he had an option to purchase the ski area from Bob Dunn and was working on plans to cut 30 trails, install snowmaking, expand the lodge, construct a second chairlift, and build 600 housing units. Though Khusro hoped to reopen the area for the 1984-85 season, he eventually decided to wait, noting "Just to open it up for the sake of opening it would be the worst thing you could do to the place." Dunn reportedly had two other suitors for the mountain, in addition to Khusro.
In September, Khusro obtained approval to assume the $255,000 Industrial Development Authority mortgage.
In November, Bob Dunn announced that lift and trail maintenance had taken place and that the area would operate on natural snow that winter, adding "I'm going to be praying for snow every Thursday." The area did not open that winter.
Back from the Dead
The summit circa the late 1980s or 1990 |
In July 1987, Alan Endriunas of Endriunas Brothers, Inc. announced his company had reached a deal to purchase the 1,600 acre property and soon began work on the mountain. In October, Endriunas reportedly purchased the ski area for $875,000. Bob Dunn remained onboard as ski school director and retained 46 acres with the hope of starting a cross country ski area.
The new owners immediately spent a quarter of a million to get the summit double chairlift operational, while announcing a three year plan that included snowmaking, a triple chairlift, and an expanded lodge. Al Endriunas told the Providence Journal, "we think we can be as good as King Ridge." Discussing the real estate potential, Endriunas told the Lowell Sun, "We own 1,600 acres of land around the mountain. You can make it Waterville Valley we have so much land."
Following a snow storm, Ragged Mountain opened to the public on January 1, 1988, ending a half-decade closure.
Snowmaking was finally installed for the 1988-89 season, reportedly reaching the top of the mountain. Though a new T-Bar was also advertised for the 1988-89 season, the T-Bar served Meadows beginner area was likely developed for the 1989-90 season as part of a half million dollar expansion.
Investments continued for the 1990-91 season, as the Lift Line trail finally received its lift. In addition to the Northeast Peak chairlift, other improvements included a new base lodge and expanded snowmaking. The total outlay for 1990-91 improvements was nearly three quarters of a million dollars.
Snowmaking improvements continued with the 1991-92 season, coupled with three new upper mountain trails (Blueberry Patch, Cemetery Glades, and Jason's Alley).
Another quarter of a million was invested for the 1992-93 season, including the construction of a building atop the Northeast Peak chairlift and replacing the original Face T-Bar with a refurbished double chairlift on the Village Green slope. Snowmaking improvements also took place for 1992-93 and 1993-94.
With the closure of King Ridge in 1995, Ragged doubled down on expansion. A new wing was added to the skier services building while trails were cut on what was then called Kenniston Mountain. The new terrain debuted for the 1996-97 season as Spear Mountain. Served by a chairlift acquired from King Ridge, the new complex dramatically expanded the size of the ski area, while also providing more sustained steeps.
Improvements continued in 1998, when a triple chairlift was installed serving the novice Barnyard complex, while the barn-like base lodge expansion also took place.
In the summer of 1999, the hilly 18 hole Ragged Mountain golf course opened. Numerous wetlands, along with an 820 foot vertical change, quickly made the course known as one of the most challenging around. One year later, the Endriunas brothers took over Blue Hills in Massachusetts and attempted to market it as a feeder area for Ragged Mountain.
In the winter of 2002, Ragged opened the first high speed detachable six person chairlift in New Hampshire. Purchased at a discount after another ski area had cancelled an order, the new lift was seen as a key piece of a future expansion that would have made Ragged the largest ski resort south of the White Mountains. Foreshadowing future problems, the lift did not open until February, leaving the upper main mountain inaccessible for the first half of the season. The costs associated with the lift contributed to the eventual bankruptcy of the area. Nevertheless, Al Endriunas remained optimistic at the time, telling the Lowell Sun that, "we plan to keep expanding and upgrading Ragged every year until we develop the entire 2,000 acres into a high-quality, four season resort that's affordable for families."
Former general manager Earle Chandler passed away on March 12, 2005 at the age of 91.
More Financial Problems and a New Start
The base area circa the mid 2000s |
The financial situation fell apart during the 2006-07 season, as the ownership defaulted on a $4.75 million loan. In addition, the resort had accumulated over a quarter of a million dollars in local and Federal back taxes. On top of that, the Spear Mountain and Northeast Peak chairlifts were inoperable. After narrowly avoiding multiple auctions, the ownership sold Ragged to RMR-Pacific LLC, a subsidiary of Pacific Group, in May of 2007.
With Bob Fries taking over as general manager, RMR-Pacific invested nearly two million dollars in snowmaking, lift, and base area repairs for the 2007-08 season.
Bob Ashton assumed the title of general manager after Bob Fries departed for Waterville Valley following the 2009-10 season.
On October 11, 2011, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services approved New Hampshire EB-5 Regional Center, LLC as a part of the EB-5 program. Under the EB-5 program, a foreigner can invest $1 million in an approved United States business (which must then create jobs), in exchange for a green card. With the region labeled a Targeted Employment Area, the minimum investment is cut in half to $500,000, making participating rural businesses such as Ragged Mountain more attractive. Jay Peak was used as a model for the development of the New Hampshire program. At the time of its offering, Ragged Mountain Resort hoped to raise $35 million from the EB-5 program.
Winter offerings were expanded for the 2013-14 season, as Ragged opened a brand new tubing area serviced by tower mounted fan guns and a magic carpet lift. The tubing facility operated sporadically in subsequent seasons.
The Spear Mountain Quad (2015) |
For the 2014-15 season, Ragged Mountain replaced the Spear Triple with a new Doppelmayr high speed quad. In January, Ryan Schramm was promoted to general manager, as Bob Ashton departed to start a consulting business.
A major snowmaking pond expansion took place in 2016.
Prior to the 2018-19 season, Ryan Schramm was named general manager of Pacific Group's newest area, Powderhorn. Longtime Mt. Sunapee general manager Jay Gamble took over the reins at Ragged.
NewEnglandSkiConditions.com Reports
| Month |
Average Percent of Terrain Open |
| November | 7% (3 reports) |  | | December | 23% (47 reports) | | | January | 41% (37 reports) | | | February | 70% (39 reports) | | | March | 75% (27 reports) | | | April | 69% (10 reports) | |
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| Recent Conditions Reports |
 | Feb. 1, 2024 by nordicgal
Packed Powder, Variable Conditions |
 | Dec. 21, 2023 by brianna
Packed Powder, Frozen Granular |
 | Mar. 27, 2023 by brianna
Variable Conditions, Variable Conditions |
 | Mar. 18, 2023 by beccam
Ice, Loose Granular |
 | Mar. 13, 2023 by brianna
Loose Granular, Frozen Granular |
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| Ragged Mountain Resort on NewEnglandSkiConditions.com |
NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News
| Recent Articles |
| Bob Dunn Passes Away - Apr. 21, 2023 | | Jay Peak Sale Process Kicks Into Gear - Aug. 2, 2022 | | Three New New Hampshire General Managers - Oct. 21, 2021 | | Ragged Mountain General Manager Jay Gamble Departing - Sep. 9, 2021 | | Multi-Area Passes Growing in Popularity - Mar. 6, 2019 | | Musical Chairs at Vail and Pacific Owned New England Ski Areas - Nov. 26, 2018 | | Construction Starts on Ragged Mountain Snowmaking Pond Expansion - Sep. 29, 2016 | | State Financing Approved for Ragged Mountain Snowmaking Pond Expansion - Sep. 7, 2016 | | Ryan Schramm Named General Manager at Ragged Mountain - Feb. 12, 2015 | | Ragged Mountain to Install High Speed Quad - Jun. 11, 2014 | | Ragged Mountain Resort NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News Page |
Expansion History
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
| 2020s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 2023-24 | $114.00 | | $699.00 | | 6.1 days | December 1 | April 7 | | | | | 2022-23 | $114.00 | | $704.00 | | 6.2 days | December 9 | April 2 | | | | | 2021-22 | $94.00 | | $699.00 | | 7.4 days | December 3 | April 3 | | | | | 2020-21 | $94.00 | | $599.00 | | 6.4 days | December 10 | April 4 | | | | | 2019-20 | $92.00 | | $519.00 | | 5.6 days | November 29 | March 15 | | | |
| 2010s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 2018-19 | $89.00 | | $499.00 | | 5.6 days | November 30 | April 7 | | | | | 2017-18 | $79.00 | | $449.00 | | 5.7 days | December 1 | April 1 | | | | | 2016-17 | $79.00 | | $449.00 | | 5.7 days | December 8 | April 2 | | | | | 2015-16 | $79.00 | | $749.00 | | 9.5 days | December 5 | March 20 | | | | | 2014-15 | $79.00 | | $749.00 | | 9.5 days | December 5 | April 5 | | | | | 2013-14 | $73.00 | | $579.00 | | 7.9 days | November 30 | April 6 | | | | | 2012-13 | $71.00 | | $529.00 | | 7.5 days | December 1 | April 7 | | | | | 2011-12 | $71.00 | | $529.00 | | 7.5 days | December 16 | March 18 | 80,000 | | | | 2010-11 | $68.00 | | $499.00 | | 7.3 days | December 4 | April 3 | 80,000 | | | | 2009-10 | $62.00 | | $499.00 | | 8.0 days | | | | | |
| 2000s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 2008-09 | $59.00 | | $499.00 | | 8.5 days | | | | | | | 2007-08 | | | $399.00 | | | | | 60,000 | | | | 2006-07 | $54.00 | | $815.00 | | 15.1 days | December 26 | March 18 | | | | | 2005-06 | $52.00 | | $815.00 | | 15.7 days | | March 19 | 97,683 | | | | 2004-05 | $49.00 | | $815.00 | | 16.6 days | December 11 | April 1 | 97,683 | | | | 2003-04 | $49.00 | | $815.00 | | 16.6 days | | March 28 | | | | | 2002-03 | | | $775.00 | | | November 29 | April 13 | | | | | 2001-02 | $45.00 | | $775.00 | | 17.2 days | December 11 | April 7 | | | | | 2000-01 | | | $675.00 | | | November 25 | April 15 | | | | | 1999-00 | $38.00 | | | | | December 4 | April 2 | | | |
| 1990s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1998-99 | | | | | | | March 28 | | | | | 1997-98 | $30.00 | | | | | November 22 | March 29 | | | | | 1996-97 | $30.00 | | | | | November 30 | April 6 | | | | | 1995-96 | | | | | | November 25 | | | | | | 1993-94 | | | | | | November 27 | April 3 | 55,842 | | | | 1992-93 | $25.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1991-92 | $25.00 | | | | | | | 30,000 | | | | 1990-91 | $25.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1989-90 | $22.00 | | | | | | | 25,000 | | |
| 1980s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1988-89 | $22.00 | | | | | December 18 | | | | | | 1987-88 | $20.00 | | | | | January 1 | | | | | | 1981-82 | | | | | | December 26 | | | | | | 1980-81 | | | | | | December 26 | March 29 | | | | | 1979-80 | $10.00 | | | | | | | | | |
| 1970s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1978-79 | $9.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1977-78 | $9.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1976-77 | $8.00 | | $135.00 | | 16.9 days | | | | | | | 1975-76 | $8.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1974-75 | $8.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1973-74 | $8.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1972-73 | $8.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1971-72 | $8.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1970-71 | $7.00 | | $120.00 | | 17.1 days | | | | | | | 1969-70 | $7.00 | | $120.00 | | 17.1 days | | | | | |
| 1960s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1968-69 | $6.00 | | $110.00 | | 18.3 days | | April 13 | | | | | 1967-68 | $6.00 | | $100.00 | | 16.7 days | December 9 | March 17 | | | | | 1966-67 | | | | | | December 16 | | | | | | 1965-66 | | | | | | December 18 | | | | |
Visitor Memories
| "I served in Korea with Joe Noonan of Manchester. When we got home, he called and asked me if I wanted to get involved in developing a ski area in NH? I said yes and sent him a check which he took around saying to his buddies, “Watch out, New York money is coming.†I was on the original board with Dick Guild. I skied up there with my kids and played to golf course many years later. I’m glad to see it doing so well.
John Blumenthal
Rye, NY 10580" | | John Blumenthal, Apr. 10, 2019 |
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External Links
Ragged Mountain Resort - official site
Ragged Mountain - FranklinSites.com Hiking Guide
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Last updated: January 16, 2024
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