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Located just off Interstate 89 southeast of Lebanon, Whaleback's skiing history dates back to a small operation called Snow Crest.
Snow Crest Ski Area
1956 Snow Crest advertisements |
Local ski coach Ernest Dion began development of what would become Whaleback in the 1950s. A Vermont native, Dion won many ski racing and jumping championships across New England in his youth. Dion was set to compete in the 1940 Olympics, however the games were cancelled due to World War II. Though he would continue to compete well into his 50s, his focus shifted to coaching and instructing. In addition to coaching at Dartmouth, Dion helped his sons and nephew to become prominent skiers in the 1950s, being featured in national magazines and television shows. Meanwhile, Dion undertook business ventures in ski equipment and ski area development.
In September 1955, Dion acquired property along the Stony Brook in Enfield from Lyle and Irene Prior. Dion announced the construction of the unnamed ski area in mid-October, adding that the planned expert slope was "better than Suicide Six, to me anyway." In describing the new area, Dion stated that, "everything is ideal there. The slopes, the nearness to town. There are two big parking lots, one right next to the blacktop road, and the other just across a small brook. There will be plenty of room for both the expert and the novice - and for the average skier, too."
Assisting Dion were Kimball Union Academy coach Ira Townsend, Lebanon High School coach Al Merrill, and Arthur Pickering. Though it was not known if the area would open for the 1955-56 season, trail clearing commenced, as well as the installation of a J-Bar.
By January of 1956, the name Snow Crest emerged. It is not known when the area opened, but it hosted the slalom portion of the New England Interscholastic Schoolboy Ski Championships in mid-February. More formal operations commenced in March as Snow Crest advertised an expert trail, a novice trail, and an open slope, plus a ski school directed by Dion. Future plans for "more and wider trails," a rope tow, and a base lodge were advertised. Boston's WBZ-TV visited the area on March 10 to capture footage of the new area.
Snow Crest skiers enjoyed base depths in excess of two feet for the remainder of March. The season extended into the first full weekend of April, albeit with limited parking due to issues with mud.
The base area during the Snow Crest days |
Snow Crest was advertised as "new" for the 1956-57 season, adding an intermediate trail and a base lodge (called the "Snow Crest Ski Hut"). The J-Bar was likely retrofitted as a T-Bar, which operated on weekends and holidays. Two rope tows were also initially advertised, but it is unlikely that they were actually installed. The season likely started in early January, but generally only had a few inches of base, likely ending at the start of calendar spring. Following the 1956-57 season, Snow Crest began hosting events at its base lodge.
The 1957-58 season did not get off to a good start, as Dion lacerated his leg while working on the mountain in late November, resulting in a multiple-day hospital stay. Improvements for the season included a new power unit for the T-Bar, a new novice trail, and a rope tow. Dick Wood possibly became involved in the business around this time.
Winter finally arrived in January, with Snow Crest likely opening during the second weekend of the month. Unlike the scant snowpack of the previous winter, January ended with two to three feet of base, growing to nearly four to five feet in mid-February. Popularity of the ski school grew, resulting in Sonny Demers and Raymond Kelley joining Dion's staff.
Skiing continued into April, with the Valley News noting "there wasn't a single bare spot anywhere to be seen" yet "the only disappointing thing about it [was] the lack of crowds." Local children enjoyed a costume contest and torchlight parade, presenting Ernest Dion and Dick Wood with a pair of skis with their names etched. The 1957-58 season continued for one more weekend, wrapping up on April 20.
The first Christmas week skiing at Snow Crest likely occurred with the 1958-59 season. Snowpack wasn't as deep as the latter part of the prior year, but events continued to be held, including the "Snow Crest 600" downhill race in early March. The first race to be held on the expert trail, the Snow Crest 600 was named after event's vertical drop.
In advance of the 1959-60 season, Dion announced that he had purchased the lights from the Alto Ski Tow in Norwich and would be installing them on the slope at Snow Crest. The 1959-60 season likely started on New Year's Eve, with night skiing debuting in early January. Snowpack was minimal until March.
Snow Crest in the 1960s |
The Spout rope tow was to be replaced with a 1,000 foot T-Bar for the 1961-62 season, serving an additional intermediate slope. The season likely kicked off on Christmas Eve, but suffered from poor conditions and minimal snow throughout January. The first race of the winter was not held until February. Meanwhile, work continued on the new T-Bar throughout much of the season, likely debuting on March 10. The 45-day season came to a close on April 1 with a "Fun Day" that included a costumed obstacle race.
Also around this time, Enfield selectmen chose 'Purmort' as the name of the fictional town to be used for a future Interstate 89 exit adjacent to Snow Crest.
Improvements continued with the 1962-63 season, as the base lodge was renovated with new paneling, a fireplace, and a remodeled kitchen. In addition, the summit T-Bar was retrofitted with a larger haul rope and an additional tower at the top. The "new outside trail" was widened, while an additional connector trail was cut. The area transitioned from its weekend and holiday schedule to offering some midweek hours of operation. Though snowpack was once again measured in mere inches instead of feet for much of the season, base depths soared as spring approached. The season likely came to a close at the end of March with business up 15% over the prior year.
Initial plans for the 1963-64 season included a new novice trail and a 60-meter ski jump. Meanwhile, rumors of the area not operated reportedly circulated, resulting in the Valley News declaring, "Contrary to rumors, the Snow Crest Ski Area in Lebanon will be in operation again this season." Skiers were now told to access the area via Interstate 89, still under construction.
Improvements for the 1964-65 season included trail widening, a rental shop, and a ski patrol building. Plans were also announced for the construction of a 90-meter ski jump. The 1964-65 season may have started in mid-December, but was wiped out by a warm, wet Christmas. Though the area had a strong weekend in late January, the season may have fizzled out in late February.
The 1965-66 season may have started with limited operations, vaguely referred to as "economic in nature." Limited midweek operations were added in February.
A group led by Adirondack Timberlock Camps owner Richard Catlin purchased Snow Crest in December of 1967, with Dion holding the mortgage. Dion later told the Valley News that he sold Snow Crest because he was working "eight days a week." Featuring a new snowcat, the 1967-68 season likely started just before New Year's. By early March, Snow Crest reported that business was up 30%.
On November 25, 1968, the stretch of Interstate 89 between New London and Grantham opened, marking the completion of the New Hampshire section of the highway. In December of 1968, Catlin established Whaleback Mt., Inc., and transferred the ski area to the corporation. Partners in the company may have included brothers Jim and Clark Griffiths, Bayne Stevenson, and W. Myric Wood Jr. Additional land may have been acquired around this time, including above the existing T-Bar. Improvements for the 1968-69 season included new picnic tables in the cafeteria and a large picture window facing the slopes. The season likely started just before Christmas. Catlin told the Valley News, "We know our lifts are out dated, but we still have a lot of good skiing to offer." Unfortunately for the group, the operation "lost a lot of money" that season.
First Closure
In October 1969, Richard Catlin and Clark Griffiths placed ads in the Valley News listing the ski area for sale or lease. By November, word emerged that Snow Crest would not open that winter. Locals reacted quickly that fall, focusing on reestablishing downhill skiing at Storrs Hill. Jim Griffiths, a young English teacher at Thetford Academy, eventually became controlling owner.
Snow Crest Reopened, Renamed
1970s at Whaleback |
After sitting idle for a season, Snow Crest reopened for the 1970-71 season with a new 2,520 foot long, diesel-powered Heron Poma double chairlift. Replacing the original T-Bar lift, the new chair served new upper mountain trails. Night skiing continued to be served by the lower mountain T-Bar. The ski area was formally renamed Whaleback for the 1971-72 season. Meanwhile, Ernest Dion drove the redevelopment of nearby Storrs Hill.
A new lounge ("Spouter Lounge") and sundeck were advertised for the 1972-73 season.
The intermediate Fluke trail was added for the 1973-74 season, bulldozed by Griffiths. Roughly ten months passed between lift served turns, due to the early end of the 1972-73 season and late start to 1973-74. Due to energy concerns, the operation of the T-Bar was reportedly minimized, as Jim Griffiths told the Valley News it was "one very old and tired T-Bar." The struggles continued, as rain and minimal snow shut down the ski area from late January until the second weekend of February. Rain washed out skiing again at the end of Washington's Birthday week. A snow storm arrived at the start of calendar spring, but was one again followed by rain. The largest snowfall of the season for Whaleback happened after Easter, too late to rescue the poor winter. According to the Valley News, Griffiths blamed the poor weather on nuclear testing.
Energy continued to be a concern for Griffiths, as he was concerned that fuel prices could threaten interstate travel, telling the Valley News that "I would guess that when this chair lift has served its predicted life...Twenty, maybe twenty-five years...We're not going to have any more use for it." Nevertheless, Griffiths was still bullish enough to start planning for a new novice slope and Poma lift.
Business started rebound with the 1974-75 and 1975-76 seasons, with Griffiths noting, "People started coming out again." The 1976-77 season didn't have "that much volume of snow, but the timing has been good and the temperatures have been cold enough to preserve," with Griffiths adding, "It's been very tiring but very lucrative." Good snowfall in 1977-78 result in a record season.
Following the season, Whaleback made headlines with its appeal to stop real estate taxation on its chairlift, arguing that it should be considered machinery.
The Poma lift during the 1980s |
A lower mountain Poma lift was likely installed for either the 1977-78 or 1979-80 season, serving Blubber and Lower Ivory Run.
As was the case for many ski areas with little or no snowmaking, Whaleback struggled during poor winters in the early 1980s. The 1979-80 season saw a total of three days, while the 1982-83 season did not get underway until the second half of January.
Citing a 40 year ski jumping career and his development work in the industry, founder Ernest Dion was inducted into the National Ski Hall of Fame in 1984.
In November 1984, Thomas Kent, David Clark, and Jeffrey Reed's Hephaestus Corporation purchased all outstanding shares of Whaleback Mt., Inc. from James and Martha Griffiths, who issued the group a $700,000 mortgage. Investments were made in snowmaking for the 1984-85 season and in top to bottom night skiing for 1985-86. In addition, a brief experiment with providing a laundromat for busy skiers was started in 1985. The property was transferred to Stoney Brook Trust in December 1985.
In the fall of 1985, the Orca Corporation was formed by David Clark, Thomas Kent, Jeffrey Reed, and Leo Rabinovitz for the purpose of operating the ski area.
In September 1987, Stoney Brook Trust agreed to sell a tract of land (including some of the ski area) to Richard Bueschel and Peter Jordan (later under the name of Methodist Hill Properties) for $730,000. The company's plans included building a hotel or motel at the height of land on Methodist Hill Road. In conjunction with the buyer's plans, the ski area planned to construct a chairlift and from the base of the mountain to the lodging facility, as well as to install snowmaking and lights on Ivory Run.
Second Closure
1990s night skiing at Whaleback |
While the owners were able to expand Whaleback's operations and skier visits, they found themselves in financial trouble. As the 1980s continued, Whaleback's debts grew. What started as a $500,000 loan from First Twin-State Bank in 1987 escalated to $860,000 by the start of 1989-90. Another note was issued in January 1990, reportedly pushing the debt over $900,000. As a result, the area closed following the 1989-90 season and was placed on the market for $1.3 million. Liens began to add up and foreclosure proceedings commenced.
The winter of 1990-91 started with an auction, as First Twin-State Bank protected its interests by acquiring the property for $575,000 in December. There would be no skiing at Whaleback.
In April of 1993, Jim Griffiths' daughter Sarah and her husband Tim Herbert purchased Whaleback from Green Mountain Bank for a reported $280,000. Instead of trying to compete for the population centers down south, the young couple made a conscious effort to keep advertising local to save money. Apart from mowing the brush on the trails, getting the equipment functional, and replacing the lodge deck, no major changes were made in advance of the 1993-94 reopening season.
The late 1990s did see some changes, however. A half pipe and terrain park were constructed for the 1995-96 season, four glades cut for 1996-97, and snow tubing added for 1997-98. The double chair was converted from diesel to electric for the 1998-99 season, while the base lodge was expanded by 15,000 square feet. The Herberts' Ski Whaleback Ltd. acquired additional land near the base area from Griffiths in 1999.
Founder Ernest Dion passed away near the end of the 1998-99 season at the age of 82.
Third Closure
An idle Whaleback during its third closure (2002) |
Despite the changes in the late 1990s, operational costs were outpacing operational income. As a result, the Herberts closed Whaleback following the 2000-2001 season.
In September 2005, a group led by Olympian Evan Dybvig named Whaleback Mountain LLC purchased the idle ski area. Ski Whaleback Ltd. held a mortgage. With a new focus on freestyle sports, the ski area reopened for the 2005-2006 season. Year round activities were subsequently developed, including paintball, summer jibbing, and bike camps.
Back to the Auction Block
In March of 2013, owner Evan Dybvig announced that the ownership was over $1 million in debt and would be forced to liquidate the ski area. An auction occurred on August 1, 2013, at which mortgage holder Randolph National Bank placed the only bid, purchasing the area for $848,000.
Upper Valley Snow Sports Foundation Takes Over
The double chairlift at night (2014) |
Meanwhile, John Schiffman created Upper Valley Snow Sports Foundation as a New Hampshire Non-Profit Corporation on June 3, 2013. The organization signed a lease and purchase agreement with the bank in mid-September 2013 and took control of Whaleback in November 2013. An initial $100,000 fundraising campaign was executed in two weeks time, generating enough money to get the ski area up and running for the 2013-2014 season. Last minute base area work, such as a new kitchen, septic system, and well, was conducted to get the facility back up to code. Using some equipment purchased from Balsams Wilderness, Whaleback was able to fire up its snowmaking system and reopen in December 2013.
After a successful 2013-14 season, Whaleback struggled to get out of the gate during mild weather at the start of the 2014-15 season. Though it was unable to open until mid January, Whaleback was able to attain its latest closing day in recent memory, wrapping up operations the last weekend of March.
Following a bad 2015-16 season in which Whaleback was only open for 50 days, the UVSSF completed a fundraiser to reconfigure the mountain's novice area. One year later, a refurbished T-Bar was installed between the two beginner lifts, roughly following the lift line of the former Pomalift.
NewEnglandSkiConditions.com Reports
| Month |
Average Percent of Terrain Open |
| December | 29% (5 reports) |  | | January | 44% (7 reports) | | | February | 53% (5 reports) | | | March | 93% (6 reports) | |
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| Recent Conditions Reports |
 | Jan. 26, 2020 by nhalex
Spring Snow, Variable Conditions |
 | Mar. 12, 2019 by rocket21
Packed Powder, Packed Powder |
 | Jan. 22, 2019 by rocket21
Packed Powder, Packed Powder |
| Jan. 22, 2019 by nordicgal
Packed Powder, Packed Powder |
 | Jan. 4, 2019 by rocket21
Loose Granular, Variable Conditions |
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| Whaleback Mountain on NewEnglandSkiConditions.com |
Expansion History
| Project |
Season |
 | Methodist Hill
Cancelled | 1980s | | | Upper Mountain
Open | 1970-71 | |
NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News
| Recent Articles |
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| Whaleback Season to End Early Due to Lift Issue - Mar. 5, 2020 | | Upper Valley Ski Areas Struggling - Jan. 19, 2020 | | Chairlift Chatter - Jan. 8, 2020 | | Lodge Construction in Progress Across New England - Oct. 16, 2019 | | Multi-Year Lift Installations: The New Norm? - Aug. 4, 2018 | | Management Changes Announced at Whaleback - Jan. 23, 2018 | | Lift Construction Season Enters Final Phase - Oct. 29, 2017 | | Whaleback Postpones T-Bar Installation - Dec. 7, 2016 | | Lift Installation Projects Continue as December Approaches - Nov. 27, 2016 | | Lift Installation Projects Continue as Ski Season Approaches - Nov. 13, 2016 | | Whaleback Mountain NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News Page |
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 |
| 2022-23 | | | $275.00 | | | December 26 | | | | | | 2021-22 | $50.00 | | $250.00 | | 5.0 days | December 26 | March 18 | | | | | 2020-21 | $45.00 | | | | | December 23 | March 21 | | | | | 2019-20 | $45.00 | | | | | December 20 | March 8 | | | |
| 2010s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 2018-19 | $45.00 | | $350.00 | | 7.8 days | December 14 | March 24 | | | | | 2017-18 | $45.00 | | $399.00 | | 8.9 days | December 16 | April 1 | | | | | 2016-17 | $45.00 | | $420.00 | | 9.3 days | December 17 | March 18 | 13,000 | | | | 2015-16 | $43.00 | | $399.00 | | 9.3 days | December 31 | February 28 | | | | | 2014-15 | $45.00 | | $399.00 | | 8.9 days | January 13 | March 29 | | | | | 2013-14 | $40.00 | | $399.00 | | 10.0 days | December 30 | March 16 | | | | | 2012-13 | $40.00 | | $399.00 | | 10.0 days | December 28 | March 17 | | | | | 2011-12 | $40.00 | | $370.00 | | 9.3 days | December 26 | March 18 | 10,000 | | | | 2010-11 | | | $370.00 | | | December 18 | March 20 | 12,000 | | |
| 2000s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 2008-09 | | | $350.00 | | | | | | | | | 2007-08 | $39.00 | | $350.00 | | 9.0 days | | | | | | | 2006-07 | $39.00 | | $399.00 | | 10.2 days | | | | | | | 2005-06 | $35.00 | | $300.00 | | 8.6 days | | | 15,000 | | | | 2000-01 | $29.00 | | $379.00 | | 13.1 days | December 15 | | | | | | 1999-00 | $29.00 | | $379.00 | | 13.1 days | | | | | |
| 1990s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1998-99 | $27.00 | | $339.00 | | 12.6 days | December 21 | | | | | | 1997-98 | $25.00 | | $339.00 | | 13.6 days | December 12 | | | | | | 1996-97 | $22.00 | | $319.00 | | 14.5 days | | | | | | | 1995-96 | | | | | | December 15 | | | | | | 1994-95 | $20.00 | | | | | December 17 | March 12 | | | | | 1989-90 | $22.00 | | | | | | | | | |
| 1980s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1988-89 | $20.00 | | | | | December 11 | | | | | | 1987-88 | $18.00 | | | | | | | 32,000 | | | | 1986-87 | $16.00 | | | | | | March 22 | 35,000 | | | | 1985-86 | $15.00 | | | | | | | 17,000 | | | | 1984-85 | $13.00 | | $200.00 | | 15.4 days | December 22 | | 9,000 | | | | 1983-84 | $10.00 | | $150.00 | | 15.0 days | | | 10,000 | | | | 1982-83 | $9.00 | | $160.00 | | 17.8 days | January 18 | | | | | | 1979-80 | $8.00 | | | | | | | | | |
| 1970s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1978-79 | | | | | | December 22 | March 18 | | | | | 1976-77 | | | $115.00 | | | | March 27 | | | | | 1975-76 | | | | | | December 28 | March 21 | | | | | 1973-74 | $6.50 | | | | | January 5 | | | | | | 1972-73 | | | $90.00 | | | | | | | | | 1971-72 | $6.50 | | | | | | | | | |
| 1960s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1967-68 | $3.50 | | $45.00 | | 12.9 days | December 30 | | | | | | 1965-66 | $3.75 | | $40.00 | | 10.7 days | | | | | | | 1964-65 | $3.50 | | $40.00 | | 11.4 days | | | | | | | 1963-64 | $3.50 | | | | | December 28 | | | | | | 1962-63 | $3.50 | | $45.00 | | 12.9 days | | | | | | | 1961-62 | | | | | | December 24 | April 1 | | | | | 1960-61 | | | | | | December 23 | | | | | | 1959-60 | | | | | | December 31 | | | | |
| 1950s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1958-59 | | | | | | December 20 | | | | | | 1957-58 | $2.75 | | $30.00 | | 10.9 days | January 11 | April 20 | | | | | 1955-56 | | | | | | | April 8 | | | |
Visitor Memories
| "I grew up at SnowCrest in the late 50"3 and 60"s. I am presently the Snowsports Director at Cannon Fountain in Franconia NH. I have very fond memories of the ski area." | | Irv Fountain, Aug. 15, 2019 |
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External Links
Whaleback - official site
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Last updated: January 31, 2023
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