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| Woody Glen |
| Salisbury, New Hampshire |
| Status: |
Lost/Defunct
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| First Season: | 1966-67 |
| Last Season: | 1994-95 |
| Vertical Drop: | 250 feet |
| Standing Lifts: | |
| Past Lifts: | Surface lifts |
| Left: Woody Glen in 2014 |
| Recent NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News:
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Located on Raccoon Hill in Salisbury, Woody Glen was a small surface lift ski area that operated for three decades.
Russell McLaughlin
Russell McLaughlin showing off a walrus tusk in the 1960s |
A native of Bridgeport, Connecticut, Russell McLaughlin had an interest in education and Alaskan life. After time in the Pacific Theater in the Navy during World War II and earning an education degree from Keene State College, McLaughlin served as a principal on a remote Eskimo island in Alaska.
Circa 1960, McLaughlin began a 31-year career as a teacher in the Concord, New Hampshire school system. Meanwhile, he purchased a 150-acre farm in Salisbury with plans to develop a novice ski area, a dream of many years.
Woody Glen Opens
Russell McLaughlin, George Merritz, and Donna Stiles at Woody Glen circa January 1967 |
McLaughlin reportedly spent the early to mid-1960s developing the ski area. Woody Glen Ski Area reportedly debuted on January 14, 1967 as a small rope tow operation. The Concord Monitor noted that "The lodge could easily be mistaken for a private Eskimo museum," adding that "Shaman masks, Eskimo paintings, hand-carved ivory figurines of untold value are a few of the collector's items that can be seen in his ski lodge." With Raccoon Hill Road and the base lodge located at the top of the slope, Woody Glen was an upside-down ski area.
By the end of the decade, Woody Glen was offering day and night skiing, using a slogan of "Prepare for the big areas at a modest cost."
In 1973, Woody Glen offered an entire ski area rental for $60 per night, including private skiing and lodge access.
Yes-I-Can!
The Woody Glen rope tow circa the late 1970s |
In 1974, McLaughlin and William Knight, Concord director of special education, opened the Yes-I-Can! summer camp at Woody Glen. Hosting about two dozen special needs children, the camp featured academics, hands-on activities, and field trips.
Woody Glen Ski Area, Inc. was incorporated in December 1978.
By the end of the 1970s, Woody Glen featured 10 acres of terrain served by a 900-foot rope tow. McLaughlin described the area as operating on "a mini scale with maxi efficiency," adding, "I am not out to make money. I am out to give people a happy, outdoor, skiing experience."
T-Bar Expansion
The top of the T-Bar (April 2014) |
Circa 1988, a T-Bar was purchased from Tyrol and installed at Woody Glen, increasing the area's vertical drop to 250 feet.
Russell McLaughlin retired from teaching in 1991, but continued to operate Woody Glen ski area.
Closure
The T-bar lift line (April 2014) |
The 1994-95 season was a struggle, as Woody Glen only had one day of operations under its belt by mid-January.
Longtime ski patroller Dave Chamberlin passed away in August 1995.
Owner Russell McLaughlin passed away on October 19, 1995 at the age of 73. With his passing, Woody Glen ski area likely never operated again. The property came under the ownership of Dave Hardy, who had managed the ski area for many years.
A 2005 Google Earth rendering of Woody Glen |
The Woody Glen T-Bar was removed and sold to Ski Ward for parts in 2014. Dave and Pam Hardy sold the property in 2016.
There are no known plans to reopen Woody Glen ski area.
Lifts
Click on lift name for information and photos
Year by Year History
Adult Weekend Full Day Lift Ticket; Adult Full Price Unlimited Season Pass
| 1990s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1991-92 | |  | $105.00 | | | | | | | | | 1990-91 | $14.00 | | | | | | | | | |
| 1970s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1977-78 | | | $39.00 | | | | | | | |
| 1960s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1966-67 | | | | | | January 14 | | | | |
Visitor Memories
External Links
Woody Glen Ski Area - New England Lost Ski Areas Project
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Last updated: December 19, 2023
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