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| Burrington Hill |
| Whitingham, Vermont |
| Status: |
Lost/Defunct
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| First Season: | 1956-57 |
| Last Season: | 1977-78 |
| Vertical Drop: | 240 feet |
| Standing Lifts: | |
| Past Lifts: | Surface lifts |
| Left: Burrington Hill circa the 1960s |
| Recent NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News:
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Located just north of the Vermont-Massachusetts border near the birthplace of Brigham Young, Burrington Hill operated as a small ski area for nearly two decades.
Burrington Hill
Birch Run |
Burrington Hill was founded by Chester Page, a former semi-pro football player from New Jersey who owned hardware and oil businesses. While visiting the White Mountains with his wife Darthy during the winter of 1954-55, Page attempted skiing for the first time and was compelled. In the spring of 1956, the Pages purchased the 200 acre 1805 John Blake farm in Whitingham, Vermont.
Using the old barn as a snack bar, Page built trails with a bulldozer and opened Burrington Hill in January or February 1957. Operating as a small, rope tow served area, Burrington Hill appealed to schools, locals, and was even a venue for church functions (including skating). The 1,000 foot rope tow served terrain for all abilities. The Barre Daily Times noted the "comfortable little lodge, noted for its friendly atmosphere can accommodate 12."
STABIL Lift
Burrington Hill circa the 1960s |
A unique surface lift was installed for the 1958-59 season, differentiating Burrington Hill from other small areas. Called a STABIL Lift, the surface lift was a platter that was designed to be easier to ride. In addition to the STABIL Lift, a novice rope tow was installed and a new trail cut for the 1958-59 season. The platter lift was selected because it was deemed better than a rope tow, but still less expensive than other lifts. The Brattleboro Reformer noted, "For the families of skiers who might shy away from the milling mobs at the larger ski areas, Burrington Hill should fill the bill and provide a pleasant place to go for an afternoon, a day or a week end and mix in a little skating with the skiing when the slopes are bare or icy."
The 1958-59 season started in December, but experienced a pause in January due to lack of snow. Better snowpack accumulated in February, resulting in strong weekend crowds. The season extended into the start of April.
Improvements for the 1959-60 season included adding a section of the Town Road Trail and relocating and extending the rope tow. In February 1960, the Brattleboro Reformer described Burrington Hill as, "A new and relatively small operation, it was well populated by skiers, skaters, and tobogganers who enjoyed the nearly ideal snow conditions." The area enjoyed a two-week stretch in late February to early March in which it recorded 70 inches of snowfall. The season continued through at least late March.
Parking lot and trail improvements took place during the 1960 offseason. Meanwhile, continuing to expand on recreational offerings to local children, Burrington Hill hosted swimming lessons that summer.
The 1960-61 season started in mid-December and had strong Christmas reservations.
Burrington Hill circa the 1960s |
Attendance was up for the 1962-63 season, however weekend weather reportedly hurt business. When rain and ice threatened to ruin skiing, Page would take out a home made rig to groom the slopes. As he told the North Adams Transcript in 1963, "There are no moguls, bumps or faults at Burrington because of our grooming; the big areas just can't afford to groom like we do."
Circa the 1967-68 season, a heated outdoor pool was constructed.
Burrington Hill was a hobby, as Page reported breaking even only three times in a dozen years of operation. He kept the area going for children, as he told the North Adams Transcript, "My only regret in life is that I didn't learn to ski as a kid," and that "I love to see kids ski and as long as I can I'll give them the opportunity to learn."
By the early 1970s, Burrington Hill referred to itself as the "smallest ski area in the world" with the STABIL Lift, a rope tow, five novice trails, and two intermediate trails. The ski area continued to post conditions reports through the 1973-74 season, which may have come to a close on March 3.
Sale and Closure
On March 4, 1974, Page agreed to sell the bulk of Burrington Hill to Edward Tanny, owner of a Connecticut jewelery shop chain. Tanny's family enjoyed skiing and was active in the Whitingham Boy Scouts. Purchasing it as a private residence, Tanny announced the area would no longer operate as a public operation. Page remained involved in the private ski area, coaching Tanny's Boy Scout troop in January 1977. According to the New England Lost Ski Areas Project, the ski area likely closed following the 1977-78 season.
Chester Page remained active in skiing into the 1980s, racing into his 70s. Page passed away on December 3, 1997 at the age of 89.
Edward Tanny passed away on February 17, 2013 at the age of 83.
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. Window price, including RFID fee and taxes when known.
| 1970s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1973-74 | $3.50 |  | | | | | | | | | | 1971-72 | $3.50 | | | | | December 4 | | | | |
| 1960s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1960-61 | | | | | | December 17 | | | | | | 1959-60 | | | | | | December 30 | | | | |
Visitor Memories
External Links
Burrington Hill - New England Lost Ski Areas Project
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Last updated: December 17, 2024
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