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| Brattleboro Ski Hill |
| Brattleboro, Vermont |
| Status: |
Open
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| First Season: | 1937-38 |
| Vertical Drop: | 204 feet |
| Standing Lifts: | T-Bar |
| Past Lifts: | Surface lifts |
| Left: The lower slope (2015) |
| Recent NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News:
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Located just west of Exit 2 of Interstate 91 in Brattleboro, Vermont, Living Memorial Park and its predecessor, the Guilford Street Ski Tow, have been serving local residents for many decades.
Guilford Street Ski Tow
The Brattleboro Ski Hill when it was known as the Guilford Street Tow |
Lift served skiing at the present date Living Memorial Park likely dates back to January of 1938, when the Guilford Street Ski Tow opened to the public. Located on the Charles Clark Farm, the tow was 1,100 feet long. The Brattleboro Ski Patrol was also formed that month, reportedly making it the second oldest group in the National Ski Patrol.
While World War II closed many ski areas throughout New England, the Guilford Street Ski Tow remained in operation. The tow was likely removed circa 1948, however, and installed at nearby Sugar Bush ski area in Jamaica, Vermont.
Living Memorial Park
Living Memorial Park in 2015 |
Brattleboro's Living Memorial Park concept likely dates back to June of 1944, when a letter published in the Brattleboro Reformer suggested a war bond fund be created to establish a "Living War Memorial." The Brattleboro Reformer and the local Kiwanis advertised and overaw the fund in subsequent years.
A decade later, a 53 acre farm plot was procured, becoming the site of the Living Memorial Park. After a town vote on December 20, 1955, the $115,000 bond issue was used to constructed a swimming pool, bath houses, snack bar, and warming hut. Publisher Howard C. Rice donated $3,000 for a skating rink, while the local Rotary Club contributed $1,500 toward purchasing a rope tow, restoring lift served skiing to the slope. The Living Memorial Park was in full operation by the end of the winter of 1956-57.
Eight years later, a $30,000 fundraising campaign was launched to purchase a 1,300 foot T-Bar. A Doppelmayr T-Bar was likely installed for the 1964-65 season with Hogback ski area covering the shipping expense while purchasing two T-Bars for itself. Hogback vice president Nelson Withington received a National Community Area Service Award in 1972 for his role in the "installation of a lighted ski lift in the park."
After three decades of operation, the town of Brattleboro likely closed the ski area following the 1994-95 season, reportedly due to poor snowfall and being overshadowed by nearby Maple Valley. The non-profit Living Memorial Park Snow Sports, Inc. was formed in May of 1997 and quickly worked to reopen the area, likely reopening in February of 1999. The resurrection was timely, as Maple Valley ceased operating in 2000.
In advance of the 2018-19 ski season, the Living Memorial Park became known as Brattleboro Ski Hill. Donations and proceeds were used to rebuild the T-Bar motor that season.
Brattleboro Ski Hill remains in operation to this day, featuring the T-Bar, night skiing, snowmaking, and grooming.
NewEnglandSkiConditions.com Reports
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 | $5.00 |  | $75.00 | | 15.0 days | December 24 | March 9 | | | | | 2022-23 | $5.00 | | $75.00 | | 15.0 days | December 24 | April 8 | | | | | 2021-22 | $5.00 | | $75.00 | | 15.0 days | December 31 | March 20 | | | | | 2020-21 | $5.00 | | $75.00 | | 15.0 days | December 31 | March 14 | | | | | 2019-20 | $5.00 | | $75.00 | | 15.0 days | December 26 | March 8 | | | |
| 2010s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 2018-19 | $5.00 | | $75.00 | | 15.0 days | December 30 | March 17 | | | | | 2017-18 | $5.00 | | $75.00 | | 15.0 days | December 28 | March 25 | | | | | 2016-17 | $5.00 | | $75.00 | | 15.0 days | December 30 | March 26 | 3,652 | | | | 2015-16 | $5.00 | | $75.00 | | 15.0 days | January 8 | March 6 | | | | | 2014-15 | $5.00 | | | | | January 15 | March 29 | | | | | 2013-14 | $5.00 | | | | | January 3 | March 23 | | | | | 2012-13 | $5.00 | | | | | December 29 | March 30 | 3,200 | | | | 2011-12 | $5.00 | | | | | January 16 | | | | |
| 2000s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 2008-09 | | | | | | | | 3,000 | | | | 2007-08 | $5.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 2006-07 | $5.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 2005-06 | $5.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 2004-05 | $5.00 | | | | | | | | | |
| 1990s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1998-99 | | | | | | | | 326 | | |
| 1980s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1982-83 | | | | | | January 16 | | | | |
| 1970s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1971-72 | $1.50 | | | | | | | | | | | 1970-71 | $1.50 | | | | | | | | | |
Visitor Memories
| "I grew up in Brattleboro and learned to ski at Memorial Park. I went on to become a qualified Military Ski Instructor and a 27 year member of the National Ski Patrol. It all started here on this hill. Great memories of night skiing and lessons on Wednesday afternoons. I want to thank Ray Blow, a high school classmate, for his volunteer time to get snow making equipment, making snow at all hours of the night, and for everything he has done for the Ski Hill. Thanks Ray! I wish I lived closer and could help you. Both my adult children are avid skiers and boarders. One in the NSP and one was a board instructor at Stowe. I commend Brattleboro for working to keep the Ski Hill at Memorial park alive and running. You never know the impact it will have on the youngsters who go there to ski or board. Respectfully, Dave Perkins" | | David Perkins, Sep. 14, 2020 |
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External Links
Living Memorial Park Snow Sports, Inc. - official site
Brattleboro Ski Hill - SmallSkiAreas.com
Living Memorial Park - Brattleboro - New England Lost Ski Areas Project
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Last updated: January 1, 2019
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