East Peak at Balsams Wilderness Ski Area
After about 45 years of operation, the Balsams Wilderness ski area closed in 2011 when the Balsams Grand Resort was shut down and sold. Later that year, 33 ~400 foot tall mountain top wind tubrines were constructed near the ski area, named Granite Reliable Power. In early 2012, the new owners of the resort received $850,000 from Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests for a 5,800 acre conservation easement to block the Northern Pass transmission line.
After years of closure, new wave of development talk hit the region in early 2014, when Les Otten formed Dixville LLC to consider reopening the Balsams.
A February 2015 rendering suggested that while lifts would not summit 3,480 foot Dixville Peak due to the industrial wind farm, a lift could be constructed to the 3,439 foot East Peak. Combined with a trail complex nearing Route 26, the area could provide some 2,000 vertical feet. A Phase 1 map released in 2015 suggested that a 1,400 vertical foot lift could be constructed to the top of the East Peak, initially serving 4 trails in 2016-17.
A rendering released in 2017 showed a lift being constructed on the north face of East Peak for the first season of the redevelopment, initially serving 3 trails.
A February 2015 rendering of the proposed East Dixville Peak area
A 2015 map of Phase 1 trails and lift on the East Peak of Dixville Peak
2017 East Peak rendering
Last updated: May 21, 2019
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