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The base area (2014)
King Pine
Madison, New Hampshire
Status: Open
First Season:1962-63
Vertical Drop:350 feet
Standing Lifts:3 triples, surface lifts
Past Lifts:2 doubles, surface lifts
Left: The base area (2014)
Recent NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News:
2/26/2020: Longtime King Pine General Manager Bob H...
SkiNewEngland.net Profile
Located between the New Hampshire Route 16 corridor and the Maine border, King Pine has long been a popular destination for local skiers and Purity Spring Resort guests.

Early Years at Purity Spring

Prior advent of lift served skiing, the establishment of three entities paved the way for the creation of King Pine. Circa the late 1800s, Edward Hoyt created the Hoyt Natural Spring Water Company, which shipped bottled water to regional cities. By 1902, Edward Hoyt and M. H. Hoyt were advertising Purity Spring Farm vacation cottages in Boston papers with the claim of the "purest water in the world."

In 1932, Hoyt's son Milt opened a boys camp on the property, which would eventually be named Camp Tohkomeupog ("Camp Tohko").

Camp Tohkomeupog Tow

Downhill skiing was added as an activity for Camp Tohkomeupog in 1938, when a small rope tow was installed below Bald Ledge. Initially a rope tow powered by Ford Model A work trucks (reportedly tied to trees and put on blocks for the winter), the ski operation grew from a part time endeavor to a larger, multi-tow operation after Purity Spring Resort became a full time, year round operation in the mid 1940s. Up to 4 tows may have operated at the same time, with one reserved for family and friends.

King Pine Opens

King Pine during the 1960s
King Pine during the 1960s

In the midst of the lift served skiing boom of the 1960s, Purity Spring Resort constructed a larger ski area on the opposite side of East Madison Road in 1962. Serviced by a double chairlift, the new King Pine ski area initially consisted of 3 trails and an open slope. The Purity Spring rope tow operation overlapped with King Pine for one season. A remaining rope tow may have operated for guests periodically into the 1970s.

The King Pine facility was improved in 1964, when a J-Bar was added for beginners. Business grew during the 1960s, including a 15% jump in 1966-67.

The Polar Bear double chairlift (1960s)
The Polar Bear double chairlift (1960s)

The King Pine was nearly doubled in size in 1968 when the North Side area was developed. The expansion was a challenging one, as Milt Hoyt nearly drowned in a swamp where the base of the chairlift was to be constructed. Then, after much of the lift was installed, the project was halted due to delays in delivery of the electronics. Things finally came together in January 1969, when the new complex opened. In addition to boosting overall skiable acreage and uphill capacity, the new complex gave King Pine legitimate steep expert terrain.

Snowmaking was likely added in the mid 1970s. In 1976, Milt handed the day to day management duties down to his children, Ted, Laura, Bob, and Susie.

Chairlift served night skiing may have commenced in 1982-83, initially on weekends and vacation weeks. In subsequent seasons, night skiing was expanded to more trails and nights and has become a key part of operations.

Staying Modern

White Pine (2016)
White Pine (2016)

Starting in 1987 with the installation of the Polar Bear triple chairlift (and expansion of the base lodge), King Pine underwent a steady campaign of modernizing its infrastructure. Following the closure of King Ridge, King Pine acquired a modern CTEC triple chairlift. Portions of it were used to install the Powder Bear Triple in 1996, followed by the Black Bear Triple in 2006. At that point, each main lift had been upgraded to a modern, higher capacity triple chairlift.

Night skiing was also expanded, as lights were installed on Scotch Pine for the 1996-97 season.

Non skiing offerings were expanded for the 1997-98 season, when a snow tubing facility opened.

For the 2017-18 season, King Pine replaced nearly a mile of 3" snowmaking pipe with new 4" pipe, providing additional water to an enlarged fleet of snowguns.

NewEnglandSkiConditions.com Reports
Month Average Percent of Terrain Open
December59%    (4 reports)59 Open
January86%    (9 reports)86 Open
February100%    (10 reports)100 Open
March99%    (11 reports)99 Open
April100%    (1 report)100 Open
Recent Conditions Reports
Mar. 8, 2024 by skiit
Spring Snow, Frozen Granular
Feb. 27, 2024 by beccam
Spring Snow, Wet Packed Powder
Mar. 10, 2023 by skiit
Packed Powder, Loose Granular
Feb. 19, 2023 by brianna
Spring Snow, Variable Conditions
Feb. 19, 2023 by rocket21
Spring Snow, Spring Snow
King Pine on NewEnglandSkiConditions.com


NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News
Recent Articles
Longtime King Pine General Manager Bob Hoyt Passes Away - Feb. 26, 2020
King Pine NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News Page


Expansion History
Project
Season
North Side
Open
1968-69


Image Gallery
The King Pine Polar Bear Chairlift, 1960s vs. 20141964-65 Eastern Ski MapDecember 13, 1964 Boston Globe1965-66 Eastern Ski MapJanuary 9, 1966 Boston Globe1966-67 Eastern Ski Map
View All Images in King Pine Image Gallery


Lifts
Click on lift name for information and photos
Standing Lifts
Installed
The Black Bear Triple in 2007
Black Bear Triple
Garaventa-CTEC
Chairlift - Triple - Fixed
2006-07
The Polar Bear Triple in 2005
Polar Bear Triple
CTEC
Chairlift - Triple - Fixed
1987-88
The Powder Bear Triple in 2005
Powder Bear Triple
CTEC
Chairlift - Triple - Fixed
1996-97

Past Lifts
Seasons
The Black Bear Double in 1972
Black Bear Double
Hall
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1968-69
-
2005-06
The J-Bar during the 1960s
J-Bar
Hall
J-Bar
1964-65
-
J-Bar
Borvig
J-Bar
1987-88
-
The Polar Bear Double during the 1960s
Polar Bear Double
Hall
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1962-63
-
1986-87


Maps
2023-24 King Pine Trail Map
King Pine 1962-63 Trail Map1976-77 King Pine Trail Map1999-00 King Pine Trail Map2002-03 King Pine Trail Map2003-04 King Pine Trail Map2004-05 King Pine Trail Map
View All King Pine Trail 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$79.002023-24 Ticket Price Graph$689.002023-24 Season Pass Price Graph8.7 daysDecember 15March 242023-24 Skier Visit Graph
2022-23$75.002022-23 Ticket Price Graph$629.002022-23 Season Pass Price Graph8.4 daysDecember 16March 262022-23 Skier Visit Graph
2021-22$72.002021-22 Ticket Price Graph2021-22 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 17March 272021-22 Skier Visit Graph
2020-21$65.002020-21 Ticket Price Graph$600.002020-21 Season Pass Price Graph9.2 daysDecember 18March 272020-21 Skier Visit Graph
2019-20$59.002019-20 Ticket Price Graph$595.002019-20 Season Pass Price Graph10.1 daysDecember 13March 152019-20 Skier Visit Graph
2010s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
2018-19$58.002018-19 Ticket Price Graph$595.002018-19 Season Pass Price Graph10.3 daysDecember 8March 312018-19 Skier Visit Graph
2017-18$55.002017-18 Ticket Price Graph$560.002017-18 Season Pass Price Graph10.2 daysDecember 15April 12017-18 Skier Visit Graph
2016-17$55.002016-17 Ticket Price Graph$560.002016-17 Season Pass Price Graph10.2 daysDecember 16March 262016-17 Skier Visit Graph
2015-16$52.002015-16 Ticket Price Graph$560.002015-16 Season Pass Price Graph10.8 daysDecember 26March 272015-16 Skier Visit Graph
2014-15$52.002014-15 Ticket Price Graph$560.002014-15 Season Pass Price Graph10.8 daysDecember 12March 292014-15 Skier Visit Graph
2013-14$49.002013-14 Ticket Price Graph$560.002013-14 Season Pass Price Graph11.4 daysDecember 132013-14 Skier Visit Graph
2012-13$47.002012-13 Ticket Price Graph$545.002012-13 Season Pass Price Graph11.6 daysMarch 312012-13 Skier Visit Graph
2011-12$47.002011-12 Ticket Price Graph$545.002011-12 Season Pass Price Graph11.6 daysDecember 1662,0002011-12 Skier Visit Graph
2010-11$45.002010-11 Ticket Price Graph$525.002010-11 Season Pass Price Graph11.7 daysDecember 10March 2762,0002010-11 Skier Visit Graph
2009-10$44.002009-10 Ticket Price Graph$525.002009-10 Season Pass Price Graph11.9 daysDecember 11March 212009-10 Skier Visit Graph
2000s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
2008-09$42.002008-09 Ticket Price Graph$498.002008-09 Season Pass Price Graph11.9 daysDecember 122008-09 Skier Visit Graph
2007-08$39.002007-08 Ticket Price Graph$498.002007-08 Season Pass Price Graph12.8 daysDecember 142007-08 Skier Visit Graph
2006-072006-07 Ticket Price Graph$498.002006-07 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 162006-07 Skier Visit Graph
2005-06$36.002005-06 Ticket Price Graph$498.002005-06 Season Pass Price Graph13.8 daysDecember 16March 2658,9002005-06 Skier Visit Graph
2004-05$34.002004-05 Ticket Price Graph$498.002004-05 Season Pass Price Graph14.6 daysDecember 17March 2758,9002004-05 Skier Visit Graph
2003-04$32.002003-04 Ticket Price Graph2003-04 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 12March 282003-04 Skier Visit Graph
2002-032002-03 Ticket Price Graph$498.002002-03 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 13March 302002-03 Skier Visit Graph
2001-02$29.002001-02 Ticket Price Graph$498.002001-02 Season Pass Price Graph17.2 daysDecember 21March 242001-02 Skier Visit Graph
2000-01$29.002000-01 Ticket Price Graph2000-01 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 15April 12000-01 Skier Visit Graph
1999-00$29.001999-00 Ticket Price Graph1999-00 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 20March 261999-00 Skier Visit Graph
1990s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1998-99$29.001998-99 Ticket Price Graph1998-99 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 181998-99 Skier Visit Graph
1997-981997-98 Ticket Price Graph1997-98 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 121997-98 Skier Visit Graph
1996-971996-97 Ticket Price Graph1996-97 Season Pass Price GraphMarch 301996-97 Skier Visit Graph
1995-961995-96 Ticket Price Graph1995-96 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 15March 241995-96 Skier Visit Graph
1994-951994-95 Ticket Price Graph1994-95 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 16March 261994-95 Skier Visit Graph
1993-941993-94 Ticket Price Graph1993-94 Season Pass Price GraphApril 31993-94 Skier Visit Graph
1992-93$23.001992-93 Ticket Price Graph1992-93 Season Pass Price GraphApril 41992-93 Skier Visit Graph
1991-92$22.001991-92 Ticket Price Graph1991-92 Season Pass Price GraphMarch 221991-92 Skier Visit Graph
1990-91$20.001990-91 Ticket Price Graph1990-91 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 14March 241990-91 Skier Visit Graph
1989-90$20.001989-90 Ticket Price Graph1989-90 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 151989-90 Skier Visit Graph
1980s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1988-89$19.001988-89 Ticket Price Graph1988-89 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 161988-89 Skier Visit Graph
1987-88$17.001987-88 Ticket Price Graph1987-88 Season Pass Price Graph1987-88 Skier Visit Graph
1986-87$15.001986-87 Ticket Price Graph1986-87 Season Pass Price Graph1986-87 Skier Visit Graph
1985-861985-86 Ticket Price Graph1985-86 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 131985-86 Skier Visit Graph
1984-85$13.001984-85 Ticket Price Graph$240.001984-85 Season Pass Price Graph18.5 days1984-85 Skier Visit Graph
1982-831982-83 Ticket Price Graph1982-83 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 181982-83 Skier Visit Graph
1970s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1977-78$7.001977-78 Ticket Price Graph1977-78 Season Pass Price Graph1977-78 Skier Visit Graph
1976-77$7.001976-77 Ticket Price Graph$90.001976-77 Season Pass Price Graph12.9 days1976-77 Skier Visit Graph
1974-75$6.001974-75 Ticket Price Graph1974-75 Season Pass Price Graph1974-75 Skier Visit Graph
1973-74$6.001973-74 Ticket Price Graph1973-74 Season Pass Price Graph1973-74 Skier Visit Graph
1970-71$6.001970-71 Ticket Price Graph1970-71 Season Pass Price Graph1970-71 Skier Visit Graph
1969-70$5.001969-70 Ticket Price Graph1969-70 Season Pass Price Graph1969-70 Skier Visit Graph
1960s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1968-69$5.001968-69 Ticket Price Graph1968-69 Season Pass Price Graph1968-69 Skier Visit Graph
1967-68$4.501967-68 Ticket Price Graph1967-68 Season Pass Price Graph1967-68 Skier Visit Graph
1964-65$4.001964-65 Ticket Price Graph1964-65 Season Pass Price Graph1964-65 Skier Visit Graph
1963-64$4.001963-64 Ticket Price Graph1963-64 Season Pass Price Graph1963-64 Skier Visit Graph
1962-63$4.001962-63 Ticket Price Graph1962-63 Season Pass Price Graph1962-63 Skier Visit Graph


Visitor Memories
"I learned to ski at king pine. In the mid 1960's, my dad took me and my siblings to king pine every winter Saturday and gave us lessons himself. It didn't matter if it was 20 degrees below zero. Unless there was a blizzard, we left the house by 6am and made the trip in our dad's VW bus. ("Ski 93" was our battle cry). I can still hear the original music blaring from the lodge. Oh, those were the days!!!!!"
Pamela Wilcox, Dec. 21, 2022
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External Links
  • King Pine Official Site
  • Last updated: January 27, 2020

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