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Mt. Tom
Holyoke, Massachusetts
The top of the old Mt. Tom ski area (2006)
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| Mt. Tom Details |
| Status: | Lost/Defunct |
| First Year of Operation: | 1961 |
| Last Year of Operation: | 1998 |
| Vertical Drop: | 680 feet |
| Lifts in Operation: | 0 |
| Lifts Removed/Non Operational: | 4 doubles, surface lifts |
For many years, Mt. Tom in Holyoke Massachusetts was best known for everything but skiing. Starting around the 1890s, the Holyoke Street Railway Company developed what would become Mountain Park. Around the turn of the century, an elaborate summit building was constructed, serviced by a cable car. The amusement park at the base was expanded throughout the beginning of the century.
The Mt. Tom ski area first opened during the 1960-61 season as a small, surface lift only operation. A double chairlift to the top of the ridge was added for the 1961-62 season. Snowmaking and lights for night skiing were also in place for the inaugural chairlift season.
The base lodge was significantly expanded for the 1965-66 season, designed by noted architect Alexander McIlvaine. In addition, a beginner slope and J-Bar would be added for that season.
1960s racing at Mt. Tom |
For the 1966-67 season, the original double chairlift was rebuilt.
A second double chairlift would be added for the 1967-68 season.
During its heyday in the 1970s and 1980s, Mt. Tom recorded as many as 300,000 skier visits in a season, making it one of the most popular ski areas in New England.
Mountain Park closed in 1987 and subsequently liquidated.
The ski area closed after the 1997-98 season, when focus was instead placed on operating an adjacent quarry. All of the chairlifts were removed circa 2000.
Ticket Price History
Weekend Full Day Lift Ticket
| Season |
Price |
Source |
| 1990s | | 1996-97 | $29.00 |  | Skiing The Pioneer Valley | | 1990-91 | $29.00 | | Brochure |
| 1980s | | 1988-89 | $25.00 | | Ski Massachusetts Brochure | | 1984-85 | $18.00 | | Brochure | | 1982-83 | $16.00 | | Rand McNally Winter Recreation Map | | 1981-82 | $15.00 | | Berkshire Vacation Bureau |
| 1970s | | 1971-72 | $8.00 | | Boston Globe |
| 1960s | | 1967-68 | $6.00 | | Eastern Ski Atlas | | 1966-67 | $6.00 | | Brochure | | 1963-64 | $4.75 | | Buxton's Eastern Ski Slopes | | 1962-63 | $4.75 | | Buxton's Eastern Ski Slopes |
Vintage Ads
Mt. Tom ad in the 1966 Eastern Ski Map
Click here to see more Mt. Tom vintage advertisements
External Links
Mt. Tom - New England Lost Ski Areas Project
Mountain Park - DefunctParks.com
Mountain Park - Wikipedia
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Last updated: March 27, 2012
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