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Crotched Mountain
Francestown, New Hampshire
The double chairlift (2002)
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| Crotched Mountain Details |
| Status: | Lost/Defunct |
| First Year of Operation: | 1964 |
| Last Year of Operation: | 1990 |
| Vertical Drop: | 1,000 feet |
| Lifts in Operation: | |
| Lifts Removed/Non Operational: | 1 quad, 3 doubles, surface lifts |
The original Crotched Mountain ski area was developed to specialize in serving handicapped children and adults - a fitting mission, considering its proximity to the Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center. Announced as early as 1961, development didn't commence until 1963. The Eastern Ski Area Operators Association helped to raise funds for the development, including a massive fundraising day at many ski areas on March 17, 1963.
The $750,000 Crotched Mountain facility opened on January 4, 1964 with a T-Bar and makeshift base operation. The double chairlift would open later that season.
In 1969, the Onset ski area opened on the northwestern side of Crotched Mountain, serviced by a bubble double chairlift, a regular double chairlift, and a T-Bar. The area was purchased in 1979 by a group of investors including Waterville Valley's Tom Corcoran.
The two areas merged circa 1980, joined by two novice connecting trails. Various improvements took place over subsequent years, including the installation of a new quad chairlift. Financial issues related to a condo development struck and the area found itself financially unstable.
The lower T-Bar (2002) |
Crotched Mountain closed after the 1989-90 season. The quad chairlift was removed shortly thereafter and installed at Jiminy Peak, MA.
In 2003, Peak Resorts reopened the Onset/Bobcat/Crotched West area, naming it Crotched Mountain. The original Crotched Mountain, however, has remained closed.
Expansion History
Lift Timeline
| Season | Lift Name | Type | Event | Notes |
| 1990s |
| 1991-92 | Summit | CTEC Quad Chairlift | Likely removed after season | Sold to Jiminy Peak, MA |
| 1980s |
| 1987-88 | Summit | CTEC Quad Chairlift | Installed | New install |
| 1987-88 | West | Hall T-Bar | Relocated | Renamed Summit T-Bar (Crotched West) |
| 1970s |
| 1964-65 | Lower | Hall T-Bar | Possibly installed | |
| 1963-64 | Double | Hall Double Chairlift | Installed | New install |
| 1963-64 | Upper | Hall T-Bar | Installed | New install |
Skier Visits
| Season | Skier Visits | Source |
| 1987-1988 | 117,000 | Nashua Telegraph |
Ticket Price History
Weekend Full Day Lift Ticket
| Season |
Price |
Source |
| 1970s | | 1977-78 | $10.00 |  | Brochure |
| 1960s | | 1967-68 | $6.00 | | Eastern Ski Atlas |
Vintage Ads
Crotched Mountain ad in the 1965 Eastern Ski Map
Click here to see more Crotched Mountain vintage advertisements
External Links
Crotched Mountain - official site
Crotched Mountain - FranklinSites.com Hiking Guide
Crotched Mountain Rebirth - New England Lost Ski Areas Project
Crotched Mountain - New England Lost Ski Areas Project
Onset/Bobcat - New England Lost Ski Areas Project
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Last updated: April 9, 2012
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