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| Sawmill Hill |
| Charlemont, Massachusetts |
| Status: |
Lost/Defunct
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| First Season: | 1961-62 |
| Last Season: | 1966-67 |
| Vertical Drop: | 125 feet |
| Standing Lifts: | 0 |
| Past Lifts: | Surface lifts |
| Left: Sawmill Hill in 1965 |
| Recent NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News:
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Located across the valley from Berkshire East, Sawmill Hill was a small area that operated during the 1960s.
Carroll Lumber Company
Circa 1946, Fred W. Carroll purchased a tract of land in Charlemont, growing a popular lumber business with his stepsons who were returning from World War II, Charles and John Goodwin. Ten years later, with Charles now his business partner, a tract was purchased from Horace Warfield to build a new steam-powered sawmill (burning shavings and leftover wood) to fulfill a three-year government contract. In 1958, Charlemont voters approved construction of a town road from Harmony Heights Road to the sawmill, which was considered the town's "only industry." Around this time, Charles Goodwin was working on a steam-powered locomotive. Goodwin would also soon operate a miniature steam railroad at the Indian Plaza on the Mohawk Trail in Charlemont.
Blunder Mountain
With a son and daughter who were both skiers, circa February 1962 Charles Goodwin set up a 150-foot rope tow behind his house, welcoming all local children to use it. The area was informally called "Blunder Mountain." The tow was listed as "open to all local aspiring skiers" for the 1962-63 season.
Sawmill Hill
Sawmill Hill and Thunder Mountain (December 1963) |
Word emerged of a larger version of the area in the fall of 1963, initially named in the local paper as "Sawmill River." Sawmill Hill was announced in December, with a novice slope and intermediate trail served by a 1,000-foot long by 125-foot vertical T-Bar. The area was noted at the time as possibly being the only steam-powered ski area in the country, thanks to the lumber mill that it was attached to. A 24-foot by 44-foot lodge with a stone fireplace was constructed near the sawmill, while part of the ski slope was leased from Horace Warfield's widow. The Greenfield Recorder Gazette noted that "there is always the possibility of expansion if skiers show the desire for it."
Goodwin cobbled together the lift by fabricating bullwheels from junkyard parts, including an Eaton truck drive, a freezing unit compressor, English telegraph keys, clothes washer controls, Navy surplus telephones, and half-inch cable. The steam engine was from a 1920s steamroller. Ts and grips were purchased from Mueller. Overall, Goodwin pegged the price of the lift installation at about $1,000. Airport approach lights were used to light the slope, while the main entrance sign was an old sawmill blade.
Of the close proximity to Berkshire East, Goodwin told the North Adams Transcript, "We're not in competition with them. We are trying to offer something for the families and the kids."
The season's operating schedule was weekend days, Thursday through Saturday nights, and February vacation week. Though there were plans to operate during the first weekend of January, a thaw likely postponed opening day until January 11, 1964. Natural snow started to accumulate, resulting in a strong weekend in mid-January, with Thunder Mountain assisting by rolling the slope.
The T-Bar base terminal (1965) |
George and Janet Dyer started a ski school at Sawmill Hill by February, offering lessons on evenings and weekend afternoons. A 200-foot rope tow was reportedly installed around this time for the classes. The area also hosted a Thunder Mountain employee party under the lights. The season may have melted out after March 1.
Finding that steam operations were challenging for the ski area (since simultaneous sawmill operations were required), Goodwin installed an Allis-Chambers diesel unit for the lift for the 1964-65 season. The operating schedule was scaled back to Saturday nights, Sundays, and holidays.
Skeeters and TurfSkis
A 1969 TurfSki advertisement |
Meanwhile, word emerged of an off-season ski that Goodwin had invented. Initially called the "Skeeter," the 4-inch-wide by 30-inch-long skis had seven tapered rollers, allowing for the devices to be used on grass slopes or roads. In November 1966, Goodwin's invention was patented as TurfSki, with Larchmont Engineering owner Joe Tropeano joining on the venture.
The 1964-65 season was set to begin in mid-December, however a lack of snow prevented Christmas week skiing. Charles Goodwin estimated the loss to exceed $1,000. The ski season likely started on the rope tow slope on January 15 after a 3-inch snowstorm. The season may have melted out in mid-February.
The 1965-66 season likely started on January 8 and ran through at least late February. Following the season, the area mentioned plans to possibly add another trail and rope tow.
The 1966-67 season likely started around Christmas, courtesy a sizable snowstorm. The season continued into at least late February.
Closure
A 2025 Google Earth aerial photo of Sawmill Hill |
By the summer of 1967, Charles Goodwin had moved to Wilmington and taken a job as a machinist at Mount Snow, while also focusing on the growth of TurfSkis. The devices were used at numerous areas across New England into the 1970s.
In December 1967, the Carrolls announced that Sawmill Hill would not open due to not having enough time for the operation. The property was sold in the 1970s and subsequently became a private residence.
Fred Carroll passed away on March 14, 1988 at the age of 88. Charles Goodwin passed away on July 11, 2005 at the age of 80.
Sawmill Hill as seen from Berkshire East (February 2026) |
Lifts
Click on lift name for information and photos
Year by Year History
Adult Weekend Full Day Lift Ticket; Adult Full Price Unlimited Season Pass. Window price, including RFID fee and taxes when known.
| 1960s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1965-66 | |  | | | | January 8 | | | | | | 1963-64 | $2.50 | | | | | | | | | |
Visitor Memories
External Links
Sawmill Hill - New England Lost Ski Areas Project
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Last updated: October 8, 2026
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