South Area at Powder Ridge
Shortly after the failed Powder Ridge Rock Festival, the ski area rolled out expansion plans to the local community. Marketing efforts quickly accelerated, advertising a new four person chairlift and slope for the 1970-71 season.
In October of 1970, the Middlefield Planning and Zoning Commission rejected a permit request for the expansion. The commission then issued special permit in early 1971.
Construction started in 1971, prior to being halted that fall due to a lawsuit with the Meriden YMCA over ownership of some of the land. After a prolonged legal battle, the Powder Ridge was able to complete work and open the area in 1972-73.
The South Area included a widened Middlin trail, overtaking the Shush-Ka-Put trail. Beyond the big slope, the centerpiece of the expansion was the installation of a Borvig fixed grip quad chairlift - the first four person chairlift in New England. Named the "747," the quad was of a centerpole design.
The center pole chairs were removed in 2001 and replaced with triple chairs.
A circa 1965 Powder Hill trail map prior to the Powder Ridge South expansion
The 747 quad chairlift circa the 1970s
A circa 1975 Powder Ridge trail map after the Powder Ridge South expansion
A center pole quad chair after triple chairs were hung
Last updated: April 20, 2014
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