New Ski Area

IN recent years Dartmouth has shown signs of needing something more advanced and dependable than the Oak Hill ski area if it is to maintain its preeminence as a skiing college. Although having the great virtue of accessibility, Oak Hill seldom has snow cover throughout a long season, and it has become more valuable as a community ski operation than as the center of activity for Dartmouth's competitive and expert recreational skiers.

Last month plans for a new downhill and slalom ski area on Holt's Ledge in Lyme were announced by John F. Meek '33, Treasurer and Vice President. The essential first step of acquiring the necessary land has been accomplished by the College, although the project is still definitely in the planning stage.

Located on the northeast slope of Holt's Ledge, the proposed development will be approximately 13 miles from Hanover and will provide three or four main trails, ranging from expert through intermediate to novice. It is estimated that $100,000 will be required to finance installation costs, which will include a lift with a capacity of some 800 skiers per hour; adequate electric power; a gravel access road about half a mile in length; a parking area; clearance of twenty or thirty acres of trail; and the provision of various facilities at the base and summit. The Dartmouth Development Office is at present studying ways and means of raising sufficient funds from a small group of alumni and others interested in skiing, with the hope of operating the project during the 1956-57 season.

The Holt's Ledge site was selected after a careful study of all the northeast slopes within 25 miles of Hanover, which have a base elevation of 900 feet, a vertical rise of at least 900 feet, a horizontal distance of approximately 3,000 feet and an average grade of at least 25 per cent. Those making the choice were Walter Prager, ski coach; John A. Rand '38, executive director of the Dartmouth Outing Club; Robert S. Monahan '29, College Forester; and Mr. Meek. The Holt's Ledge project has an elevation at the base of 940 feet above sea level, and the ski area rises over a series of terraces to an elevation of about 1,875 feet just below the summit of Holt's Ledge. The vertical rise is 935 feet, the horizontal distance along the lift line 3,230 feet, and the average grade 28 per cent.

A primary purpose of the new ski area, Mr. Meek stated, is to maintain and advance Dartmouth's leadership in competitive and recreational skiing. In keeping with its North Country traditions, the College wishes to provide a moderate-sized ski area which will permit skiing on a minimum amount of snow cover and serve as a good practice area for the ski team, as well as making possible good recreational skiing close to Hanover. Holt's Ledge will not compete with such resort centers as Stowe, Cannon Mountain and Mad River, all of which have higher altitudes and longer and more varied ski trails. The College does not expect to run its new ski project on a profit-making basis but does hope to break even, once installation costs have been met. Preference in use will probably be given to Dartmouth students and residents of Lyme and Hanover. The facilities at Oak Hill will continue to be operated as usual, filling a valuable role in the College's general skiing program.