Fond memories of the Hogback Ski Area
By Bruce Cole
It was during the late 50’s when, as students of nearby Marlboro College, Barbara and I became acquainted with the Hogback Mountain Ski Area. We were able to ski free of charge if we would spend a few hours side-stepping up and down the slopes – the original “groomers”! There was a single rope tow, a poma lift, and a T-Bar servicing the slopes. All snow making was done by Mother Nature. Over the next 25 years starting the day after Christmas (for this was a family holiday), the Hamilton, White, and Douglas families would start the lifts and we were ready to go. The season usually lasted until Town Meeting Day when all kids could ski for free. During these years every Marlboro elementary school child was given free equipment, skiing and lessons on Monday afternoons. Life-long love of skiing was developed here and many entered the world of skiing in many capacities.
Hogback had a Buddy Werner League every Saturday which developed aspiring racers, hosted the Southern Vermont racing team, and the Brattleboro Outing Club on weekends. Many families looked forward to the annual Easter Costume Parade, whose prize was a family season pass, which at that time was $150!! The list of skiers who had their start at Hogback is long and devoted.
Our family would grow over the years, from the original two of us, to include five children. Usually the children were on skis as soon as they could stand up! Arnold White was always willing to watch the current youngest member sleeping in a basket in the ski shop and would signal from the window when the baby woke. Hogback was truly a family ski area. Living two miles west of Hogback, we spent weekends and vacations there and felt perfectly comfortable dropping the children off after school. Our children are still involved in skiing, some for pleasure and others in the industry. Through the generosity and their love of community, the White, Hamilton, and Douglas families provided a truly wonderful resource.
We stand on the threshold of a new and exciting venture for this historic land with the formation of the Hogback Mountain Conservation Association whose goal is to conserve the land for the benefit of the community.