Thanks to John Kyle, we first heard of this ski area that operated in Lynn. Here's his description of the area:
"The Happy Valley golf club ran a ski area for years in the early 1950's in Lynn Ma. and had a rope tow a couple hundred feet long."
Paul Timmins has a bit more info: Regarding Happy Valley in Lynn MA. The rope tow ran from the lower parking lot across the the 10th hole and up into the woods. Maybe 500' in length. There was lighting (or lets say a light) for night skiing.
And so does Kathy Bennett: The site of the old ski hill is now a very popular (and very steep) sledding hill. No sign of the old rope tow, but my husband, who is from Lynn, remembers seeing its remains in the 1960s as a kid when he went sledding. You can still go there on any snowy day and see dozens of kids enjoying the vertical drop. Also still lots of cross country skiing in the same vicinity.
Other Memories:
M. Nardone: "I began skiing as a kid in the 1960s at Happy Valley in Lynn. It actually operated until the late 60s or early 70s. In the late 1970s, a cross country ski center was established at the lodge, which provided access to trails throughout Lynn Woods. The old rope tow towers were still there at that time."
David
K: "In
my time (50's) it was a rope tow to left of what was then (now?) the 10th
tee. It was mostly ledge, so
we needed a lot of ice/snow base to be safe.
Though who cared about safety then? It
was a mix of skiers, sledders, and tobogganers. The parking lot abutted the
hill, so best you learned to stop, or you were in the parking lot."
Larry G: I skied there many times...it was a small rope tow powered by an old car engine (if my memory serves me right) on the 10th hole near where the tee is now. I think you could also rent skiis at the club house. I think they charged a dollar and I can remember taking great pride in sneaking in when I could. A nice place to practice your turns.
Does anybody else remember this ski area?