Mt. Tom Ski Area

Our earliest reference to the ski area is the 1962 Eastern Ski Map, which states that Mt. Tom had a double chair, T-bar, rope tow, 3 slopes, and 1 trail, along with snowmaking. The next year brought another rope tow, trail, and slope.

Mt. Tom in 1968. Two double chairs are shown, along with a rope tow and T-bar. The old double was one of the center pole variety.

By 1969, the mountain had added another double chair, T-Bar, J-Bar, 2 slopes, and one more trail. In 1973, four more trails were cutting, boosting stats up to 6 slopes and 7 trails. Another chairlift was added before 1980, and when 1987 rolled around, there were 17 trails. A few years after, a T-Bar was replaced with another double chair.

One of Mt. Tom's double chairs, mid 1990's

By the time the mountain closed, all of the T-Bars were gone, as the mountain was serviced by 4 double chairs and a J-Bar. Also, there was night skiing and snowmaking on all 15 of the trails at the time of the closing.

Although the mountain was small (680 foot vertical drop) and not too challenging (avid skiers called it a cross-country ski area), it was in a great location and was open during the summer with a wave pool, a set of water slides, and an alpine slide. Many of its skiers came from Connecticut and the greater Springfield, MA area.

Mt. Tom's wave pool

Future expansion was planned above the quarry area, however, due to the closing, these trails were never finished.

Recent struggles for the quarry make the closing of the ski mountain seem more and more of a bad decision, as the owners cannot get permission to expand it.

The first parts of Mt. Tom were sold before the 1998-99 ski season, as Berkshire East Ski Area purchased a fleet of six Areco snow cannons and the rental inventory.

With much of the snowmaking, lights, lift accessories, and parts now sold, along with a warming climate, little hope remains for a re-opening of this once-popular mountain. Many of its skiers either have stopped skiing, travel up north/west, or go to nearby Berkshire East Ski Area.

Good luck in driving up to Mt. Tom now, as the entrances are blocked. The only way you will see the remains of the mountain is by looking out your car window as you drive by. It was a great little area, but its time has passed.

Here's the Terraserver image of the area as it appeared in the late 1990's. You can see the waterslides at the bottom left.


Old Ticket.	From Matt: The large blue banner picture was one of the original racing "gates" used when skiers would race down the race course (my uncle was a race instructor at Mt.Tom when it was open)	Lodge.	Rental building.


Unloading ramp for the top of the 1500' Beginner Chair near the quarry.	Snowmaking pipe on the Big Tom Trail.	Portable sow gun/cannon above the wave pool.