Thorn Mountain opened just before 1939 in Jackson, New Hampshire.  It started off as a ski area with a "truck tow", and eventually added at two wooden single chairlifts before closing sometime in the late 1950's.  This are did NOT become Tyrol as earlier expected, rather it was its own area much closer to the town of Jackson.  According to John and Linda Osgood, the towers are rotting on the ground and the trails have grown in.  Here's their directions to the area:

To get to Thorn is simple: cross over the covered bridge into Jackson and the Fire Department is just past on the right.  Take a right turn just after the Fire Department and a hundred yards or so on the left is an old, narrow paved road on the left. There is a big inn across the road from this left turn.  Follow this road until there is new house and a gate across the road.  Park there and walk the last couple hundred feet and there you are.  Imagination is required as there is really not much left.

Thanks John and Linda!

1939
(Skier's Guide to New England )
Thorn Mountain Ski Slope--Located west side of Thorn Mountain and East of Jackson.  Open, gentle slopes at top, connected by steeper runs averaging 15 degrees.  Length: 0.3 miles; class, intermediate and expert.  "Truck tow".
This tow had a vertical ascent of 310' and a length of 1000 feet.

1948-1949
Thorn Mountain Ski Area
New Development in Jackson
American Ski Annual, 1948-1949

Visitors to Jackson in the Eastern Slope Region of the White Mountains, NH, will be attracted by the new development nearing the first stages of completion on Thorn and Middle Mountains less than 1/2 mile from the center of the village. Looking across the town from Rte. 16 at the western end toward the east one sees the swaths cut up the shoulder of Thorn Mountain and on up to the top of Middle Mt. to accomodate the two chair lifts totaling 4000 feet in length from base to summit. At the right, looking up are the expert trail and inermediate trail totaling 1.25 miles and 1.5 miles respectively, while on the left a 2 mile trail enables the novice to safely negotiate the trip from top to bottom. The vertical drop is 1300 feet. Midway, wide open slopes facing north and west will allow spectators to enjoy the sight of a large number of skiers and ski school classes.  Two rope tows are being strategically placed to enable the open field skier and ski classes to enjoy their fun away from advanced skiers.

Charles C. Plumb, Sole Owner and Promoter of this Development is president of the CC Plumb Co., Providence, Rhode Isalnd.  Mr. Plumb states that thest runs are being planned for the tows and chair lifts by Nov. 15 and the whole setup is supposed to be ready by Dec. 1. Of the 1200 acres in the total area 800 will be developed this winter with plans already laid for the expansion next spring of the reamaining acreaage which covers the north side of Thorn Mountain. Warming and lounging shelters, a restaurant, snack bar, and spectator's shelter at the top of Middle Mt. are scheduled to be ready by the time snow falls with the exception of the top shelter, now planned for completion by the first of the year.

"Rink" (Richard E.) Earle, instructor for the past two years in the Jackson Ski School under Arthur Doucette, has been appointed Director of the Thorn Mountain Ski School which will conduct classes daily at the new area.

Advertising which appeared in the 1948-1949 Ski Annual.

1949
(Where to Ski, Provided by Wayne Silver)
New Chairlift development east of Jackson. Season: Dec. 15 through March 15; altitude 800 feet to 1920 feet, exposure north, northwest. The area boasts two chair lifts, the lower being 1300' long and the upper 2600' long, giving the skier a total uphill climb of 1100 feet.

For experts and intermediates there is a 1000', 35 degree slalom hill, two expert trails, Bobcat (1.5 miles) and Big Birch, two intermediate trails, Porcupine and Springhouse; two novice trails Goff (2.5 miles long from top terminal) and Cub served are served by upper and lower lifts. Novice and intermediate slopes served by two rope tows, 900 and 1200 feet long.

Lift rate: $3.50 per day. Use of tows included in lift fee.

One of the rope tow signs, the Cozy Canyon Tow

Christopher Bradford

Thorn Mountain Photo Gallery

The rope tow at Thorn Mountain (courtesy Dave Hilton)

Skiers going down a slope at Thorn.  The single chair may be from the building on the right. (Courtesy Dave Hilton)

More photos:

Looking at the chairlift, looking off to the west.  This shows some of the older wooden towers.

The base of the wooden chairlift.  Notice how the chairs were very close to the ground.

Skiers heading down one of Thorns smooth, beginner type trails, possibly Goff.

One of the old base buildings.

Christopher Bradford

Another base building.

Christopher Bradford

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