Tolman Pond
Nelson, NH
1934-At least 1949

According to the New Hampshire winter map of 1948, This ski area had a 350' tow and one open slope. It was located next to an inn and ski instruction was offered.

Ned Bolle spoke to John Summers of Summer's Backcountry Sports in Keene NH about this ski area. Here's what he found:

"We discussed other areas in the region.  Tolman Pond, he is confident, was the first rope tow in the area.  He said it began operating in 1934. (I checked in Newt Tolman's autobiography, North of Monadnock, but found only a vague reference to a tow.  He did mention operating something of a bed and breakfast, and hosting skiers in the twenties.)"

Steve Lindsey has more info:  I live at Tolman Pond at the base of this venerable ski hill. The farmhouse where visitors could stay contains artifacts from the days of skiing in the early 1930s including an impressive collection of wood skis, snowshoes, and a hand-painted trail sign. Relatives of Alpine skiing pioneer Newt Tolman still live in the farmhouse. They have photos of skiers. John Summers, one of the founders of the nearby Pinnacle Mountain Ski Hill in Roxbury believes the Tolman Pond site may be the second oldest, after Vermont's Suicide Six.

The logging skid which served as the base of Newt Tolman's rope tow engine still exists, rotting into the earth. The motor has been removed, but a flywheel, gears, axles, and brackets still are mounted on the skid.

Does anybody else remember this one?

Head back to Lost New Hampshire Ski Areas

Head back to the Main Page