The resort boasts 27 trails across 180 acres and two terrain parks for skiers and snowboarders. These days, Elk Mountain is still attracting skiers. That carried them through the next few months, according to the Scranton Times story.īy the next ski season, a multi-million dollar compressor station was complete, housing “three massive transformers and a fourth, smaller one,” the Scranton Times reported. In just three days, they found 14 portable, diesel-powered compressors that allowed the resort to continue making snow. The total loss exceeded $2 million and left the resort’s snowmaking capabilities at a standstill, the story reported.īut Elk Mountain officials refused to give up. “So intense was the fire that it quickly melted the 12-inch steel beams inside the structure before eight volunteer fire companies … had time to react.” 16, 2000, Scranton Times story about the fire and the ski resort’s recovery reported. “Suddenly, one of the night workers at the mountain heard a noise near the compressor building, which was located halfway up the slopes,” a Jan. ![]() Trails were added and improved on over the years, and a 4,000-foot Quad lift got skiers to the trails faster starting in 1994.īut a devastating fire in 1999 - some workers described it as a “fire ball that erupted” - threatened the ski resort’s future. Major projects took place in the 1980s, according to Elk Mountain’s online timeline, including the construction of a ski shop and school in 1981 and a remodeled, expanded lodge in 1982. The East and West slopes were lit up for night skiing starting in 1966, and more lighting was installed on the summit trails in 1973. ![]() Snowmaking operations began in earnest in 1962 a beginners J-bar was installed in 1964 and a double chairlift from the lower parking lot to the top of the mountain began bringing skiers up the mountain starting in 1965. The facility’s first double chairlift was installed a year later, according to an Elk Mountain timeline online. Elk Mountain’s first expert trail was used to host 1960 Pennsylvania State Championships. Over the next few years, various improvements were completed. He called the experience “cold and rugged” but praised the “warm, merry and hospitable” main building with a “unique center fireplace blazing away.” Butler visited Elk Mountain that December. It built a small lodge and also made use of a warming hut built years ago by the Scranton Ski Club. The facility would also have a snow-making machine, as well as a parking lot for more than 400 cars. “This equipment is being manufactured specifically for Elk Mountain.” Plans called for a T-bar lift “capable of carrying 1,000 skiers per hour to the top of the slope,” the story continued. “The ski area is being developed on the Northwestern side of Elk Mountain Ski Center Inc., a new corporation formed this year to build and operate the winter sports facility.” “One of the most modern ski areas in the East will be in operation this winter on a towering 2,693 foot mountain 20 miles north of Scranton,” the Sept. Stappacher, a member of the Scranton Ski Club. Lomma, who operated mini golf courses and other amusements throughout the area, and A.H. But 10 years later, a Scranton Times article announced new plans for the mountain, developed by Ralph J. Just how well the ski area fared in its early years is unclear. “Snow conditions should be ideal, since the slope forms a natural bowl.” The combination of trails and slopes will then give skiers a downhill run of 4,000 to 5,000 feet,” according to the article. In 1950, developers planned to install a “J or T-bar lift to the summit, which will be approximately 3,500 feet long. ![]() “A separate slope and tow area has been designed for novices.” “Six inches of snow are needed on the slopes, slightly more on the trail,” the newspaper reported.
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