East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania — Picking a base area is usually an easy choice for ski resort developers. They typically put the facilities and parking at the base of the steep slopes above, making it a relatively simple commute for guests. Others have taken a different approach, placing their facilities at the summit of the mountain. Some examples of this can be found at Blacktail Mountain, Echo Mountain, and Snowshoe. Interestingly, there’s one ski resort that initially had an upside-down setup, then relocated its facilities to a new base area down the mountain a few years later.
Shawnee Mountain opened in 1975 and experienced rapid growth in popularity during its early years. The ski resort originally had its facilities at the summit, which included a lodge and parking zone. However, reaching the summit by car was hazardous in the winter, and maintaining the road’s stability was a challenge. Road maintenance costs more than snowmaking, which isn’t ideal. In addition, more parking spaces were needed, prompting ski resort leaders to seek a lower-elevation solution.
That solution was building the facilities at the base of Shawnee. In 1978, Shawnee built a new base area. After its opening, guests reach this area by parking in the new lots and then walking over a footbridge. The base area facilities would continue to be built out into the 1990s.
For more lore about the history of Shawnee Mountain, check out their history posts on their blog or YouTube page.
Image Credits: Shawnee Mountain Ski Area
