Readsboro, Vermont — If you’ve ever wanted to shred at an abandoned ski area, one worthy option is Dutch Hill in Southern Vermont. Closed back in the mid-1980s, it was recently turned into a backcountry ski area by a group of hardy locals. So, what is the skiing experience like there?
In a 2021 video by YouTuber Zach B, he shares what the skiing is like there. On a powder day during the 2020-21 season, he explored the maintained terrain around the ski area.
If you do go, remember that it’s a backcountry zone, and bringing the needed gear for these zones is wise, especially on the steeper runs. In addition, don’t let the ghosts of Dutch Hill past or whatever the hell those things were in Thriller catch you. Ahahahhahaha.
History of Dutch Hill
First opened during the winter of 1944-45, Dutch Hill started as a modest rope tow operation that was initially impacted by World War 2. It became one of the larger operators in the area following the opening of a T-Bar during the 1946-47 season. However, it didn’t evolve much in the decades that followed, with only modest infrastructure and no snowmaking. The ski area closed for good after the 1984-85 season, after three consecutive winters without sufficient natural snowfall.
Michael Kennedy, who was the last operator of the ski area, told the Boston Globe that it failed because Dutch Hill “never kept up with the times. People are lazy nowadays. The[y] want to sit in a chairlift. They want a base lodge that has a band and a liquor license. The only thing Dutch Hill had to offer was skiing.”
The lifts were removed, and firefighters intentionally burnt down the old buildings. In the years that followed, interest grew in making it a spot for backcountry skiers. After the Forest Service approved log clearing in the area, the Dutch Hill Alliance of Skiers and Hikers, Ltd. was created. Since 2017, DHASH has spent years creating memorable backcountry terrain at Dutch Hill. The group hosts various events during ski season, including planned tours for this upcoming winter. In the winter, the trails are also accessible for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and sledding.
Image/Video Credits: Zach B, Dutch Hill Alliance of Skiers and Hikers, Ltd.
