Chino Hills, California — Did you know that Southern California used to have a year-round ski slope?
Opening back on June 25, 1966, the $750,000 project in Chino Hills became the largest synthetic ski slope on the planet. The project drew inspiration from a similar slope adjacent to Tokyo, Japan that use plastic bristle tiles rather than snow.
Ski Villa featured three rope tows, night skiing, a lodge with a restaurant and lounge, a rental shop, and a ski patrol building. Activities for those who didn’t want to ski included swimming pools, a skating rink, mini-golf, shuffleboard, and horseback riding. The owners dreamed of expanding the slope and franchising the business concept.
After the initial publicity and crowds, the buzz behind Ski Villa faded quickly. Falling on the synthetic slope caused bruises and lacerations, prompting many to bring gloves and parkas to protect themselves.
The hill closed in 1967, just around one year after opening. The summit became part of a real estate development, while the synthetic slope was removed and became grass again. Developing the hill itself would be difficult due to its steepness. Reportedly, hikers have been able to find some of the square plastic bristle-covered tiles decades after it closed.
Thomas Ryan Real Estate broke down the story of Ski Villa, with help from the California Ski Library.
For more informtation about Chino Hills, check out the Lost Ski Areas of Southern California book.
Image/Video Credits: Thomas Ryan Real Estate, California Ski Library
