Mad
Hatter Ski Area
Danbury,
CT
1950's
- ?
| Thanks to a visit to the New
England Ski Museum, NELSAP now has some more information on this ski
area. Here's the cover of the brochure from one of the Mad Hatter's
opening years, likely in the late 1940's. It was located just 1.5 miles
from the center of Danbury.
Skiing was on a 1000' tow around 1950, The
slope was 150' wide, 22 degree pitch, with a lower slope of 14 degrees and
500' wide. The lower area provided interesting runs for all classes of
skiers.
Night skiing was available under powerful
flood lights. Day and night skiing was available during the weekends.
The warming hut had a large center
fireplace, with hot drinks and hamburgers.
There is only one additional
listing for this area. What happened afterwards? Not sure, likely closed in the
1960's.
|
|
Joe May has some
information on this ski area: I am just old
enough to remember it in action. The head of the ski patrol was Don Taylor of
Wolfpit Rd. Bethel, CT. He is my son's boss at the Thunder Ridge Ski Area in
Patterson, NY. This is the former Big Birch Ski Area. My son, Tim May is
director of snow boarding. The Santinelli family lost control in a foreclosure
sale and Bob & Mary Conklin took over as Thunder Ridge. The owners of the
Madhatter were Harry Hoyt and Perry Roehm. Mr. Hoyt was an avid skier and had an
insurance business in Danbury, Davis & Hoyt Insurance. Tony Hoyt is still
there, a son of Harry, and running the insurance agency. Perry Roehm was the
president of Barden Bearing, they made the bearings for the Norden Bomb Sight in
WW II. Barden is now part of FAG bearing which is a German company and is still
in Danbury.
1951-1952
(Eastern
Ski Map)
Tow, 2 slopes, 2 trails
(novice through intermediate), ski school, ski patrol. 
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