Note - this page has been "flagged" as needing a major update, but most of the below information is correct.
Highlands is now a great Mountain Bike Park. For more information, visit their website.
1939
(The
Skier's Guide to New England)
Although not lift served, the following passage was located in this guide.
Bean Hill Trail--Length 0.75 miles, 15 degree slope. Width: 12 to 20 feet. Vertical drop: 500 feet. Exposure: north. Needs 16" of snow to ski. Good trail for novices, but interesting for intermediates because of several pitches and sharp turns. Many open slopes nearby.
1968
(Unknown
Ski Guide)
Highlands likely opens
around this year. It has 2 T-bar lifts (3000' and 1800'), and a rope
tow.
4 Trails, novice through
expert.
Slopes
Ski school, cafeteria,
ski shop, rentals
Operates daily, ski
patrol, packers
1969
(Eastern Ski Map)
Same as listing above.
Here's an ad that
appeared in that years Eastern Ski Map
1973
(Ski
Guide to the Northeast)
Base elevation: 800
feet
Vertical drop: 700
feet
Exposure: north
Features: Area operates
daily, night skiing on Wednesday and Friday nights, ski shop, snack bar,
rentals, warming huts, 3 lifts (2 T-bars, 1 poma) with 2800 per hour capacity,
9 trails, parking for 250 cars. No snowmaking.
Ski School: GLM and
American Technique, with 10 instructors (2 certified)
Rates: Weekday $1.50
adult, $1.50 junior. Weekend and holiday: $5.00 adult, $4.00 junior.
Season: $60.00 adult, $50.00 junior.
1979
(Eastern
Ski Map)
Not much changed from 1973.
7 trails, 2 slopes. 2 packers. Everything else was the same.
1980
(Eastern
Ski Map)
No changes at all since 1979.
Sometime between 1980 and the early 1990's, Highlands expanded a great deal. By 1995, the year they closed, they had grown to 3 lifts (the summit T-bar and rope tow were removed in the late 1980's once the summit Borvig triple was installed). Here's the info from their latest, but undated brochure from their last season.
1987
(White's
Book of Ski Areas)
The summit T-bar is removed and a summit Borvig triple takes it place.
2 Slopes, 10 trails
1 tow, 1 triple chair, 2 T-bars
Lift capacity: 1800 skiers per hour
Season: Mid Dec-Apr
Day lodge with cafeteria, lounge, ski shop
w/rentals
New this season: Borvig triple chairlift;
60 acres of snowmaking, 4 new trails and trail improvements; added X-C
trail and flat track; fixed parking lot.
Early 1990's through 1995
(Brochure and Trail Map)
Ski Highlands Mountain!
Monday through Friday,
Night skiing $7.00
The best skiing under the sun...and under the lights!!
Our family welcomes yours!
The Shea family has been in the skiing business for many years. Having owned and operated a ski area in Canada, we bring a little bit of Canada to the USA!
Relax...Highlands has great food and great times for your family. Relax in our lodge while enjoying some wonderful hot chili, soup, burgers, and more. The lounge offers a casual environment so that you can sit and talk with your friends and just unwind. Entertainment is offered on the weekends!
Highlands mountain
has....
Season passes, including
night skiing at no extra charge.
Facitlities including
cafeteria, lounge, ski school, and rental shop.
20 trails that include:
30% novice, 50% intermediate
and 20% expert. We have an 800' vertical. Triple chair to the
top. Summit T-bar, T-bar & pony lifts. Illuminated half pipe.
The Best in Night and
Day Skiing
Yes! Night skiing!!!
Do you hate the weekend crowds and you can't get time off during a weekday?
Come on up at night and have fun with us. You will love it.
Snow Coverage
Hey, looking for snow?
Don't worry! With or without mother nature, we've got you covered
with around the clock snow making.
Daily rates:
Hours
Adult
Student Child
9-4
$24 $20
$15
3-10
$24 $20
$15
1/2 day (9-1230)
$16 $15
$12
1/2 day (1230 to 4)
$16 $15
$12
1/2 night (6-10)
$16 $15
$12
Pony Lift
$7
$5
Events
Corporate Racing-Weeknights
Annual Downhill Race-February
Annual Jello Jump-March
Children's Races-Sundays
Snowboard Racing-Sundays
Snowflake Rally-February
Here's the trail map
from the last year they were open. It was quite a large mountain!
Hard to believe that such a large mountain closed. You can see the
lifts that were crossed off, indicating they had closed.
1995
(Personal
Visit and Colorado Skier)
Highlands closes both due to a broken snowmaking system and due to the worst winter in the Northeast's history. Supposedly the lifts are still standing, so there is a chance it may reopen.