High Point

Thanks to several NELSAP readers, we now know a lot about this lost area in Huntington. It operated from before 1960 through the 1970's until about the mid 1980's, with skiing on a few trails. A couple of rope tows served this 110' vertical drop area. While it did have a snowmaking system, it was basic. The area closed at some point in the mid 1980's.

Here's a view of the area in the late 1990's, found with help from Brian Kelsch. There is now a major condo complex on the old slopes.

And an even more recent photo from the early 2000's shows the construction of the condos. Note that hardly a trace of the old ski area can be found.

Brian Kelsch: I am from Long Island and now in VT. I know of a ski area in Huntington, NY (long island) that used to be in existence. I never skied there because it was closed when I was growing up but have been to the top of what is known as "high point" and have seen the lift. I assume it closed sometime in the 70's but am not sure. It is off of Dix Hills road and sat on the highest elevation on long island.

Dr. David A. Schoenfeld: There was a club owned ski area in Suffolk county called HighPoint Ski Club. They made snow on a 200' hill which was the highest point in Long Island. I think Hiighpoint must have been opened earlier than the 70's. I skied there when I was 15 which was in 1960 and it had already been in existence for some time. It was a club then, but kids could join for $35. The rope tow was long and fast but I remember it as a fun hill.

Eric Paulson: I grew up on Long Island and remember skiing with my dad at a place called Hipoint ski area in Dix Hills. This must have been around 1984. This ski area had an approx. 110 foot vertical drop with 3 trails and 2 rope tows. The rope tows would burn right through your gloves. They had one old snowmaking machine and the snow was very icy. However, it was the only operational ski area on Long Island at that time. I tried finding the place a few years ago but couldn't remember exactly where it was. I assume it closed maybe 10 years ago because I haven't heard anything about it nor have I found any info on it on the web.

William Owens: I grew up in Huntington Station, NY (Long Island) and we had a ski hill called Hi-Point. A very dangerous little mountain with a fast tow rope a even faster tow-rope and one giant jump that was next to the very fast tow rope....

I don't have any pictures, but just recently I was back in the old neighborhood and saw that they had turned it into a major condo complex after being shut down for about 15 years......

The address was on Dix Hills Road in Huntington Station, NY ( Very strange place for a ski hill). That's where I got my first taste of extremely icy conditions and tow ropes that would rip your gloves off...

Skileader: High point was operated under an arrangement with a Scandinavian social club who owned the property. The Town of Huntington ran a night skiing program there for school kids, according to my ex business partner who made snow there.

Ken Bochat: The High-Point (or maybe Hi-Point) ski area on Dix Hills Road, Dix Hills, NY (Long Island) closed about 35 years ago. The area consisted of three trails served by 2 rope tows and was a family-oriented hill, it was a place where you would leave your shoes under a bench in the warming hut. Great memories from long ago on a tiny hill that seemed very challenging to a 13 year old.

Joan Pace: Wow! Hi-Point. I wish I took pictures. I remember finding an old Hi-Point patch while cleaning out my junk drawers about 10 years ago -- I think it was tossed in the garbage. We used to ski there - Mom, my sisters and I, until Mom broke her wrist going through the safety gate at the top of the slow rope tow! Facing the hill, the left side had the slow rope tow, going half way up - to the "beginner" slope. The right side had the fast rope tow, which took you to the top. The right side of the trees was the "expert" slope, and the top of the left side was the "intermediate." There was a small a frame ticket shack at the base of the hill, plus a small lodge. Mom used to leave my sisters and I there with an airline bag with sandwiches, and a thermos of hot chocolate while she would run errands on a snowy Saturday. If anything happened we were to talk to (Marge? maybe??) the ticket booth!

I remember fondly: the duct-taped ski mittens; the music blasting from the bottom of the fast rope tow; the challenge of staying standing if you're midway up the fast tow, and the rope stopped from someone falling in front/behind you; the fun the lift attendants had when they'd start up again, and knocking more people down; skiing with no jacket - just a long-sleeved turtle-neck on a hot winter day! Too bad it's not still operating. What a great place to learn & play - and so close to home, having grown up on Long Island!!

Matt Dib, visited this area in October of 2004, and took the following photos. Here's a view from the base of the area, showing perhaps an old trail.

A view from the top, looking down.

And finally, a view of what is left of the summit.