Thunder Ridge Ski Area

Last updated
Thunder Ridge
Thunder Ridge Ski Area Logo.jpg
Thunder Ridge Trail Map.png
Thunder Ridge Trail Map
Location Patterson, New York
Nearest major cityPatterson, New York
Vertical600 ft.
Top elevation1270 ft. [?]
Skiable area90 acres (360,000 m2)
Runs21
Ski trail rating symbol-green circle.svg 48% easiest
Ski trail rating symbol-blue square.svg 19% more difficult
Ski trail rating symbol-black diamond.svg 33% most difficult
Lift system 3 chairlifts, 4 magic carpets
Terrain parks Fawn Meadow, and Little Thunder (March Only)
Snowmaking Yes, 90% coverage
Night skiing Yes
Website http://www.thunderridgeski.com/

Thunder Ridge is a small ski area located in Patterson, NY. Because it is located just 75 minutes from New York City, the mountain attracts skiers and snowboarders from across the New York area. While it does not receive a lot of snowfall, Thunder Ridge does have snowmaking capabilities which can cover 90% of the mountain. Because it is open at night, Thunder Ridge is a haven for high school ski racing. The mountain hosts part of Hudson Valley League racing. [1] In 2014 the area came under management of Dean Ryder, manager of the Putnam County National Bank after the previous managers could no longer afford to take care of the property as a result of the Great Recession. [2]

Contents

Under previous ownership the mountain was known as Birch Hill (1957–1968), Big Birch (1968–1995), Thunder Ridge Ski Area (1995–present).

Trails

Thunder Ridge Ski area has 21 trails. 9 of which are accessible from the Triple Chair, 6 from the double chair, 4 from both chairs, and 5 bunny trails. It has 8 Black Diamonds 4 Blue Squares and 12 Green Circles.

Accessible from Triple Chair
NameRating
Lovers Lane Ski trail rating symbol-green circle.svg
Fawn Meadow Ski trail rating symbol-blue square.svg
Santa Fe Ski trail rating symbol-blue square.svg
Evergreen Ski trail rating symbol-blue square.svg
Sunset Run (no longer used) Ski trail rating symbol-blue square.svg
Competition Ski trail rating symbol-black diamond.svg
Fools Delight Ski trail rating symbol-black diamond.svg
The Face Ski trail rating symbol-black diamond.svg
Blackberry Pass Ski trail rating symbol-black diamond.svg
Accessible From Double Chair
NameRating
Bull's Run Ski trail rating symbol-green circle.svg
Don's Drop Ski trail rating symbol-green circle.svg
Deer Pasture Ski trail rating symbol-green circle.svg
Wildcat Ski trail rating symbol-black diamond.svg
Timber Wolf Ski trail rating symbol-black diamond.svg
Eagle's Lair Ski trail rating symbol-black diamond.svg
Accessible from Both Chairs
NameRating
Sissy Schuss Ski trail rating symbol-green circle.svg
The Road Ski trail rating symbol-green circle.svg
Don's Drop Ski trail rating symbol-green circle.svg
Halfpipe Ski trail rating symbol-black diamond.svg
Bunny Hills
NameRating
Little Thunder Ski trail rating symbol-green circle.svg
Fun Run Ski trail rating symbol-green circle.svg
You Can Do It! Ski trail rating symbol-green circle.svg
Movin Up Ski trail rating symbol-green circle.svg
Little Thunder Beginner Area (ski school only) Ski trail rating symbol-green circle.svg





Top of the main lift (the triple) as seen from the 'Top medical depot'. Thunder ridge top of the triple.jpg
Top of the main lift (the triple) as seen from the 'Top medical depôt'.

Lifts

Thunder Ridge currently has 3 chairlifts and 4 magic carpets. In 1958 a T-Bar opened at then Birch Hill servicing the main part of today's ski area. Numerous Tows were also installed on the mountain. Sometime in the 1960s, a Borvig double chairlift was installed to the summit; it remains the area's longest and oldest lift. In about 1967, a short double chairlift was installed which today served Little Thunder. In 1986, a Borvig triple chairlift was installed to supersede and eventually replace the T-Bar lift, which it did. In the early 2000s, four Magic Carpet lifts were installed on Thunder Ridge to replace the Tows. Remnants of the tows can still be seen to this day.

During the mid-1960s the Mahopac High School ski team raced and trained at Birch Hill, as did the teams from Carmel and some other Putnam County and Northern Westchester county schools. The lodge was a simple place with a gravel floor.

Today the area maintains 7 running lifts; 4 Carpets (one open all the time (You can do it, "Toyland"), two open on the weekends, one used as a backup), a triple lift (main lift, "The triple"), a double lift (secondary lift, "The double"), and one small double lift (beginner lift, "Little Thunder"). There today remains three neglected tows (one serving the halfpipe, and one serving the terrain park, and one which servde the old terrain park). Both the triple and double were re-surfaced and gained more modern accessories and safety equipment in the 2000s.

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References

  1. ↑ Ng, Matthew (2007-01-29). "Horace Mann debuts in Section 1 skiing competition". The Journal News.
  2. ↑ http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/2014/09/12/thunder-ridge-ski-area-expected-open/15537391

Coordinates: 41°30′26″N73°34′52″W / 41.50722°N 73.58111°W / 41.50722; -73.58111


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