Defunct ski area could reopen as a scaled down facility in the future.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014, NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com
By a vote of 254 to 79, West Windsor voters approved the purchase of the defunct Ascutney Mountain ski area land at a special town meeting on October 14, 2014.
The financially troubled Ascutney Mountain ski area last operated amidst foreclosure proceedings during the 2009-10 season. Crotched Mountain purchased and removed the summit high speed quad in 2012, whilst Dan Purjes' MFW Associates assumed ownership at a November 2013 auction. While MFW had hoped to reopen the ski area, the $10 million estimated cost was deemed unviable. In May of 2014, the triple chairlifts were sold to Pats Peak and removed in subsequent months.
In voice votes on other articles, the town also voted to acquire the former base lodge, water system, and Hotel Road.
The town will provide $50,000 from its conservation fund, whilst Trust for Public Lands will attempt to raise the balance of the $550,000 need to close the 469 acre deal with MFW Associates.
The Selectboard is proposing the land be added to the existing 1,342 acre West Windsor Town Forest. Immediate plans would be to ensure continuity of the existing mountain bike trail network, while future plans could involve expanding the network, as well as providing limited lift served skiing and mountain biking via the remaining double chairlift.
