Tenney Mountain Ski Resort

History

The first trails at the mountain were cut in 1959, and until 1964 operated only T-bar lifts. In 1964, the area constructed a new Stadeli double chair, which made Tenney Mountain the largest ski area in the region. This lift was dubbed the "Hornet Double," and began operation on 10 January 1965, along with five new trails that it serviced. In 1970, a second double chair was constructed, built by Heron-Poma. This lift was replaced in 1987 by a Borvig triple chair, called the "Eclipse." This was planned to be followed by a second triple, extending from mid-mountain to a higher summit than the Hornet Double served. Due to a weak real estate market during this time, however, the lift was never constructed, although trails were cut. Tenney was purchased shortly after by Bill Krikorian, who renamed the area Lookout. It was later closed for part of the 1990s, and subsequently reopened under the name of Tenney Mountain.

In 2002, the ski area was purchased once again; the new owners announced a $1 million investment in a new snowmaking system, called SnowMagic. The system was designed to enable snowmaking operations, and in consequence the ski area, to continue year-round, but compared to the cost of the system, the additional revenue was insufficient, and in 2004 year-round snowmaking operations were shut down.

The area did not open for the 2010/2011 ski season due to financial issues including $200,000 in unpaid taxes. On 15 December 2010, Tenney was sold to Iroquois Capital, an investment firm from New York City. The purchasing price was $500,000, and Iroquois also bought 425 acres (172 ha) of land near the ski area. According to Mitch Kulick, Iroquois' general counsel, up to six entities were interested in buying the area and potentially reopening it for the 2011/2012 ski season.

Tenney Mountain Development Group

On 17 October 2014, a company named Tenney Mountain Development Group (TMDG), headed by Michael L. Bouchard, was registered in Windham, New Hampshire. Two months later, TMDG purchased the area for 1.25 million dollars. In February 2015 it was reported that the construction company working with TMDG had "presented plans" to the town of Plymouth, and that both of the chairlifts had been run recently. In March, TMDG launched a Facebook page, with hints on what was planned for the resort. Later posts on their Facebook page showed that the reopening of Tenney Mountain was moving forward, including chairlift inspections and snow surveys.

Attempted 2015-2016 season reopening

In early 2015, TMDG started clearing five years of brush growth on the mountain's trails. The lodge was renovated, including a new roof, kitchen and bathrooms. Daily posts outlined the progress at the resort, such as the retrofitting of chairlifts and snowmaking system repairs. Three grooming machines were purchased from Piston Bully, as well as HKD snowmaking equipment. Amenities for the first season are likely to be limited, with no rentals or season passes and minimal trail lighting. They originally planned to open on 15 December 2015, but were unable due to poor winter conditions. Faced with the same problems as many other New England ski resorts, Tenney was unable to open during the season.

When the resort shut down in 2009, the owners simply walked away, leaving the infrastructure to decay. They left the snowmaking system full of water, causing the pipes to shatter and split during the following winters. Food was also left to rot in the kitchen, and roads on the mountain were not maintained, allowing for erosion to wash away access roads. Also, most of the copper piping in the pump house was ripped out and stolen at some point during the five-year closure period. On the evening of 5 January 2016, Tenney Mountain started making snow for the first time in six years, using four SMI fan guns borrowed from a ski area in New York. Installation of the HKD snowmaking equipment purchased in the summer of 2015 has been postponed until after the 2015-16 season.

In February 2016, Tenney Mountain made plans to open limited tubing operations with access via the platter lift, and eventually skiing via the Eclipse triple if the mountain received substantial snowfall. The Hornet double has been slated for opening during the 2016-2017 season.

Summer progress in 2016

During the numerous warm spells during the late winter, and into the early summer, Tenney Mountain worked on repairing and upgrading the Hornet double chairlift, hoping to have it inspected in June. On 13 June 2016, the Hornet was inspected and tested by the state and passed. Throughout the summer and into the fall, the resort worked to locate and repair bursts and breaks in the snowmaking loops caused by freezing water.

Future plans

There are many parts to a multi-year plan for the resurrection of the resort. An additional 500 condominiums are to be built, and trail lighting as well. The lift system is to be gradually upgraded, including a possible high speed detachable chairlift to the summit, and a second trail pod.

Mountain statistics

Tenney Mountain has 45 trails, spread over 110 acres (45 ha). Of the trails, 13% are rated as "easy," 56% are rated as "intermediate," and 31% are rated as "advanced." The terrain is serviced by three lifts: a triple chair, a double chair and a Pomalift. 85% of the terrain has snowmaking installed, and Tenney receives around 140 inches (360 cm) of snow per year.

The ski area has a top elevation of 2,149 feet (655 m) and a base elevation of 749 feet (228 m), for a vertical drop of 1,400 feet (430 m).