"Its still winter so I thought I would pass along a couple of photos of what recreation looked like 70 years ago here in the Woodland Valley. Enclosed are two photos of the Simpsons Ski Slope . It was a wonderful Mom and Pop (or in this case Brother and Brother) ski area where many of us learned to ski in lace up boots on wooden skis with screwed in metal edges. I also cannot forget those leather "safety" straps that attached your ski to your ankle making sure that when you fell your skis would bang into you as you tumbled down the hill. As can be seen from the photo it operated early on with no tow or lift of any kind. I can't imagine today crowds of people taking a long train ride from New York City to Phoenicia to hike all the way up and then ski down. What enthusiasts they were! The other photo shows five happy gents atop the slope decked out in their woolens and leather boots. Most of them seem to be carrying satchels but the man on the left also appears to have an army blanket over his shoulder. Not something you often see today on the slopes. Here are a couple of links to websites with more photos and information on the Simpsons Ski Slope."
- Rolf
History of the Simpson Ski Slope
Ice Harvesting at the Simpson Ski Slope
The Daily Star - First Ski Slope in NY
Ski Areas in NY
Catskill Center - A Sense of Place
