Skiing in Town!

By Lenny Shaker and the Longmeadow Historical Society

(Published in Longmeadow Neighbors January 2025)

In January 1945, not long before the end of WWII, a Ski Area was prepared and ready for skiers at Longmeadow Street and Wheelmeadow Road. Most of the trees and all of the brush had been cleared, including a bridge built over the brook by the Boy Scouts. A model T Ford supplied the power for the Rope Tow with the old Ford wheels used as pulleys plus 700 feet of rope. The Ski Run itself was over 300 feet in length. The following winter, 1945-1946, lights were installed to allow night skiing to 10:30 PM, except on Saturday and Sunday. With the gas shortage during WWII, it was a wonderful treat to ski on a hill with a ski tow right here in town. Nature has once again claimed that hill that was such a joy for all of us on our wooden skis.