Picture Vernon: Once Upon A Time, There was A Local Ski Area

VERNON, CT — The latest installment of the Picture Vernon series takes us back to the 1960s, when residents could ski at Henry Park.

A local alpine club ran the facility. According to the Vernon Historical society, in 1962, club members installed a rope tow powered by a Ford Model A automobile engine on Fox Hill to take skiers up the trail, which dropped to an area behind the homes below. Lights were also installed. Children were able to take lessons.

Most of the skiers were still sporting lace-up or buckle leather boots because the plastic boot did not emerge on the scene until the middle part of the decade. There were no helmets.

The ski area operated until the late 1960s, according to the historical society.

The old rope tow hardware was visible along the tree line until about eight years ago, when it fell apart.

Here's the view from a spot about a quarter of the way down at what is now a scenic overlook at Henry Park.

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Picture Vernon is a periodic series showcasing images of the town, past and present.