The Lost Ski Area of Waltham

WALTHAM, MA – There was a time when skiers in Waltham could hit the slopes right in their backyard.

And unlike some of the slopes listed by the New England Lost Ski Area Project, this one was fully operational. Longtime Waltham residents, in fact, might even have fond memories of skiing there.

But those new to Waltham might not know about the Prospect Hill ski area, which closed for good in 1990 after a series of operational and managerial changes and four decades of off-and-on service.

According to the New England Lost Ski Area Project, the area first opened sometime in the late 1940's off of Rt. 128, about a mile north of City Hall. From there, it began adding to its lineup of trails and became, as the site described it, an "oasis in the metropolitan area."

It enjoyed a brief heyday in the mid-1980's, installing a ski school, rental shop, dozens of instructors – all the accoutrements of a full-fledged resort. But according to the Lost Ski Area Project, it closed after the 1987 season, reopening only once from 1989-1990.

Those who shared memories of Prospect Hill on the New England Lost Ski Area Project page described it as a family friendly ski area that might have had staying power under the right leadership.

"It is unfortunate that someone with skiing vision didn't do something with Prospect Hill," one contributor, Joshua Segal, wrote. "It's [sic] location was and is excellent."

Do you remember this ski area? Did you go sledding or hiking there? Share your memories with us in the comments section.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons