Powder Ridge, Middlefield CT

Well, this former ski resort takes the honor of the only ski resort that became defunct during my quest. I missed two other ski resorts by a couple of years - Mount Tom and Brody Mountain - both in Massachusetts. Fortunately I had the opportunity to ski Powder Ridge a year or two before it closed. It was definitely a little "neighborhood" ski area. My first encounter with it was in the middle of summer while hiking the Metacomet trail.

The lodge was a bit like I remember my grandparent's cottage in Vermont: a frame with some wood planks to form walls and a screen door ready to come off the hinges. The lodge was a hub-bub of activity though - filled with lots of kids and an occasional parent fixing a ski boot or attempting to read a book.

The hill was rather nondescript although I admittedly skied it at night. However, it was full of jumps - some alarmingly big and a variety of terrain features. It definitely catered to the younger crowds.

Sad to see it go. There has been talk of new ownership but the deals keep falling through.....