Powderhouse Hill (ski area) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Powderhouse Hill Ski Area |
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A shot of the one slope on Powderhouse Hill
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| Location | South Berwick, Maine, United States |
| Nearest city | Portland, Maine |
| Coordinates | 43°14′13″N 70°48′8″W / 43.23694°N 70.80222°W |
| Top elevation | 240 feet (73 m) |
| Base elevation | 120 feet (37 m) |
| Runs | 3 |
| Lift system | 1 |
| Website | www.powderhousehill.com |
Powderhouse Hill is a fun community ski area in South Berwick, Maine. It's owned by the town and run by amazing volunteers from the Powderhouse Ski Club. This small hill has one rope tow to get you up and three trails to ski down. Two trails are for intermediate skiers, and one is perfect for beginners. Powderhouse Hill relies completely on natural snow, so it's a great spot when winter brings lots of flakes!
Contents
The Story of Powderhouse Hill
Early Days and a New Name
The land where Powderhouse Hill stands today was first owned by Thomas and Elizabeth Butler. They settled in the area way back in 1698. Because of them, the hill was first known as Butler Hill.
Long ago, the towns of North Berwick, South Berwick, and Berwick, Maine were all one big town. People decided they needed a safe place to store gunpowder. They chose Butler Hill for this important building, which was called a "powder house." After the powder house was built, the hill became known as Powderhouse Hill.
In August 1851, some fires were started on purpose in South Berwick. Sadly, the powder house on Butler Hill was one of the buildings that burned down.
Starting the Ski Area
The Powderhouse Ski Area was created by William Hardy from Eliot, Maine. He loved to ski and had already run similar ski spots. He leased the land for Powderhouse Hill. The Hardy Family managed the ski area, selling snacks and coffee, and running the rope tow. Later, the town took over ownership.
An old Ford Model A car was cleverly changed to power the rope tow at Powderhouse Hill. The Powderhouse Hill Ski Club officially became a group on December 14, 1964. This makes Powderhouse Hill one of the oldest operating ski areas in the entire country!
Recent Updates
In 2019, the Powderhouse Hill sign got a fresh new look. It was repainted by a local 11-year-old named Leah and her father from York.
A special machine called a snow gun was added for the 2013-2014 winter season. This helps make more snow when needed, making sure there's enough for everyone to enjoy!
