The origins of the Springfield Ski Club date back to 1933, when Ken Cuddeback and Charlie Parker sought folks with similar recreational interests via a newspaper ad. That winter, the group started looking for a place to develop a ski area. They developed a ski slope on Pere Persson’s farm. A 1,000 foot long electric rope tow served the slope, while a nearby schoolhouse was used as a warming hut. Newenglandskihistory.com Blandford remained open for at least part of the World War II period, operating on weekends during the 1942-43 season. During times when fuel rationing prevented the operation of the tows, members reportedly still took the train to Blandford. It grew in popularity in the 1950s and 1960s, eventually expanding to 7 rope tows. A new racing trail may have been cut for the 1952-53 season, hosting college races. By the middle of the decade, some 5,000 folks were members of the club, making it more than triple its 1941 size.

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