Thunder Ridge Ski Area

Thunder Ridge is a small ski area located in Patterson, NY. Because it is located just 75 minutes from New York City, the mountain attracts skiers and snowboarders from across the New York area. While it does not receive a lot of snowfall, Thunder Ridge does have snowmaking capabilities which can cover 95% of the mountain. Because it is open at night, Thunder Ridge is a haven for high school ski racing. The mountain hosts part of Hudson Valley League racing.[1] In 2014 the area came under new management, after the previous managers could no longer afford to take care of the property as a result of the Great Recession.[2]

Thunder Ridge
Thunder Ridge Trail Map
LocationPatterson, New York
Nearest major cityPatterson, New York
Vertical403 ft.
Top elevation880 ft.
Skiable area90 acres (360,000 m2)
Runs21
48% easiest
19% more difficult
33% most difficult
Lift system3 chairlifts, 4 magic carpets
Terrain parksFawn Meadow, and Little Thunder (March Only)
SnowmakingYes, 90% coverage
Night skiingYes
Websitehttp://www.thunderridgeski.com/

Under previous ownership the mountain was known as Birch Hill (1957–1968), Big Birch (1968–1995), Thunder Ridge Ski Area (1995–present).

Trails

Thunder Ridge Ski area has 21 trails. 9 of which are accessible from the Triple Chair, 6 from the double chair, 4 from both chairs, and 5 bunny trails. It has 8 Black Diamonds 4 Blue Squares and 12 Green Circles.

After coming under new ownership, many of the old trails were 'decommissioned' and other trails given priority. Old Map. Since 2018 around 95% of the mountain is covered with snowmaking equipment, up from 75% under the old ownership. Since 2015, equipment has gone through a major upgrade including the purchase of a new Bombardier Prinoth BR350 groomer[3] and five new Demaclenko snow guns[4][5][6] and Ratnik snow guns.[7]

In 2020, as part of the mountain's effort to reduce its carbon footprint, new electric motors were installed throughout the base area.[8]

Accessible from Triple Chair
Name Rating
Lovers Lane
Fawn Meadow
Santa Fe
Evergreen
Sunset Run (very limited use)
Competition[9]
Fools Delight[10]
The Face
Blackberry Pass
Halfpipe
Accessible From Double Chair
Name Rating
Bull's Run[11]
Don's Drop
Deer Pasture
Wildcat[12]
Timber Wolf[12]
Eagle's Lair[13]
Halfpipe
Accessible from Both Chairs
Name Rating
Sissy Schuss
The Road
Don's Drop
Lovers Lane (since 2019)
Halfpipe
Bunny Hills
Name Rating
Little Thunder
Fun Run
You Can Do It!
Movin Up
Little Thunder


Top of the main lift (the triple) as seen from the 'Top medical depôt'.

Lifts

Thunder Ridge currently has 3 chairlifts and 4 magic carpets. In 1958 a T-Bar opened at then Birch Hill[14]- servicing the main part of today's ski area. Numerous Tows were also installed on the mountain. Sometime in the 1960s, a Borvig double chairlift was installed to the summit; it remains the area's longest and oldest lift. In about 1967, a short double chairlift was installed which today served Little Thunder. In 1986, a Borvig triple chairlift was installed to supersede and eventually replace the T-Bar lift, which it did. In the early 2000s, four Magic Carpet lifts were installed on Thunder Ridge to replace the Tows. Remnants of the tows can still be seen to this day.

During the mid-1960s the Mahopac High School ski team raced and trained at Birch Hill, as did the teams from Carmel and some other Putnam County and Northern Westchester county schools. The lodge was a simple place with a gravel floor.

Today the area maintains 7 running lifts; 4 Carpets (one open all the time (You can do it, "Toyland"), two open on the weekends, one used as a backup), a triple lift (main lift, "The triple"), a double lift (secondary lift, "The double"), and one small double lift (beginner lift, "Little Thunder"). There today remains three neglected tows (one serving the halfpipe, and one serving the terrain park, and one which servde the old terrain park). Both the triple and double were re-surfaced and gained more modern accessories and safety equipment in the late 2010s.

References
  1. Ng, Matthew (2007-01-29). "Horace Mann debuts in Section 1 skiing competition". The Journal News.
  2. http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/2014/09/12/thunder-ridge-ski-area-expected-open/15537391
  3. "Filling up before heading out last night. We have begun to push out the piles and will be making snow again very soon". www.instagram.com. 17 December 2019. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  4. "First batch of new snowguns have arrived!". www.instagram.com. 27 November 2018. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  5. "These hard workers are getting some time off, come over and enjoy all the snow they have put out. Open Saturday 9am-9pm, and Sunday 9am-5pm". www.instagram.com. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  6. "Putting our Demo DEMACLENKO fangun through it's paces". www.instagram.com. 2 January 2016. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  7. "The snowmaking team heading up to install new Ratnik snowguns up on the hill!". www.instagram.com. 4 January 2017. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  8. "Improving for the future, we are not letting this pandemic slow us down. In only a few months we'll see you all on the snow". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  9. "Ski or Ride into the New Year on the just opened Competition trail. We are open today until 9pm!". www.instagram.com. 1 January 2020. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  10. "Fool's Delight is now OPEN! See you on the hill!". www.instagram.com. 15 February 2020. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  11. "Name that trail! Comment below for a chance to win". www.instagram.com. 21 January 2020. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  12. "Wildcat and Timber Wolf now open! Come skiing or riding today, we close at 5pm". www.instagram.com. 11 March 2018. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  13. "Ski Patrol dropped the ropes this morning, Eagle's Lair is now open". www.instagram.com. 23 February 2020. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  14. "#tbt 1958 the year the Hall T-Bar was installed!". www.instagram.com. 8 October 2015. Retrieved 2020-12-18.

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