Ski History in the Berkshires at Catamount Mountain
Catamount Mountain Resort Dedicates a Race Trail to Skiing Legend, Toni Matt
Ski pioneer, Toni Matt, was a champion Austrian and American ski racer who spent his life in the mountains beginning in his childhood home of St Anton, Austria and continuing in America in New England, Montana, and New York. The former Ski School Director at Catamount from 1960-1974 achieved success and notoriety throughout his career culminating with his induction into the United States Ski Hall of Fame in 1967.
Soon after becoming the 1938 Austrian Junior national champion at age 19, Toni Matt came to the United States in 1939 with Herbert Schneider to teach skiing with the Hannes Schneider Ski School in North Conway, NH. In the same year, Matt won his first United States downhill championship and also set a record when he won the Inferno Race on Mount Washington in New Hampshire. Matt’s record time still stands today and clocks in at 6 minutes ahead of the previous record time. Toni Matt’s second United States downhill championship would come in 1941.
Later in 1942 with the United States joining the war effort in Europe, Toni Matt enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division in Alaska. A few years after returning from service in WWII Matt became a founder and builder of Whitefish Mountain in Montana in 1947. After moving back to the northeast to raise his family, Catamount owner, Jack Fisher, hired Toni Matt to become Catamount’s Ski School Director in 1960, a position Matt would hold until 1974 when he accepted the same position at Whiteface in Lake Placid, NY.
Toni Matt had a storied career on two continents in skiing, ski racing, coaching, and serving his country when he was needed most. “The Toni Matt racing trail dedication will be a great day for the Toni Matt family, a great day for Catamount Mountain Resort, and a great day for ski history in America” said Richard Matt, son of Toni Matt.
“The ownership of Catamount and I have been involved in alpine ski racing our entire lives. To have Toni Matt, one of the legends of the sport, so connected to Catamount is an honor to be celebrated” said Catamount General Manager Mark Smith. “We appreciate his legacy and the efforts of his family to remind Catamount’s race coaches, instructors, and young ski racers that a man of Toni’s caliber forged a tradition of excellence to be emulated” continued Smith.
There was a dedication of the Toni Matt racing trail at Catamount on Saturday December 14th at 1:00pm.
Discover Stability and Joy in Skiing with Stable Ski – Designed for People with Limited Mobility
Stable Ski
Skiing brings joy, movement, and a sense of freedom, but it can also present challenges, especially for those with physical limitations. Stable Ski offers an innovative solution designed to help individuals return to the slopes with confidence, stability, and safety.
Stable Ski provides better control compared to traditional skis, which can be difficult for individuals with limited mobility. These skis are designed with a focus on stability, making them ideal for older adults, those recovering from injuries, or anyone seeking a safer experience on the mountains.
Stable Ski has been specially developed with the following groups in mind:
- Individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis or other neurological conditions
- People recovering from joint surgeries, such as knee or ankle operations
- Skiers aged 55+ looking for stable and reliable equipment
- Ski instructors and guides supporting clients with mobility challenges
These skis are not only designed to provide stability but also to allow skiers to rediscover the joy of the slopes without fear of falls or discomfort. Made from high-quality and durable materials, they are a reliable choice for both recreational and adaptive skiers.
Stable Ski believes that skiing should be accessible to everyone, and these skis represent a new opportunity for anyone facing physical limitations. Stable Ski empowers users to enjoy skiing confidently and safely. Try Stable Ski and experience how it can transform your skiing adventure. https://stable-ski.com/
Bretton Woods: New Hampshire’s Biggest Ski Resort
Bretton Woods Credit: Ski NH
SKI Magazine readers once again chose Bretton Woods for the BEST SNOW and BEST GROOMING in the EAST for the 2024 season. For older skiers who prefer gentle skiing and great conditions with fewer difficult slopes, Bretton Woods is the place! Other top rankings for Bretton Woods in 2024 include the best in New Hampshire for Overall Satisfaction, Lifts, Lodging, Guest Services, Dining, Family Friendly and Après Ski Scene. The area also did well in the New England Ski Journal poll rankings and among the accolades is the most scenic ski area.
Bretton Woods is New Hampshire’s largest ski area with 464 acres of skiing and snowboarding on 63 trails and 35 glades! Ten lifts, including the Bretton Woods Skyway 8-Passenger Gondola and four high-speed quads, make your ride up the mountain almost as fun as the ride down.
The Rosebrook Lodge is at the top of the Bretton Woods Skyway Gondola with stunning panoramic views of Mount Washington and the Presidential Range. The Switchback Grille (11 AM – 2:30 PM) offers lunch or libations at the bar or there are snacks at the Peaks Café. The Slopeside Pub & Restaurant is in the main Base Lodge for a sit-down lunch menu and large glass windows for a slopeside dining experience. The Lucy Crawford Food Court is the other base lodge option which is on the main level for food to keep fueled.
Snow and Terrain
Bretton Woods is known for consistent snow conditions, and it’s rarely ever windy. They’ve got snowmaking on 92 percent of the trails. Over the years, Bretton Woods was known as an easy mountain with few steep slopes and that, in fact, is one of the best reasons for older skiers to become aficionados of the area. The runs are short and the lifts are fast, and this allows older skiers and riders to ski comfortably or turn on the jets and avoid getting tired from runs that are too long.
The ski area has become recognized for its grooming by earning first place mention in a skiers’ poll. It also has excellent accessible glade skiing that can be enjoyed by intermediate skiers and boarders and has long lasting powder. Bretton Woods has an excellent layout with the four high speed chairlifts helping to spread skiers out on the mountain, which keep lift lines reasonable and often nonexistent. The West Mountain and Rosebrook areas on the mountain are separated from the main mountain, and they provide plenty to explore both on the slopes and in the glades.
Suggested Alpine Skiing Itinerary for Seniors
Upon experiencing Bretton Woods SeniorsSkiing correspondent Tamsin Venn stated, “The overall experience here is a friendly mountain that’s fun to ski. There’s plenty of skiing available for an older person without putting too much pressure on hips and knees. For tree skiers, the glades are fairly open in keeping with the resort’s easy-going nature.”
My recommendation for Bretton Woods is to take the Bethlehem lift and then ski to the Rosebrook lift. Take a few runs in the Rosebrook area in some easy glades, but don’t go too far to the east, or you’ll end up back down at the base. From the top of the Rosebrook lift, you can also go west (to the right) and keep your speed up as you pass by the Rosebrook Lodge to reach the West Mountain for runs in the glades on that side of the mountain. Enjoy plenty of narrow runs in the West Mountain trees. There’s a restroom at the base of the West Mountain quad, if you need it.
Bottom Line
Seniors 80 years and up ski free any day, and those 65-79 ski for $40 midweek (M-Th)/non-holiday. Holiday or weekend (Fri-Sun) lift tickets are $124 for ages 65-79. Adult day passes are $97 Mon-Thur non-holiday and $139 holiday or Fri-Sun.
2024 Bretton Woods Mountain Stats
Summit Elevation: 3,100 feet
Vertical Drop: 1,500 feet
Base Elevation: 1,600 feet
Trails and Glades: 98
Skiable Acreage: 464 acres
Snowmaking: 92% of Trails
Average Annual Snowfall: 200+ inches
Season Length: Early-November to mid-April
Exposure: North-Northeast
Lifts: 10
Uphill Lift Capacity: 14,000 skiers per hour
Bretton Woods Nordic Skiing
The Bretton Woods Nordic Center is one of the best XC ski facilities in the world at the golf club next to the Omni Mt. Washington Hotel and has classical and skate skiing as well as snowshoeing on trails prepared with state-of-the-art grooming. Visit on-trail destinations including a warming cabin on Porcupine Trail, and the lift-served Mount Stickney Cabin. There are exceptional scenic vistas along many parts of the trail network for those who want to retain the memory with the Mt. Washington peak as the backdrop.
The lift-served Mountain Road trail may be the most fun to be had on XC skis in New England and the photos from the trail are unsurpassed.
I’ve taken many friends on the Mountain Road because it is much easier to take the lift up and then ski downhill on the trail, and it has incredible scenery and views. This 7 km trail is accessible from the top of the Bethlehem Express quad at the Bretton Woods alpine ski area (five minutes from the Nordic Center via complimentary resort shuttle). Along the way, take a side trip on a T-bar lift to the Stickney Cabin for snacks and libations and to ski additional trails on the way back to the Mountain Road. For senior or novice XC skiers, the Mountain Road is sure to be a lifetime highlight!
XC ski and snowshoe rentals are available at the Nordic Center and skiers can be outfitted with classic and skate skis, pulks (pull sleds for pre-skiers) and snowshoes. The Nordic Center also has an excellent retail shop for everything XC ski. Private and semi-private lessons are available with advanced reservation.
While you’re at the area take the free shuttle and go check out the historic Omni Mt. Washington Hotel for some drinks or dinner. It harkens back to the time of the grand hotels (bell boys, ski concierge, etc.) and it has been renovated with a new spa, wonderful restaurants and bars, and even a dance club in the basement for late night action.
Nordic Trail System Stats
Total Kilometers: 100km (95km tracked and skate groomed)
Trails: 45 (34% Novice, 45% Intermediate, 21% Expert)
Base Elevation: 1,600 Feet
Peak Elevation: 2,800 Feet
Total Acreage: 1,770 Acres
Annual Snowfall: 200+ inches
Season Length: mid-November to mid-March
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