Benjamin Hill
Category: Abandoned Ski Areas
**April 2009**
Trails: The main ropetow slope near the lodge was re-cleared for sledding several years ago, and now is as it was when the ski area was operational. From the top of the hill, it appeared that several former ski trails heading skier's right had been converted into hiking trails, though I didn't explore these. The T-bar liftline is also now a narrow hiking trail.
Lifts: The main twin ropetow that ran up the slope in front of the lodge is still standing almost in its entirety (minus rope). Base frame is now rotted and unstable looking though, and the top towers looked as if they had been burned at some point. A smaller beginner ropetow that served what seemed like ZERO vertical also still had one tower standing, along with the wooden frame for its motor at the top of the slope. The classic Hall T-bar return bullwheel at the top still stands intact, rusting away. The 3 towers leading back towards the base were all thrown into the woods along the liftline and were missing crossarms and sheave trains. The base drive for the T-bar is still standing rusting away into the woods.
Facilities: The original base lodge has been torn down and converted into a really nice looking small recreation center, complete with an in-ground swimming pool. A tennis court turned skate part also exists next to the parking lot. This place also has what appears to be one of the most EPIC looking playgrounds I've ever seen.
Accessibility: The entire area is open to the public today for all of the aforementioned activities. This is a GREAT place to go if you want to start to get into NELSAP-ing.
