Walk among shady trees and look for relics from the past. Sweetheart Mountain in Canton is covered in fascinating history. This once-bustling ski resort has now been left for nature to reclaim, and it’s an incredible day trip destination. If you love exploring abandoned places in Connecticut, you must add this hiking destination to your bucket list.
Tucked inside the hills of Canton sits the remnants of a once-popular ski resort.
Doug Fortin/AllTrails The area is maintained by the Canton Land Conservation Trust, and it’s full of wonder.
Three trails surround this unique destination, totaling about 1.25 miles.
Mark Penney/AllTrails
The peaceful sounds of nature would be enough to satisfy any nature lover, but that’s not the only amazing thing you’ll find here.
Eric Amodio/AllTrails
Throughout the region sits poignant reminders of days gone by. Keep your eye out for the remains of old ski tows.
Matt Hew/AllTrails
Even the towing machinery still remains, covered in crunchy leaves and dirt.
Chris (Dirty Bird) Perry/AllTrails
The stories behind this abandoned ski resort are truly fascinating.
Hanaa Vina McDermott/AllTrails This piece of machinery once belonged to The Canton Ski Club, a thrilling wintertime destination. Even though it was established in 1948, the resort didn’t really start growing until the ’60s. At one point, the club had as many as 100 adult and 500 children members.
But a terrifying accident put a damper on the resort’s overall success.
Amy Lillis/AllTrails In the early 1970s, a young girl caught her hair in the rope tow. The safety gate stopped the tow at the top, but there was some miscommunication between ski resort members. As a result, the tow started up again, ripping the young girl’s hair from her scalp. Thankfully, the girl survived, but her hair never grew back.
The rising insurance costs, in addition to the overwhelming success of
Ski Sundown, forced The Canton Ski Club out of business in 1975.
Alejandro Gonzalez/AllTrails
Although the sweeping snowy slopes are long gone, the gorgeous views remain.
Trevor Canace/AllTrails When you reach the top, be sure to appreciate the beauty of the city below. These panoramic views are gorgeous any time of year. To learn more about Canton Land Trust, visit their website here. You can access trail maps for the Sweetheart Mountain trails here.
Have you ever embarked on this hike to an abandoned ski resort in Connecticut? If so, we want to hear all about it! Share your discoveries with us in the comments below. And if you want to explore more fascinating places, take this thrilling road trip to 5 abandoned places in Connecticut.
Doug Fortin/AllTrails
The area is maintained by the Canton Land Conservation Trust, and it’s full of wonder.
Mark Penney/AllTrails
Eric Amodio/AllTrails
Matt Hew/AllTrails
Chris (Dirty Bird) Perry/AllTrails
Hanaa Vina McDermott/AllTrails
This piece of machinery once belonged to The Canton Ski Club, a thrilling wintertime destination. Even though it was established in 1948, the resort didn’t really start growing until the ’60s. At one point, the club had as many as 100 adult and 500 children members.
Amy Lillis/AllTrails
In the early 1970s, a young girl caught her hair in the rope tow. The safety gate stopped the tow at the top, but there was some miscommunication between ski resort members. As a result, the tow started up again, ripping the young girl’s hair from her scalp. Thankfully, the girl survived, but her hair never grew back.
Alejandro Gonzalez/AllTrails
Trevor Canace/AllTrails
When you reach the top, be sure to appreciate the beauty of the city below. These panoramic views are gorgeous any time of year. To learn more about Canton Land Trust, visit their website here. You can access trail maps for the Sweetheart Mountain trails here.
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Address: Sweetheart Mountain, Canton, CT 06019, USA
