Industry News
The U.S. has at least 480 ski resorts spread across an impressive 37 states. Four states, however, have unfortunately lost their resort(s) at one point or another for various reasons. Some resorts closed due to low visitation rates, while others shut their doors due to the effects of climate change. While it’s always sad to see a ski resort close, the landmarks surely left an impression on all of those that were lucky enough to experience them in their heyday.
Kansas: Mt. Bleu
Mont Bleu, or ‘Blue Mound’ as it was originally known, is a prominent hill located south of Lawrence, Kansas. It played a role in early Kansas history as a landmark on the Oregon Trail and as a lookout point during the “Bleeding Kansas” Civil War era of the state. The small resort featured a rope tow, ski rentals, a base lodge, and snow-making machines that drew water from the Wakarusa River. The resort operated from approximately 1968 to 1983. Unfortunately, due to factors such as inconsistent natural snowfall and increasing operational costs (including snow-making and maintenance), the resort eventually closed down. Kansas’s location next to more famous ski oriented neighboring state Colorado may have also contributed to the ultimate closure of the ski resort.
Nebraska: Devil’s Nest
Devil’s Nest was an ambitious, if overthought, project in Nebraska planned as a year-round resort. Its featured amenities included ski slopes, an equestrian center, yacht club, and housing. It gained attention around 1972 but faced financial difficulties and went bankrupt in 1974 because the developers couldn’t afford the property taxes. The property faced foreclosure, and ultimately sold at auction in 1977. The ski lift and other infrastructure fell into disuse and decay. Recently, new interest has sparked in the Devil’s Nest project. New development includes focuses on building residential lots and cabins, along with enhancing the area’s natural beauty and recreational opportunities such as trails for horseback riding, ATVs, and a potential new marina.
Kentucky: Ski Butler and Lakewood Village
Kentucky might be known for bourbon and horseracing, but he Bluegrass State was once home to 2 ski resorts. The first was known as Lakewood village. Opening initially as a private ski resort in 1979, the area went public in 1980. Located near Ashland, Kentucky, the resort struggled to maintain snow in the humid climate of the area. It quickly closed by 1982. Kentucky’s other ski area opened directly in the wake of the Lakewood Village closure. Ski Butler, a public ski area located in General Butler State Park, opened in 1982. The inconsistent weather and lack of reliable snow, especially compared to resorts further north, made it challenging to operate the business profitably. Investors had to continuously inject funds, and ultimately, the operation was sold. The ski lodge has been vacant since. Future plans for the area include the creation of a Native American Arts and Cultural Center. The Kentucky Native American Heritage Commission oversees the project, which envisions a center with a library, museum, art gallery, gift shop, and demonstration area.
Georgia: Vinings Ridge Ski Area
Far from the powdery peaks of a traditional ski resort, Vinings Ridge operated on a synthetic surface due to Georgia’s warm, subtropical climate. This unique, year-round attraction was situated just outside of Atlanta on a 780-foot hill. Vinings Ridge’s slope spanned 60 feet wide and was designed with plastic pellets and synthetic turf. These small plastic pebbles rolled seamlessly under skis, reminiscent of traditional skiing without the need for cold temperatures or true snow. Skiers were able to experience a similar effect to real snow, all while being on a hillside overlooking Atlanta. If nature didn’t provide enough natural moisture, the management would turn on the sprinklers about every hour to help turn the pebbles into slippery ball bearings. The more water there was, the faster the surface conditions. The pebbles would then have to be raked back up the hill every couple of days and reset.
Despite its initial popularity, Vinings Ridge Ski Area ultimately proved to be short-lived. As unique as it was for Georgians to experience the thrill of skiing and snowboarding in the South, when the novelty wore off, the high costs of maintaining the artificial slope outweighed the demand. Skiers also had more options within a reasonable driving distance, like Appalachian mountain resorts to the north with authentic snow and varied terrain.
While these resorts ultimately closed due to financial strain, inconsistent snowfall, or shifting recreational demands, they remain part of the broader history of skiing in America’s heartland and Southeast. Today, the growth of mega passes and the expansion of resort networks have brought renewed attention to accessibility and proximity to major metro areas. Whether that trend could one day influence new development in states like Kansas, Nebraska, Kentucky, or Georgia remains to be seen—but the legacy of these lost ski areas continues to echo among the slopes that once were.
You left out sky valley in Dillard GA. It was a real ski resort with snowmaking. They had one lift, 4 runs, and a rope tow on the bunny slope. I learned to ski there in the 90s. It’s now just a golf course and resort but the slopes are still there and the remnants of the snow guns and lights along the runs are still there.