The Newport Ski Club boasts a rich history rooted in the traditional ski culture of the eastern United States. From its early days at Vermont Academy to its presence in Newport, New Hampshire, the club has seen its share of triumphs and challenges. This article delves into the historical milestones and developments that shaped the Newport Ski Club.
Early Days and Vermont Academy
The great traditional times at Vermont Academy mark one of the leading ski clubs in the eastern United States. In its past, the academy featured a 40-meter hill renowned for its long takeoff, accompanied by two smaller hills situated approximately 100 meters apart.
Newport High School and Local Developments
In 1967, a modest 20-meter hill was established at Newport High School, followed by the construction of an additional K32 jump in 1972. Today, only the K10 and K30 jumps remain. Unfortunately, ski jumping activities have ceased due to the absence of snowmaking capabilities.
Ski Jumping in New England: A Broader Context
To understand the Newport Ski Club's place in history, it's helpful to look at the broader context of ski jumping in New England. Here's a glimpse at other ski jumping sites and clubs in the region:
- Winsted, Connecticut: In 1934, a ski jumping hill was constructed, designed by Anton Lekang, allowing jumps of over 60 meters.
- Belfast Ski Area: A small 15-meter ski jump operated from 1967 to 1973 as part of a community project.
- Gould Academy: Skiing competitions have a long tradition, with a 30-meter ski jumping hill developed at Sunday River Skiing Areas in 1939.
- Hurricane Ski Slope: Nordic skiing was introduced in 1973, featuring a 20-meter ski jump.
- Fryeburg Academy: An artificial K20 hill was built in 1961, operating until the late 1970s.
- Mount David, Lewiston: A ski jump was opened in January 1923, allowing jumps around 20 meters.
- University of Maine: A ski jumping hill was built in 1921/22, with an inauguration from February 9-11, 1922.
- Pinnacle Ski Area: In Pittsfield, an artificial inrun structure was used during the 1960s.
- Rumford’s Chisholm Ski Club: Dates back to circa 1923, when a ski jump was constructed on Spruce Street.
- Ayer Ski Hill: In 1935, a 70-meter high wooden trestle was built up.
- Bolton Ski Club: Norseman’s Hill was inaugurated after two years of hard work in 1948.
- Boston Garden: Began in December 1935 with the construction of an artificial ski slope and a ski jumping hill.
- Eaglebrook School: Founded in 1923, it held its first winter carnival in 1924-25, including ski jumping.
- Punkatasset Hill: In the 1920s and 30s, there was a small ski slope with a ski jump.
- Blue Hills Reservation Park: A 100-feet ski jumping hill was opened in January 1929.
- Dartmouth Outing Club: Founded in 1911 by Fred Harris, the initiator of ski jumping in Vermont and New Hampshire.
- Gunstock Mountain Resort: A 60-meter jump was inaugurated in February 1937.
- Russell Pond Ski Area: A small ski jumping hill was constructed.
- Allegany State Park: From 1933 to 1941, two ski jumping hills were constructed.
- Bear Mountain: From the 1930s on, it was the ski jumping center of the whole USA.
- Madison Square Garden: The first Winter Carnival with an artificial downhill slope and a ski jump took place from December 9 to 12, 1936.
- Rochester: In the 1930s, a large wooden 70-meter ski jumping hill was constructed.
- Joppenbergh Mountain: Designed by Harold Schelderup from Norway and built by Telemark Ski Club in 1936-37.
- St. Lawrence University: There was once a student ski jumping team and a small ski jumping hill in “Little River Snow Bowl”.
- Latchis Ski Park: In 1952, a 30-meter hill was built.
- Maple Valley: Established in 1962-63, two ski jumps were built.
- Middlebury College Snow Bowl: In 1936, the 50-meter “Edward Gignac Memorial Ski Jump” was constructed.
- Lyndon Outing Club: In 1947 moved to Shonya Hill and built there a 25-meter ski jump, which was later enlarged to a 45-meter hill.
- Putney School: In 1936 a small skiing area including a 25 meter wooden ski jumping hill was opened south of Putney School in Vermont.
- Mount Mansfield: In 1921 the ski jumping competitions of the first „Winter Carnival“ were held on Marshall Hill at Mount Mansfield in Stowe, Vermont.
The Legacy of Torger Tokle at Gunstock Mountain Resort
The inauguration of the new 60-meter jump in February 1937 drew huge crowds to the Belknap Mountains Recreation Area, now known as Gunstock Mountain Resort. Norwegian immigrant Torger Tokle set a hill record of 251 ft. (76.5 m) on this ski jump in 1941, a record that stood for 35 years.
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The jump was named in memory of Tokle in March 1946, following his death during World War II. Smaller hills were added in 1937-38, with a K50 constructed in 1949. Gunstock Ski Area operated with four hills (K87, K50, K26, and K18) until 2004. In 2009, the "Gunstock Mountain Historic Preservation Society" took over the preservation of the ski jumping hills, rededicating the large jump to Torger Tokle on March 9, 2011.
Gunstock Mountain Resort
Newport Outing Club Winter Carnival
The Newport Outing Club held an initial winter carnival. The events included a sleigh ride to Corbin Park, a deer drive on snowshoes, and a dinner at the Blue Mountain Forest Club house.
The “Three Men of Weight,” Ty L Barker, Fred Gamash, and Frances P. Murphy, led a parade to the music of the Newport Cadet Band. The Opera House was filled for the carnival dance. Spaulding’s Orchestra performed, followed by a grand march with 84 couples wearing paper caps.
Other events included a toboggan chute, a 100-yard ski dash, and a basketball game. Saturday's events were postponed due to a fire but later included a hockey game, skijoring, and a potkukelkka race.
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Ski jumping results from the carnival:
| Event | First Place | Distance | Second Place | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ski Jump | C.G. Paulson (New Hampshire State College) | 52 ft. 1 in. | John Carleton (Dartmouth College) | 50 ft. 7 in. |
| Longest Jump | John Carleton (Dartmouth College) - 55 ft. | |||
| 100 Yard Ski Dash | John Carleton | W.D. | ||
The officials for the carnival included Sumner Emerson (Dartmouth College) as referee and Stanley Llewellyn (Manchester) as starter.
The executive committee of the Newport Outing Club was commended for their efforts in making the carnival successful.
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