by Town Historian Al Dumas
Al Dumas is pictured at left. Mike Taylor, Holiday Mountain owner, at right.
Holiday Mountain has been part of the Sullivan County landscape for nearly 70 years, evolving from a modest local ski hill into a year-round destination with deep roots in the Town of Thompson.
Holiday Mountain’s latest chapter is more than a renovation. It represents the renewal of a place connected to recreation, tourism and community life in Thompson since the 1950s.
Let’s take a closer look at the history of Holiday Mountain, home to our Town’s Thursday Night Lights program, offering local youth FREE skiing and snowboarding, along with discounts for adults. Stay tuned, we’ll share more information about this program soon!
The Early Days of Skiing in Sullivan County
Holiday Mountain’s roots stretch back to 1949, when the ski area reportedly offered three electric tows, open slopes, expert trails, a Swiss Ski School with instructors, a warming hut with refreshments and a ski shop.
Although Holiday Mountain became a beloved local destination, it wasn’t the first ski operation in Sullivan County. Walnut Mountain in Liberty and Christmas Hills in Livingston Manor both predated it.
In fact, skiing in Monticello dates back even further, to Wintergreen Hill, which welcomed skiers as early as the 1920s, although it was not a commercial operation.
From Rope Tow to Town Ski Area
The Holiday Mountain property’s history dates back to William and Maude Crawford, who owned the land and operated a boarding house on Old Route 17 in Rock Hill, near what is now the Deb-El Foods office.
In the early 1950s, Don Hammond and Manny Bogner installed a rope tow on the hill, helping establish its potential as a recreational destination.
The Town of Thompson soon took notice, purchasing the property for $5,000 and developing it for public recreation. Holiday Mountain officially opened as a Town-operated ski area in December 1957.
Growing with Sullivan County Tourism
From the beginning, Holiday Mountain was tied to the region’s tourism industry. The Town promoted the ski area to guests staying at nearby hotels and to visitors arriving at the newly opened Monticello Raceway, which debuted in June 1958.
The Town operated Holiday Mountain for more than four decades before selling it in 2000 to the Passante family, owners of the Villa Roma Resort.
Rebuilding After a Major Setback
In 2005, a devastating flood caused extensive damage to the mountain’s original trails and lodge. The property was rebuilt, with attractions including a fun park and arcade later expanding its recreational offerings.
By 2021, Holiday Mountain was again for sale and was advertised as having potential for housing development. Owner Craig Passante, however, had expressed a desire for the property to remain a ski center and continue serving the community.
Today: A New Era Begins
That opportunity arrived in 2023, when Mike Taylor and his family purchased Holiday Mountain and began an ambitious revitalization.
Improvements have included 100% snowmaking coverage across 20 ski trails, approximately 12 miles of snowmaking pipe, 250 snow guns, 250 new lights, four newer snowcats and roughly 500 new skis and snowboards.
Two new chairlifts have been added and the existing chairlift rebuilt. Two conveyor-style “magic carpet” lifts and a new learning center make the mountain more accessible to beginners.
A new snowtubing center and lodge, terrain park and day camp have further expanded the ways families can enjoy the property.
Carrying the Tradition Forward
Nearly 70 years after Holiday Mountain’s official opening as a Town-operated ski area, the mountain is once again looking toward the future…preserving an important piece of local history while creating new opportunities for residents and visitors.
And its community role continues through programs like Thursday Night Lights. Stay tuned for more about what’s ahead for this Town of Thompson tradition.