Moose Mtn. tubing park opens, to add skating rink

A tubing enthusiasts speeds down the slope at Moose Mountain Recreation on Friday. (Harrison Thorp photos)

BROOKFIELD, N.H. - Moose Mountain a few years ago was just one of many small, family owned ski areas across the Granite State that fell on hard times and closed.

Not any more.

Reopened in 2009 as a tubing park, Moose Mountain Recreation has transformed itself into an area winter destination that caters to families and youngsters from all over.

The mountain still boasts a more than 600-foot vertical drop, but that elevation is now put to good use producing squeals of delight from youngsters and families as they speed down one of three groomed runs that span one of the ski area’s former slopes.

Within the next week or so, tubing park manager Ashlee Maimes said they expect to complete construction of an outdoor skating rink a stone’s throw from the base lodge where families will be able to ice skate free of charge.

Ashlee Maimes and her mom, Lorrie Bourdeau behind the lunch counter at the lodge.

Robert Bourdeau of Milton, Maimes’ dad, bought the area in 2008, and the area reopened the next year.

Maimes said they totally renovated the lodge and cleared a lot of fallen trees from the former ski area’s slopes and trails.

The former Moose Mountain Ski Area operated from the early 1960s to the late 1980s, according to http://www.nelsap.org/nh/nh.html, a website that features lost New Hampshire ski areas. A poster in the lodge boasts six trails, three ski lifts and a daily lift pass for $5.

Maimes said skiers can still use the trails, but they have to hike up, and of course, they ski at their own risk.

Besides tubing and skating, the area is a major hub for snow machine enthusiasts, with three different clubs regularly meeting for rallies.

Thursday was opening day for the tubing park. On Friday morning more than 30 youngsters and their families were on hand to enjoy tubing runs and a hot lunch at the lodge.

A page from a former Moose Mountain ski area brochure. (Courtesy image)

Maimes said the menu consists mostly of ski lodge type cuisine like chicken nuggets, burgers and pizza.

Parents can also enjoy a glass of beer or wine.

An undated poster touting the amenities of the former Moose Mountain Ski Area. (Courtesy photo)

Maimes runs the place with the help of her mom, Lorrie Bourdeau, who this day was working behind the counter.

Maimes said the business is a true family affair and it makes for a casual and relaxed atmosphere.

Moose Mountain Recreation is also home to a disc golf course, which is free to use during the winter months.

Even though Moose Mountain is very much a seasonal business, between the disc golf and the tubing, it’s pretty much open except for a couple of weeks a year, Maimes said.

To find out more about Moose Mountain Recreation, you can visit http://moosemountainrecreation.com/home.html.