40 replies to this topic

[lodibigdog]

I live near the abandoned Iron Mountain ski area and it has really sparked an interest of mine because of its setting. It's really sad to see such a nice place back in its day just rot away. I've searched and read some old info. about that place. Does anyone else have any info. about it?? I was going to go back there and I could take some shots if any needed some.

[SkiBachelor]

That would be great if you could get some shots of the lifts because I didn't have the time to hike the entire area when I was there. If you do go back to Iron Mountain, be sure to call the care taker since he might be pretty upset if he catches you walking around the place.

Here's the Iron Mountain page:
http://skilifts.org/...ronmountain.htm

[lodibigdog]

Ok, thanks. Any shots that you are interested in??? I can hike to see if the triple is still there. My buddies were up there 3 weeks ago snowmobiling and said the caretaker wasn't to be found. Do you have any info. on whats going on with this place currently?

[SkiBachelor]

The forest service wants all the lifts removed that are currently on its property and two of the three have been. The Wildcat triple is the only one waiting to be removed once the forest service comes up with the funds.

I know that the ski area could have been purchased for $950,000 two years ago when the owner filed for bankruptcy.

[coskibum]

the place looks like it is bad shape



is this chair already gone cameron?

[SkiBachelor]

That chair has been removed. I think it only opperated for 2 years before it was abandoned while the rest of Iron Mountain opperated on a unusual basis.

[coskibum]

found these too:

[Callao]

Bummer. What happened to this place?

[Lift Kid]

Quote

two of the three have been.

What do you mean 2 of 3? Your page lists 5 lifts.

Those SLIs and the Riblet that you have pics of look completely functional other than the slack cable on the one.

[SkiBachelor]

That's because 3 of the 5 lifts are on forest service property, while the other two (SLIs) are on private.

[coskibum]

so really the area is just being deribletized

[lodibigdog]

I went up the the Iron Mtn. area and found out from a regular visiting the caretaker had died last summer in a motorcycle accident. No one had been up there overlooking the place and it has been vandalized even more now. The gentleman also said the bank has title since the owner had defaulted.I'm going again since I know whats going on up there to take some photos.

This post has been edited by lodibigdog: 07 March 2007 - 08:34 PM

[SkiBachelor]

That's too bad, he was really nice to both Zack and I when we were there. He gave Zack a tour of the hotel and lodge there too.

[Phoenix]

I went up to Iron Mountain a couple of weeks ago. Only one lift still has the carriers on the cable. The other chairs have been removed from the other lifts and only the towers and load/unload stations remain. Unfortunately, because the carriers were stacked leaning on one-another, the carriers are so badly bent that they would have to go to scrap. In additiion, the towers and bullwheel stations are still in their locations on USFS land and have not been removed. It is sad to see this place rusting away with the equipment becoming unusable due to exposure to the elements and lack of maintenance.

I went to the Eldorado County WEB site and did some reserach with the Assessor's Office and the Recorders Office. It seems the property was acquired on June 29, 2007 by Iron Mt. LLC. Upon researching the business entity name with the California Secretary of State's Office, this LLC is based out of Encino, CA. They have not applied for permits or anything, so it is unknown what their plans are for the site.

The property is listed as a use for "Motel/Hotel" and "Campsites" with the Assessor's Office. Since Iron Mountain lost its USFS permit in 2000, I bet it is unlikely it will ever be a ski resort again. Considering the environmental regulations in California and the issues that Kirkwood and Heavenly have had with expansion plans in recent years, it would take a miracle for Iron Mountain to return to its former glory as a ski area.

[Peter]

Did you take any pictures?

[Phoenix]

Skier, on Aug 20 2007, 09:44 PM, said:

Did you take any pictures?

No...because I was passing through on my way home to Reno and did not have my camera with me. I am planning on going up there in the next couple of weeks or so to take some pics and hike around a bit on the USFS part. It is definitely abandoned and parts that are accessible seem to be a throwback in time. In the lodge that had a door open, there was old ski boots and K2 skis strewn all over the place. It is too dangerous to venture further past the door without a flashlight.

[hyak.net]

FYI, here is a link with some info on the area.

http://www.geocities.com/welsap/welsap_iro...n_ski_area.html

[lodibigdog]

Thanks for the info. Phoenix, Im going up there this weekend to hike around and the info. you found was informative.I'll be sure to get some pics as I'll hike out to the existing chair far from the lodge. I believe its Wildcat?I'll let you guys know. cya

[Winterhighland]

Callao, on Feb 19 2007, 11:36 PM, said:

Bummer. What happened to this place?

Kirkwood!

[SkiBachelor]

Not quite, the former owner spent too much money than he had and ended up going broke due to poor snow conditions. However, I'm sure Iron Mountain would having a hard time with Kirkwood just a few miles farther down the road.