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New England Icons Book.
I’ve started working on a new book this fall with Bruce Irving (think “This Old House”) to be published by The Countryman Press. Working title is “New England Icons”. It’s based on Bruce’s articles that have appeared in Design New England Magazine on what makes New England (NE) unique. Most topics deal with the “hand of man” here in NE and cover things like Stone walls, Shaker villages, Grand Hotels, Village greens, and well, you get the idea.
Here is the latest image to go with Bruce’s article, “Ski Areas, Lost and Found” (Read it hear: http://www.bruceirving.biz/skiareas1.html)
The "Red Chair" Cranmore Mt.
This image of what many refer to as the “Red Chair”, is the East Bowl Double at Cranmore Mt. Originaly know as Lookout Mt., Cranmore opened in 1937. It was the first real ski “resort” to open in the North Conway area. Guests came by train from Boston and stayed at the Eastern Slope Inn. The slope was served by a rope tow built by Carol Reed. (Carol Reed Ski shops were the best place to buy your “planks” and lace-up boots for years!) The rope tow was replaced by the “Ski Mobile” in 1938, the only one to be built in NE. It consisted of 60 cars seating 2 skiers each pulled by cables up and down a track. 
It lasted until 1989 when it was removed for a new modern detachable quad.
Historic Red Chair. 1955 Image from Chairlift.org
The “Red Chair” was added in 1955 and later modified in 1969. It is currently the oldest double lift in operation here in NE. Cranmore is one of the few surviving gems from the early days of skiing in NE.
If you’re as addicted to skiing in NE as my son Will, check out these great resources he’s shared with me.
New England Lost Ski Area Project: http://www.nelsap.org
New England Ski Museum: http://www.skimuseum.org/
Oh yes, and if your interested in ski transit - new and old: http://www.chairlifts.org
