Welcome to Snyder Donegan “Destination” — a series dedicated to exploring the places, events, and hidden gems that make our local communities so special. In each feature, we’ll take you beyond the main roads and into the heart of our neighborhoods, showcasing unique attractions, small businesses, local events, outdoor spaces, and the stories of the people who bring them to life. From scenic parks and historic landmarks to family-owned restaurants and growing community initiatives, this series is all about celebrating what makes our area vibrant, welcoming, and full of character. Whether you’ve lived here for years or are just discovering the region, we hope these stories help you connect more deeply with the community and maybe even inspire you to explore somewhere new right around the corner. Join us as we discover the heart of our hometowns, one story at a time.
Saskadena Six Ski Area — formerly known as Suicide Six — is nestled in the heart of South Pomfret, just a short drive from Woodstock Village. Renowned for its rich history and welcoming atmosphere, the mountain celebrates a legacy that spans more than 90 seasons.
The area’s storied beginnings date back to the mid-1930s, when America’s first motorized uphill ski conveyance — a rope tow powered by a Model T engine — was installed in January 1934 on Clinton Gilbert’s farm, just over the mountain from its present location. This innovation helped launch the modern ski industry in the United States. By 1936, ski enthusiasts, led by Wallace “Bunny” Bertram, the former ski coach at nearby Dartmouth College, had migrated to Hill No. 6 in South Pomfret, where the ski area officially opened to the public under the name Suicide Six, a moniker inspired by a joking reference to the steepness of the original pitch.
In 2022, the resort adopted the new name Saskadena Six to better reflect its values and heritage. “Saskadena,” which means “standing mountain” in the Abenaki language, honors the Indigenous people who originally inhabited the region and aligns more closely with the community-oriented spirit of the mountain.
Today, Saskadena Six encompasses roughly 100 skiable acres and offers 28 trails with a 650-foot vertical drop serviced by two lifts, making it ideal for a broad range of abilities. Terrain is typically rated about 30 percent beginner, 40 percent intermediate, and 30 percent advanced. The longest run stretches over a mile, and a terrain park provides features for freestyle riders.
The resort strikes a balance between tradition and progression. Its ski school welcomes all ages and skill levels, fostering learning and growth on snow. While small compared with Vermont’s larger resorts, Saskadena Six’s family-friendly atmosphere and rich history — including hosting one of North America’s longest-running ski races, the Fisk Trophy Race — give it a unique character beloved by locals and visitors alike.
Beyond winter, the mountain supports a variety of summer and fall activities such as mountain biking, hiking, and concert series’, broadening its appeal as a year-round outdoor destination.
Below is a timeline of milestones throughout the mountain's storied history:
| Year | Milestone | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1934 | First ski rope tow in the U.S. installed near Woodstock, VT — powered by a Model T engine. | ||||||||
| 1936 | Hill No. 6 opens to the public, later known as Suicide Six. | ||||||||
| 1937 | First Fisk Trophy Race — becomes the longest-running ski race in North America. | ||||||||
| 1950s | Expansion of racing and youth ski programs; increased local engagement. | ||||||||
| 1954 | Poma surface lift installed — major capacity upgrade. | ||||||||
| 1961 | Laurance Rockefeller purchases the ski area, beginning decades of stewardship. | ||||||||
| 1978 | New base lodge, expanded snowmaking, and improved lifts welcome more skiers. | ||||||||
| 1982 | National Snow Snurfing Championships hosted — early snowboarding culture. | ||||||||
| 2016 | Modern quad chairlift installed — enhanced uphill capacity. | ||||||||
| 2022 | Name changed to Saskadena Six (“standing mountain” in Abenaki) to honor heritage and community. | ||||||||
| 2026 | 90th Season Celebration — nearly a century of ski tradition and community. |
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