In 1905 Isaac Slutzky moved from Manhattan’s Lower East Side to work on a farm in the Northern Catskills. Within a few years he bought his own land and began to raise his family. In 1909 his oldest son Israel was born and his younger brother Orville was born in 1917. Israel and Orville developed a love for skiing early in life. They fashioned their own skis, which they attached to their boots with leather straps. They climbed the gentle slopes of the farm and slid down.
By the mid-1950’s the sport of skiing was gaining popularity in New York and across the northeast. A group of businessmen, lead by Orville and Israel, developed plans to create a ski resort at Hunter Mountain. They lobbied New York state to push the project forward. State-run Belleayre Ski Center had opened a few years earlier, and was attracting a fair number of skiers each winter. In 1957 and again in 1958, the state studied the idea of opening a second ski area, but concluded that Hunter Mountain was too steep and rocky. Project backers sought investors through other means including soliciting developers through advertising in the New York Times. This effort was also unsuccessful.
Orville and Israel came up with another idea. They contacted Denise McCluggage — a sports editor at the New York Herald Tribune — to pitch a story. They proposed giving the land to any developer who would build a ski area on Hunter Mountain. In the spring of 1958, Denise wrote the article for Ski Magazine about the town that had a mountain to give away, and had no takers. The article attracted a lot of attention, and investors, many from New York City, signed up to buy stock.
The investors created the Hunter Mountain Development Corporation, the first operator of the ski area. Headed by James Hammerstein, the son of Oscar Hammerstein II, the corporation included Hollywood and Broadway stars of the time — Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, Kim Novak, Morey Amsterdam and Chris Plummer.
Construction started in the summer of 1959. Orville and Israel gave the land with two stipulations: that the project be named the “Hunter Mountain Ski Bowl” and that it was equipped with snowmaking which was new technology at the time.
The Slutzky Brothers’ Construction Company built the facilities. Larchmont Construction installed the snowmaking and two Poma-Savio chairlifts. The old Starr Hotel was renovated to serve as the base lodge.
On January 9, 1960, Hunter Mountain Ski Bowl opened for the first time with the original “B” Lift in operation. The “A” Lift was still under construction and wasn’t ready for the first season. Hunter’s first snowmaking system had limited functionality, and a short 30-day initial season was followed by only 60 days of operation the second year.
After three short ski seasons, few visitors, and mounting losses, the Hunter Mountain Development Corporation declared bankruptcy. But the Slutzky brothers were not deterred. In the middle of the 1961-62, season they took full control of the ski area. Hard work and consistent marketing yielded longer seasons and more skier visits. During the summer of 1962, the “A” lift was completed. This opened up the skiing to the top.
Izzy and Orville were relentless innovators, who were willing to try new things. In 1963, they pushed the envelope again when Hunter opened for summer skiing on plastic chips. Summer skiing lasted only a few years. During the winter of 1963-64, Hunter Mountain opened for night skiing for the first time which continued until 1972. Hunter gained huge national exposure in January 1964, when Kitty Falger, a Hunter Mountain ski instructor, appeared on the Tonight Show to teach Johnny Carson how to ski.
By the mid-1960s business increased dramatically. The brothers reinvested profits to grow the business. New trails were cut, including the opening of the Belt Parkway and more snowmaking was installed.
In the summer of 1969, construction of the trails on Hunter West began. It was opened with the “Z” Lift for the season. With the addition of Hunter West, the area joined the ranks of the Northeast’s major mountains. That summer, the Summit Lodge was constructed.
In 1980, Hunter Mountain became the first ski area to have snowmaking coverage on 100 percent of its trails. In the summer of 1987, The SnowLite Express Quad was built to replace the A Lift. In 1989, Hunter became the first area in the U.S. to install an automated snowmaking system. The system installed on Racer’s Edge by York International is operated from the Upper Shop.
Hunter continued to upgrade in the 90’s, adding more lifts, trails and shops to the property. During this time there was renewed pressure to develop the mountain further. A proposed amendment the state constitution to trade land closer to Hunter’s true summit for holdings elsewhere was opposed by environmentalists and failed to pass the legislature. In 1999 Governor Pataki put the idea to rest by designating much of the Catskill High Peaks as Bird Conservation Areas, to protect Bicknell’s Thrush and other threatened bird species.
In 2002 Hunter completed a new learning center, housing the ski school, ticket sales, child care facilities, equipment rentals and a cafeteria, all with ski-out access to Hunter’s beginner terrain on Hunter One.
During the summer of 2010, Hunter replaced the Snowlite Express with high speed sixpack chairlift from Leitner Poma. The following summer the mountain added another 150 new snow guns and made improvements to the terrain park. The biggest upgrade was the installation of a new high speed quad on the west side to replace the Z and Y lifts. The new lift was actually a reincarnation of the former Snowlite express, which had undergone extensive renovations and new station designs.
On April 18, 2013, Orville Slutzky, the innovator, passed away at the age of 96.
In November 2015, Peak Resorts acquired Hunter Mountain for more than $36 million, ending a 50-year run of family ownership.
On the day after Christmas in 2018, the newest lift pod, Hunter North opened to the public. The new high-speed six-pack rises 1,000 vertical feet and services 5 new runs. The expansion increased Hunter Mountain’s skiable acreage by 33 percent, and also adds an entirely new entrance and parking lot with space for up to 250 more vehicles.
Hunter Mountain’s increase in acreage and terrain was largest ski resort expansion in the east coast States in more than a decade. Hunter Mountain the only ski area in New York with feature two 6-passenger chairlifts.
In the summer of 2019, Vail Resorts acquired Peak Resorts including Hunter Mountain. Since that time Vail’s commitment to Hunter’s reputation as “the Snowmaking Capital of the World” has come into question. In the past Hunter would routinely opening terrain faster than most other mountains. In 2010, Hunter went from zero to 90% of terrain open in eight days.
Hunter remains a lynch pin in the local economy and much of the commerce in the village of Hunter centers around the ski area and its year round activities.
“The snow making capital of the world” …. It’s really the “the snow making CAPITOL of the world.” They trademarked this. Great job with the story!
They really misspelled the trademark? That’s weird.
I wonder what the next chapter of Hunter holds in regards to the management and expansion. It’s such a success story in my mind, and still has so much potential going forward. Not they ever stop trying to improve things, like the six pack and west side high speed show… and maybe a new snowmaking pond for next year, too?
Nice to see some of the background information coming further into print. Hunter began trail development the year after the Slutsky’s worked on Bearpen. The rocky aspect of this mountain was a topic of discussion shared between both brothers and Dr. Lane while Bearpen operated in 1958.
Very well done. Thanks for this.
The brothers are getting old, which means a change of ownership soon. One wonders what the future holds.
I’d like to see some old pics of the lodge when there was a pool inside. It’s such a unique building.
They still have that same Bulldozer!
The early days were the best!!! orville and izzy were gracious hosts even offering lifetime passes in the day for $500.00, who knew…
The austrian instructors of which kitty falger was one along with her husband willie, margo and karl platner (ski school) many a hans, heidi and my favorite dido graiff were all brought in to teach a barrage of novice skiers how to put their veight on zee down hill ski, good times were had by all!
They are my fondest family memories for sure!
Gary, we’re honored to have your comments underneath our piece. With regard to the spelling of your surname, our sincerest apologies. We did research the spelling and found it spelled both ways in countless places. We went with what we thought was the predominant spelling. The corrections to the spelling of your name have been made in the piece above, and the blog entry introduction.
With regard to the rest of the valuable information you’ve provided above, we’ll take the time over the next few days to incorporate it into the piece, to improve the accuracy. Thank you for your input.
With regard to the history of the mountain, the story of your father and uncle’s determination is inspiring, and it was satisfying to learn and retell it. Again thanks for your help in improving what we’ve written. We wish the best to the new generation of Slutzkys and for the future of Hunter Mountain.
Izzy died several years ago but the ownership had already changed even prior to his passing, Hunter is owned by the 2nd generation Slutzkys; Paul, Carol, Gary, David & CB.
Nicely done and thanks. I haven’t read through it completely yet, but in the very first sentence, I must correct a mistake. My grandfather, Isaac Slutzky had actually come to Hunter somewhere around 1905 as all his children were born here and Izzy, the oldest, was born around 1909. My father Orville was born in 1917. They were all born in Jewett and or Hunter and Isaac already had bought the land for his farm before any of the children were born. He ran a farm and boarding house with his wife Elke and children, called the New Sunny Brook House. Also, the last name is spelled with a ‘z’, Slutzky, a common mistake I’ve been correcting all my life and will likely continue to do so.
My name is Barbara Kass and I was best of FRIENDS with Izzy Slutzky for over 30 years. I was shocked to see his birthdate as 1909. I believed that he was 94 when he passed in February 6 years ago.He had always told me Orville was 4 years younger than he was. Interesting to find out that men are as vain about their age as women are. We celebrated his birthday yearly at the mountain, as I always brought a cake. And even some years brought one for Orville. Can’t remember if that cake came a week before or after Izzy’s.
Great job on the history of Hunter Mountain and I am delighted to hear it is still in the Slutzky family!
I still remember when the the 2 brothers, Orville and Izzy would walk around the lodge cleaning up, and whatever they missed a big beautiful St Bernard would be walking around following them making sure no food was left around! I believe it was one of their dogs, always walking around the lodge. Yes, who could forget that pool in the middle of the lodge!
I remember going to Camp Greene Hollow in 1969, somewhere near a drive in theatre off of 23A (Possibly Rt. 296?)
That entire summer we continually heard blast after blast and later realized they were starting to build Hunter West. Also the same summer of landing on the moon for the first time! Also known for enjoying my first Rheingold Beer in town (Town Tavern?)
Anyone remember Sol Goldman, who had a trailer home on 23A about a mile or 2 south of the mountain, heading towards Tannersville. How about a place called St James Infirmary, think it was a bar or restaurant. Hunter Mountain will always have a place in my heart, as will the Slutzky’s who brought great skiing to NY! Miss those $10 lift tickets too! Thank You and continued success to the 2nd generation Slutzky’s.
Interesting that in Hunter’s preseason snowmaking video Hunter used “Snowmaking Capital of the World.” Check it out around :19 seconds.
My father, Irving Miller, owned this land. His mother Celia Miller, Orville’s aunt, owned this from the 1920’s. When my father was ill he sold it to his cousins.
Rest In Peace Orville…
I really enjoyed the slide show and the bit of history along with it. My husband and I rented many homes in the area since 1977. We then purchased a house in Prattsville on County Rt. 10. We skied nearly every weekend and spent our vacation days on this mountain. Sadly we sold our house in Prattsville and no longer ski, but those were the best times of our life. Really, Really Good times. Thanks for posting this bit of history.
One mistake. Lower K27 is actually 44 degrees at the headwall, (but around 34 – 38 degrees throughout the rest of the run). Also, the top of the trail usually develops huge snowmaking mounds that don’t get groomed and thus make the top of the trail a ten – twenty foot drop in onto 44 degrees terrain for about 50 feet before it mellows out to the 30s.
Jacob thank you for your comment. Our source for the pitch of K27 was synthasite.com which, as you note, reports the headwall at 44 degrees and 34 degrees over it’s full length. We’ve edited this part of our piece to be more specific.
Wonderful piece on the Slutzky brothers. Thank you. May I please link your article to my Hudson Valley Jewish Heritage page ? You can find it at Kerhonksonsynagogue.org
Joyce, please do. Thank you!
This old trail map talks about a “future lift to 3500 ft.” that was evidently never built:
https://skimap.org/
That said, on Google maps, you can clearly see the blaze for this lift heading up towards the ridge line … curious why it was never built. Was it dependent on the land swap you discuss? (the cut does not reach 3500 feet). It strikes me as a bad spot for a new trail pod, considering the wind issues hunter west already experiences …
Any info would be super appreciated.
Does anyone remember a ski instructor with the nickname, X Ray? He’s lives in Hudson, has many great stories about training Marla Maples, President Ford and others.
Many fond memories of Hunter. My father built a chalet on the road to Hwest and my brothers would take last run down Belt Parkway, bail out 2/3rds of the way down, and bushwhack back to the house. Orville hired me right out of high school and I spent that winter walking down through the guns at night making snow. I lived at Sadie’s and remember my first battle with Rum and Coke at the Town Tavern. I lost. That experience in Hunter set me on a path that has served me very well all these years and I am most grateful to Izzy and Orville for pointing the way.
We loved to read history of Hunter Mountain.
We honeymooned in Woodstock and skied in Hunter Mountain. We camped many years in North Lake, South Lake and now we returned to enjoy Foliage. We are considering to build a retirement home in the area.
I’m a little late in reading this but it was wonderful. I worked as a nurse at Hunter Mt. for eight years in the 1970s. The Slutzky’s were great. Orville had my utmost respect. Thanks for the history. Dede
I am from Israel. Took a semester of University of Michigan to be with the Slutzkis Befriended the most kind warm and generous Izzi’s family; Izzl Goldy David and “Mikeush.” Manual Snow groomer, ticket seller and a beginners ski instructor with Karl Platner. A swimming “coach” and friend to “Mikeush” at a near by Resort…driving over once or twice a week.
Circa 1964. Izzy Orville Goldy and off springs. What a family! World changers of the Catskills region. Immense nostalgia!
What ever happened to Mike, Izzi’s/Goldy’s youngest?
I used to work at Hunter during the early 1970s as did MANY of us local high school kids. Back then we would staple tickets onto skiers as they got off the busses for hours on end. Good workout for the hands! In the afternoons we would go up to the lodge and clean the bathrooms. We all wore hats in the lodge because Orville had a strict policy of not allowing any longhairs. He would walk around the lodge pulling our hats off, and if our hair covered our ears he would tell us not to come back to work until we had a haircut.
We became very ingenious in avoiding him after those first encounters.
Very nice write up. I was raised at Hunter as I spent summers at my grandparent’s hotel the Villa Caruso until they sold the house next door (the bay lodge) somewhere around 1986. Wish I could find some history of the hotel from the days when summer vacationers were flocking to hunter if anyone had anything I would appreciate your input.
My family had a history with Hunter and the Slutzky’s for most of the 20th century.
My maternal grandparents were the Markovskys. They went from Lithuania to Hunter in 1888. My maternal grandmother,Matilda(Tillie) was born in 1895. The family lived year round in Hunter until 1910,when they moved to the Bronx, to avoid the bitter cold winters.
The house my great grandparents owned at the corner of Main Street and Glen Ave became our summer headquarters for three generations of family.
My grandma Tillie married Jacob Bersson around 1916. The woman and children would move up to Hunter in late June and stay until after Labor Day. The working men came up on Fridays and left for the Bronx on Sundays.
My great grandparents and grandparents were friendly with the original Slutzky’s and my grandparents and parents were friendly with Izzy and Goldie and Orville and Ethel. My parents were Sandy Gralitzer and Elayne Bersson Gralitzer. My mother and Ethel played Mahjong twice a week during the summers until 1971 when the Gralitzers moved to Encino, Ca.
Another prominent Hunter family were the Peskowitzes. Jerry(Yussy) and Lorraine Peskowitz were part of the Hunter Mountain Ski Bowl history. Yussi was head chef. Lorraine was my mother’s closest childhood friend. Hi Joanne. It’s Billy.
I only had 10 summers in Hunter and I cannot imagine a better way to have grown up, my summers in Hunter were magical.
I’ve visited many times over the years but our home was not habitable for many of them. My mother sold our house in 1997, a few years after my father passed away.
Many of my memories are of the various members of the Slutzky family. Izzy and Orville were always warm to my brothers and I as they felt close to my grandmother and mother. I remember Goldie also being very friendly to us and her beautiful collies, Napoleon and Bonaparte. The two dogs often snuck away from the Slutzky estate and came through Hunter Village. All the kids were thrilled to see them a few times a week.
Ethel is who we knew best. She was a lovely person. I also remember a Michael Slutzky as a teenager,riding his bike and popping into our house to say hello. My brother’s and I didn’t really know the rest of the Slutzky children on a personal level. I’m sure my mom knew them all.
Sorry to be so long winded. The article on the history of Hunter Mountain Ski Bowl flooded me with happy memories.
My grandfather was once told he could buy much of the land that turned into Hunter Mountain Ski Bowl for $4000. He hadn’t the money nor the inclination to own useless land. Not sure how accurate this is but my mom mentioned it often.
Many members of my maternal family are buried in Ansch Kol cemetery. Sitting above my beloved Schoharie Creek, I hope to be buried there in the future.
Bill Gralitzer
My Dad Jack Murphy and Uncle Tom Smith were instructors at the Karl Plattner ski school. We went down on weekends and two weeks at Christmas. Our families rented the house next to the school. You could walk to the mountain from there. The homeowners name escapes me. It was torn down a long time ago. Great great memories!!!! My Dad and Karl Plattner remained friends until they passed.
The memories this all brings is wonderful. Our family – the Danners- grew up at Hunter. Throughout the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s our Dad Norman Danner was a volunteer Ski Patrol and my brothers Larry and Jim raced for Hunter. As kids were knew that lodge and property like the back of our hand. I remember the pool and the the best hot cocoa ever. Off season the Oktoberfest was fabulous! Thank you Orville and Izzy!