Paul Smiths College operated a ski area on Jenkins for a few years in the late fifties and early sixties. They held winter carnivals and several colleges participated in ski races.
Courtesy of Paul Smith’s Archive, Paul Smiths College.
The rocky lesser summit of Jenkins Mountain from Black Pond. Jenkins Mountain is a 2500-foot mountain two miles west of the Paul Smiths College Visitor Interpretive Center.
In 1949, Paul Smiths College began construction of the Jenkins Mountain Ski Area. The students completed construction in two months, including a 3,000 ft long downhill, a 20 meter and 40 meter ski jump, and a 1,400 ft tow rope accordong to Lost Ski Areas of the Northern Adirondacks by Jeremy K. Davis, The History Press, 2014.
The ski hill was a small attraction and, though open to the public, was difficult to access. Operation ceased in 1960, and has since returned to a forested slope.
View from the summit of Jenkins Mountain. Mount Marcy, thirty miles to the southeast, is at center; to the right are Algonquin, Boundary and Iroquois Peaks. A brush fire burns along Keese Mill Road, two miles from the mountain. Lake Placid News, November 18, 1949
A 3,000 foot combined ski trail and slope for intercollegiate competition and for the pleasure of the public has been completed and will soon be ready for use on Paul Smith's college picturesque Jenkins mountain, intended to be developed into the most complete collegiate ski center in the Eastern United States.
The announcement is made by the Paul Smith's college president, Chester L. Buxton, as the big job in clearing the way for the trail and slope is finished in less than two months by student volunteers under direction of Ski Coach Rainbow Wright and Dr. David R. McKee of the faculty.
At the same time, comes announcement of plans for Jan. 12 to 14 of the biggest event ever attempted at the college, the Paul Smith's winter carnival of 1950, in which upwards of 10 colleges are being invited to participate. The program will be featured by colorful ski torch parade, exhibitions and ski-joring by the use of airplane over the ice of Lake St. Regis, besides the regular scheduled events. Also planned is the four-event invitation meet for high schools from throughout the state at Jenkins mountain Dec. 17 and 18.
1905 USGS St. Regis Quadrangle showing Jenkins Mountain.
