Littleton, NH – Tiny Mt. Eustis in Littleton is about to lose its “lost ski area” designation.

The 33-acre ski hill, which skiers first schussed in 1939, will reopen this winter under the auspices of the Mt. Eustis Ski Hill Group after the town of Littleton agreed to lease the ski area to the non-profit for three years at $1 per year, beginning October 1. Littleton voters approved the plan by a vote of 934 to 111 last March.

The group has established a presence on the web and on Facebook, and held fundraising events to reopen the ski area closed since the early 1970s. Students at Littleton High School are refurbishing a 1,300-foot rope tow from the ski hill in nearby Lisbon that will be used to provide uphill transport at Mt. Eustis. The replacement lift is 300 feet shorter than the original.

A second open run will be added to the property along with a glade to complement the existing slope that reaches approximately 200 vertical feet. Interstate 93 separates the ski area from the town. Organizers envision area students learning to ski and snowboard on the hill day and night beginning after January 1. Prices will be kept affordable for area families, and the town-operated Kancamagus Ski Slope in Lincoln, N.H., where residents ski for only $5, is being used as a model, but Littleton Bike and Fitness’ Dave Harkless told the Caledonian-Record that no one will be turned around for their inability to pay.

Volunteers will run Mt. Eustis, which will be funded by donations, such as the $5,000 already contributed by Union Bank in Littleton. Home Depot has donated a warming hut. Parking on site, however, accommodates only 25 vehicles.