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Situated near a natural spring, Vinings was once a popular weekend spot for Atlanta’s high society looking to escape the heat. For a brief time in the 1970s, the area gave visitors an additional reason to visit: a 780-foot ski slope.
The ski slope at Vinings Ridge Ski Area had no snow or fresh powder. Instead, the hill was covered with white synthetic turf and plastic pellets skiers could easily roll over on their way down.
In addition to the ski slope, the Vinings Ridge Ski Area also featured a three-story lodge with a shop and rooftop restaurant.
– Caroline Parsley, The 100 Companies
8 comments
I grew up in Sandy SprIngs and remember going to the Vinings ski slope when i was a kid in the seventies.
Thanks for providing some information on the slope as no one bElieves me.
Hello, this weekend is good for me, since this time i am reading this impressive informative piece of writing here at my residence.
Where was this in Vinings? Is the building still there?
It was off Paces Ferry Road. You would get off at I-285 and go inside the perimeter. There were signs to turn to the ski area. I learned to ski there.
If you pull up Google maps, go to the intersection of Paces Ferry and Cumberland Blvd. You’ll see the Home Depot, the slope/concrete hill, was behind the South Eastern corner of the HD. I used to ride my bike back there in the late 80s. Unfortunately it’s all gone now, from the looks of it. There used to be a one lane road off of Paces Ferry, and all the houses, Look like mountain chalets. It was a really cool little neighborhood.
Vinings Ski slope was on a hill above The Lakes Apts. Kinda hidden off of a 1-way street named Lake Ct. I lived on Lake Ct for about 15 years, in the late ‘70,s and 80’s. The slope fell into disrepair approximately 1980, and the lodge burned down approximately 1-2 years later. The area is now taken over by Condominiums, in close proximity to backside of Home Depot. Without taking the time to research further, I apologize for slight inaccuracies. Was a great place to have fun even in the summer, skiing in shorts and even bikinis. Slope was not very ‘skiiable’ when hot, but continuous soaking with water made it almost almost enjoyable. The Crows Nest bar on the third level of the lodge was a pretty good restraunt and drinking spot.
Worked there a while with the owners, Bruce and Billy Kaufman back in the 70’s. Stitched the seams, poured down the beads, busted our asses. Put in a Palm Lift eventually and then the Kaufman boys built the Chalet. I was it’s first ever cook along with the bartender Janice Christie. John Hanson was the ski instructor and we all got certified by Cliff Taylor in the graduated length method. Place was packed all year round. I remember the bar had this guy who became a well known sportscaster who had this projection unit that showed ski videos.
My dad Hank and I, Jennifer his daughter went there a lot. There was a bartender named Marvin I believe and when I pucked my dad up from Eastern Airlines this was his favorite bar, restaurant.