After letting go of the rope tow, Katie Rubino of Eliot snowboards away from it at the top of Powderhouse Hill in South Berwick on Feb. 12. Rubino said the rope tow is part of the charm of the ski hill and that she was drawn to the hill by its proximity and low ticket price.
Skiers and snowboarders are pulled up Powderhouse Hill in South Berwick by a rope tow. Last year. the ski hill was open only one day due to the lack of snow, but with southern Maine experiencing more traditional snowfalls this winter, the small, community-run ski hill has sold more than 1,000 tickets over the eight times it has been open.
A young skier holds on tight to the tow rope at the top of Powderhouse Hill in South Berwick on Feb. 12.
A skier in a yeti costume holds on to the rope tow while a snowboarder disembarks at the top of Powderhouse Hill in South Berwick on Feb. 12.
The heart of the rope tow at Powderhouse Hill is a 1930s Ford motor, which originally powered the tow rope while still in the engine compartment of the truck, at right. Now, the motor is mounted inside the shack, where it powers an axle and cycles the rope through numerous old tire rims.
The heart of the rope tow at Powderhouse Hill is a 1930s Ford motor, which originally powered the tow rope while still in the engine compartment of the truck, at right. Now, the motor is mounted inside the shack, where it powers an axle and cycles the rope through numerous old tire rims.
A long line leads away from the rope tow where volunteer Dave Beattie holds up the rope while it is running with a stick so that skiers can pass under it. The small, community ski hill sold over 200 tickets on Feb. 9, two days after a snowstorm dropped fresh snow.
Skiers and snowboarders hold on to the rope tow while being pulled up Powderhouse Hill in South Berwick on Feb. 9.
A young snowboarder holds on to the tow rope while being pulled up Powderhouse Hill in South Berwick on Feb. 9.
Skiers and snowboarders are pulled up Powderhouse Hill in South Berwick by a rope tow on Feb. 9. The small, community ski hill is staffed by all volunteers and is thriving with the recent snowstorms that have blanketed southern Maine. Last year, the ski hill was only open one day due to the lack of snow.
A snowboarder rides down Powderhouse Hill while two people are pulled up the South Berwick hill by the rope tow.
A young skier makes their way down Powderhouse Hill in South Berwick.
Skiers and snowboarders are pulled up Powderhouse Hill in South Berwick on Feb. 12.
Volunteer Maura Suter holds the rope tow line up while it runs as a young skier makes their way under it at Powderhouse Hill in South Berwick. Dozens of volunteers run the small ski hill where the ticket price is only $5.
Seen through the windows of the small warming hut, skiers make their way to the rope tow staging area at Powderhouse Hill in South Berwick on Feb. 12.
Henry Paulsen, right, looks back to his father Christian Paulsen before starting down Powderhouse Hill in South Berwick on Feb. 12. It was the first time the family from Portsmouth had skied the hill.
Seen at the bottom right in this photo, the return portion of the rope tow runs to the base of Powderhouse Hill while skiers and snowboarders are pulled up the 120-foot hill.
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