Zephyr Rapinchuk 1992–2011
Lost Ski Areas of New England photo of an abandoned chair lift

Lost Ski Areas of New England

Excerpt from Zephyr's Introduction:
Every high school senior who attends the Academy at Charlemont is given the opportunity to design and create his or her own senior project. Students have produced an eclectic range of projects, from rebuilding a motorcycle to running a writing workshop for senior citizens and high school students. I designed my senior project around things that I love and am intrigued by. I love skiing and photography and I have always been fascinated by the closed ski areas I saw since childhood. I managed to see potential in the decaying shells of the ski areas that once operated on the hills near my home. So, I set out to research, hike, ski and photograph the closed ski areas in western Massachusetts and southern Vermont. I then compiled my information, experiences, and photographs into the very book that you are holding in your hands.

I learned many things through this experience, things that I will take with me for the rest of my life. I learned the real value of small family ski areas that are now nearly extinct in New England and throughout the world. I learned how quickly the years take their toll on neglected ski areas. I learned how much I love to hike and ski mountains, how I love the exhilaration and liberating experience of exploring the terrain, and how great the skiing can be on the grown-over trails. I also learned about bookmaking and design, how tedious the work can be, how important it is to focus on all the details, but how rewarding the final product can be.



Foreword excpert from Tanya Rapinchuk


Zephyr died far too young, doing one of the many things that he loved: skiing. Jackson Hole, Wyoming, was the last place where the world was to behold his wild disbelieving whoops of joy. For his photographs, musicianship, athleticism, thoughtful conversation, political discourse, unbridled happiness at his luck to be alive we are eternally grateful.

When you purchase this book you can be assured that the world will be a better place. 100% of the money will be given to projects that Zephyr believed in and would have supported were he still here.