Heartwellville Lodge

Readsboro, Bennington County, Vermont

"Heartwellville Lodge, c/o Don Race, Jr., Rt. 100, Readsboro, Vt. 05350. 802-423-7573. A few miles north of Adams, Mass. Unfortunately, Heartwellville Lodge suffered a devastating fire last season but everything was expected to be back in shape for this season. Rentals are available in addition to retail equiptment. The new lodge includes a sauna. Both meals and lodging are available at th center. Lessons, clinics, guided tours and survival techniques are offered. There is an extensive network of trails covering almost 160 miles. Over 40 miles are under constant grooming. North Adams State College will help maintain the trails and help with patrolling. Heartwellville also provides picnics, citizens' races, bonfires, overnight trips and hayrides." -undated

Location: Rte. 100, Readsboro, Vt. 05350

Directory listings:

Known operators: Don Race, Jr.

Today: out of operation

heartwellville lodge

a 1962 photo overlooks a reconstructed section of route 100 with the Heartwellville Lodge in the distance

from UVM Landscape Change Program; source: Vermont State Archives and Records Administration submitted by Elizabeth Andre

History

The Heartwellville Ski Touring Center was open in the 1973-1974 season by Don Racer. Heartwellville Lodge boasted "practically untouched" woodlands except for the 90 miles of mapped touring trails cut by Racer himself throughout the property--which a 1975 Ski magazine article said offered tourers a week or more of skiing before they covered the entire system.

heartwellville map 2

a map of the Heartwellville Ski Touirng Center & Lodge

from SKI magazine, February 1975

An article in the North Adams Transcript indicated that by 1985 Robert Giaquinta had opened an auto sales shop known as T&M Auto Sales at the site of the former Heartwellville Lodge, converting the lodge and motel buildings into a private residence.