The End of an Era...We are Shutting Down the Messageboard

The messageboard is now in read-only mode and no new posts or topics can be created. We will leave the messageboard up for historical purposes, but you will not be able to make new posts or comment on existing ones.

We have started a Discord server and hope that you all will join us on there. Technology has changed over the years and maintaining the messageboard has become somewhat of a pain in the butt and Discord offers many features for users, the main one being a very polished mobile app.

We really hope you all will join us on Discord and think you will like the platform. Use the invite link below to join.

https://discord.gg/skisoutheast

Lost Arkansas Ski Area called "Marble Falls Resort"

Discuss closed and lost ski areas! This portion of the messageboard was implemented so that those who have skied or played at any of the closed ski areas can share their experiences and discuss "old times". Understand that the content shared may not be 100% accurate.
Post Reply
adm1n
Intermediate
Posts: 724
Joined: Thu Sep 25, 2014 5:56 pm
Been thanked: 2 times

Even though Arkansas is not a part of the traditional "south" this information was shared with us by Brad Moretz.



Marble Falls Resort was constructed in 1972 by developer Jess Odom of Maumelle and it flopped in large part because the snow blowers he bought wouldn't work unless the temperature was below 28 degrees.



The Ozarks had a streak of mild winters after the resort opened, so skiers didn't have many days on the slopes.



"It might be 28 degrees in the Ozarks at night and 50 degrees the next day," said Wayne Thompson of St. Joe, who managed Dogpatch from 1974-75 and was co-owner from 1980-90.



Odom, who owned Dogpatch for a decade beginning in 1969, closed Marble Falls Resort in the mid-1980s, Thompson said. The resort has been vacant ever since he closed it. Odom died in 1998 at the age of 84.



Bob Richards and Randal Phillips bought the former Marble Falls Resort in Newton County from Debra Nielsen and renamed it The Hub. It includes 25 acres and five buildings adjoining the 141 acres that served as the Dogpatch U.S.A. theme park from 1968 to 1993.



The resort (which now caters to motorcycle enthusiasts) includes a 60-room hotel and 13,000-SF convention center accommodating 1,700 people where rallies could be held. And the highway is already popular with bikers.
lugnutz78
Beginner
Posts: 408
Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2008 11:42 am

more of a ghost town now.....
bamapilot
Expert
Posts: 5305
Joined: Tue Dec 20, 2005 7:17 pm
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 12 times
Contact:

Went out to where Marble Falls used to be, nothing to show that a ski area was ever there. The amusement park was like an upside down Ghost Town in the sky. The parking lot was on top of the mountain, you rode the inclined railroad down into the park that was located right next to the highway. I've got a few pics but can't get them to download for some reason. I'll keep trying and get them posted.
bamapilot
Expert
Posts: 5305
Joined: Tue Dec 20, 2005 7:17 pm
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 12 times
Contact:

Finally got the pics to post, here are a couple of pics of the incline railroad. The place is just rotting away and is over grown. The train is at the top of the mountain waiting to go down.











I wish this place would have made it, I spend to much time in NW Arkansas and would have been a great place to go to.
Post Reply