Like the Big Bend, the Big Schuss is one of the
steepest sections of the Thunderbolt. But unlike
the Big Bend, it is not a part of the original trail.
The Big Schuss was added during the 1936
re-route of the Thunderbolt. The Big Shuss is
about 200 yards long and 60 feet wide. It is 33
degrees at its max pitch. It turns slightly to the
left just before the bridge at the bottom which
brings skiers across Hoxie Brook and down to
the Bumps.
In the 1950's and 60's, the Thunderbolt Ski Club
operated a rope tow on the Big Schuss. Club
members would each bring a gallon of gas to run
the engine for the day. They would also gate
the Big Schuss to practice slalom races.
Today the Big Schuss exists just as it did in
1937. There is a famous forked Maple tree that
grows on the trail that can be seen in old photos.
To the left of the trail near the top, if you look
carefully you'll see an old pulley for the rope tow
up high in a tree. The Big Schuss is a
challenging section of the Thunderbolt. With
huge trees lining both sides of the trail, a slip or
bad turn can result in severe injury.
steepest sections of the Thunderbolt. But unlike
the Big Bend, it is not a part of the original trail.
The Big Schuss was added during the 1936
re-route of the Thunderbolt. The Big Shuss is
about 200 yards long and 60 feet wide. It is 33
degrees at its max pitch. It turns slightly to the
left just before the bridge at the bottom which
brings skiers across Hoxie Brook and down to
the Bumps.
In the 1950's and 60's, the Thunderbolt Ski Club
operated a rope tow on the Big Schuss. Club
members would each bring a gallon of gas to run
the engine for the day. They would also gate
the Big Schuss to practice slalom races.
Today the Big Schuss exists just as it did in
1937. There is a famous forked Maple tree that
grows on the trail that can be seen in old photos.
To the left of the trail near the top, if you look
carefully you'll see an old pulley for the rope tow
up high in a tree. The Big Schuss is a
challenging section of the Thunderbolt. With
huge trees lining both sides of the trail, a slip or
bad turn can result in severe injury.
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Video Clip
The Big Schuss today.
Skiing on the Big Schuss in the 1950's.
A ride up the Big Schuss on the rope tow.
A view of the Big Schuss looking down the trail.
"...and then I schussed the Schuss. That was part of my game plan."
- Bill Linscott, describing his run to win the 1942
Massachusetts State Downhill Championship
- Bill Linscott, describing his run to win the 1942
Massachusetts State Downhill Championship
times, and was last updated on January 4, 2009.
Copyright 2011 Bigschuss Productions
This site has been visited
Booklet for the New
Haven R.R. Snow Train.
Haven R.R. Snow Train.
Race brochure for the 1940
Eastern Downhill Championships.
Eastern Downhill Championships.
Skiing on the Big Schuss in the 1950's.
| Climbing the Big Schuss for some beautiful April backcountry skiing. |
Thunderbolt Ski Club members gate the Big Schuss in the 1950's
to practice the new slalom technique (note the shack for the rope
tow engine in the background).
to practice the new slalom technique (note the shack for the rope
tow engine in the background).
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