The first U.S. ski lift came to life in January 1934 on Clinton Gilbert's
farm in Woodstock. It was a simple rope tow powered by a Model T Ford
engine, and legend had it that while it would get you up the hill, it
also had a habit of shredding mittens and leaving you sore for days
to come. The much-more skier-friendly J-bar lift was also invented in
Vermont by Fred Pabst at Bromley.
Next Question
Fact: The first snowboard was invented in Vermont.
