Purple Mountain Majesty: A History of the Thunderbolt Ski Run

...see below for chapter timestamps. Purple Mountain Majesty is a fascinating story of the famous Thunderbolt Ski Run. Located on Massachusetts' highest peak, Mt. Greylock, the Thunderbolt was built in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. State and Eastern Amateur downhill championship races were held on the trail throughout the 1930's and 40's, attracting some of the best skiers of the era; men like Dick Durrance, Toni Matt, and Ted Hunter. But the trail also attracted local skiers, mostly young boys, who worked in the local mills and on nearby farms for a living and taught themselves to ski in their free time. Some of these young boys became excellent skiers. One became an Olympic hopeful. And nearly all of them went off to war. This documentary tells the story of the Thunderbolt, the men who raced on it, their return from Europe fighting with the 10th Mtn. Division after WWII, and the throngs of skiers and riders who still maintain and ski this back-country classic. Packed with archival film, photos, interviews, and a rich narration, Purple Mountain Majesty tells the exciting story of the Thunderbolt and those who made it famous. 1st Place, Documentary Category, 1999 New England Film and Video Festival "...a truly outstanding piece of film work. It is one of the very best films I have seen of the early days of American downhill ski racing." - Cal Conniff, author of Skiing in Massachusetts, and former president and executive director of The National Ski Areas Association, and U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame member. "If this movie doesn't get to your soul, you must be dead!" - some random dude on an online backcountry skiing forum "...a gem of regional ski history." - New England Ski Museum 0:00 Opening Credits and Introduction 3:46 The Great Depression & Co.107 of the CCC 7:11 First Tracks 15:19 The Ski Craze Come to Adams 21:47 A New Finish Line 24:41 The Hero of the Thunderbolt - Rudy Konieczny 30:06 Greeny Guertin & the Ski Runners of Adams 32:58 A Trip Down the Thunderbolt 36:31 Race Day 40:48 Thrills and Spills 43:17 A Broken Leg & a State Champion 45:52 Off to War 52:13 Adams Loses Her Hometown Hero 57:17 A New Era 1:07:56 Closing Credits