By Tyler R. Morrissey
With winter officially underway, skiers and snowboarders across New England and points north are rejoicing. Mountain tops will soon be blanketed with fresh powder and the region’s many lakes and ponds will be frozen, just waiting for the first skate blade to graciously glide across it. The following homes are ideal for those looking to be in close proximity to winter sports amenities.
390 West Mountain Road West – Ridgefield, Conn.
The Winter Olympics are just a couple of months away and this property in Ridgefield embodies the Olympic spirit. The home is the childhood residence of Tucker West, the youngest man ever selected for the Olympics luge team from the United States. The property comes complete with its own luge run, which West’s father built for him in the backyard when he was a child. A sign posted there claims it is the only known permanent backyard luge track in the world, and one of only four luge tracks in the country. Featured on the TODAY Show and in Sports Illustrated, NPR and other outlets, it measures 485 feet long with a vertical drop of 38 feet, and generates a top speed of about 37 mph. The property is an “entertainer’s dream” with additional outdoor recreational amenities including a skating rink, as well as a pool with slide, waterfall and cave, hot tub, and children’s pool with wave maker. The property is decked out with Smart Home features and also has three pull-down movie screens (two indoors and one outdoors), a full house and property sound system, and bar systems in both the main house and pool house.
For more information: Leslie Krichko, 203.470.8847, lkrichko@williampitt.com
591 Breezy Hill Rd – Hillsdale, N.Y.
Comprised of nearly 60 acres, this once-in-a-lifetime property has had only three owners in its history, passing through the hands of the Livingston family, and well-known N.Y. Supreme Court justice Henry Brockholst Livingston. Situated on both sides of Breezy Hill Road, the property reaches toward the peak of Catamount Ski Area on the Mass. border. The land encompasses acres of open meadows, woodlands, walking trails and a swimming pond, offering multiple locations to bask in the beauty of fall. Anchored by the four-bedroom, five-bath main house with indoor pool and views from nearly every room, the property also features a one-bedroom guest cottage. There’s also a spacious greenhouse, attached and detached garages and perennial gardens that refresh the soul in any season.
For more information: Dan Alden, 413.335.9300, dan.alden@williampitt.com
246 Whitman Road – Hancock, Mass.
Just minutes from Jiminy Peak skiing and Williamstown is this early 1800s, New England-style farmhouse on 134 acres. Enjoy pristine views of the ski slopes in the winter and sunny meadow views in the summer from the rear of the property. The home’s kitchen has been completely remodeled in recent years to include a large center island, maple butcher block counters along with ash flooring and Shaker-style cherry cabinetry.
For more information: Jeff Loholdt, 413.652.7423, jloholdt@williampitt.com
7 Blind Brook Road South – Westport, Conn.
If your winter plans include playing a game of pond hockey or ice skating, this property provides the perfect outdoor rink on Nash’s Pond. This 2,850-square-foot Colonial sits on one full acre, with a graceful circular drive and sweeping views of the pond from nearly every room. The main level features a large formal living room with a marble fireplace and French doors that lead out to the large deck. There’s also a bright, open sunroom off the kitchen and a first floor master suite with a cathedral ceiling. Just minutes to downtown Westport, this home also features a 700-square-foot, finished walk-out lower level with a wood burning fireplace, making it the perfect spot to warm up after a day on the pond.
For more information: Marc Caldarone, 203.594.6594, mcaldarone@williampitt.com
9 Blind Brook Road North – Westport, Conn.
Just down the road from 7 Blind Brook Road is this incredible property with access to Nash’s Pond. This exceptional home features soaring 10-foot ceilings and a timeless, classic style with extensive millwork throughout. No detail was spared from the generously sized, gourmet kitchen featuring high-end amenities, such as Viking and Subzero appliances and a butler’s pantry that services the elegant dining room. Entertaining is a breeze inside and out as the kitchen and family room flow out to the gorgeous stone patio with its new, expansive outdoor kitchen with a grill, refrigerator and storage space.
For more information: Cyd Hamer, 917.744.5089, chamer@williampitt.com
39 Cemetery Hill Road – Cornwall, Conn.
Less than a mile from Mohawk Mountain skiing, this five-bedroom house is ideal as a weekend retreat or for full-time living. Set on 6.47 private acres and bordered by hills and meadows, this setting features mature trees, stone fences, rock outcroppings and established gardens. The shingle-style modern home was custom built by the current owner, and features superb craftsmanship. The living room has a wood burning fireplace and opens to a generous Trex deck and pergola. A large eat-in chef’s kitchen with granite countertops and custom cherry cabinetry is adjacent to a cozy family room with built-in bookcases. Additionally, there is a spacious office with full bath and galley kitchen that has served as a nanny suite or guest apartment.
For more information: Dottie MacRitchie, 860.248.5752, dmacritchie@williampitt.com, Sharon Hartwick, 860.248.1232, shartwick@williampitt.com
46 Senff Road – Washington, Conn.
The inspirational and award-winning buildings that grace this property’s 70 acres were designed by the award-winning firm Gray Organschi Architecture. The goal was to be respectful of the natural landscape as each building has been carefully designed and sited to take advantage of the gentle hills and five-acre spring fed pond, which freezes in the winter for skating. The property, once untamed, has been beautifully restored, with meadows of indigenous plants, perennial gardens, trails and stone walls. The main house enjoys the pond view and beyond. It is an architectural tour de force constructed of granite, limestone and Alaskan cedar. In addition there is a two-bedroom guest house, greenhouse, caretaker complex and a storage building, as well as a Greek-like temple and a 50-seat amphitheater with panoramic views that stretch as far as the Berkshires and Catskills.
For more information: Kathryn Clair, 203.948.5255, kclair@williampitt.com
4 Twin Ponds Court – New Fairfield, Conn.
Located in a sought after area of New Fairfield, this home is great for large and intimate entertaining. With hardwood floors, the bright and spacious rooms flow easily from one room to the other. The sophisticated eat-in chef’s kitchen, with Bosch appliances, graciously opens to the family room that features soaring ceilings, a stone fireplace and stairs that lead to the loft. The home also resides next to a freshwater pond that’s perfect for winter skating or a quick pickup game of pond hockey.
For more information: Paul Gervais, 914.319.0661, pgervais@williampitt.com, Coree LaManna, 203.470.3889, clamanna@williampitt.com
