Claremont’s Arrowhead Recreation Area

The city of Claremont transformed its once-underused ski hill, Arrowhead Recreation Area, into a thriving four-season destination that boosts local business, engages the community, and attracts regional visitors. Claremont has reinvented Arrowhead Recreation Area into a centerpiece of year-round outdoor recreation and community vitality. Once a small municipal ski area, Arrowhead now supports a diverse mix of activities, including skiing, snow tubing, snowshoeing, hiking, an extremely popular self serviced mountain bike park, and nationally-recognized mountain bike events. The City of Claremont, working closely with community partners including a small local bike shop & trail builders, has embraced Arrowhead as a key driver of tourism and economic growth. The Arrowhead and downtown infrastructure efforts highlight how municipalities can leverage outdoor recreation assets to stimulate economic revitalization and improve the quality of life for residents.

The Problem

Claremont, like many mill towns in New England, faced decades of economic decline as manufacturing jobs dwindled and downtown activity slowed. Arrowhead, once a source of winter fun for the community, struggled to sustain itself financially and was underutilized outside of the ski season. Without renewed investment and a broader vision, the recreation area risked becoming an overlooked resource rather than a catalyst for revitalization. The city also needed to better connect its downtown area to the existing rail trail and other nearby recreation assets to boost business activity and visitation.

The Solution

The City of Claremont embraced outdoor recreation as a strategy for both economic development and community health. Working in collaboration with a highly active community and invested private business, local nonprofits, and recreation groups, the city expanded Arrowhead's offerings beyond winter skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing to include year-round, world-class activities like intermediate and advanced mountain biking, major regional enduro races, hiking, dog walking, and more. With support from a Recreation Economy for Rural Communities (RERC) grant, the city is also investing in expanded recreation infrastructure downtown, including planning for a pedestrian path connecting downtown Claremont to an existing rail trail and other recreation areas. By diversifying recreation uses at Arrowhead and facilitating downtown connections to other outdoor recreation assets, Claremont positioned itself as a regional recreation destination.

How They Did It

• Expanded year-round recreation at Arrowhead: Added and maintained trails for mountain biking, hosted competitive race events, and promoted hiking and snowshoeing in all seasons.
• Winter activities for all ages at Arrowhead: Strengthened skiing and tubing operations, making Arrowhead accessible to beginners, families, and school groups.
• Public–private partnerships: Collaborated with the Arrowhead Recreation Club, local schools, businesses, and volunteers to operate and program the facility.
• Strategic investment through RERC: Used the Recreation Economy for Rural Communities grant to strengthen downtown connections.
• Community engagement: Hosted public forums, family days, and volunteer trail work, fostering a sense of ownership and pride.
• Economic alignment: Leveraged Arrowhead’s events and visitors to benefit local restaurants, lodging, and shops.

The Goal

To transform Arrowhead Recreation Area into a sustainable, year-round outdoor recreation hub that enhances community health, attracts visitors, and strengthens Claremont’s economy while enhancing physical and economic connections between downtown and nearby recreation areas.

What Makes It Work

• Municipal leadership: The City of Claremont championed Arrowhead as a core public asset and committed to its long-term success.
• Diversified offerings: Skiing, tubing, biking, and hiking ensured Arrowhead’s appeal to multiple user groups across all seasons.
• RERC-supported planning: Funding and guidance provided the framework for connecting recreation with economic revitalization.
• Partnerships and volunteers: The Arrowhead Recreation Club and community members contributed essential time, expertise, and energy.
• Regional events: Hosting bike races and festivals expanded Arrowhead’s multi-state visibility and economic impact.

The Bigger Message

Claremont’s Arrowhead Recreation Area demonstrates how a municipality can embrace outdoor recreation as a tool for economic development. By transforming a struggling ski hill into a vibrant, year-round recreation destination, Claremont diversified its offerings, engaged its residents, and attracted new visitors. The RERC grant further empowered the city to align recreation planning with economic goals by connecting downtown with other recreation assets. Claremont's story shows how a city-led commitment to recreation, paired with strong partnerships, can turn a local mountain into a regional asset and a cornerstone of municipal identity.