Crotched Mountain, Mountain summit in Francestown, United States
Crotched Mountain is a summit in western New Hampshire, sitting across the towns of Francestown, Bennington, and Greenfield. The mountain has a developed ski area with several trails and chairlifts on its slopes, making it one of the more accessible peaks in the region for winter sports.
In 1980, the mountain was home to what is considered the world's first wind farm, an early attempt to generate electricity from wind on a commercial scale. The installation was later taken down, but it placed Crotched Mountain in the history of renewable energy well before the concept became widespread.
The mountain's name comes from early settlers who saw the split shape of the summit and compared it to a forked tree branch. Locals still use the name naturally today, and it gives the place a character that sets it apart from more generic mountain names in the region.
The mountain is open year-round, though the ski area runs only in winter and trail conditions change with the seasons. Visiting in shoulder seasons means fewer crowds and a different experience on the slopes and surrounding paths.
A rehabilitation center sits on the southern ridge of the mountain in Greenfield, offering specialized medical care in a setting that most visitors do not expect to find here. It shows that the mountain serves as more than a place for winter sports and outdoor recreation.
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