Haunting at the Ridge at the Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort in Middlefield, CT may be Connecticut’s newest haunted attraction, but it is brought to us by Graveyard Productions, the same team that has been putting on haunts in this area since 1991. The folks at Graveyard Productions are practiced at their craft and they have leveraged that experience into an ambitious new haunt that is unlike any other we have seen.
Haunting at the Ridge is the first haunted attraction where I have taken a ski lift to get where I needed to go! I cannot emphasize enough how much this setup adds to the experience. Riding a ski lift through a tree line in the dead of night is unsettling and just the right amount of danger to kick the night off just right.
Once you get up to the tippy-top of the slope, you will start your descent into madness. Along the way, you will find sickly hikers in a decimated campground, witches trying to snap you up for a swirl in their cauldron, and priests doing the devil’s work. We were especially taken by the variety of scares offered along the trail. Not only are there scare actors everywhere, but Haunting at Ridge also has so many themed zones you will never be at a loss for frights to see. We lost count after we made it past the eighth one!
Because of this haunt’s unique set-up, it may not be for everyone! For example, if you are genuinely bothered by heights, you may find the 12-minute ski lift ride up to the attraction’s entrance a bit too much to handle. Meanwhile, you can expect a consistently steep climb down the ski slope which may not be the best for haunters who require accessibility equipment or have general mobility issues. Even if you are confident in your walking (nay, hiking) abilities, it would be best to pick the kind of comfortable shoes you would prefer on an outdoor trail.
We attended Haunting at the Ridge’s opening weekend, which meant that it was still getting into the groove of its operations. While the ticket queue may have evened out some of its first-night quirks, there are some logistics worth nothing: you will need to sign a waiver before purchasing or picking up tickets. To do so, you will need your cellphone so you can access the QR code with the waiver. For seasoned haunters, a waiver is usually a sign of a haunt’s extremity, but, in this case, the waiver has more to do with making sure you are fully aware that the haunt’s existence on a ski ridge comes with certain risks. Moreover, make note that bags are not allowed into this attraction. We recommend leaving everything in the car except your phone and wallet!
Even if you have secured online tickets, you will still want to hold on to your wallet when you head into Haunting at the Ridge. The haunt ends in a spectacular area called the Zombie Lounge that is chock full of sideshow acts, food trucks, and fire pits. There really is nothing like indulging in a cold brew after 40 minutes of chilling screams!
The Haunting at the Ridge at the Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort is perfect for an October date night or for a small pack of friends looking to get together during spooky season. The cost for entry is $29.95 and it includes both the haunt and access to the Zombie Lounge. They offer discounted ticket packets which may be worth considering if you are planning a group outing. Should you have youngsters, you can rest assured knowing they have a family-friendly early show for those who want to see this haunt’s many visual treats without too much terror. You can snap up tickets to attend the attraction on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through October 29th.
You can find more information about Haunting at the Ridge here: https://powderridgepark.com/hauntings/
