that they actually make a lot of money there.Anyone who knows anything about the economics of skiing knows that there is a reason a lot of ski areas go broke. Cash flow vagaries can kill a for-profit area (and even some non-profits). AFAIK, Wachusett is a tax write-off for the family that operates Polar Beverages. THAT is where the money is made.

We are Damned Lucky to have Wachusett

By issacg on Sun, 02/21/2010 - 10:44pm.

I ski as much as I possibly can, and since it has become impossible to do it nearly as much as I used to (another detriment of being a grownup), I am as happy as could be that Wachusett is there.

First off, considering that the hill is only 50 miles or so from the downtown of a major east coast city, it is pretty damned impressive that it has a base elevation of 1000' and a summit of 2000'. That makes a big snow difference, which was in evidence on my last trip there last weekend (no snow anywhere until you got right into the vicinity of the hill). If you want to see a debacle of a ski area that is 50 miles from a major east coast city, check out the area formerly known as Vernon Valley.

Second, unlike most ski areas this close to major cities, the hill was not overcut. By that I mean that in most cases you actually have to look through woods to see the adjacent trail, rather than looking past a bright orange ribbon tied to some snowmaking towers and the occasional tree.

Third, the Crowleys actually take very good care of the place. It is kept clean, it is well run, the two main lifts are very fast, they make a ton of decent snow, and while there are enough amenities, it doesn't feel grossly out of place in the middle of a state park.

Fourth, the night skiing is better than at any other place I have ever skied at night. They key to this is the fact that they groom the hill again beginning at 4 so the 4-10 p.m. timeframe does not consist of boilerplate ice only briefly interrupted by a mound of granular. Considering that this is not a trivial expense, I give them a real lot of credit for it.

Finally (but not to be discounted), the place has a nice pub that serves EXTREMELY local and delicious beer.

So while Merideth might be right that Wachusett is not Innsbruck Olympia Ski World (awesome) or even Mt. Snow (which for the record, I despise), I like it, I'm happy that it's here, and I will keep going there (particularly since I am spending sometime being humbled by telemark skis as well). Now if we could only get rid of that silly jingle (good luck getting to sleep now - you're welcome)...

Hey - "Wa-Wachusett!" isn't

By NotWhitey on Sun, 02/21/2010 - 11:41pm.

Hey - "Wa-Wachusett!" isn't far from "Sunday, Sunday, New England Dragway!" and "Anthony!"

I like Wachusett, and it's

By Jim Zilch on Mon, 02/22/2010 - 9:24am.

I like Wachusett, and it's been great for my kids, and I'm glad there's local ownership and all that, but I remember when Wachusett was just a big hill with an endless T-Bar... and if it was too crowded there you had 4 or 5 other options. Now, since the Crowley's went big-time with the place, those other ski areas - Jericho, Mount Watatic, Pine Ridge, Temple Mountain - are all out of business. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad Wachusett is there, but - with the exception of the better runs - I would prefer the OLD Wachusett... the one that wasn't a WalMart for competitors.

Upgrade or die

By merlinmurph on Mon, 02/22/2010 - 12:09pm.

I think you just answered your own question, even though you really didn't ask one. ;-) Industry skier visits have been flat for at least 15 years, and ski areas have had to compete for this stagnant market. Those that didn't change ended up out of business. And face it, it's a brutal business. Take a look at nelsap.org to see all the ski areas that used to exist just in the greater Boston area - Waltham, Franklin, Acton, etc. There is a small resurgence of the small local area. Mad River Glen was bought by skiers and someone is trying to revive Magic Mt. in VT the same way.

I'm not so sure I'd want the OLD Wachusett, anyway. Last time I skied there was in the late 60's (ouch!), though my bike rides take me there a few times a summer. T-bars have their place (places exposed to wind, etc.), but when possible, I'd rather have the chairlift and take a load off my feet.

Even though I probably won't ski Wachusett any time soon, I'm glad it's there so that kids have a place close by to give skiing a shot. Anything that gets kids outside, with their friends, getting exercise, having fun in a lifetime sport is OK by me.

Great Blue Hill is closer

By adamg on Mon, 02/22/2010 - 12:13pm.

Not that I would know the first thing about it (being of the non-skiing ilk) except that it looks really cool at night from Hyde Park.

Climate change, too?

By Ron Newman on Mon, 02/22/2010 - 3:08pm.

Woburn used to have a ski area on Horn Pond 'Mountain'. It's hard to imagine reopening it these days, with the fairly small amount of snow cover we get most winters, and the long stretches of 35+ degree weather that occur between snowstorms.

Hey, did you actually read my

By Meredith on Mon, 02/22/2010 - 10:20am.

Hey, did you actually read my post? I liked Wachusett. I had a nice time night skiing and I was impressed with the snow. I didn't like how crowded it was, and also expressed surprise at how easy it was. Also, it is a small mountain that would probably get pretty boring after ahilw.

I am a new downhill skier who recently learned how to ski in the Alps, where every single trail was scary and difficult. Now, to go skiing and find that Black trails are easy is very surprising to me. I am not putting down New England skiing in the least.

Black is relative

By merlinmurph on Mon, 02/22/2010 - 12:15pm.

As a new skier, you may not be aware how the trail ratings work. Black trails a relative to the area itself and not to other areas. So, a black at Wachusett would most likely be a blue in the Alps or even in VT.

Welcome to a great sport! Sounds like you're coming along great.

She weh-went to Wachusett

Comments

Support Universal Hub