Finally, it’s ski season
NEW LIFTS, LODGES, EXPANDED SNOWMAKING AND MORE OFFSLOPE FUN THIS SEASON
Thanks to weeks of cold temperatures and some natural snow, the 201929 ski season is off to one of the strongest starts in years.
The cold was ushered in after a strong Halloween storm battered the Northeast. Since then, temperatures have averaged well below normal, giving ski areas ideal snowmaking conditions.
That allowed Killington in Vermont to kick off its season on Nov. 2; a week later it had a toptobottom run from the summit open.
A snowstorm on Nov. 12 and days of nonstop snowmaking pushed up opening days for Mount Snow in Vermont, Hunter Mountain in New York, Bretton Woods in New Hampshire and Jiminy Peak in Massachusetts.
With temperatures averaging around 6 degrees below normal, ski areas in Connecticut and Massachusetts also fired up the snow guns to start laying down a base on trails.
For the latest conditions and opening dates, check out snocountry.com If you haven’t skied yet this season, now’s a good time to check your gear, schedule some days off and make plans to enjoy what could be an epic season.
This season, there’s new lifts, lodges, expanded snowmaking and more offslope amenities and activities.
New lifts
In Vermont, Magic Mountain is replacing its Black Double summit lift with a fixedgrip quad. It should be running by Christmas.
Killington already has its new North Ridge quad spinning, cutting time to the top and carrying more passengers.
New Hampshire’s first eightperson gondola debuts at Bretton Woods. It will end at a new summit lodge that offers spectacular views of Mount Washington and the Presidential Range.
Limited Alpine skiing returns to Ascutney Mountain in Vermont with a new 1,800foot Tbar. It will serve a number of trails on the lower mountain slopes with skiing for all abilities. Ascutney Mountain Resort closed in 2010. Ascutney Outdoors, an independent nonprofit, has taken over responsibility and management of the former ski resort.
New or renovated lodges
Catamount on the Massachusetts/New York border has a new base lodge next to the renovated one. It also has a new steep and wide double black diamond trail from the summit.
The Summit Lodge and midmountain Sugar House Lodge at Okemo in Vermont received interior makeovers over the summer.
At Killington, construction has begun on a new K1 Base Lodge that will be be 50percent larger than the existing one. Once the season ends, the old lodge, built in 1958, will be demolished.
The new threestory lodge will open for the 202021 season. It will include a fullservice bar, enhanced dining (on real dishes and bowls), additional seating and unobstructed 180degree views of Vermont mountains. This season, access to the K1 base area will be via Vale Road ,starting near Ramshead.
Sugarbush’s new owners
In November, Sugarbush announced that Denverbased Alterra Mountain Company has entered into an agreement to purchase the Vermont resort. Alterra also owns 15 North American resorts including Steamboat and Winter Park Resort in Colorado and Stratton in Vermont.
Owner Win Smith, a former Greenwich resident, will stay on as president of Sugarbush and will oversee daily operations of the resort.
“Having been a familyowned resort for nearly two decades, we were keen to find the right next owner of Sugarbush Resort. We are delighted that Sugarbush will join the Alterra Mountain Company family, knowing that Alterra Mountain Company will continue to maintain our culture, values and commitment to our community, while bringing additional capital and other resources to make Sugarbush even better in the years ahead,” said Smith.
Since 2001, Sugarbush has invested $74 million in mountain improvements including seven new lifts, significant upgrades to its snowmaking system, and the revitalization of the Lincoln Peak Base area.
More snowmaking
While not as flashy as a new lodge or highspeed lift, improved snowmaking remains the savior of eastern skiing.
Resorts have spent millions upgrading their snowmaking systems with tower guns, new water pipes and pump houses. Some, like Suicide Six in Woodstock, Vermont have added automation to its snowmaking to provide lightning fast responses to changes in weather and conditions.
On the Sunbrook side of Mount Snow, the resort has added seven acres of snowmaking as Little Dipper. The change will allow Mount Snow to open this trail earlier in the season and keep it covered throughout the winter. At Carinthia, the resort added snowmaking to Fool’s Gold.
Magic Mountain in southern Vermont gets a longneeded snowmaking boost after doubling the size of its snowmaking pond to approximately 9 million gallons. The doubling of its water resources allows it to cover over 60 percent of the mountain. This is a major game changer for this laidback, throwback ski area.
Stratton in Vermont has added 12,500 feet of new snowmaking pipe in the learning zone, featuring the latest hydrant technology.
Ticket prices, season passes and deals
Yes, lift tickets at major ski resorts can cost up to $125 a day, but with so many options and choices, you don’t have to pay that high of a price.
All areas — including the highend resorts — offer steep savings if you buy your ticket online or purchase a pass that can be used at other resorts.
You find the deal that works for you by going to your favorite ski area’s web site and social media.
Butternut in Massachusetts has a threepack of tickets for $150 for adults until Dec. 20. Those tickets are best for weekends and holidays since weekday tickets are still 25 bucks.
Most areas sell discounted tickets online at substantial savings. Mount Snow is already selling a $12 ticket for its Founders Day on Friday, Dec. 13. With a price that low, expect lots of people on the slopes and get there early for a parking space.
Buying a season pass can save you money if you plan on skiing or snowboarding several days this season. The decision comes down to doing the math by dividing the cost of the pass by the number of days you plan to ski.
College students get the best deals because resorts want to keep them skiing and snowboarding and, hopefully, later, return with their young families with lots of kids.
Some resorts offers discounted season passes for people in their 20s and 30s and senior citizens.
Passes that can be used at many resorts have grown in popularity in recent years. The two big ones are the Epic and the Ikon passes.
When booking a ski trip, you can also find savings in packaged deals that include lodging, lift tickets and lessons. You can check the prices either online just call then resort and they will work with you to build a package at the right price.
Some areas offering savings cards such as Ski Sundown in Connecticut. For $89, the Ski Sundown Savings Card give 50 percent discounts on eighthour or night all mountain lift tickets.
Skiing or snowboarding midweek often have lower cost tickets and no crowds.
All four Connecticut ski areas offer night skiing under the lights. Mohawk Mountain in Cornwall has $29 lift tickets from 4 to 10 p.m.
And finally, here’s what I feel is the best deal going ...
If you join a Connecticut ski club, for as little as $10 a season, you can buy lift tickets for around halfprice. Full details at skiclub.com
Here’s how it works: The Connecticut Ski Council has a calendar of dates where you can buy discounted tickets at a specific ski resorts on specific “Awareness Days” by just showing your membership card. Work around these special days — many on weekends —and you can cut cost of lift tickets in half for the entire season.
All season long, your membership card gets you discounts at Mohawk, Ski Sundown and Southington in Connecticut. You can also get midweek tickets at Butternut and Catamount in Massachusetts for the 1980sera price of 20 bucks.
Besides, you get to meet some really cool people. How much you participate in a club is up to you. To join, it’s simply a matter of downloading an applicationd, sen in a check and you get that coveted membership card.
Learn the ropes
Sadly, there’s many people who always wanted to ski or snowboard, but never did. Now comes a chance to correct that.
Connecticut’s four ski areas and are ideal places to learn to ski or snowboard. All have gentle beginning slopes and certified instructors.
Mohawk also has the best deal on learn to ski or snowboard packages. Its Night Deal for $54 includes rental equipment, an allmountain lift ticket and a one and a quarterhour group lesson. It’s offered for those ages 12 or older on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and holidays starting at 4 p.m. Lessons go off at 5 and 6:30 p.m. based upon instructor availability.
Ski Sundown in New Hartford has a $69 firsttimer package that includes a lift ticket, equipment and a free lesson. Mount Southington’s beginner package is $90. Powder Ridge Mountain Park in Middlefield has a firsttime package, which ranges from $75 too $90, based on age.
Got young kids? Ski Vermont is again offering its Fifth Grade Passport program. Fifthgraders get 88 free days of skiing and riding at Vermont’s alpine and cross country resorts for a $20 processing fee. There is no Vermont residency requirement.