In this age of behind-the-scenes technological advancements from better snowmaking to new rental fleets, New England skiers and snowboarders can also cruise on new trails and ride new lifts this winter.
Plus, several accoutrement upgrades enhance the ski-and-stay experience.
New Hampshire’s Waterville Valley has embarked on its biggest expansion project in more than a generation. Steel finally met wood on the first phase of the Green Peak Expansion project, which calls for 10 trails including a beginner run from the top, five intermediate pathways, and some expert bumps on 45 acres of terrain accessed by a fixed-grip chairlift adjacent to Mount Tecumseh in the White Mountain National Forest.
Also in the Granite State, Mittersill, the small area adjacent to Cannon that’s designated as a US Ski and Snowboard Association training site sees enhancements like a new T-bar lift and warming hut. Gunstock plans to operate its new $2.6 million mountain coaster this winter.
Wildcat has cleared some way in its graded terrain to enhance the woods experience, while Cranmore broke ground on 18 condos at the base and installed Tesla and hybrid charging stations. Look for a five-fold increase in snowmaking capacity at Danbury’s Ragged Mountain.
Wachusett in Princeton is now more readily accessible for Boston-area skiers, thanks to the MBTA’s new Wachusett Commuter Rail Station in West Fitchburg on the Fitchburg Line. The stop, by routes 2 and 31, puts snowboarders and skiers about 10 minutes away from Wachusett. The weekend commuter rail service departs from Boston’s North Station, and Wachusett offers a complimentary shuttle to the mountain. Wachusett is also unveiling the E-Z Card, an RFID (radio-frequency identification) tech pass that allows users to reload online and place inside their jacket pocket to open automatic gates at the mountain’s three quads.
In Vermont, Stowe’s $80 million Adventure Center at Spruce Peak sees its first winter. The sleek center is base camp for the resort’s children’s programs, from day care to ski and snowboard lessons. It’s also home to family-friendly eating in The Canteen and the indoor Stowe Rocks Climbing Center. The new Spruce Peak Village Center, next to the outdoor ice skating rink, contains the crepe restaurant Skinny Pancake, a gourmet food market, and retail shopping.
The new $4 million expanded FunZone at Smugglers’ Notch is expected to open midwinter and contains inflatable games for young kids, plus laser tag, a climbing wall, slot car racing, a ninja warrior-type obstacle course, and more for older kids and adults.
In the Northeast Kingdom, the $55 million Burke Mountain Hotel and Conference Center, with its timber-framed lodge at Burke Mountain (home to Burke Mountain Academy) in East Burke, opened in September, some nine years behind schedule because of a fraud investigation into the ski area’s owner. The 116-room hotel, located below the MidBurke Express quad, is the ski area’s first slopeside hotel since its mid-1950s inception and includes amenities like a fitness center, outdoor heated pool, hot tub, retail stores, and The Gap Pub.
Magic Mountain in Londonderry, Vt., has new owners and a five-year capital plan to invest in new lifts and more snowmaking, while legendary Suicide Six in Pomfret, part of the Woodstock Inn & Resort, plans a new quad. Karma’s Asian flair comes to the dining scene at Stratton in the Village, while on the slopes, Test Pilot is a new way to demo gear in a nearly two-hour clinic with a pro.
Maine Sunday River skiers will find a new Locke Mountain top terminal on the triple, but will have to wait until 2017-’18 before the Spruce Peak Triple is replaced with a $2.1 million fixed-grip chair. Access Spruce Peak this winter from the Aurora Peak quad. Sweet cocktails and craft brews are on the drink menu at the 20-seat bar of The Mountain Room, a restaurant in progress in the mid-mountain North Peak Lodge. Look for the Maine-ly Meatball food truck at Jordan Bowl, and The Saltbox Cafe, a tiny house food truck serving breakfast and lunch, at South Ridge on weekends. The Snow Cap Inn now has six dog-friendly rooms.
At Sugarloaf, find the new Kuhl mountain-inspired clothing store in Village West.
Now bring on the snow.
Marty Basch can be reached at marty.basch@gmail.com.
