Nashoba Valley - 1/24/10

[speden]

Conditions - Hazy sun, 20's to 30's to 40's, no wind, loose granular over hard pack

Did a half day at Nashoba this morning. One of the kids has been wanting to go since that's where they learned to ski several years ago. It's a short drive so figured we'd get in a few turns before the wet weather moves in tonight.

At only 240 vertical, the trails are very short, but they are also very wide so you can lay down whatever line you like.

Mostly there were lots of families with small children, and with the short drive they all seemed to arrive for the opening at 8:30. The easier trails got pretty busy, but there are a few black diamond trails in the middle which get a lot less traffic.

It's a good place for beginners in the Boston area, but I think my kids have outgrown it. They did ski the black trails for the first time today, which they hadn't been up to a few years ago.

I doubt the wet weather will do much damage there. Since there is so little acreage, they can quickly cover it with fresh man made as soon as it gets cold again. It looks like it's already been through a few thaw freeze cycles anyway. Given their location, I'd say they are doing a pretty good job of maintaining a usable surface.

A few pics:

The skier's left side of the hill. This part gets the busiest.

This is the terrain park just before it opened. The features are sized for beginners.

The lodge is on the cramped side. That's probably "Bull Run" out the window. Looks like some of the kids out there are picking up bad habits by power wedging down the black trails.

Here's Warrior on the left and Chief on the right. Some of the trails are divided by just a couple of trees here and there. This particular lift has the softest seats I've encountered anywhere, with actual cushions to sit on. I wish other places would copy that.

 

[thetrailboss]

Nice TR and pics. Went there one night in 2004 with Bob R and Chilemass. We had a blast, but short runs. We found a neat narrow trail on the far right as you rode up the lift...it was literally one groomer width wide and had sparse lighting which made it interesting. Very fun though. Nice vibe.

 

[Warp Daddy]

My daughter and SIL and kids live across the road from "The Mighty Nashoba' . I've skied it a couple of times when visiting -- strictly a 3 turn hill It is what it is afeeder hill with loads of young kids who are having great fun

Much prefer Wawa when i'm visiting

 

[speden]

Yeah, Wawa is a better option for me as well. It's a little bit longer drive, but the trails are about four times longer. I probably won't be going to Nashoba again unless I end up with some grandchildren someday.

The narrow trail on the far right of the mountain is called the "Nashoba Trail". On the trail map it looks practically straight, but in reality it has a couple sharp turns that make it interesting. At one point I think you do a full 180 turn. Sprinkle a few kids on it and suddenly you've got a little adventure on your hands to navigate through there.

 

[billski]

The places with lesson mega-factories have no choice but to pump out the stuff. Lesson from what I recall go through mid-Feb.