Special Olympics at Wachusett

[Paul]

Okay, how do I ask this without sounding like an insensitive jerk? I know, I AM an insensitive jerk, but I don't want to come across that way.

Bottom line is, was thinking of taking the Fam up to WaWa for the first time .Wanted to check it out, get a feel for the joint. Want to put the kid in a lesson to get an idea what their program is like with an eye toward next season. Wawa is hosting the Special Olympics there this weekend. Now, before I get flamed, I think this is great. Its good for the Mountain, good for the participants, and good for the community as a whole.
However. I've been to SO events before (I have a cousin with Downs, kid is awesome, and its a lot of fun sharing in his elation at competing in events) and I know that they can get pretty crowded. Since it is mid-season, do you Wawa regulars think the timing may be wrong? Looks like the Wa has a pretty busy March in general, would this be any more or less crowded than the other events this month? Does anyone know which trails they will be using? Again, I don't want to sound selfish or non-PC, but I would like to get in a good day on the slopes with the family and check out a hill we haven't been to yet. Have any of you been there in previous years while they've been host?

Thanks

 

[eatskisleep]

1-Mar Special Olympics Challenger 8a-4p
2-Mar Special Olympics Challenger 8a-4p


Only on Challenger according to the site, IMO it wouldn't be a problem.

 

[Paul]

D'OH!!! Missed that!

Cool, It'll also be fun to watch a bit as well.

 

[wa-loaf]

24 hrs of Wachusett are this Friday so a lot of people will be burned out and not on the slopes Saturday. The lodge and Minute Man will probably be pretty packed.

I'm thinking of heading up Sunday Morning with my daughter. We'll be up there Friday morning too.

 

[hiroto]

Okay, how do I ask this without sounding like an insensitive jerk? I know, I AM an insensitive jerk, but I don't want to come across that way.

Bottom line is, was thinking of taking the Fam up to WaWa for the first time .Wanted to check it out, get a feel for the joint. Want to put the kid in a lesson to get an idea what their program is like with an eye toward next season. Wawa is hosting the Special Olympics there this weekend. Now, before I get flamed, I think this is great. Its good for the Mountain, good for the participants, and good for the community as a whole.
However. I've been to SO events before (I have a cousin with Downs, kid is awesome, and its a lot of fun sharing in his elation at competing in events) and I know that they can get pretty crowded. Since it is mid-season, do you Wawa regulars think the timing may be wrong? Looks like the Wa has a pretty busy March in general, would this be any more or less crowded than the other events this month? Does anyone know which trails they will be using? Again, I don't want to sound selfish or non-PC, but I would like to get in a good day on the slopes with the family and check out a hill we haven't been to yet. Have any of you been there in previous years while they've been host?

Thanks

When there is large event like this, they often reserve a large section of lodge for the event participants. Try to avoid having lunch during the lunch hour. It will be very difficult to find the place to eat. We usually eat lunch around 11AM when we are at Wawa.

 

[MichaelJ]

If they're on Challenger (the NASTAR slope) then the Minuteman lift will be going full-tilt as it serves that plus will have the regular traffic for the terrain park. As others have noted, there's a good chance that the mountain will be somewhat quiet otherwise, in which case the Polar Express is the way to go. That's the best terrain there (except for Ralph's Run, which is a great novice run) anyway.

There's an entire section of lodge, the Granite Room, which can be set off. If they do that, just stay to skier's left and use the main area and the cafeteria. Definitely avoid noontime at the lodge. Also, go early to avoid any risk of being in satellite parking.

OR ... go for 4pm and night ski. They re-groom starting at 4pm and the lighting's excellent. Sunday nights used to be pretty deserted there (are they still?)

 

[Paul]

Thanks guys!

Just one more thing....

With the "24 hours of Wawa" going on, when, or will, they groom? Wife and kid are still llow-intermediates, and would prefer not skiing on scraped-down hardpack if possible. Of course, it looks like we may get a little bit o' fresh for Saturday, but still....

I'm starting to lean towards the BEast...

 

[wa-loaf]

With the "24 hours of Wawa" going on, when, or will, they groom? Wife and kid are still llow-intermediates, and would prefer not skiing on scraped-down hardpack if possible. Of course, it looks like we may get a little bit o' fresh for Saturday, but still....

I'm starting to lean towards the BEast...

They groom twice a day. First thing before opening and again from 4-6. They just close a trail for a bit and then move on to the next. I wouldn't worry about it. It should be a nice weekend. I think temps are going to be in the high 30's and 40's so the snow will be soft anyway.

 

[Paul]

They groom twice a day. First thing before opening and again from 4-6. They just close a trail for a bit and then move on to the next. I wouldn't worry about it. It should be a nice weekend. I think temps are going to be in the high 30's and 40's so the snow will be soft anyway.

Cool, thanks for the info.

 

[RISkier]

I'll start by saying I think Wa does a great job with snowmaking and grooming. The infrastructure is generally in good shape. But other than location, I'm not a real fan. I also can't speak to how much the SO will effect crowds. So, with that bias in mind... We were there Sunday and it became a total zoo by 10:00. Although there is nothing steep at Wa, the best low intermediate terrain is off the Minuteman lift and Challenger is one of the best runs off that lift. Hitchcock is pretty good. Ralph's tends to get very busy. The Polar Express serves 3 basic trails. Connifer is marked blue/black though it's a very routine intermediate trail, 10th Mountain is marked black though except for the little area of bumps off to the side is really intermediate terrain as well, and Smith Walton which has one head wall that's reasonably steep. One of my problems with Wa on weekends is that the trails off the summit, especially Connifer, tend to get very crowded and it's a mix of folks for whom the trail is too steep combined with folks who are bombing it. My experience is that Connifer usually gets skied off fairly early. We go there because it's about an hour closer than other options, but that's pretty much the reason we ever go there. I'd tend to steer you towards other options. If you go, the Vickery Bowl area is generally fairly quiet. It's served by a pretty slow lift and the runs are somewhat short. But they would be good for low intermediates if you need to get away from crowds. One other suggestion is to avoid the cafeteria around lunch time. Usually a total nut house on weekends. FWIW, the Black Diamond is actually pretty decent and won't cost much more than the cafeteria.

 

[Paul]

I'll start by saying I think Wa does a great job with snowmaking and grooming. The infrastructure is generally in good shape. But other than location, I'm not a real fan. I also can't speak to how much the SO will effect crowds. So, with that bias in mind... We were there Sunday and it became a total zoo by 10:00. Although there is nothing steep at Wa, the best low intermediate terrain is off the Minuteman lift and Challenger is one of the best runs off that lift. Hitchcock is pretty good. Ralph's tends to get very busy. The Polar Express serves 3 basic trails. Connifer is marked blue/black though it's a very routine intermediate trail, 10th Mountain is marked black though except for the little area of bumps off to the side is really intermediate terrain as well, and Smith Walton which has one head wall that's reasonably steep. One of my problems with Wa on weekends is that the trails off the summit, especially Connifer, tend to get very crowded and it's a mix of folks for whom the trail is too steep combined with folks who are bombing it. My experience is that Connifer usually gets skied off fairly early. We go there because it's about an hour closer than other options, but that's pretty much the reason we ever go there. I'd tend to steer you towards other options. If you go, the Vickery Bowl area is generally fairly quiet. It's served by a pretty slow lift and the runs are somewhat short. But they would be good for low intermediates if you need to get away from crowds. One other suggestion is to avoid the cafeteria around lunch time. Usually a total nut house on weekends. FWIW, the Black Diamond is actually pretty decent and won't cost much more than the cafeteria.

Awesome, thanks for the input. So, its a lot like Jiminy then? If there's one thing we try to avoid, its the mixed crowds. Definitely leaning more towards BEast.

 

[jack97]

I'm starting to lean towards the BEast...

Nite and day in terms of vibes and crowds. Go to Wa on a w/e the low intermediates might get spooked because of the crowds on the slope, as stated you get the bombers and you get the int who needs the whole width to get down, not only Conifer but I see them on Smith Walton and Tenth mnt.

 

[wa-loaf]

Awesome, thanks for the input. So, its a lot like Jiminy then? If there's one thing we try to avoid, its the mixed crowds. Definitely leaning more towards BEast.

yea, I guess they sold out last Sunday (they do have a limit) so I imagine it was a madhouse. With some fresh snow and sunny weather I see it being pretty much the same this weekend. Just the same I'm going to try to get up there early with my daughter and get out before lunch. Easy to do when you only live 20 mins from the hill.

 

[Paul]

yea, I guess they sold out last Sunday (they do have a limit) so I imagine it was a madhouse. With some fresh snow and sunny weather I see it being pretty much the same this weekend. Just the same I'm going to try to get up there early with my daughter and get out before lunch. Easy to do when you only live 20 mins from the hill.

Exactly, you really have nothing to lose by heading over. I'd hate to do a 90 min drive to see that things aren't really going to work out, then have no other options. We take the chance sometimes with So. VT as there a a bunch of places all close to each other.

 

[ZOG]

Not sure about SO at Wawa, but the SO's are at Sundown this saturday 3/1/08. It's ALWAYS crowded at this event. Not the best day for freeskiing. Lots of slow skiing that day.

 

[The Sneak]

Without being too insensitive, Wa hosts the skiing SO every weekend from Dec - March...if you know what I mean.

That said, i'll be there for 1st chair saturday if it snows as forecasted this friday night.

 

[Paul]

Without being too insensitive, Wa hosts the skiing SO every weekend from Dec - March.

That said, i'll be there for 1st chair saturday if it snows as forecasted this friday night.

Yet they only list this weekend on their events calendar.

Calendar

 

[jack97]

Without being too insensitive, Wa hosts the skiing SO every weekend from Dec - March...if you know what I mean.

That said, i'll be there for 1st chair saturday if it snows as forecasted this friday night.

Yet they only list this weekend on their events calendar.

Calendar

Me thinks the king of sarcasm missed the sarcasm... if you know what I mean.

 

[Paul]

Me thinks the king of sarcasm missed the sarcasm... if you know what I mean.

Good Gravy!!!!!

you're right Jack, right over the ol' noggin!



need to go home now kthxbye!!!

 

[Zand]

Without being too insensitive, Wa hosts the skiing SO every weekend from Dec - March...if you know what I mean.

That said, i'll be there for 1st chair saturday if it snows as forecasted this friday night.

There will be no first chair. Unless you want first chair up Monadnock, Polar and Minuteman will be running 8 AM Friday through 10 PM Saturday with no stops except maybe about 15 minutes of maintenance Saturday morning. The trails are all groomed a 3rd time during the 24 hour event so they'll be in good condition, but you won't get powder.