Wachusett...Conditions, Improvments ect.

[SnowRider]

Well just wanted to hear people opinions about the mountain in general. I never liked it much and often found it have so much potential but never pushed to the max. I feel they rake in so much money but they dont improve much every year. It seems to be slow improvments. Does anyone know if they have any future improvments that may be include exspasions or upgrades. Zand your a local fill us in.

 

[thetrailboss]

Have you considered that the resort is in a state park and that in order to expand the last area (which is a triple IIRC in the middle) they had to go through years of litigation, protests, etc? There is not really much "expansion" potential. Also the place has two HSQ's which is huge for a ski area of that size.

I'm not sure what other improvements you are referring to. As said, they really can't expand terrain...

 

[SnowRider]

I always believed that due to a very slow beginner lift a lot of people ditch that line and go to the high speeds. So if they upgraded that lift than it could possible separate gapers and skiiers a little better. I laso remeber someone saying something bout and exspansion I just cant remeber where.

 

[threecy]

Very true...the last time they tried to cut a trail, they had people camped up in their trees!

 

[Beartrap]

Also a big issue with Wachusett is all the Old Growth Forest on the Summit cone. They had planned a huge expansion in the early 90's with more trails from the summit and a new lift from the old Nor' Easter lift (Now the Minuteman Quad) to the summit just above Smith Walton. Once the old trees we're found that killed the whole plan. They also we're going to cut a new expert trail off of Ropers Road which would have been the steepest trail on the mountain. That was also axed due to old trees and a dispute with I believe the Nipmuc Indian tribe over old burial grounds. I doubt we will ever see any more expansion at the Chu.....

 

[SnowRider]

Also a big issue with Wachusett is all the Old Growth Forest on the Summit cone. They had planned a huge expansion in the early 90's with more trails from the summit and a new lift from the old Nor' Easter lift (Now the Minuteman Quad) to the summit just above Smith Walton. Once the old trees we're found that killed the whole plan. They also we're going to cut a new expert trail off of Ropers Road which would have been the steepest trail on the mountain. That was also axed due to old trees and a dispute with I believe the Nipmuc Indian tribe over old burial grounds. I doubt we will ever see any more expansion at the Chu.....

I am all for trees and keeping the enviroment but...why cant these conservationists go try and stop these massive developments from going up. Or entire forests being wiped out instead of worying about ski mountains. If only WaWa didnt have those trees I believe it could definitly be a beter more reliable ski destination.

 

[hiroto]

I feel they rake in so much money but they dont improve much every year.

From what I heared, they have been making large investments in snow making equipments every year. I was impressed this weekend that they still had almost as much trails open as last weekend (only thing closed was upper section of Ralph and they made new temporary connection between top of Challenger and Ralpha) with the snow they made in very short period of time. I also appreciate the newly paved parking lot.

Yeah, sure there are some nice potential in the terrain but as others mentioned it is
not likely to happen.

 

[RISkier]

I'd have to say the infrastructure at Wachusett is excellent. For a mountain that size the lifts are fast. Given their location and weather they do a great job with snowmaking and grooming. The lodge is comfortable. Clearly there's not the kind of expert terrain many would like and more terrain could help spread the skiers and riders out a bit more, but it's very hard for me to criticize the way they operate the place. So, I think the owners do a terrific job with what they have to work with. The crowds can get pretty annoying at certain times.

 

[The Sneak]

Also a big issue with Wachusett is all the Old Growth Forest on the Summit cone. They had planned a huge expansion in the early 90's with more trails from the summit and a new lift from the old Nor' Easter lift (Now the Minuteman Quad) to the summit just above Smith Walton. Once the old trees we're found that killed the whole plan. They also we're going to cut a new expert trail off of Ropers Road which would have been the steepest trail on the mountain. That was also axed due to old trees and a dispute with I believe the Nipmuc Indian tribe over old burial grounds. I doubt we will ever see any more expansion at the Chu.....

YEP..In fact, It was like June 27th 1993. I only remember because they had just held the conference to announce this expansion and all of the presentation stuff was still set up. I was at the hill that day to take my Nat'l Ski Patrol Medical exams both written and on-hill.

I vividly remember being stoked looking at the planned terrain expansion.

 

[Phildozer]

I am all for trees and keeping the enviroment but...why cant these conservationists go try and stop these massive developments from going up. Or entire forests being wiped out instead of worying about ski mountains. If only WaWa didnt have those trees I believe it could definitly be a beter more reliable ski destination.

Reliable?

The fact that they remained open all last week is just short of incredible. I was there on Sunday and the summit trails looked pretty solid, considering the fact that it had been in the 50's. Wachusett also rebounds quickly from thaws and some of the best skiing can be had two days after a rain event. Assuming it is cold, the conditions will be good.

The Old Growth Forest did kill the expansion plans but hey, there's no other old growth left East of the Connecticut River so live and let live. Would it be better if there were more trails? Sure. Is Wachusett the best skiing within 60 minutes of Boston? Absolutely.

Dozer

 

[jack97]

I always believed that due to a very slow beginner lift a lot of people ditch that line and go to the high speeds. So if they upgraded that lift than it could possible separate gapers and skiiers a little better. I laso remeber someone saying something bout and exspansion I just cant remeber where.

That beginners lift is a fix grip and it services a gentle pitch. Any faster, it would intimidate first timers. Having taught and ski with my daughter since she was five, I've been on plenty of beginner's slope, the lift is no faster or slower than compare to other places.

 

[SnowRider]

That beginners lift is a fix grip and it services a gentle pitch. Any faster, it would intimidate first timers. Having taught and ski with my daughter since she was five, I've been on plenty of beginner's slope, the lift is no faster or slower than compare to other places.

I think fixed lifts are more scary. I mean HSQ lifts practiclly stop at the loding and unloading station. A fixed comes flying around the corner and the lifty has to grab it to slow it down.

Reliable?

The fact that they remained open all last week is just short of incredible. I was there on Sunday and the summit trails looked pretty solid, considering the fact that it had been in the 50's. Wachusett also rebounds quickly from thaws and some of the best skiing can be had two days after a rain event. Assuming it is cold, the conditions will be good.

The Old Growth Forest did kill the expansion plans but hey, there's no other old growth left East of the Connecticut River so live and let live. Would it be better if there were more trails? Sure. Is Wachusett the best skiing within 60 minutes of Boston? Absolutely.

Dozer

By reliable I think I meant to say ice. That to ME tends to be a big problem there. Snow often gets scraped off. But I love it how they groom like before night skiing. More mountains should do this but in the afternoon. For base depth and coverage it useally isnt a problem at Wa Wa.

 

[Phildozer]

By reliable I think I meant to say ice. That to ME tends to be a big problem there.

We must ski different times because I haven't experienced any significant problems with ice at Wachusett.

To the contrary, I think Wachusett's size works in their favor because they can spend more time grooming than many of the larger operations can. The fact that they're in healthy financial shape and can afford the extra equipment to get this done doesn't hurt either.