Princeton, MA – When Wachusett Mountain opens for the winter season, the ski area in eastern Massachusetts will have a new detachable quad chairlift spinning.
The ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Monadnock Express Quad is set for Dec. 18. The new lift, which replaces an aging triple chairlift, will ease beginner access to the mountain’s Indian Summer, Sundowner and Easy Rider runs, all designated with a green circle.
“First-timers and beginners are the lifeblood of our industry,” said Wachusett President Jeff Crowley. “Our goal is to convert all our new skiers and snowboarders into life-long enthusiasts by bringing their experience to the highest possible level.”
Ride time on the new $3 million, 2,500-foot Doppelmayr lift will be cut by two thirds, from 12 minutes to four minutes. It marks the first phase of a two-year investment into beginners at Wachusett. Phase two, set to take place next summer, will involve the conversion of the mountain’s rental/ski school building into a new state-of-the-art Skier/Snowboarder Service Center. The ground level of the building currently houses the resort’s ski rental facility, snowboard rental area, locker area, ski and snowboard school and instructor locker room, and race department. Located on the lower level is the Polar Kids children center and Human Resources department. Initial plans for the new center will provide nearly 1,500 square feet of additional space, as well as more efficient service. The new plans will maintain the historical architectural integrity of A-frame portion of the current structure, which houses the ski and snowboard school and Wachusett’s original base lodge.
“Our ski and snowboard school teaches more than 10,000 first-timers each season,” said Crowley. “We are very proud of our legacy of introducing so many people to the sport. Our staff of more than 300 professionally trained instructors take their role very seriously in making sure our guests not only learn but also have fun. With the advances we’ve already made in snowmaking, grooming, easy-to-use rental equipment and economical learn-to-ski and learn-to-snowboard packages, these two new initiatives will now help enhance the beginner experience at Wachusett Mountain even more.”