Winter is here, and we’re looking forward to the season bringing some snowfall to the slopes surrounding the Lunenburg area. While skiers and snowboarders dig their warmest winter gear out of the closet and get their equipment ready, we thought we’d give you a rundown of some of our favorite ski resorts to give you some ideas.

Are you an amateur interested in skiing for the first time or an experienced veteran itching to go down a new black diamond? Whatever your experience level, the team at North End Mazda has compiled the following list of resorts to provide the slopes you need to have winter fun with your friends and family.

Wachusett Mountain Ski Area

Good snow cover by Rudi Riet is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0

This popular ski resort is always busy due to its high quality and great location. It’s one of the most accessible skiing areas in New England since it’s situated just over an hour’s drive outside of Boston. The Wachusett Mountain Ski Area has a 2,006-foot summit, eight lifts, and 27 different trails. This means that there’s more than enough space to accommodate all the incoming winter athletes.

This mountain is best for beginner to intermediate skiers, and it’s a good place to practice before you try out more adventurous slopes. It’s also one of the few places that offer night skiing for those who want to experience a silent descent down the slopes on a still winter night.

Travel to Wachusett for a day trip, or get away for a relaxing weekend by booking a stay at the nearby Wachusett Village Inn. If you don’t own your own gear and want to rent equipment instead, there’s a ski and ride shop on the premises. The ski resort requires visitors to book tickets in advance, so check out the website to make your reservation before you take your trip.

Nashoba Valley Ski Area

Those who are just starting out and parents who want to teach their children to ski love visiting the Nashoba Valley Ski Area. The relatively small, gentle slopes create great conditions for little ones, learners, and amateurs. The area also hosts plenty of individual and group classes for those who want to pick up some tips and improve their skills. These include classes aimed at students as young as kindergarten age.

You’ll have the option of either buying a lift ticket, a season pass, or a five-pack lift ticket. Remember that these slopes aren't just for kids. Adults who want to learn how to ski are more than welcome, and classes are usually separated by age group, meaning there are plenty of adult group lessons where you can join other students of a similar age who are also learning how to ski.

Ski Ward Ski Area

The Ski Ward Ski Area in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, is one of the best skiing destinations for families in the surrounding towns. The over 100 professional teachers on staff are excellent instructors for children just learning how to ski or snowboard for the first time. The Ski Ward snow school offers private, group, and multi-week lessons.

Whenever the kids get tired of the slopes, you can always move to the adjacent tubing area. Then head down to the Slopeside Bar & Grill to fill up on a hearty meal followed by ice cream after your day of skiing. Plan a visit with your friends or family and head to this ski resort to experience its nine trails, four lifts, and eight distinct tubing lanes. If you’re looking for a fun, active group outing, Ski Ward is an excellent destination for both birthday parties and company events.

Weston Ski Track

Weston Ski Track is an exceptional local ski resort, not only due to its high ratings by satisfied customers but also because it provides a great area for cross-country skiing. Though it may be a more challenging sport, many people love the thrill of exploring wilder terrain on skis.

If you want to learn the ins and outs of cross-country skiing, Weston Ski Track provides qualified teachers to help you master the basics. You also have the option to snowshoe across the land here, which will certainly warm you up on a cold day.

One of the best upsides of Weston Ski Track is that it’s equipped with a DCR snowmaking system. This means that you're not subject to the whims of snowfalls and blizzards. While there are approximately 9.3 miles of natural snow trails, there are a total of 1.6 miles of snow trails in the snowmaking area, and these are accessible regardless of the weather. Cross-country skiers who prefer a nighttime ride will be thrilled to learn that the routes are lit up for you to go night skiing.

Crotched Mountain Ski and Ride

No matter what your level of skiing expertise, you will find a trail you love at Crotched Mountain Ski and Ride. This location boasts 25 varied trails over 100 acres of skiable land. These routes are evenly divided between amateur, expert, and intermediate terrains to accommodate every skill level.

Are you a serious skier or planning to visit the mountain frequently for lessons? If so, it’s highly recommended that you invest in the Epic Pass. With this, you’ll get access to the trails, nighttime skiing, and ski gear rental — but that’s not all. You’ll also get discount Buddy Tickets, Ski-With-A-Friend tickets, and Epic Mountain Rewards discounts at the resort’s many cafeteria-style restaurants. However, remember that the discounts may not apply at the fine-dining establishments on the premises.

For those who wish to spend a long weekend exploring the trails and 1,000-foot drop of this ski resort, plenty of lodging options nearby can provide a cozy room and a comfortable bed for the night. Check out the Blue Bear Inn, Crotched Mountain Resort, and The Hancock Inn.

Of the many beautiful sights and activities a New England winter has to offer, skiing is one of our customers' favorites. If you wish to hit the slopes this winter, whether you're going with the whole family for first-time lessons, traveling with a friend to experience the joys of cross-country skiing, or going solo for a spirited ride down an expert trail, the ski resorts around Lunenberg have something to please everyone.

If you have a favorite ski resort that we missed, please get in touch with us at North End Mazda to let us know, and we’ll be happy to include it in a future post.

Categories: Local