It’s time to check your goggles and helmet for wear and tear, shake your packed-up down jackets back to life and try on your ski or snowboard pants to make sure they still fit well enough to let you bend down and fasten your boots.
Here’s a short swing through what’s new at resorts in the Northeast.
New York State
Windham Mountain invested more than $9 Million for improvements, including replacing the old triple-chair from the base area with a Dopplemayr high-speed quad. That will speed up-load times and shorten lift lines. The Catskills mountain resort also increased snowmaking, and renovated an old mountain hotel as employee housing.
Vermont
Killington Resort opens its long-awaited new base lodge this season. The K1 Lodge offers indoor and outdoor seating for over 900 guests, multiple bars and food stations, retail and rental shops, and—by popular guest demand—45 restroom options. Killington also has expanded its Woodward Mountain terrain parks.
Mad River Glen replaced outdated snowmaking over the summer. The new system can put more snow on the lower mountain/high traffic areas faster than before while using less water.
Magic Mountain doubles its uphill capacity with the new Black Line Quad and its lunch and apres ski capacity with a new, larger base lodge deck. The locals fav area will maintain its 1500-per-day ticket limit. Also new is lights on the terrain mark, making Magic the only night terrain park in southern Vermont (open Friday and Saturday nights, including holidays).
Stratton Mountain Resort launches Next Step Lessons, a beginner and lessons package, aimed at helping second- or third-time skiers and riders expand their footprint in the sport. Also expanding is Stratton’s number of terrain parks, with a new one on Beeline.
Snow tube fans will find an expansion to 6 tubing from the previous 4 at the Tuber Park, along two-for-one tubing for the last hour the park is open, for all Ikon Pass holders.
Sugarbush improved snowmaking on Easy Rider/Pushover to improve the beginner experience and also on the upper half of Mt. Ellen to provide more snowmaking reliability. The resort also replaced Reverse Traverse with an improved pitch that could change the way Lincoln Peak’s terrain opens up early winter.
Suicide Six is gone – in name only. The 86-year-old Vermont resort has chosen the new name Saskadena Six. The new name means “standing mountain” and honors the area’s connection to the native western Abenaki people. Resort owners collaborated with Chief Don Stevens of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk-Abenaki Nation for his counsel and insights on the land, its heritage, and current use.
Maine & New Hampshire
Sunday River Resort has replaced the old Jordan Express lift with the Jordan 8 chair, a Doppelmayr D-Line 8-person chairlift – one of the most advanced lift designs in the world. It is designed to be wind resistant and weatherproof, with heated seats and bubble covers in signature Sunday River Red.
New for this season is a three-resort pass, for Sunday River and Sugarloaf, both in Maine, and Loon in New Hampshire. The new N.E. Day pass is valid any day at all three resorts, available in increments of 2-5 days.
Where are you skiing or riding in the Northeast this season?
As ever, the challenge for this retiree is to ski nice mountains for less money. Last year was an Ikon Pass situation so I could do a trip to Utah. This season I am staying closer to home so will plump for the Indy Pass. That gets me in to Cannon and Waterville Valley, but mostly I am looking forward to checking out Saddleback in Maine. I haven’t been there since they reopened and the reports are very good.
Looking forward to another good ski season here in the east, the improvements you mentioned are all going to be worthwhile. There’s one more Waterville Valley is just about finished with their new lift installation. I’ve been watching it all summer long on their cam, skied their last year in the spring a week before they took the old one down.
Another bit of news in the Northeast is the fact that Vail has bought 3 resorts near Pittsburgh, PA in December of 2021: Seven Springs, Hidden Valley and Laurel Mountain. It will be interesting to see if any improvements are going to happen or if rates will go up.
Hi Chuck,
I’ve lived in NY/CT/MA for 68 years – never thought of Pittsburgh as the NE…even when Terry B was great! Vail always makes improvements & raises prices – it’s what they do
Chuck, Yes it will be interesting to see what happens. I bought the Epic Northeast Midweek Pass for $15 more than I paid for the Highlands Pass (at the Super Senior rate) last year. So in addition to 7 Springs, Hidden Valley and Laurel Mountain I get access to many other PA areas and some additional Northeast areas IF I WANT TO TRAVEL. It is only a bargain if it is used. Our Season Locker at 7 Springs is the same price as last year. I have heard displeasure from many about the late opening schedule and reduced hours for Laurel Mountain and Hidden Valley. As you say, the Jury is still out!
Is that all? There is way more upgrades, improvements, information going on in the Northeast. Her bio was longer than info provided!
Hope you can appreciate how hard we have been working to restart the site, including getting info from resorts throughout USA, Canada and Europe, and we will be publishing more updates as we get them.
Glad you guys are back!
I returned to skiing after more then 20 years. My husband does not really enjoy the sport. I am in the mid-Atlantic and am looking for a way to connect with other skiers. I do not enjoy a full day of skiing alone. Any recommendations? Most likely will get the northeast epic pass this year.
Thank you in advance.
I was in a similar position. I joined Windham (NY) “Tuesday Masters” program that meets every Tuesday. You’ll be placed into of group of skiers according to your ability. I love it, made a lot of friends and have improved every year. Several other resorts offer this type of program.
Good to know. Thanks for the info. Like Windham, especially when they open “why not”
Hi Monique,
Search “ski clubs wash dc” or “baltimore “, surprising number of ski clubs. Join a club cheap and you’ll meet lots of skiers
Im in a similiar situation as my wife does not ski. Im in NYC and plan to go to Jiminey Peak or Windam for a day trip with a friend. Can post you when we are goinv if you like.
Monique, or anyone who skis alone,
If you got the Epic and want company at Mt Snow, Okemo, or Stowe get in touch. Have another 2 feet of new snow in my yard today (VT near Okemo) so hoping for a long season. [email protected]
Jay Peak…new owners!
We hope for the best with the new owners. I did 2 “Learn to Ski” weeks in the late 1960’s at Jay with George Stepanik as my Instructor. Have skied there multiple times since then even though it is 700 miles away. Would like to return again.
Can we have some updates on resorts farther south, like W VA? Thanks!
Timberline added a new high speed lift last season. It made a huge difference.
Along with Canaan Valley and also White Grass for backcountry fun, Canaan is awesome. My fav place to go.
Glad to see Senior Skiing rejuvenated.
Sugar Mtn in NC
Has replaced the old center lift on Oma’s meadow with a new detachable quad and moved the new lift poles to the left side of the slope. This is a huge improvement, Added six new giant snow guns to the mountain……
And a few years back, put in a detachable 6 pack to the mountain top..
Most folks do not know the tallest mountains on the east coast are in NC.
Top of Sugar is 5300 feet.