Wachusett '24-'25

[marzNC]

And finally, I’m still not sure what to think of Wachusett installing a 6 pack, but it’s gonna be pretty comfy.

Assuming the new 6-pack will run as fast or faster than the current lift, you'll like it midweek. The medium size mountains I've skied at more than once with detachable 6-packs are Timberline in WV and Jiminy Peak in the Berkshires. Makes it that much easier for singles and doubles to ride the same chair midweek. I've found that other singles are more likely to be willing to share a chair. Often can lead to a chat on the way up.

Usually when there are bigger chairs, there are fewer actually installed. So the number of people arriving at the top is essentially the same. That's what Alta did for Sunnyside when it went to a 6-pack.

 

[jmfd84]

I’ve heard through the grapevine that the plan is to put on fewer chairs and run at the same speed as the current quad, so same uphill capacity. I’ll be checking it out when I hike the mountain this spring/summer.

 

[jmfd84]

Season passes just went up for sale, but NOT the Steel pass. Best prices are until May 14th, then on May 15, "more categories" of passes will be announced, including the Steel pass.

For the first time, I've been debating whether to get a Wawa pass for next season. I only used it 5 times this year. I've been focused more on using my Indy+ pass. I thought I might try for a Steel pass instead, and I am pretty annoyed that they're doing this sequential sales approach.

 

[diymom]

Odd that they didn't send out emails that they are on sale. I had a feeling the Steel was being phased out since it was very limited this year.

Guess I'll go check out the prices.

Same code as before applies (SKI DIVAS) for GPS passes.

 

[jmfd84]

It’s only been announced on social media so far. Possibly trying to avoid a crush of website traffic, though last year’s sales went pretty smoothly.

 

[diymom]

Season passes just went up for sale, but NOT the Steel pass. Best prices are until May 14th, then on May 15, "more categories" of passes will be announced, including the Steel pass.

Especially annoying if they aren't announcing the "more categories" until after the prices go up. I went ahead and got a Bronze again.

 

[NewEnglandSkier]

Thanks for the heads up! I went 7 times this year and had one of the Steels. I would like to aim for a Steel again next year but am unsure now----if they limit them as much as they did this year it might be a hard get. I would have gotten there more this year if the weather had cooperated earlier on in the season and they were able to open a bit earlier. I'd still come out ahead with Bronze if I get there 7 or more times I think. It stinks that they only introduce the "more categories" after the price increases on the main ones----so it you fail to secure a Steel you are then stuck paying more for Bronze assuming they haven't sold out. Blah.

 

[Divegirl]

I just saw the post about passes and on sale and got my Bronze. The sale went through quickly tho I did do it at 715 am...

Didn't want to let it slip as I have a lot going on the next couple of months.

 

[diymom]

As I was kind of expecting, there will be no mountain clean up day this year as they have already started work on the lift replacement. :(

 

[Divegirl]

As I was kind of expecting, there will be no mountain clean up day this year as they have already started work on the lift replacement. :(

Wonder if they will have it operating for the "Sky Ride" Labor Day weekend? That would be fun to ride it up and back.

 

[NewEnglandSkier]

I got a Steel pass when they went on sale this morning. Not sure how limited the quantities are this year but 10 minutes after they went on sale it's still showing available while I know last year they sold out I think within minutes.

 

[jmfd84]

Glad you were able to get a Steel!

After debating whether I'd get a pass at all, I ended up upgrading to Silver instead of Bronze. I had two reasons: first, I plan to buy new boots next season, and ideally want to do so at Wachusett (so yes, I need a pass for next year!). Second, there were some early and late-season weekends I would have liked to ski, once I was feeling totally over driving north every weekend. I had a balance on a COW card that made it a little easier to accept the price difference between Bronze and Silver. In general, I don't think Silver makes a lot of sense most of the time, but for next season, I hope it is worth it for me.

 

[diymom]

I'm guessing that enough people were afraid they wouldn't be able to snag one before they sold out, and opted to lock in the lower price for the Bronze instead (like me.) I have to say, I'm glad I did. The Steel was a no-brainer for me when it was only $199. But at the current $329 I'm happy having the option of Fridays if that is the day with the best weather. If I'm remembering correctly the Bronze with the group discount was $389 when I bought it in April. (For some reason the purchase receipt isn't coming up in my email search.)

Sad that Wachusett played this game, not putting the Steel on at the same time, or at least letting people know in advance what the price would be so that they could make a more informed purchase.

 

[jmfd84]

You're right, Bronze was $389 with the group discount for next year. Definitely worth $60 to be able to go Fridays all season long.

 

[MissySki]

I'm guessing that enough people were afraid they wouldn't be able to snag one before they sold out, and opted to lock in the lower price for the Bronze instead (like me.) I have to say, I'm glad I did. The Steel was a no-brainer for me when it was only $199. But at the current $329 I'm happy having the option of Fridays if that is the day with the best weather. If I'm remembering correctly the Bronze with the group discount was $389 when I bought it in April. (For some reason the purchase receipt isn't coming up in my email search.)

Sad that Wachusett played this game, not putting the Steel on at the same time, or at least letting people know in advance what the price would be so that they could make a more informed purchase.

Not that I have any skin in this game, but that IS a bit disappointing that they played it that way. Just based on my perception of how they do things. That feels a little sleazy versus what I would expect from them. But then again, it is a business I suppose.

 

[NewEnglandSkier]

Yes, I'm thinking that because they released the Steel later this year it made people who might have bought it decide to instead lock in the lower price on the Bronze or whatever other one instead of taking the chance of not getting a Steel. And now more than an hour after they went on sale the Steel is still showing available--very different from last year. Since they don't seem to want to sell very many Steel passes I guess that is their way of "forcing" people to buy the more expensive passes.