Wachusett '25- '26

[jmfd84]

I managed to sneak away to ski today, and the conditions were incredible! I skied Ralph's and Challenger a ton, not only because the snow was excellent, but also because everyone else was skiing elsewhere and coming back to the left side of the lift, so the lines were much longer there. It was worth skiing down lower Smith and lower Conifer a few times, though.

Groomers knocked down a ton of whales today, including upper Smith and all along Tenth.

Has anyone tried the baby moguls on the rightmost green? They are NUTS, lol. I'm no mogul skier, but it seems to me they're way too close together and not staggered—they're in straight rows, like soldiers. It's too bad, because I really enjoy it when they put some small bumps on the greens to practice on.

 

[diymom]

Has anyone tried the baby moguls on the rightmost green?

Those are new, they weren't there yesterday. Yesterday just past the orange poles was skiable, some slick spots since it wasn't groomed, but also some fun little whoopsie-dos here and there just off the groomer. Interesting that they seeded some bumps again finally, but unfortunate if they aren't spaced well. I'll definitely check them out tomorrow.

I saw in the snow report today that they are hoping to have the new summit lift inspected and running during vacation week. Fingers crossed.

 

[jmfd84]

Those are new, they weren't there yesterday.

I wonder if they made them during the day yesterday, because my father tried them yesterday. The first three in the left row are knocked down by people trying them, but the rest were large and unshaped today. Curious what you find tomorrow!

 

[diymom]

Ok, now I'm thinking back. Maybe yesterday I only skied the lift side of the greens. I spent most of the day over on Hitchcock and only hit the greens at the end for my last few runs. It's possible the whoopsie-dos were last Friday. Old fart brain syndrome. If they are there tomorrow they could be fun as things soften up.

 

[NewEnglandSkier]

The moguls were there yesterday. I tried them along the edge that allows you to escape back onto the groomer but I found them to be very firm so I didn't attempt more than 1 or 2. Too firm for my taste. The shape of them was little funny I thought but I recall it being like the last time they put moguls on the green run too. I think maybe they also don't really get skied in enough/not enough people use them to get them in shape. I'd like it if they did keep them there though because it would be fun to have those to use especially later in the season when they would be softer.

 

[Divegirl]

I am skiing vicariously through you guys. Eyeing Jan 5 or 6 to start.

Happy Holidays All!

 

[diymom]

Everything was skiing very nicely yesterday, they recovered well from last weekend's weather. It was thick sugar on a firm base. A little busier heading into the holiday week and with only the lower mountain open there were some lines, which is unusual for a Tuesday. The word on the street (well, I overheard Jeff Crowly tell Everyday Ed when I was booting up) is that the new lift passed all of the load tests first try on Monday, and that they are thinking they could have it up and running this Friday.

The other scuttlebutt I got (I was on the lift with someone from Mountainside) was that they will have a new demo membership offered this year. For $299 you can demo as many skis as you want all season long. If you purchase skis by a certain date in February you will get the full $299 credited towards the purchase. Then there will be a period where you will get $199 credited. And I think if you wait until the demo clearance sale in the spring, it is $100 credit. He said it isn't up on the site yet though..

Also new this year for Mountainside demos is that they have started carrying Stockli (he was on a pair of Montero AS from the shop at the time.) I think he said Fischer was new for this year too.

 

[DebbieSue]

Everything was skiing very nicely yesterday, they recovered well from last weekend's weather. It was thick sugar on a firm base. A little busier heading into the holiday week and with only the lower mountain open there were some lines, which is unusual for a Tuesday. The word on the street (well, I overheard Jeff Crowly tell Everyday Ed when I was booting up) is that the new lift passed all of the load tests first try on Monday, and that they are thinking they could have it up and running this Friday.

The other scuttlebutt I got (I was on the lift with someone from Mountainside) was that they will have a new demo membership offered this year. For $299 you can demo as many skis as you want all season long. If you purchase skis by a certain date in February you will get the full $299 credited towards the purchase. Then there will be a period where you will get $199 credited. And I think if you wait until the demo clearance sale in the spring, it is $100 credit. He said it isn't up on the site yet though..

Also new this year for Mountainside demos is that they have started carrying Stockli (he was on a pair of Montero AS from the shop at the time.) I think he said Fischer was new for this year too.

Great to see Wawa being creative with Demos to keep skiers interested (spending)!

 

[jmfd84]

Ooh, I wonder if they have the Stockli Laser SC in the demo shop. I'm considering signing up for the women's clinic this year, and it includes one day of demoing. I think I fell in love with the Laser SCs at the Waterville demo day (as did @Peppermint ).

 

[diymom]

Ooh, I wonder if they have the Stockli Laser SC in the demo shop. I'm considering signing up for the women's clinic this year, and it includes one day of demoing. I think I fell in love with the Laser SCs at the Waterville demo day (as did @Peppermint ).

Pretty sure they have the sc.

 

[diymom]

I'm still waffling on the women's clinic, but know I need to make a decision in the next day or two. Pros- lessons are a good thing; potential to make new friends; included demos; get to skip the line if there is one. Cons-- I'll miss one session coming back from Diva East; it would tie me to Wawa for Thursdays instead of maybe using my Indy somewhere; stress of timing the traffic to not be late.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[ski now work later]

I'll be able to do the women's Thursdays next season. Do they divide the skiers up by ability? Haven't been out yet this year, My horseback riding instructor may be out of town the week of January 12 and if so I could ski Tuesday and Friday @diymom. Are Fridays super busy there? That's the Friday before MLK Day so maybe....

 

[jmfd84]

I'll be able to do the women's Thursdays next season. Do they divide the skiers up by ability? Haven't been out yet this year, My horseback riding instructor may be out of town the week of January 12 and if so I could ski Tuesday and Friday @diymom. Are Fridays super busy there? That's the Friday before MLK Day so maybe....

Yes, the clinic is broken up into multiple groups by level. I'm sure it varies, but there were at least ~5 groups the years I've participated. You self-report a level when you sign up for the clinic, but I don't think that really ties you to a particular group - there is some discussion/review of skiing the first week. Some women who attend the clinic every year know which group/instructor they want to be with.

 

[jmfd84]

IME, Fridays tend to be the busiest weekdays, but are still SO much better than weekends.

 

[diymom]

IME, Fridays tend to be the busiest weekdays, but are still SO much better than weekends.

But in compensation they do have free s'mores on Friday afternoon courtesy of LLBean.

 

[ski now work later]

Oh this is great, thank you!

Yes, the clinic is broken up into multiple groups by level. I'm sure it varies, but there were at least ~5 groups the years I've participated. You self-report a level when you sign up for the clinic, but I don't think that really ties you to a particular group - there is some discussion/review of skiing the first week. Some women who attend the clinic every year know which group/instructor they want to be with.

Thank you so much!

And I do NOT ski any resorts on weekends anymore. When Berkshire East was my local hill I skied Sunday mornings until the pandemic hit and crowds soared, no weekend days in a few years.

 

[JBM]

I'm still waffling on the women's clinic, but know I need to make a decision in the next day or two. Pros- lessons are a good thing; potential to make new friends; included demos; get to skip the line if there is one. Cons-- I'll miss one session coming back from Diva East; it would tie me to Wawa for Thursdays instead of maybe using my Indy somewhere; stress of timing the traffic to not be late.

Decisions, decisions.

Have you decided? I think I might try the clinic this year. Your post inspired me to go for it!

 

[diymom]

Have you decided? I think I might try the clinic this year. Your post inspired me to go for it!

Yep, I signed up last night.

 

[jmfd84]

I'm signed up, too. See you both later this week!

 

[JBM]

Now I just have to figure out how to get to the mountain and be ready to ski before 9:30am for the clinic....