Snow Report: Wachusett Race League Season Kicks Off In Style

A racer at Wachusett. Photo courtesy of Wachusett Mountain

Finally! FINALLY! Winter is starting to take hold here in New England.

Mountains up north are able to run their snowmaking operations at full blast during the night without too much fear of losing all their snow and some of the big mountains are able to stay open all week. Are we anywhere near the peak season? No, but in another month we should see the whole region up and running.

Wachusett Mountain Race League Kickoff Party

With its close proximity to Greater Boston, Wachusett Mountain is home to one of the largest night race leagues in all of North America. On Wednesday, the largest ski area in Massachusetts will kick off race season with a party that will feature food, drinks, and prizes for league participants. The party is a great opportunity to meet other racers (like your slow author) and get pumped for the season. If you can’t make the party, you won’t want to miss the free race clinic and warm-up races next Wednesday night at Wachusett.

The New England Ski Journal Show Returns For Another Season

The New England Ski Journal launched in 1996, but the seasonal magazine’s successful entry into the television world is only in its second year. Comcast Sports New England renewed the Dan Egan-hosted program (named after the magazine) for the 2015-2016 season and placed it in the 9 p.m. Tuesday timeslot. The show takes viewers around New England, showcasing the best resorts and secret spots in the region. The eight episode show airs two new episodes each month from December through March.

What’s Happening To Saddleback?

It’s unclear if the third largest resort in Maine will open this winter.

Smack between Sunday River and Sugarloaf, Saddleback has been a big question mark for skiers across New England since July, when the resort’s owners announced they needed to replace one of the mountain’s double chairs. The owners, Bill and Irene Berry, said that if they could not raise the $3 million required to replace the chair, they would close the resort. Since that announcement, the chair has not been replaced, and the family has not obtained the financing needed to upgrade the chair.

Saddleback general manager Chris Farmer told the Bangor Daily News that the owners are only interested in selling the mountain to people keen on opening the mountain this winter. It’s unknown if they will find a buyer before the season starts, but the earliest Saddleback has ever opened is December 11, according to the New England Ski Industry blog.