Summary of southern New England ski areas 2021

conrad

This season I was able to ski almost every ski area in southern New England. I figured I would put together a few thoughts about each ski area and let everyone comment.

Ski Bradford - skied it January 2019
The only southern New England ski area I have skied at before this year. Nice little ski area with small vertical drop. Similar to Nashoba Valley. Great local spot, but I wouldn't go back again unless I lived nearby or there was a social reason.

Blue Hills - skied it January 2021
Vertical puts it beyond the "small" ski areas category, nice spot with a decent variety of terrain, especially if there is natural snow. Would get the night season pass if it were nearby. Main run is nice and steep.

Nashoba Valley - January 2021
4 chairlifts, but fairly small and of no challenge to the accomplished skier. Comparable to Ski Bradford. Good that it's around, but probably wouldn't go back unless there was a social reason.

Wachusett - February 2021
Nice high speed quads, good sized ski area for Massachusetts. Longest operating chairlift in southern New England. A nice and well-run ski area, but was overcrowded on the weekday I visited, largely due to chairlift capacity restrictions. Reminds me a bit of Shawnee Peak except for the detachable lifts. Picturesque views. It is what it is and it has its formula down.

Ski Ward - February 2021
Small local ski area with small vertical drop and of no challenge. Nice old GMD Mueller t-bar and remains of old rope tows. Wide open terrain. Long runout on some of the trails. Main focus is on local beginner skiers.

Yawgoo Valley, RI - February 2021
Nice local operation, does a great job at what they do. A few steep spurts, but mostly gentle terrain on a small vertical drop. Trails are generally narrow and wind around a bit making them interesting.

Powder Ridge, CT - March 2021
Connecticut skiing with a decently long lift, but very consistent "flat" terrain. Trails fairly straight and boring. Probably the least interesting ski area in Connecticut other than their old lifts, but anywhere there is skiing is okay in my book.

Mount Southington, CT - March 2021
It's in the name. Connecticut skiing with a few interesting trails that wind around through the woods. Decidedly local clientele. Worth checking out if you're in the area, otherwise don't drive too far.

Mohawk Mountain, CT - March 2021
Nice complete mid-sized ski area with a wide variety of trails. Many wide open trails, but a little of everything. A few particularly steep runs. Enough to keep one occupied for half a day or more.

Ski Sundown, CT - March 2021
Best ski area in Connecticut thanks to its interesting trails. Decent vertical drop and windy narrow trails for all ability levels including a few trails with very steep consistent fall lines. More of a local secret than Mohawk. Picturesque location.

Otis Ridge - March 2021
Awesome ski area in rural Massachusetts. On the smaller side so a full day would be too much, but enough interesting terrain to keep one entertained for a few hours. Old school vibe with vintage lifts and lodge with windy trails, some narrow and some wide. Like the 50's music played at the base. Wish it were close by.

Bousquet Mountain - March 2021
Medium mountain with mostly local clientele. Didn't really do much for me. Trail network fairly uninteresting despite the size of the ski area. A few closed trails might have helped if they were open. Least interesting ski area of western Mass, but I'm not here to hate.

Catamount - March 2021
Would have enjoyed it more except there was almost an hour wait to get on the summit quad. Must have been a problem with the old Glades chair, otherwise they would have to be crazy to pull it out on the covid-chair capacity year. Seemed like it would be a solid mid-sized ski area overall if not for it being a zoo on the day I visited. Skis bigger than most ski areas of Massachusetts.

Berkshire East - March 2021
Nice medium sized ski area with picturesque views. Great variety of terrain including some steeps. Good all-around choice.

Jiminy Peak - March 2021
A little bit of a ritzy vibe, but the skiing is good with plenty of terrain variety. Six pack is nice to ride for quick laps. A good well-rounded ski area if you can find an affordable lift ticket.

Have not skied:
Butternut
Mt. Greylock
Osceola
Waidlich (private)
Lakeridge, CT (private)

NewEnglandSkier13

Great summary, thanks for sharing your thoughts!

joshua_segal

I've been to all of the ones you reported on except Yawgoo.

I generally agree with most of what you say. It's hard to judge an area if one or more lifts are closed, especially in a year where existing lifts are running at half-capacity, so if you find your way back to catch Butternut, another shot at Catamount would be worthwhile.

(BTW: Butternut is a very nice place and seemed well run. However, I thought their Black Diamond runs were at best mid to low intermediate terrain. Management would do well to allow one run to mogul up to afford at least a minimal challenge. )

In referring to Bousquet, Conrad said, "A few closed trails might have helped if they were open." Agree that in a smaller area, a few closed trails makes a huge difference in its feel.

I would cringe at what a critic might say about Crotched Mountain if they showed up on a day that the Rocket (HSQ) had to be closed for mechanical issues that knock out 40% of the mountain. Guests are much more forgiving on wind-holds or icing-holds.

skelley19

Thanks for the great write up. For living in Mass all of my life it is sad that I have only been to Wachussett and Ski Ward on your list. Hopefully the Indy Pass will help me add Berkshire East, Catamont and Mowhawk to my list. I have a habit of always heading North to VT, NH or ME and never think to head West or South.

shpride

conrad;d-3190 wrote
Blue Hills - skied it January 2021
Vertical puts it beyond the "small" ski areas category, nice spot with a decent variety of terrain, especially if there is natural snow. Would get the night season pass if it were nearby. Main run is nice and steep.

You summed up pretty nicely why I’ve been a Blue Hills pass holder for 15 years now. I do have the full pass though because I love being there at 8am on Saturday’s and Sunday’s, ski for an hour or two, and then leave with the entire day still in front of me.