Al Neubert: Northeast ski resorts make needed investments in new lifts

Al S. Neubert
·18 min read

Last week was awful in terms of heavy rain and high temps. Ski areas throughout the Northeast were affected and more southerly ski resorts clung to life with slopes and trails losing half their coverage. The good news is that we’ve turned a corner and went into the snow zone for the first time this young season. We also go something better and that is really cold temps that allowed for a healthy dose of snowmaking that will last into the coming weekend.

Some of our backyard favorites like Mount Peter in Warwick, and Thunder Ridge in Patterson, fired up the snow guns and look like they will be ready to open, perhaps as soon as this weekend. Catamount, which straddles the New York and Massachusetts border near Hillsdale, is opening on Thursday with terrain on both sides of the ski area.

Hunter, Windham and Belleayre, all in the Catskills, continue to provide plenty of slopes and trails within day-trip range. Upgrades in snowmaking over the past few years are really paying off with their ability to recover literally overnight from the recent adverse weather. Look for plenty of new terrain for the coming weekend.

The snow guns in operation at Hunter.
The snow guns in operation at Hunter.

Making the best

I skied at Hunter last Friday on a classic “transition day” – that is, temps only dropped into the snowmaking range Thursday night but not enough to produce quality snow.  Hunter’s management had plenty of snow guns going but with the marginal conditions some of the stuff they were cranking out was wet and sticky and, worse yet, freezing up on the shaded side of the mountain. At least it was a bluebird day with almost no wind.

I took one run off the summit and decided I didn’t want to look like Frosty the Snowman after dodging snow guns. Instead, I stayed on the B quad that goes about a third of the way up the main face and I just worked on technique for a couple of hours.

Uplifting news

We’ve all been experiencing higher prices for food, fuel and a whole host of other things; it’s affected the ski industry, too. I used to keep up with the costs of new lifts, especially fixed grip chairs and the luxurious detachable high-speed chairs that skiers and snowboarders crave. On a visit to Windham in late summer, I observed the installation of a new high-speed detachable quad chairlift that was replacing the fixed grip White Way triple chair.

I happened to catch Chip Seamans, president and general manager, coming from the construction site to the base and I rhetorically asked him if the lift cost about $5 million. He responded “$8 million’’ and got the deal done before price increases. Note that this chair only covers a 350 vertical and is about one-quarter the length of the summit six pack lift.

One of the snow lifts at Hunter resort.
One of the snow lifts at Hunter resort.

I attended a lift dedication ceremony for the Bluebird Express six-pack at Mount Snow about 10 years ago and that chair cost $25 million – I’m thinking that must be double that now. While we all wish every chair was a high-speed detachable, the reality is lift-ticket prices are going through the roof to reflect these costs as well as other operating expenses.

The good news is that after almost no expenditures on new lifts during the past three COVID-impacted seasons, a number of resorts in the east splurged on lift upgrades. Let’s run through the list starting with ski areas in our neck of the woods.

You all know about the Windham chair but there are five new fixed grip quads that replace antique double chairs at Big Boulder and Jack Frost (those two resorts are part of the Vail Epic pass offering).

Just north of Allentown is Blue Mountain. Management installed a new top-to-bottom high speed quad to replace the area’s original double double chairs. If you’ve never skied Blue, you should put it on your list. Blue has the highest vertical in Pennsylvania at nearly 1,100 feet and really great terrain.

Three Vail-owned resorts in Vermont got new high speed lifts. In the south, Mount Snow got a new six-pack replacing the ancient Sundance triple chair. That lift was desperately needed to relieve pressure on the main summit chairs.  Okemo, about an hour to the north in Ludlow, got two new high-speed lifts, one on the main face and one in the Jackson Gore portion of the resort.

In the north, Stowe has had issues with uphill capacity on its main trail network but for this season there will be a new high speed six pack that accesses most of its iconic front-face trails. Better yet, the lift actually has a base in the parking lot.  Unlike the other chairs on that side of the mountain where you have to hike 100 vertical feet to reach them, this one won’t require a lift to get to the lift.

Think more and better lifts and happy skiing and riding!

Al Neubert: Consider becoming a ski instructor

Al Neubert: Ski season has opened with a flourish

Al S. Neubert
Al S. Neubert

You can contact me at asneubert@aol.com or you can visit my Instagram page at asneubert

Northeast Ski Report

LEBANON, N.H. — Latest skiing conditions, as supplied by SnoCountry Mountain Reports at 6 p.m. Monday. Conditions are subject to change due to weather, skier/rider traffic and other factors. Be aware of changing conditions. For more information go to www.snocountry.com

Belleayre — Wed 4:35p machine groomed 6 - 36 base 33 of 63 trails, 57% open 12 miles, 99 acres, 4 of 8 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 9a-4p.

Brantling Ski Slopes — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Bristol Mountain — Reopen TBA machine groomed 6 - 20 base 1 of 6 lifts,

Buffalo Ski Club — Plan to Open 12/26 Wed-Fri: 2p-9p Sat: 8a-8p;Sun: 8a-6p; Open Wed-Sun.

Cockaigne — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Dry Hill — Reopen TBA machine groomed 12 - 12 base Tue-Thu: 4p-9p Fri: 12p-10p; Sat: 10a-10p; /Sun: 10a-6p; Open Tue-Sun.

Four Seasons — Plan to Open 12/24

Gore Mountain — Wed 4:09p loose granular machine groomed 2 - 10 base 14 of 108 trails 26% open, 7 miles, 94 acres, 4 of 14 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 8:30a-4p Sat-Sun: 8:30a-4p.

Greek Peak — Wed Reopen 12/17 machine groomed 1 - 12 base Sat/Sun: 8:30a-4p; Open Sat/Sun.

Holiday Mountain — Plan to Open 12/26 Thu: 3p-9p Fri: 12p-9p; Sat: 9a-9p;Sun: 9a-5p; Open Thu-Sun.

Holiday Valley — Wed 4:44p machine groomed 4 - 20 base 7 of 60 trails 12% open, 2 of 13 lifts, sm Mon-Wed: 9a-9p; Thu/Fri: 9a-10p Sat/Sun: 8:30a-10p.

HoliMont — Plan to Open 12/17

Hunter Mountain — Wed 5:46a machine groomed 15 - 15 base 16 of 67 trails 24% open, 7 of 13 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 8:30a-4p.

Kissing Bridge — Opening Soon for Snow Sports Wed-Fri: 10a-6p; Sat/Sun: 9a-4p; Open Wed-Sun.

Labrador Mountain — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Maple Ski Ridge — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

McCauley — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Mount Peter — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Oak Mountain — Plan to Open 12/17

Peek n Peak — Wed Reopen 12/16 machine groomed 12 - 24 base Sat: 8:30a-10p; Sun: 10a-6p; Open Sat/Sun.

Plattekill — Plan to Open 12/17

Royal Mountain — Plan to Open 12/17

Snow Ridge — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Song Mountain — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Swain — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Thunder Ridge — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Titus Mountain — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

West Mountain — Plan to Open 12/24

Whiteface — Wed 6:07a 3 new packed powder machine groomed 8 - 14 base 18 of 96 trails 20% open, 7 miles, 81 acres, 5 of 12 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 8:30a-3:30p Sat/Sun: 8:30a-3:30p.

Willard Mountain — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Windham Mountain — Wed 8:28a 6 new powder machine groomed 6 - 24 base 8 of 54 trails, 15% open, 47 acres, 2 of 11 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 8a-4p.

Woods Valley — Plan to Open 12/17 Sat/Sun: 10a-4p Open Sat/Sun.

Fahnestock Winter Park XC — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Garnet Hill Lodge XC — Wed Opening Soon for Snow Sports spring snow machine groomed 7 - 12 base 41 of 34 trails, 22 miles Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 9a-4p.

Gore Mountain XC — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Mountain Trails XC — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Osceola Tug Hill XC — Wed Opening Soon for Snow Sports powder machine groomed 18 - 19 base 19 of 19 trails, 17 miles Mon, Wed, Fri: 10a-4:30p Sat/Sun: 10a-4:30p; Feb 20-26: 10a-4:30p.

Pineridge XC — Wed 5:29a 8 new packed powder machine groomed 3 - 4 base 10 of 19 trails 10 miles Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 9a-4p.

Ski Osceola — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Mohawk Mountain — Wed Reopen 12/17 machine groomed 12 - 12 base Sat/Sun: 8a-4p; Open Sat/Sun.

Mt Southington — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Powder Ridge — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Ski Sundown — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Winding Trails XC — Wed Opening Soon for Snow Sports packed powder machine groomed 5 - 5 base 42 of 35 trails, 9 miles Mon-Fri: 9a-5p; Sat/Sun: 9a-5p.

Baker Mountain — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Big Squaw — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Bigrock Mountain — Plan to Open 12/17

Black Mtn — Plan to Open 12/26

Camden Snow Bowl — Plan to Open 12/24

Hermon Mountain — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Lost Valley — Plan to Open 12/17

Mt Abram — Plan to Open 12/17 Thu/Fri: 9a-4p Sat/Sun: 9a-4p; Open Thu-Sun.

Pleasant Mountain — Plan to Open 12/17 Mon: 9:30a-9pTue-Fri: 9:30a-8p; Sat: 8:30a-8p;Sun: 8:30a-4:30p.

Saddleback — Wed 7:15a machine groomed 18 - 24 base 3 of 68 trails, 4% open 13 acres, 2 of 6 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 8:30a-4p.

Sugarloaf — Wed 3:57p frozen granular machine groomed 4 - 10 base 21 of 162 trails 13% open, 11 miles, 127 acres, 5 of 13 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 8:30a-3:50p Sat/Sun: 8:30a-3:50p.

Sunday River — Wed 7:35a machine groomed 12 - 20 base 26 of 135 trails 19% open, 11 miles, 171 acres, 6 of 18 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 9a-4p Sat/Sun: 8a-4p.

Titcomb Mountain — Plan to Open 12/17

AMC Maine Wilderness Lodges — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Carters Bethel XC — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Carters Oxford XC — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Fort Kent Outdoor Center — Wed 8:13a machine groomed 1 - 1 base 3 of 10 trails Mon-Fri: 7a-9p; Sat/Sun: 7a-9p.

NEOC XC — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Pineland Farms XC — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Quarry Road XC — Wed 6:11p machine groomed 3 - 6 base 3 of 23 trails 1 mile Mon-Fri: 8a-9p; Sat/Sun: 8a-9p.

Rangeley Lakes XC — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Berkshire East — Reopen 12/17 Sat/Sun: 9a-4p Open Sat/Sun.

Blue Hills Boston — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Bousquet — Wed Reopen 12/16 machine groomed 10 - 10 base Fri: 12p-9p Sat/Sun: 9a-4:30p; Open Fri-Sun.

Bradford — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Catamount — Plan to Open 12/15 Mon-Fri: 9a-4p Sat/Sun: 8:30a-4p.

Jiminy Peak — Wed Reopen 12/15 machine groomed 6 - 40 base Thu/Fri: 9a-10p; Sat/Sun: 8:30a-10p.

Nashoba Valley — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Otis Ridge — Plan to Open 12/17

Ski Butternut — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Ski Ward — Wed 8:36a 3 new machine groomed 12 - 48 base 2 of 9 trails 22% open, 2 of 4 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 12p-9p; Sat: 9a-9p;Sun: 9a-5p Dec 23: 9a-9p;Dec 24: 9a-5p:Dec 25: Not open;Dec 26-30: 9a-9p Dec 31: 9a-5p.

Wachusett — Wed 7:39a 2 new machine groomed 12 - 14 base 5 of 27 trails 19% open, 40 acres, 4 of 8 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 9a-7p; Sat/Sun: 7:30a-7p Dec 24: 7:30a-4p; Dec 25: 4p-9:30p.

Canterbury Farm XC — Wed Opening Soon for Snow Sports machine groomed 4 - 7 base 10 of 12 trails, 6 miles Mon, Thu/Fri: 9a-5p; Sat/Sun: 9a-5p Open Thu-Mon.

Notchview Reservation XC — Wed 1:00p 6 new powder machine groomed 2 - 6 base 4 of 24 trails, 4 miles Mon-Fri: 8a-4:30p; Sat/Sun: 8a-4:30p.

Weston Ski Track XC — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Arrowhead — Plan to Open 12/17

Attitash — Wed 6:36a machine groomed 11 - 11 base 3 of 68 trails, 4% open 3 of 9 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 9a-3:30p; Sat/Sun: 8:30a-3:30p.

Black Mountain — Plan to Open 12/17 Mon-Fri: 9a-4p Sat/Sun: 8:30a-4p.

Bretton Woods — Wed 6:39a 1 new machine groomed 8 - 12 base 5 of 98 trails 5% open, 3 miles, 46 acres, 2 of 10 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 9a-3:30p Sat/Sun: 9a-3:30p.

Cannon Mountain — Wed 7:34a 1 new machine groomed 6 - 24 base 17 of 97 trails, 18% open, 4 miles, 43 acres, 3 of 10 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 9a-4p Sat/Sun: 8:30a-4p.

Cranmore — Wed Reopen 12/15 12 - 18 base Thu/Fri: 9a-4p Sat/Sun: 9a-4p; Open Thu-Sun.

Crotched Mountain — Wed 6:41a machine groomed 15 - 15 base 8 of 26 trails 31% open, 2 of 5 lifts, sm Mon: 9a-4p;Tue-Fri: 9a-9p; Sat: 9a-9p;Sun: 9a-4p.

Dartmouth Skiway — Plan to Open 12/17

Gunstock — Wed 9:43p machine groomed 24 - 36 base 6 of 49 trails, 12% open 22 acres, 2 of 7 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun:8a-4p; Dec 25: 9a-4p.

King Pine — Plan to Open 12/16

Loon Mountain — Wed 8:16a machine groomed 16 - 24 base 20 of 61 trails 36% open, 9 miles, 130 acres, 4 of 10 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-4p Sat/Sun: 8a-4p.

McIntyre Ski Area — Plan to Open 12/16

Mount Sunapee — Wed 9:32a 2 new machine groomed 19 - 19 base 5 of 66 trails 8% open, 23 acres, 2 of 10 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 8a-4p.

Pats Peak — Wed 2:59p 3 new machine groomed 6 - 18 base 9 of 28 trails 32% open, 3 of 11 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 8:30a-4p.

Ragged Mountain — Wed 7:17a 2 new machine groomed 18 - 24 base 5 of 57 trails, 9% open, 28 acres, 3 of 5 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 9a-4p Sat/Sun: 8:30a-4p.

Waterville Valley — Wed 4:01p 2 new packed powder machine groomed 10 - 20 base 9 of 61 trails, 8% open, 47 acres, 4 of 12 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 9a-3:30p Sat/Sat: 8a-3:30p.

Whaleback — Plan to Open 12/26

Wildcat — Wed 6:44a machine groomed 12 - 12 base 6 of 48 trails, 13% open 3 of 5 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 9a-3:30p; Sat/Sun: 8:30a-3:30p.

Bear Notch Ski Touring — Wed Opening Soon for Snow Sports machine groomed 1 - 12 base 12 miles Mon-Fri: 8a-4p

Bretton Woods XC — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Dartmouth XC — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Eastman XC — Opening Soon for Snow Sports machine groomed Wed-Fri: 10a-5p; Sat/Sun: 9a-5p.

Franconia XC — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Great Glen Trails XC — Wed Plan to Open 12/17 packed powder machine groomed 8 - 16 base 10 of 36 trails, 9 miles Mon-Fri: 8:30a-4:30p; Sat/Sun: 8:30a-4:30p.

Jackson XC — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

King Pine XC — Plan to Open 12/16

Nordic Skier XC — Wed Opening Soon for Snow Sports variable 2 - 8 base Mon-Fri: 9a-5p; Sat/Sun: 9a-5p.

Pine Hill XC — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Campgaw Mountain — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Mountain Creek — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

High Point XC — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Bear Creek — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Blue Knob — Reopen TBA

Blue Mountain — Wed 8:07a machine groomed 18 - 36 base 12 of 40 trails 30% open, 5 miles, 50 acres, 2 of 16 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-9p; Sat/Sun: 8a-9p.

Camelback — Plan to Open 12/16

Elk Mountain — Plan to Open 12/14

Hidden Valley — Plan to Open 12/23

Jack Frost — Wed 6:06a machine groomed 24 - 24 base 8 of 34 trails 24% open, 6 of 21 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 8:30a-4p Dec 24: 8:30a-4p; Dec 25: Not open.

Liberty Mountain — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Montage Mountain — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Mount Pleasant — Plan to Open 12/17

Mystic Mountain at Nemacolin Woodlands — Plan to Open 12/23

Roundtop — Plan to Open 12/16

Seven Springs — Wed 6:07a machine groomed 12 - 20 base 11 of 33 trails 33% open, 4 of 14 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-9p; Sat/Sun: 8a-9p.

Shawnee Mountain — Wed Reopen 12/14 machine groomed 12 - 18 base Wed: 9a-4p;Thu/Fri: 9a-9p; Sat/Sun: 9a-4p; Open Wed-Sun;Dec 24: 9a-4p Dec 25: 11a-4p.

Ski Big Bear — Plan to Open 12/17

Ski Sawmill — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Spring Mountain — Wed Reopen 12/17 12 - 40 base 1 of 6 lifts Sat/Sun: 9a-4p; Open Sat/Sun;.

Tussey Mountain — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Whitetail — Plan to Open 12/16

Crystal Lake XC — Wed Opening Soon for Snow Sports frozen granular 1 - 3 base 25 of 39 trails, 16 miles Tue-Fri: 9a-4:30p; Sat/Sun: 9a-4:30p Open Tue-Sun.

Yawgoo Valley — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Bolton Valley — Reopen: 12/14 6 - 10 base Wed: 12p-8a Thu/Fri: 9a-10p; Sat/Sun: 9a-4p; Open Wed-Sun.

Bromley Mountain — Wed Reopen 12/17 machine groomed 6 - 12 base Sat/Sun: 8:30a-4p; Open Sat/Sun.

Burke Mountain — Wed Reopen 12/17 machine groomed 12 - 25 base Sat/Sun: 9a-4p; Open Sat/Sun.

Jay Peak — Wed 6:11a 2 new machine groomed 8 - 20 base 7 of 81 trails 9% open, 3 of 9 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 8:30a-4p; Sat/Sun: 8a-4p.

Killington — Wed 7:01a 3 new machine groomed 12 - 12 base 31 of 155 trails 20% open, 20 miles, 107 acres, 6 of 22 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 9a-4p Sat/Sun: 8a-4p.

Mad River Glen — Wed Reopen 12/17 machine groomed 1 - 6 base Sat/Sun: 9a-3:30p; Open Sat/Sun.

Magic Mountain — Plan to Open 12/22 3 new

Middlebury Snow Bowl — Plan to Open 12/14

Mount Snow — Wed 7:42a 4 new powder machine groomed 18 - 18 base 16 of 87 trails 18% open, 6 of 20 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat/Sun: 8a-4p.

Okemo Mountain — Wed 7:12a 3 new machine groomed 6 - 10 base 24 of 121 trails, 20% open, 8 miles, 136 acres, 7 of 20 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 9a-4p Sat/Sun: 8a-4p.

Pico — Plan to Open 12/15 Mon/Thu/Fri: 9a-4p Sat/Sun: 8:30a-4p; Open Thu-Mon.

Saskadena Six — Plan to Open 12/14 Wed-Fri: 9a-4p Sat/Sun: 9a-4p; Open Wed-Sun.

Ski Quechee — Plan to Open 12/22

Smugglers Notch — Wed 6:55a 2 new machine groomed 12 - 20 base 6 of 78 trails, 8% open, 5 miles, 15 acres, 1 of 8 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 8:30a-4p Sat/Sun: 8a - 4p.

Stowe — Wed 6:17a 2 new machine groomed 12 - 24 base 20 of 116 trails 17% open, 7 miles, 110 acres, 5 of 13 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 8a-4p Sat/Sun: 8a-4p.

Stratton Mountain — Wed 9:54a 3 new machine groomed 12 - 12 base 22 of 99 trails, 22% open, 107 acres, 5 of 11 lifts, Mon-Fri: 9a-4p Sat/Sun: 8:30a-4p.

Sugarbush — Wed 7:00a 3 new packed powder machine groomed 13 - 27 base 16 of 111 trails 14% open, 5 miles, 85 acres, 4 of 16 lifts, sm Mon-Fri: 9a-4p; Sat-Sun: 8a-4p.

Blueberry Lake XC — Wed Opening Soon for Snow Sports machine groomed 10 - 22 base 11 of 11 trails, 21 miles Mon-Fri: 9a-4:30p; Sat/Sun: 9a-4:30p.

Bolton Valley XC — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Grafton Trails XC — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Rikert XC — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Timber Creek XC — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Viking Nordic XC — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Wild Wings XC — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

Woodstock XC — Opening Soon for Snow Sports

This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Northeast ski resort reports for week of Dec. 12, 2022