Some New England Ski Resorts Are Closing Down, Limiting Lifts Due to Cold
With temperatures near zero or below zero and wind chills colder than that, many schools across New England are canceled or delayed today. So are skiers hitting the slopes?
Yes. In true New England fashion, skiers and riders will brave the chilling temperatures today in the mountains. But skiers should take note: Some resorts are closed and others are limiting the amount of lifts open. Several are warning against frostbite.
“It’s never too cold to ski,’’ said skier Heather Burke, who is skiing Sunday River in Maine today. “It’s about being prepared.’’
Burke is using hand and toe warmers today and riding up the mountain inside Sunday River’s Chondola every chance she gets. She plans to ski all day.
“It’s -11 degrees but we are well equipped and it’s an outside winter sport,’’ said the veteran skier who writes our Ski Guru Blog.
The cold has closed down Wildcat Mountain today. According to its website, the New Hampshire forecast is predicting wind chill temperatures of -56 at Wildcat’s highest elevations this morning. Wildcat will open again tomorrow and lift tickets will be honored at Attitashtoday, which will open 29 trails and five lifts. Attitash offered this advice to skiers on Twitter this morning:
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Sugarbush in Vermont has closed its upper-mountain lifts for “guest and employee safety’’ due to “real deal cold temps.’’ The resort reminds skiers on its website that “exposed skin can quickly become frostbit in these conditions.’’ The resort is opening 68 of its 111 trails and seven of its 16 lifts. The terrain park is also open.
At Mt Abram in Maine, tubing and night skiing has been canceled today. Here is a Facebook post from the resort:
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Okemo in Vermont, where the summit temperature is -15 and the base temperature is -11, is open for business with 89 runs and 12 lifts available. It posted the following on its website this morning: “Cover, layer and suit up, leaving no exposed skin behind!’’
Magic Mountain in Vermont is also open and prescribes plenty of hot cocoa for skiers today:
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Shawnee Peak in Maine isn’t deterred by this cold. It sent out the following tweet this morning:
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But Shawnee skiers who hold off until tomorrow will not only be warmer, they’ll save money too. That’s because tomorrow is New England Ski Day, which means you can ski or ride all day and night for just $19.
Stay warm out there, brave New England skiers and riders!
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