Some early-season New England ski events to put on your calendar
COMMENTARY
Halloween skiing is no trick this year in New England. It’s a treat at Sunday River, where patrons can ski or ride free with a costume this Saturday, Oct. 31.
Sunday River and Killington both opened early this season. Killington was first on Sunday, Oct. 18, open for for pass-holders only. Killington opened to the public the next day, as did Sunday River, marking its third-earliest opening ever.
Both Sunday River and Killington are currently closed with plans to reopen by the Halloween weekend. These two snowmaking powerhouses race to spin lifts and open for skiing first, often before Halloween, though last season that wasn’t until Nov. 3. Their snowmaking gun war certainly benefits New England skiers, who got to make turns before western skiers this season. Loveland and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado, who share a similar rivalry to be first in the country, planned to open Thursday, Oct. 29.
— More ski dates to put on your radar: On Nov. 2, Bravo debuts a new reality series, “Après Ski’’ which is filmed at Whistler Blackcomb Resort. The premise: a ski resort concierge service caters to the high-altitude, high-attitude demands of rich skiers, whether their whim is private heli-skiing in deep powder or decadent dining in Whistler’s Peak to Peak Gondola at the Canadian ski resort. It could be trashy like the not-so-real housewives, but I will be watching to see if there is any actual skiing, because Whistler Blackcomb terrain and scenery are amazing.
— November 12th through 15th is the Boston.com Ski and Snowboard Expo. This is your chance to see what’s new in ski gear and at ski resorts, win some swag (even lift tickets), while connecting with the fellow ski fanatics – a pregame of sorts. My favorite part is the Country Ski & Sport Fashion Spectacular, to see what’s trending in slopestyle fashion.
— Saddleback, Maine has promised an announcement about their opening status by Oct. 30. In August, the Maine ski resort near Rangeley Lake announced they would not open without a new investor and a new Rangeley lift. Latest price tag is $9 million. Stay tuned.
— Ski friends, it’s time to grab you gear out of the basement, make sure everything is tuned up and ready to go at first snow. A potentially wet, snowy El Nino is predicted. Wouldn’t a repeat of last ski season in New England be amazing? Though I think we could all pass on a repeat of #Snowmageddon in Boston? Downtown Boston is not Loon Mountain after all.
See you on the slopes.
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