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Wachusett
Princeton, Massachusetts
The Minuteman Express (2006)
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| Wachusett Details |
| Status: | Open |
| First Year of Operation: | 1960 |
| Vertical Drop: | 1,000 feet |
| Lifts in Operation: | 2 high speed quads, 2 triples, surface lifts |
| Lifts Removed/Non Operational: | 2 triples, surface lifts |
The origins of Wachusett Mountain Ski Area date back to trails cut by the Civilian Conservation Corps starting in 1934. A rope tow was in place by 1960. T-Bar served skiing likely started in the 1962-63 season.
After a significant expansion program in the early 1980s, in which three chairlifts were installed and the overall vertical drop increased by near 400 feet, Wachusett became the largest ski area east of the Connecticut River in Massachusetts.
Starting with the installation of the Polar Express in 1994, every main chairlift at Wachusett has been replaced with a high speed detachable quad, the latest being the addition of the Monadnock Easy-Rider Express in 2011.
Located on land leased from the State of Massachusetts, the area has been operated by the owners of Polar beverages for many years.
Skiing at Wachusett |
CCC Trails
Expansion History
Lift Timeline
| Season | Lift Name | Type | Event | Notes |
| 2010s |
| 2011-2012 | Monadnock Easy-Rider Express | Doppelmayr Detachable Quad Chairlift | Installed | New install | 2010-2011 | Monadnock | Doppelmayr Triple Chairlift | Removed after season | Sold to Cranmore, NH |
| 2000s |
| 2004-2004 | Vickery Bowl | Doppelmayr Triple Chairlift | Moved | Former Summit Triple |
| 1999-2000 | Nor'easter | Doppelmayr Triple Chairlift | Moved | Renamed Monadnock Triple |
| 1999-2000 | Minuteman Express | Doppelmayr Detachable Quad Chairlift | Installed | New install |
| 1990s |
| 1998-1999 | Monadnock | Doppelmayr Double Chairlift | Removed after season | Sold to Easton, MA |
| 1994-1995 | Polar Express | Doppelmayr Detachable Quad Chairlift | Installed | New install |
| 1993-1994 | Summit | Doppelmayr Triple Chairlift | Removed after season | Placed in storage |
| 1980s |
| 1983-1984 | Summit | Doppelmayr Triple Chairlift | Installed | New install |
| 1982-1983 | Nor'easter | Doppelmayr Triple Chairlift | Installed | New install |
| 1982-1983 | Monadnock | Doppelmayr Double Chairlift | Installed | New install |
Skier Visits
| Season | Skier Visits | Source |
| 2002-2003 | 403,000 | Boston Globe |
| 2001-2002 | 320,000 | Boston Globe |
| 2000-2001 | 405,000 | Worcester Telegram Gazette |
| 1999-2000 | 290,000 | Worcester Telegram Gazette |
| 1992-1993 | 375,000 | Worcester Telegram Gazette |
Ticket Price History
Weekend Full Day Lift Ticket
| Season |
Price |
Source |
| 2010s | | 2011-12 | $58.00 |  | wachusett.com | | 2010-11 | $51.00 | | wachusett.com | | 2009-10 | $49.00 | | wachusett.com |
| 2000s | | 2008-09 | $49.00 | | wachusett.com | | 2007-08 | $49.00 | | wachusett.com | | 2006-07 | $49.00 | | wachusett.com | | 2005-06 | $48.00 | | wachusett.com | | 2004-05 | $46.00 | | wachusett.com | | 2003-04 | $45.00 | | wachusett.com | | 2002-03 | $44.00 | | wachusett.com | | 2001-02 | $43.00 | | wachusett.com | | 2000-01 | $42.00 | | Brochure | | 1999-00 | $39.00 | | Brochure |
| 1990s | | 1998-99 | $37.00 | | wachusett.com | | 1997-98 | $35.00 | | wachusett.com | | 1996-97 | $35.00 | | wachusett.com |
| 1980s | | 1988-89 | $28.00 | | Ski Massachusetts Brochure | | 1982-83 | $14.00 | | Brochure |
| 1970s | | 1971-72 | $6.00 | | Boston Globe |
| 1960s | | 1963-64 | $4.00 | | Buxton's Eastern Ski Slopes | | 1962-63 | $4.00 | | Buxton's Eastern Ski Slopes |
External Links
Wachusett Mountain Ski Area official site
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Last updated: March 27, 2012
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