An unexpected player came to the snow sports table very early this season: Massachusetts.
It was the first state to open a ski mountain in North America for the 2023-2024 year, according to reports from multiple outlets such as TimeOut and Ski Magazine.
Ski Ward in Shrewsbury, a small mountain located just outside of Worcester, beat out Utah, Colorado and even Canada to open briefly for a fall festival Oct. 22; it has since temporarily closed.
However, Ward was way ahead of most mountains in Massachusetts — the majority of which open anywhere between the day after Thanksgiving to late December.
Here’s when every ski mountain in Massachusetts is expected to be open for the 2023-2024 winter season.
Note: All opening dates and prices vary based on a variety of factors, including weather, date of ticket order, snowmaking capacity and more.
- Planned opening day: Friday, Nov. 24.
- Lift tickets: Starting at $46 for adults, $41 for aged 6-12 or 65+, $17 for children 5 and under.
- Mountain stats: 8 lifts and 27 trails; 2,006 ft. summit elevation.
- Location: 499 Mountain Road, Princeton.
On The Snow website says:
Rating: #2 Terrain Park in Massachusetts.
“Wachusett (Algonquin for ‘great hill’) has day and night skiing on its runs. Among the many lifts serving the mountain, you will find a high-speed detachable quad. Terrain accommodates advanced, intermediate, and beginners alike…”
Inside Scoop: “Base lodge, cafeteria, snack bar, coffee bar (a newly-enlarged Starbucks counter), restaurant, and two lounges. The Waffle Haus – an outdoor food outlet specializing in Belgian waffles, is a local favorite. Full service shop with demo center. Rental shop, ski and snowboard school with 200+ instructors. State-of-the-art ‘BYS’ system designed to drastically shorten fit time in rental shop. Children’s center with nursery and children’s ski school. Shuttle service to Wachusett Inn. One-hundred percent snowmaking.”
- Planned opening day: Friday, Dec. 15 (ticket sale date on website).
- Lift ticket prices: $25 for all ages Fridays; $40 for all ages weekdays; $90 for adults and $80 for children weekends.
- Mountain stats: 10 lifts, 22 trails and two terrain parks; 1,800 ft. summit elevation.
- Location: 380 State Road, Great Barrington.
On The Snow says:
Rating: #3 Small Ski Area in Massachusetts.
“Located in the Berkshire Mountains of Western Massachusetts, Ski Butternut, is an easy trip from Connecticut, New York City and New Jersey. It provides 110 acres of skiable terrain on 22 trails. 100% of Butternut’s trails are covered by snowmaking. Ski Butternut prides itself on being an affordable family ski area that offers ski and snowboard lessons, ski rentals, and even a 7 lane tubing center. The town of Great Barrington offers a wide variety of great New England dining and lodging options for guests”
Inside Scoop: “Ski and board shop, on slope demo tent, rental shop. More than 50 restaurants in town, B & Bs, inns and motels along with four theaters. a bowling alley, and museums all within the town limits.”
- Planned opening day: Sunday, Dec. 17 (On The Snow report).
- Lift ticket prices: Starting at $69 for adults, $52 for children on weekdays; $99 for adults, $85 for children on weekends.
- Mountain stats: 6 lifts and 45 trails; 1,720 ft. summit elevation.
- Location: 66 Thunder Mtn. Road, Charlemont.
On The Snow says:
Rating: #1 Small Ski Area in Massachusetts.
“Berkshire East, a family run resort located in Western Massachusetts, has been offering 35 years of quality skiing and snowboarding at affordable prices. Berkshire East recently unveiled their 900kWh wind turbine that produces 100% of their annual electrical need, making them the first ski area in the United States to produce all of their electricity using an onsite, renewable source. The resort also includes 45 trails covered. Berkshire East can make snow on all of its main trails when conditions allow. Affordable lodging and dining options exist in the surrounding Deerfield River Valley.”
Inside Scoop: “Local restaurants, lounges, and shopping. Two lodges, PSIA ski school, National Ski Patrol, snowboard rentals, and special events all season long. One-hundred percent snowmaking.”
- Planned opening day: Saturday, Dec. 16 (ticket sale date on website).
- Lift ticket prices: $39 for adults, $38 for children weekday; $78 for adults, $64 for children daytime weekend; $32 for all ages at night. Prices expected to increase in December.
- Mountain stats: 8 lifts and 44 trails; 1,000 ft. vertical descent.
- Location: On the border of New York and Western Massachusetts, at 78 Catamount Road, Hillsdale, NY.
On The Snow says:
Rating: #8 Family Friendly in New York.
“Catamount, nestled in a picturesque bowl in the Berkshire Mountains, is a mountain for the entire family. There is an extensive trail network for all abilities and spectacular views can be seen from many turns. Catamount has four chairlifts, including a summit quad, one triple and two doubles. Three Wonder carpet surface lifts service the Snowsports Learning area.
Mountain Cats is Catamount’s popular children’s program. Snowmaking on 32 of the mountain’s 36 trails is reliable throughout the winter and Catamount’s groomers keep the mountain in optimal condition.”
Inside Scoop: “A combination of trains and bus services to Great Barrington, Mass. (located 8 miles From Catamount) to New York City. There are several movie theatres within 15 miles and excellent restaurants in the area. Rentals, ski and snowboard school including children’s programs.”
- Planned opening day: Friday, Nov. 24.
- Lift ticket prices: $104 for adults, $84 for children and seniors on weekdays; $114 for adults and $99 for children and seniors on weekends.
- Mountain stats: 9 lifts and 45 trails; 2,380 ft. summit elevation.
- Location: 37 Corey Road, Hancock.
On The Snow says:
Rating: #2 Beginner Terrain in North America; #2 Beginner Terrain in United States; #1 Overall in Massachusetts.
“Jiminy Peak is a self-contained ski resort, with skiing and boarding, slope-side accommodations, a village center with shops and dining on site. Jiminy is the only mountain resort in North America that generates its own energy by using alternative wind power, thanks to their wind turbine.
The advanced skier and boarder can find challenging terrain while intermediates can enjoy runs just made for cruising. Beginners, too, can take to the slopes at their own pace. If you just can’t get your fill of skiing during the day, don’t worry – there’s lighted night skiing to fill the void.”
Inside Scoop: “Jiminy Peak is an excellent choice for families and offers ski and snowboard school for children and adults. The ski area has multiple restaurants, lounges and taverns at the base area. The Country Store includes a grocery with beer, wine, groceries and gifts. This is the largest ski and snowboard resort in southern New England.”
- Planned opening day: Friday, Dec. 15.
- Lift ticket prices: Starting at $42 weekday all ages, $73 for adults and $65 for children on weekends.
- Mountain stats: 4 lifts and 22 trails; 1,818 ft. summit elevation.
- Location: 101 Dan Fox Dr., Pittsfield.
On The Snow says:
Rating: #7 Terrain Park in Massachusetts.
“Bousquet Ski Area caters to families. There are some 200 skiable acres serviced by four lifts. Their vertical is 750 feet and there are 22 runs.”
- Planned opening day: TBD
- Lift ticket prices: Starting at $55 to $75 for all ages.
- Mountain stats: 4 chairlifts, 4 rope tows and 17 trails.
- Location: 79 Powers Road, Westford.
On The Snow says:
Rating: #3 Apres Ski in Massachusetts.
“Nashoba Valley is located less than an hour’s drive from Boston. This is where Olympic downhiller Pam Fletcher learned to ski and currently serves as marketing director of her family’s ski area. Check out The Overlook Restaurant & Bar…good food, fun and a ringside, slopeside seat to the skiing/boarding action. Nashoba Valley has a snowboard and tube park.”
- Planned opening day: Wednesday, Dec. 27 (On The Snow).
- Lift ticket prices: Starting at $66 all ages on weekends, $33 all ages weekdays for select hours.
- Mountain stats: 9 total lifts and 15 trails; 272 ft. summit elevation.
- Location: 60 S. Cross Road, Bradford.
On The Snow says:
Rating: #3 Intermediate Terrain in Massachusetts.
Inside Scoop: “Rental shops, full service snack bar, large base lodge, and ample parking.”
- Planned opening day: Free beginner day Dec. 9; tentative opening Dec. 20 (website calendar).
- Lift ticket prices: Starting at $55 for adults, $50 for children on weekends; $25 for all ages on weekdays.
- Mountain stats: 4 lifts and 11 trails; 1,490 ft. summit elevation.
- Location: 159 Monterey Road, Otis.
On The Snow says:
Rating: #2 Small Ski Area in Massachusetts.
“You’ll find Otis Ridge on Route 23 just west of the town of Otis. The area, opened in 1947, has over 50 years of experience to offer skiers/riders. Day and night skiing are available with almost 100 percent snowmaking capacity.”
Inside Scoop: “Overnight ski camp for skiers and riders ages 8-15 at all ability levels. Full service ski shop, slopeside dining and lodging, and an outstanding ski school.”
- Planned opening day: Wednesday, Dec. 27 (On The Snow report).
- Lift ticket prices: Starting at $40 for all ages weekdays; $65 all day weekends.
- Mountain stats: 4 lifts and 16 trails; 309 ft. vertical descent.
- Location: 4001 Washington St., Canton.
On The Snow says:
Rating: #6 Expert Terrain in Massachusetts.
“Blue Hills Ski Area is located in Canton, Massachusetts offering 60 acres of skier and rider accessible terrain. With a vertical drop of 309-feet and 90% snowmaking ability… mountain access features a double-chair, magic carpet, wonder carpet and a handle tow.”
- Planned opening day: TBD
- Lift ticket prices: Starting at $39 for all ages weekdays; $55 for all ages weekends.
- Mountain stats: 4 lifts and 9 trails; 220 ft. vertical descent.
- Location: 1000 Main St., Shrewsbury.
On The Snow says:
Rating: #6 Small Ski Area in Massachusetts.
- Planned opening day: TBD
- Lift ticket prices: Open to members only for an annual fee; costs range between $60 to $150. Members assist in operations at the mountain through job assignments with membership.
- Mountain stats: 2 rope tow lifts and 17 trails; 350 ft. vertical descent.
- Location: South Williamstown.
