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Adventures Out
Four Ski Slopes, Close to Home
When the snow starts to fly, it’s time to head to the hills for a family ski adventure. These four mountains within an hour's drive of Boston feature separate ski areas for beginners as well as conveyor belt lifts (also known as magic carpets) that are easy for children to use.
Blue Hills Ski Area in Canton features a 326-foot vertical rise, 60 acres of ski terrain, and nine trails served by a double chair lift, two conveyor belts, and a rope tow. The mountain has one trail designated for the 4- to 6-year-old crowd as well as a separate beginner trail. Private lessons are available for all ages. Ski Wee group lessons for kids ages 4 to 6 meet for 90 minutes to learn the basics of ski equipment, starting and stopping on a slope, balance, and snowplowing. One-hour beginner to advanced lessons for Juniors, ages 7 to 15, are available after school and on weekends. The Mountain Adventure Club is for intermediate to advanced skiers, ages 7 to 10, who want to improve their skiing but also learn about the ski patrol, lift operation, and snowmaking. This intensive, 25-hour course runs on five Saturdays. Five-day vacation camps for ages 7 to 15 include five hours with an instructor and unsupervised skiing time before and after camp.
Bradford Resort in Haverill has a 248-foot vertical rise, 48 acres, and 18 trails served by two chair lifts, two T-bars, three rope tows, and one conveyor belt. Beginner lessons for ages three and up start in the beginner area, then progress to the intermediate/advanced area when kids are ready. During school vacation, two-day clinics are available for beginning and intermediate skiers ages 6 through 18, with 10 hours total instructor time.
Nashoba Valley Ski Area in Westford provides a 240-foot vertical rise, 52 acres, and 17 trails served by three triple chairs, one double chair, three rope tows, and two conveyor belts. A Beginner Area is set apart from the rest of the slopes. Private lessons are available for ages 3 and up. The 45-minute, six-week Kids Club program uses indoor and outdoor games and activities to help 3-year-olds develop balance and motor skills. Young Learners, ages 4 to 6, have two different programs to choose from depending on their abilities: the Beginning Area Program or the Chair Lift Program. Students in grades K-12 have larger classes with broader age ranges, divided by ability. Students in grades 3 to 12 may take lessons at night. Three-day vacation week programs with one-hour lessons and all-day lift tickets are available for grades K and up.
Wachusett Mountain in Princeton offers the area's most challenging mountain, with a 1,000-foot vertical rise, 111 acres, and 22 trails served by two high-speed quads, two triple chairs, a handle or “pony” lift, and three conveyor belts. The Polar Playground is a separate area for Polar Kids participants to learn how to ski. Private lessons are available for all ages. The Polar Kids group lessons for ages 4 to 12 are 90 minutes on weekdays and half-day or full-day sessions on weekends and holidays. For first timers, there’s also a Learn to Turn package for ages 6 and up. Intermediate skiers, ages 6 to 15, can be part of the Development or DEV Team, taking 12 full-day lessons to learn the skills and techniques of the world’s best skiers. There's also the Xtreme Team, for ages 9 to 18, to train and participate in competitions. During school breaks, children ages 6 to 15 can participate in three- or four-day vacation clubs featuring six hours of ski instruction and a supervised lunch.
Tip: If you plan on skiing more than once during the season, check out daily or seasonal equipment rental rates at the Ski Market or purchase used equipment at Play It Again Sports.
(BPP, 1/09)
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