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sion Cup. “We plan on expanding that program, and getting more first-time and lapsed skiers on the slopes. It will be a big focus for us this year.” As usual, the target opening date will be Thanksgiving weekend, which Doornbos said Nub’s Nob hits about 70 percent of the time. Shawnee Mountain. Wyckoff said Shawnee also continues to make invest- ments in its snowmaking system, which is now about 90 percent automated. “This allows us to start making snow quickly and run longer, even in marginal conditions, ensuring we’re always ready when the weather cooperates.” Last season, Shawnee hit its target opening date, Thanksgiving weekend, and will aim for that again this season. Wyckoff said one highlight from last year was the launch of Shawnee’s Mini Monster Mountain area. “It was a huge success,” she said. “This new play area at the base of the mountain gave families with young children a chance to expe-
rience playing in the snow,” which was especially nice for those who didn’t have snow in their own backyards, she added. Magic Mountain. Vermont’s Magic Mountain has also invested heavily in snowmaking, and will open as soon as temperatures allow. Last season it was able to stay open until April 8. “There’s no price increase this year,” said Geoff Hatheway, president. “No parking fees. We want to give everyone a break, even while our costs continue to skyrocket. We want to make skiing as affordable as possible.” Waterville Valley. Waterville Val- ley, N.H., also skied into April last sea- “WHEN THE TIDE GOES OUT, YOU CAN TELL WHO’S BEEN SKINNY DIPPING—WHO’S BEEN INVESTING IN SNOWMAKING AND WHO HASN’T.”
son, although it missed its target opening date of Thanksgiving. “The last couple of years, we’ve pushed back our opening to the first Saturday in December,” said Jamie Cobbett, marketing director. Thanks to its base elevation at about 2,000 feet, Waterville can make snow on the upper mountain early, and last sea- son invited the U.S. Snowboard Team to train at the area in early November, and plans to expand this pre-season business ahead of opening for the 2024-25 season. “This year we’ll be adding the men’s and women’s big air snowboard team,” Cobbett said. “We also have alpine and mogul training that we sell to clubs and academies in the Northeast and Mid-At- lantic, all prior to opening to the public.” Blacktail. Without snowmaking and no help from Mother Nature last sea- son, “It was a tough year,” admitted Wood. “Montana has a very tight ski community, and several areas offered ski- ing to our passholders” until Blacktail was able to open. » continued
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