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499 Mountain Rd
Princeton, MA 01541
Outside in New England winters? Make the best of it by visiting Wachusett Mountain!
The kids love Wachusett Mountain during winter while learning to snowboard. Being outside in New England is not for everyone, but what I have found is that you either suffer through New England winters doing everything you can indoors to stay warm or embrace the cold with some good quality winter gear and bundle up to enjoy local winter activities. We choose the later! Hopefully your family does too. 😊
First timers, to snow board or ski?
This year was our first year taking the kids to a mountain to try snowboarding. My husband snowboards so I thought it would be cool if we could be a family of snowboarders. We therefore skipped the skiing which, from what I hear, is easier to manage for most. Wachusett Mountain offers both options here so, pick your preference or your child’s.
What do I need to do before arriving at Wachusett Mountain?
I singed the 3 of us up for lessons and rental gear. Wachusett Mountain made this so perfect because, they have a program called Polar Kids that offers a package including boards, helmets and boots. Their gear was ready for them upon our arrival because I was prompted to provide the kids’ sizes online ahead of time, making the entire process seamless when we arrived. The instructors took the kids to one area and the adult classes were held in another area. That was the best thing that could have happened. The kids had a semi-private lesson with just one other child and I got to focus on my own lesson instead of tending to their needs. The kids’ lesson ended before mine but, since hubby didn’t have a lesson, he received the kids and was able to converse with the instructors on how they did and skills they should continue to work on. They were all smiles and motivated to work on their new found skills.
The kids really took to their lessons, they were falling much less than I was and able to turn better too. The adult lesson was at the base of one of the small slopes and since the grounds are fairly large, I couldn’t see the kids from where my lesson was. Sadly, my lesson did not include a helmet! I was shocked to learn this because I also signed up for snowboarding for beginners just like my kids which included gear. When I inquired about it, I was told that I had to pay an additional $10 to rent a helmet. I told the staff my class was starting and she kindly gave me one without heading back to the main office to pay. 🤩 Somehow, I missed that part when I ordered my lesson.
to rent or buy snow helmets?
There are a lot of details you may not realize you need when you are new to winter activities, so take my advice and read all the details about gear needed and provided. You may want to consider buying your own helmet instead of renting.
what you should have prior to going to Wachusett MOUNTAIN:
Keep in mind that goggles are not included in ski or snow board lessons so we bought our own in advance of this trip. The kids felt supercool and prepared for their day out in the snow and sun in their fashionable googles.
We all had snow pants as well. The kids had bibs with the shoulder straps and over the boot elastics to keep their feet dry which is essential.
Snow gloves and hats are also a must.
The longer you are all outside in winter, the more you will be grateful you have good gear. It makes a huge difference in everyone’s comfort while out in the elements so don’t skimp or you will regret it.
What to expect at Wachusett Mountain:
After we all made it back to where we started our lessons, it was time to eat. We visited Wachusetts on a busy Saturday and once we got into the lodge there were no tables inside to sit at. They were either filled with people sitting or items to hold seats. We found a long banquet table with two men and asked if we could sit, they obliged. It was a zoo though.
The kids and daddy enjoyed cheeseburgers and fries while I had a salad with chicken on top. The food is decent, nothing out of this world, but there are a fair amount of options including chowder, pizza, and chili. There’s plenty of snack options too including candy from the vending machines and ice cream too!
After lunch, we found a small slope with a magic carpet conveyer belt. For those that don’t know, this is a long mat that propels stationary standing participants to the top. We had never been on anything like this before. It wasn’t overly challenging, but the kids had a tough time with it and their snow boards. I think it’s because it’s hard for kids to balance and stay still while the ground beneath them is moving, it is unusual for sure.
We practiced for an hour or so until my son had enough and the shade was more dominant than the sun. We next decided to try the warm chocolate dipped waffles! These are the best warm and messy snack after being mountainside all day. The kids were so happy to see the gooey, melted chocolate and indulge with this comfort food after an active day outside.
After the kids ate their waffles, it was time to return our gear, get our belongings from our locker and head back to the car. Returning the gear was easy. There is a heated tent with a large “Snowboard Rentals” sign. Patrons simply drop off all the rented items back to the tent. While snowboarding, your shoes are kept in large, sturdy racks outside close by. There are also lockers to rent for the day in the main lodge. We did this to stow our valuables and other snow gear we didn’t want to carry around.
In order to get to and from our parked cars, there are shuttles which run frequently. The kids thought it was fun to experience the shuttle-oh to be a kid again and enjoy simple things that us adults find to be a nuisance!
Because our family had such an enjoyable experience taking lessons and snowboarding for the day, I would say, this is a fantastic place to snowboard or ski with kids. Wachusett offers options for beginners and those that are more advanced too. They run a smooth operation for all ages and skill sets to enjoy outdoor winter activities. Wachusett operates other activities throughout the year. So once the snow clears, be sure to consider them during the off season for more kids fun!
Are you searching for a nearby place to stay while visiting Wachusett Mountain? Check out these spots that offer pools for the family to enjoy after they visit the mountian.
The Skinny:
- Weather : A dry sunny day would be ideal to enjoy time outside
- Parking : FREE plentiful parking
- Admissions : The price varies depending upon the age and sessions, but start for $20 for the kids go up to $72 for adults, these prices would be without rental equipment. If you want a package to rent equipment and have lessons it ranges from $119-140
- Location : Wachusett Mountain offers 27 trails with a summit elevation of 2006 feet and 8 different lifts.
- Hours : Hours vary depending on the day of the week and the holiday but they range from 7:30 AM to 9:30 PM
- Duration : We spent from 10 am to 3 here taking lessons, practicing, resting and eating
- Tips and Recommendations : You must try the hot waffles dipped in chocolate sauce!
Jewel : 👍🏼
Jamison : 👍🏼
If outdoor activities are your thing, explore some of the many trails we enjoyed such as Milton’s Sky Line Trail or Houghton’s Pond in Blue Hills Preservation. If you enjoy being by the coast, a hike around Bluff Point State Park in Connecticut or Rhode Island’s Cliff Walk will suite your needs.
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