Crotched Mountain re-opened for the 2003-2004 ski season after laying dormant for more than 10 years. The ski area originally opened as Onset Mountain in the late 1960s and was renamed Bobcat Ski Area for a brief time before being incorporated into Crotched Mountain; a completely different ski area further east along the same ridge. After being interconnected with its sister mountain and renamed Crotched Mountain West, things took a turn for the worse and the combined ski area closed.
Enter Peak Resorts; a Ski Resort Company with a Model of Success that is most unlike the other major Ski Resort Companies in the industry. Instead of building a roster of mountains with impressive vertical drop statistics and lots of slope side and base area development options, Peak Resorts has opted to acquire and develop Family and Never-Ever friendly lower elevation ski areas close to major population centers. Peak Resorts re-opened the western portion of Crotched Mountain investing a sizable initial investment into new equipment, facilities, and one of New England’s most intense snow making systems.
Crotched Mountain is Peak Resort’s first foray into New England skiing; however, their criterion for success remains unchanged. An uncompromising dedication to providing the best snow conditions for a massive amount of skiers is quickly evident when viewing Crotched Mountain’s impressive facilities and statistics. With over 100 brand new tower snow making guns capable of creating massive amounts of snow in a short period of time, Crotched has laid claim to having the highest production per acre snow making capacity in New England. After having skied Crotched Mountain with 90% of its terrain open during a December characterized by its warmth and non-crystalline precipitation, I can subjectively vouch for the accuracy of that claim.
The uphill capacity of Crotched Mountain is impressive. With two quads, a triple, a double, and a Wonder Carpet for beginners, lines were not an issue on a fair weather Sunday afternoon. One would be inclined to believe the lack of lines would indicate crowded slopes; however, I easily navigated Crotched Mountain’s wide trails without fear of mobile human hazards. The trails themselves lack the New England charm and character of the defunct Onset/Crotched West trail layout. However, the trails have been re-cut with a high skier volume in mind. The new trail design was utilized to spread skiers/riders out and ensure great snow conditions throughout the day and evening. Yes, evening! Crotched Mountain operates late into the nights with Friday and Saturday featuring X-Treme Midnights in which one can ski and ride until 3AM which is a unique schedule of operation for a New England ski area.
Never-evers will enjoy an inviting and full learning experience at Crotched Mountain’s Learning Center. The Learning Center is immediately outside of Crotched Mountain’s spacious lodge and well stocked rental center. The Wonder Carpet transports first timers up a gentle and forgiving slope while friends, family, or instructors can walk along beside them offering coaching and support. The short run will quickly have first time skiers and riders heading up the chairlifts which all service beginner terrain with exception of the summit quad.
Crotched Mountain really delivers for those who prefer high speed groomers. Perfectly groomed slopes drop straight down the fall line on a blanket of perfect machine groomed snow. Carvers will delight in high speed repetition without worry of crowds or lift lines. Pluto’s Plunge, Meteor, and Equinox all deliver awesome high speed carving runs straight down the fall line. Experts may initially be disappointed with Crotched’s offerings; however, several tree shots become apparent upon a closer look ‘off the map’ including one deliciously narrow cleared out glade between the two quad chairs. With further activity by some dedicated woodchucks, Crotched could sport a great deal to offer the tree loving expert skier in the future.
On my visit to Crotched Mountain, everyone was buzzing about the ski area. I met several former Onset skiers, revisiting the area for the first time since its re-opening, who were excited to see the mountain returned to its former glory and then some. During one ride up the Summit Quad, I chatted with a Ski Instructor who had taught at the ski area before it closed. At the summit of the mountain, I found myself yet again chatting with a former and returned employee working on the Ski Patrol. Rare does a new mountain contain such historic character and devoted following from the start. Most first timers to the mountain such as myself were impressed with everything the management had done to offer a top notch skiing experience.
With the high degree of overcrowding at nearby and similarly marketed Pat’s Peak and Wachusett ski areas, it is quickly evident that Crotched Mountain fills a much needed void of uncrowded and easily accessible skiing within the Southern New Hampshire and North Eastern/Central Massachusetts areas. Crotched Mountain’s simple formula of quickly and thoroughly covering all of its terrain with the best man made snow possible is clearly a recipe for success, especially during volatile weather years such as the one we are currently experiencing. During the early season, Crotched Mountain is a closer alternative to some larger mountains further north that offer less terrain on suspect snow conditions. With incredible season pass deals and many flexible pricing options, Crotched Mountain provides an excellent value for skiers preferring to stay local for equally good snow conditions whether mother nature is inclined to assist or not. Especially if not.
