Category: Whaleback

...is AWESOME!!, 2012-2013 Season, March, Whaleback

Whaleback is AWESOME!!

Whaleback's Face

My only previous visit to Whaleback was eleven years ago, the first season Whaleback was closed. I stopped there en route to my first visit to Jay Peak (oh, how my skiing habits have changed since that visit!). I was a young and inexperienced explorer to New England skiing, but I already knew that I wanted to see all that New England had to offer.

Whaleback caught my eye during that drive up Interstate I-89, so I stopped to quickly explore the base of what was then a lost area. I immediately saw the potential for what I experienced today. I just wish I hadn’t waited so long to get back there. And I couldn’t have picked a finer area or a finer day to finish the last New England area on The List. And unlike many other areas that have been crossed off The List, Whaleback will definitely not be a one and done area.

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2001-2002 Season, February, Lost Ski Area, Whaleback

Whaleback, NH

On my way to Jay Peak, I stopped by a ski area on I-89 that was no longer in operation. Whaleback stopped operations after it’s 2000-2001 ski season; however, the area was sold and reopened for the 2005-2006 Ski Season. The ski area is currently marketing itself towards the freestyle and park crowd.

I had never skied Whaleback; but looking at the mountain, I sure wish I had had the opportunity! Whaleback does have rather limited vertical, but they make excellent use of what little they do have! From the base area, a number of interesting runs are visible; including a couple of decently pitched and fairly narrow trails (including a sweet looking glade trail). The trails seem to have a decent pitch and are cut into natural fall lines. Although probably not the most challenging terrain, given the right conditions I am sure Whaleback offers tons of fun.

As far as their facilities, they are all in tact and surviving a winter of inactivity just fine. The blue double chairlift still looked to be in fine condition and none of the trails have grown in. In a matter of fact, several of the trails featured ski and snowmobile tracks! Had I some company, I would have gladly earned some turns myself!