Wachusett Mountain is so close to Boston you can see the city skyline. It’s the perfect place to suck in mountain air when you crave it—after work, on a powder morning, or just because. It ranks tops in accessibility and travel ease accordingly. It’s secret is efficient lifts and fun (if limited) trails. Snowmaking and grooming are on par with the very best—the second wave of grooming each afternoon is a big reason why.

Afternoons do get crowded as the place floods with kids (Wachusett cranks out more lessons than most), but on weekday mornings you can get in a solid 15k vertical before lunch and still eke out an afternoon of work. But why cut the day short? Instead, savor the great on-mountain food, perfectly poured Guinness (It’s an art!), and wave at your Boston office in the distance. — Moira McCarthy

No. 11 in the East: Wachusett Mountain, Mass.

Wachusett Mountain Stats

Wachusett Mountain Pass Info

Wachusett isn’t on any multi-resort passes. Season pass info can be found here.

Trip Planning

From lodging and and dining to off-slope activities and local tips, here are the SKI editors’ picks for what to do in Wachusett, Mass.

What’s New

Wachusett has further improved upon an already impressive snowmaking system,  installing over 3,000 feet of new piping and a new Hydrant at the top of Easy Rider. This will allow the resort to open more terrain earlier in the season.

On the mountain, look for reimagined features in the terrain park this winter.

Family Experience

Keep your eye on the activity calendar for pop-up guided family snowshoe outings, or stop into in the rental shop to get outfitted with gear and a map for your own little sidecountry activity. Great ways to extend your day.

Local Tip

There’s a trail in Vickery Bowl just below the triple chair (that seldom runs) called Piece of Cake. Locals know it often goes untouched. Ski down Hitchcock, take a hard right, do a small hike over and you’ll find fresh corduroy there even midday.

On-Hill Eats

Red Farm cider doughnuts are made fresh on-site all day (both in the base lodge and in the quaint Bullock Lodge mid-mountain). Warm and crusty, they are the perfect fuel for any ski day (or night). Wash them down with hot cider for the win.

Lunch Spot

Try a grilled cheese sandwich that will change your life at O’Brien’s Deck Bar & Grill.

Local Tip

Lifts begin spinning at 7:30 a.m. Get out then and you’ll bump into the “Ten by Tennies,” who get in 10 runs by 10 a.m. almost every day.

Wachusett Mountain’s website