Westminster, Massachusetts — Waaaaaaaaa Wa Wachusett. Already known for having one of the most efficient lift networks in Southern New England, Wachusett Mountain will get its first six-pack next year.
Shaun Sutner from the Worcester Telegram reports that Wachusett Mountain has signed a contract with Doppelmayr to buy a detachable high-speed six-pack chairlift. This new chairlift will replace the Polar Express, a detachable high-speed quad chairlift that opened in 1994. The chairlift, along with a new skier services building, will cost $20 million.
The new chairlift will have automatic restraint bars that self-lock during the journey. To accommodate crowds, the lift will be run at varying speeds. During peak periods, the new chairlift will not be filled to full uphill capacity to ensure the trails aren’t overcrowded with skiers and riders. With the Crowley family owning both Polar Beverages and Wachusett Mountain, the new chairlift will keep its predecessor’s name: Polar Express.
The old Polar Express will operate until the end of the 2024-25 season and then be removed. In the summer of 2025, the new chairlift will be installed and won’t require any tree removal. It’s expected to open during the 2025-26 season, with a grand opening scheduled for December 9th, 2025.
Click here to read the article from the Worcester Telegram about Wachusett’s lift upgrade, which gives more details about the new chairlift. In addition, consider a subscription to the Worcester Telegram, as Shaun does a weekly column during the wintertime detailing various topics in the ski industry.
Image Credits: Wachusett Mountain
