Princeton, Massachusetts — When Wachusett Mountain closed for the season on April 6th, it marked the end of an era for the ski resort’s oldest chairlift.
For the past thirty-ish years, the Polar Express has serviced the summit of Wachusett Mountain. The high-speed quad chairlift last operated on April 6th.
Demolition of the old Polar Express officially began this week. The haul rope has been removed, and they’ve been working on demolishing the base lift shack.
Yesterday, Wachusett Mountain released a video tribute to the Polar Express. In the video, the Sarah McLaughlin banger “I Will Remember You” plays in the background as various photos during the life of the Polar Express are displayed. Hey! Who cut the onions?
The Polar Express is being replaced this offseason by a new Doppelmayr detachable high-speed six-pack chairlift. The new chairlift will have automatic restraint bars that self-lock during the journey.
To accommodate for days with larger crowds, the lift will be run at varying speeds. During peak periods, the plan is to not fill the chairlift 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 chairlift is expected to open during the 2025-26 season.
Image/Video Credits: Wachusett Mountain
