Shrewsbury, Massachusetts — They’ve done it again.
Today, Ski Ward opened its beginner slope for skiing and riding. The plan is to operate the carpet lift, which gives access to the Dream Maker trail. It will operate today and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s part of Ski Ward’s fall fest celebrations this weekend, which feature various attractions.
The Latitude 90 snowmaking system made this early opening possible. The Latitude 90 by SMI helps make snow even at warmer, above-freezing temperatures, allowing Ski Ward to produce an impressive amount of man-made snow. This enclosed system produces the snow inside and then shoots it out.
Here’s how SMI describes the Latitude 90 system:
Large-scale traditional snowmaking is excellent for trails, but it is often inefficient for specific strategic needs. Our technology excels at ‘tactical snowmaking‘“‘—providing a constant, high-volume supply of snow for beginner learning areas, terrain park features, and narrow connector trails that are prone to melting. Because our machines produce snow 24/7 in temperatures up to +77°F (25°C), you can maintain perfect coverage in sunny, south-facing areas that would otherwise require constant trucking of snow from other parts of the mountain.
By making snow this early, it lets Ski Ward offer early skiing for the diehards and host beginner lessons throughout November.
Technically speaking, they aren’t the first to open in North America. That requires a ski area to run consistently (potentially daily). Ski Ward plans to operate for only a couple of days, and we don’t know when they’ll reopen next. For now, the race for the first to open remains wide open.
Image/Video Credits: Ski Ward, Trung Dang
