Princeton, MA - In the early days of North American skiing, trains carried eager skiers to the slopes of New England and New York, but the proliferation of automobiles led to the demise of the ski trains. Now, however, as gasoline prices remain high, the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) and the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Rail Company (MBCR) are reviving ski trains by introducing commuter rail service to Wachusett Mountain this winter.
Wachusett Mountain Ski Area and the MBTA have teamed up to resurrect ski train service in Massachusetts. |
Skiers and snowboarders from Boston will be able to take the commuter rail from Boston’s North Station to nearby Fitchburg, Mass. on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the ski and snowboard season. The current scheduled weekend “ski train” service will leave North Station at 8:35 a.m. and arrive at the Fitchburg commuter rail station at 10:06 a.m. Wachusett will then arrange to have customers picked up and shuttled directly to the mountain, approximately 10 minutes away. Wachusett will then arrange to shuttle customers back to the Fitchburg station for a 5:35 p.m. departure back to Boston, arriving at North Station at 7:00 p.m.
“In this day of high gasoline prices, the ski train provides our Boston-area customers with an incredible option for public transportation to the mountain,” said David Crowley, Wachusett General Manager. “There hasn’t been a transportation option available like this since the era of the gasoline shortages.”
Enthusiasm for the “ski train” was echoed by Daniel Grabauskas, general manager of the MBTA. ”The combination of Wachusett Mountain and the MBTA in offering this service is a prime example of the benefits that can be attained by collaborative efforts,” he said.
“The ski train is an excellent opportunity to highlight the entire North Central Massachusett region,” said Dave McKeon, president of the Johnny Appleseed Trail Association, the local travel tourism trade group. “Tourism is an important segment of our local economy and this will not only help provide easy access to the mountain but give visitors a chance to spend the weekend.”
The proposed “Ski Train” fare is $7.75 one-way. As an added benefit, Wachusett Mountain will issue a $7.75 Wachusett Mountain credit to any passengers who show their train ticket that day at the ski area. The credit can be used toward a lift ticket purchase or towards lunch in the Wachusett cafeteria.
The new “ski train” service is scheduled to be in place when the mountain opens for the season in late November. Each train will also include a designated “ski” car which will allow for easy storage of ski or snowboard equipment.
