By Pat Turner Kavanaugh
Photos courtesy of Wachusett Mountain

Ski trains evoke a feeling of the 1930s - intrepid men and women setting off for the slopes, long wooden skis with leather strap bindings in hand.

Ski trains are legendary.

And now Wachusett Mountain, in Princeton, Mass., has revived the tradition and the romance with its Ski Train from Boston's North Station to the commuter stop in Fitchburg. From there, Wachusett will pick up snow enthusiasts for the 20 minute ride to the mountain.

With the cooperation of the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority and the Massachusetts Bay Computer Rail Company, Wachusett hopes to save gas and help snow-sliders.

Saturdays and Sundays the train leaves North Station at 8:35 a.m., arriving at Fitchburg at 10:06. After a successful day playing in the snow, sliders leave Fitchburg at 5:35 p.m. and hit North Station at 7.

One way fare is $6, and, if you show your train ticket at Wachusett you get a credit for that amount, good towards your lift ticket or food in the cafeteria.

Driving to Wachusett takes an hour from Boston, 20 minutes from Worcester, Mass., an hour and a quarter from Providence, R.I., an hour and a half from Hartford, Ct., and an hour and a quarter from Nashua, N.H. There are seven million people within an hour's drive of Wachusett.

In fact, the popular Wachusett night race program draws competitors from all four states.

Wachusett is open weekdays, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., weekends, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Wachusett also draws children from four New England states, one of the largest school programs in the United States with an estimated 10,000 youngsters from 165 schools participating from January to March.

Wachusett is a family friendly mountain. First of all, it's operated by a family who grew up skiing there - the Crowleys, who also run Polar Beverages, the largest family-owned soda business in the U.S.

From the soda brand come some of the designations at Wachusett - like Polar Kids with its magic carpet lift and Science on the Slopes, an effort to introduce youngsters to the natural environment.

Although there is accommodation nearby - especially the Inn - let's be honest, this is a weekend or day ski and snowboard area.

You get 1,000 feet of vertical, and night skiing, and a base lodge which provides small break-away spaces for some peace and quiet.

Which brings us to the Wachusett "living rooms," five mountain suites that can accommodate up to 15 guests. You can also combine spaces to handle groups as large as 80.

"They are ideal for customer appreciation, employee benefit, team building, small meetings or family gatherings," said David Crowley, Wachusett Mountain general manager, and part of a family ski and snowboard tradition.

Crowley said guests often compare the Wachusett Mountain Suites to skyboxes or luxury boxes at sports venues.

Suites are available for rent from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., or 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. The basic cost is $350 per session.

With its extensive school programs and proximity to population centers in four states, Wachusett is a popular place.

So popular that SKI magazine readers recognized it as among the Top 10 ski areas in Eastern North America in its October, 2006, issue.

Wachusett was ranked #1 for access in the East and #7 nationally. (And that was before the Ski Train.)

Previously SKI magazine heralded Wachusett for having "the heart and soul" of a big mountain, as well as #1 in the East for on-mountain food and #2 on the whole North American East Coast after only that gourmet's favorite north of Montreal, Mont Tremblant.

One of the few ski areas in the U.S. which resurfaces snow twice a day, Wachusett placed #6 for grooming in the East.

As for snowmaking, Wachusett placed ninth in the East, with 100 percent coverage.

All of this adds up to a big mountain experience. Wachusett calls this "an eight-hour vacation."

G.M. David Crowley said, "Being located so close to Worcester, Boston and Providence, we are a popular day ski area, but that doesn't mean people don't want to be treated like they're on vacation. They are sharing their precious leisure time with us and we want them to know we appreciate it. Our staff tries to make sure our skiers and riders feel they're on vacation right in their own backyard no matter when or how long are guests are there."

Crowley added, "These ratings are a reflection of our staff's dedication to providing a first-class experience for all our guests. We continue to focus on all elements of our guest experience. We want our guests to know they don't have to go far from home to feel they're on vacation."