Semester two starts off slowly, to say the least. Winter break was amazing. You celebrated with friends, family, and food for four wonderful weeks—and now you’re back. As the snow and work pile up, you sit wrapped in your favorite blanket, wondering why you subjected yourself to this kind of torture. And while snow in the city is frankly just an inconvenience, if you leave the chaos behind, the snow can make for a great adventure. Here are some easy trips to keep your free time spicy, whether an afternoon, day, or weekend. Embrace the snow under your own terms.
Have an afternoon?
Nashoba Valley Ski Area, Westford, MA
Have access to a car or zipcar? Nashoba is only 45 minutes from Boston, and is open later, so the early daylight can’t stop you. They have 16 trails and 8 lifts. In addition to snowboarding or downhill skiing, you can do my favorite snow activity: snow tubing.
Weston Ski Track, Weston, MA
If cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing is more your speed, the Weston Ski Track is a close option to Boston. You can go at night and get lessons. Plus, it’s only 1 ½ miles from the Riverside train stop on the Green D-line, and less than a mile from the Wellesley Farms stop on the Framingham/Worchester Commuter Rail Line which leaves from Yawkey near Fenway.
Blue Hills Ski Area, Canton, MA
Only 30 minutes south of Boston in Canton, MA, Blue Hills Ski Area is part of a larger reservation where you can also hike once the ground is visible again. The ski area has a vertical drop of 309 feet, with 9 different trails and 4 lifts. You can ski and snowboard in a relaxed atmosphere.
Have a day?
Wachusett Mountain, Princeton, MA
The biggest ski resort in Massachusetts, Wachusett offers 110 acres with 25 trails. Lessons, restaurants, and lodging is available. Plus, there is a Ski Train from Boston that can get you to Wachusett. Just take the commuter rail from North Station to Fitchburg, and during the weekend, there is a shuttle to and from Wachusett.
Pats Peak, Henniker, NH
About 90 minutes away in New Hampshire, Pats Peak has a summit elevation of 1,400 feet, so you’ll definitely feel the thrill. Night skiing is available as well as a bus service from Boston on Saturdays. Plus, Pats Peak has snow tubing (yessss!). The Henniker Motel offers ski and stay packages, so if you want to make an overnight out of the adventure, affordable options are there.
Have a weekend?
Stowe Mountain Resort, Stowe, VT
If you want to splurge on an amazing adventure, Stowe Mountain Resort is the perfect destination. It’s a little over three hours away, so it’s more of a commitment. You can ice skate, go to the spa, see a show, and go shopping on top of ski. Downhill ski on the well-groomed slopes or cross-country ski in the backcountry. Because it is a resort, lodging is available on-site, and packages for skiing and stay are available.
Sugarbush Resort, Warren, VT
Another all-inclusive experience, Sugar Bush resort, offers skiing and snow-shoeing in addition to NASTAR Racing, fireside dining (including a pancake restaurant), and fitness classes. This resort is also in Vermont, but slightly closer than Stowe.
You can make it through the winter! However, treating yourself will definitely make it much more manageable.