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Not all ski areas are created equally. There are the mammoth mountains such as Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, Canada, which boasts an astounding 5,280 vertical feet and Snowmass in the Colorado Rockies’ Elk Mountain Range which features 4,406 feet of downhill excitement. On the other end of the spectrum are smaller mountains such as Four Lakes Ski and Snowboard Area in Lisle, Illinois with 100 vertical feet and Cloudmont Ski Area, Mentone, Alabama with 150 vertical feet.

Wachusett Mountain in Massachusetts and Jay Peak in Vermont have collaborated this spring in a unique learn to ski promotion to encourage new skiers.

After a short blip in the weather last week, snowmaking temperatures and some quick-hitting storms have left the slopes of the Northeast covered in fun, fluffy powder. 

Friday January 11, 2019 was the snow sports industry’s first National Learn to Ski or Snowboard Day at resorts throughout the U.S. Many resorts offered special deals for newcomers to take beginner lessons from professional instructors as a way to celebrate the sports. 

As Wachusett Mountain welcomed its first snow skiers and ‘boarders of the season this weekend, the central Massachusetts ski area closed out a successful summer and fall season introducing thousands of kids to the sport on its customized portable ski deck.

It’s a snow lover’s dream this week across the Northeast as several resorts will start turning lifts for the season, thanks to the combined forces of Mother Nature’s snowmaking temperatures and natural snowfall.

While we’re waiting anxiously for the snow to fly, resorts across the Northeast are celebrating fall foliage season with fun, food, music and stunning views of the mountains. Here are SnoCountry.com’s top picks for Oktoberfests this year.

Plenty of room for gear on the ski train coach, now running Wednesday nights, too. (Wachusett)

Massachusett’s Wachusett is even more accessible than ever this winter thanks to expanded cooperative programs this season with travel partners the MBTA Commuter Rail, ZIPCar and Uber.

Wachusett's guns are blazing. (Wachusett)

With ideal snowmaking temperatures Wednesday and Thursday, Wachusett Mountain has jumped to more than 70 percent of its terrain now open and plans to be close to 100 percent by Monday.

November cold allows Sugarloaf to open early. (Sugarloaf/Facebook)

In a flurry of openings, Northeast skiers and riders had their pick of 11 resorts to choose from this past weekend, thanks to a cold snap that set the snow guns blazing from Pennsylvania to Maine.

Whiteface Oktoberfest welcomes Bavaria to the Adirondacks. (Whiteface/Facebook)

It’s time to dust off our lederhosen, fire up the oompah band and enjoy a tall mug of German beer at Oktoberfests across Northeastern ski resorts.

The Mount Snow Brewers Festival is back for its 23rd year. (Mount Snow)

Craft brews, music and fun are on tap as we transition into fall in the mountains of the Northeast. In addition to some tasty frosty beverages, resorts will be featuring local food treats and live music, along with special events.

Bay Area-based company Chariot will provide free transit services within Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows neighborhoods

Getting to the slopes in Massachusetts and California this season just got easier with new programs at Wachusett and Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows that utilize ride-hailing apps to get you to the snow without having to drive your car.

Wachusett Mountain and Uber have teamed up to improve transportation options to and from the Central Massachusetts ski resort.

A new Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) Commuter Rail station recently opened, just 10 minutes from the mountain, with a shuttle running on weekends. Skiers and snowboarders can take the commuter rail from Boston’s North Station to Fitchburg on weekends throughout ski season.

In addition to servicing the new Wachusett Train Station, Uber is a viable transportation option for skiers and riders in the greater Worcester area traveling to the mountain.

To encourage guests to take advantage of the new partnership with Wachusett, Uber is offering riders a $25 “Get to the Slopes” credit on their first ride when the sign up using the code SKIWAWA.

Wachusett General Manager David Crowley said, “We are excited to partner with Uber to grow transportation options, providing an affordable and convenient way to access the mountain if they don’t have a car or choose to leave the keys at home. This partnership improves on-demand transportation options, allowing Wachusett visitors to travel to and from the train on their own schedule.”

California’s Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows will offer a pilot intra-valley transit program in partnership with the app-based transportation provider Chariot, Dec. 23 through Jan. 4.

The trial program is offered as a transportation option for guests and residents in the Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows neighborhoods, while also removing cars from roads and parking areas.

Chariot’s mobile app will allow people to book rides for both on-demand and fixed-route services within the Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows neighborhoods, using new 14-passenger Ford Transit vehicles equipped with ski and snowboard racks.

Chariot’s shuttles will pick up passengers along fixed 15-20 minute routes between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., and from 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. In the middle of the day, Chariot will provide custom resort-to-doorstep rides within the Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows neighborhoods, in addition to fixed routes.

Resort-to-doorstep rides can be booked via Chariot’s mobile app.

Ropes are dropping on trails from California to Maine as snowstorms and snowmaking weather offer up one of the best starts to a winter in recent memory. As your options open up, mountain general managers from across the country shared with SnoCountry.com their not-to-miss routes for fun on the hill.

Central Massachusetts Ski Area Launches X2 Snowmaking Project. (Wachusett Mountain)

Massachusetts' Wachusett Mountain will welcome the skiing and riding season with a powerful new snowmaking system.The X2 Snowmaking Project includes construction of a new snowmaking pump house and installation of new computer-controlled technology on the mountain’s signature “Ralph’s Run” trail.

You'll find gear to put a smile on your face at the Vail Ski Swap. (Vail Ski and Snowboard Club)

As we’re preparing for ski and board season, it’s time to think about upgrading our gear or selling some of your old stuff, and fall ski swaps are a great way to make that happen.

Massachusetts’ Wachusett Mountain is making up for lost time with an opportunity to ski, ride and tube late into the night at Midnight Mountain Magic, Saturday, Jan. 30. They’ll be staying open late so you can enjoy the mountain just a little bit longer after what Mother Nature dealt earlier in the season.

The kid in all of us loves a treat after a day on the slopes, and SnoCountry.com has taken on the difficult task of discovering the best signature treats at resorts across the Northeast. Our dedicated research has come up with these goodies – what would you add to the list?

Ski swaps offer a convenient and inexpensive way to fill in your current ski and snowboarding equipment or accessories. It's also a great place to try to sell some items you no longer need or want. 

Labor Day weekend (Sept. 4 -7) means one very important thing to skiers and snowboarders: sales. There will be a number of mountain and city ski and sports shops hosting sales on equipment, clothing, and accessories.