Dec 7, 2008 5:44 pm US/Eastern
Local Ski Resorts See Promising Start To Season
PRINCETON (WBZ) ―
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Skiiers at Wachusett Mountain in Princeton
WBZ
The downturn in the economy is causing alarm at some of the nation's biggest ski resorts, with some resorts out west seeing a
17 percent drop in bookings. Locally, however, the story seems to be just the opposite.
Much of Massachusetts saw its first snow on Sunday and the slopes at Wachusett Mountain in Princeton saw plenty of action.
Resource: Ski Trail Report
BUSINESS IS UP
The first trails opened two weeks ago and so far, the season is showing promise. The resort has seen a five percent increase in visits compared to this time last year and sales of season passes are also up.
Like all businesses, owners at Wachusett were worried the economy would keep people at home.
"We pick up the papers and we keep seeing doom and gloom," said owner Jeff Crowley. "But when we look at the visits here, we're just delighted how things are going."
CLOSE TO HOME, SAVING MONEY
Many visitors say skiing locally is less expensive than traveling.
"We have our ski passes for the year," said Brian Carroll of Worcester. "They have some good values here at Wachusett. It's a good family place to come. Pack your own lunch and you're okay."
"We're relatively close to home so it can be an inexpensive day," said John Packer of Attleboro. "Once you own the equipment it's not a tremendously expensive day."
New England ski resorts just hope this early season showing continues.
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