Wa, Wa, Wachusett<\/p>\n
Who doesn\u2019t know the catchy jingle by now?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s that time of year when\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>Wachusett Mountain<\/span>\u00a0Ski Area<\/span>\u00a0in Princeton opens for the season. In fact, this year, Wachusett was the first mountain to open for skiing\u00a0<\/span>in the Northeast, a milestone\u00a0<\/span>Wachusett\u00a0<\/span>President Jeff Crowley attributes to his all-star snowmaking team.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Crowley, whose family\u00a0<\/span>operates<\/span>\u00a0the ski area, said he knows customers are extra excited to hit the slopes this year as recreational activities are limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s so rewa<\/span>rding to hear people thank you,\u2019\u2019 Crowley said. \u201c<\/span>They are so\u00a0<\/span>appreciative of the fact that we\u2019re open<\/span>. W<\/span>e w<\/span>ent the extra mile to open early.<\/span>\u2019\u2019<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In a typical year, the property is more than a ski area hosting festivals, weddings, corporate events and more. And while the ski area may be going back to the basics this year by focusing on what it does best, the\u00a0<\/span>experience will undoubtedly\u00a0<\/span>be different.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c<\/span>The ski business is not for the faint of heart — insurance, power, weather — and now you put the pandemic on top of that it\u2019s that much more complicated<\/span>,\u2019\u2019 Crowley said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As an outdoor sport, Crowley knows there<\/span>\u00a0will be high demand for skiing and boarding this year<\/span>. But they have to balance that demand with safety protocols to keep<\/span>\u00a0staff and customers safe.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Among the changes:\u00a0<\/span>new signage,\u00a0<\/span>capacit<\/span>y limits, booting up at<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>vehicles,\u00a0<\/span>outside food service<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0base lodge use limits,<\/span>\u00a0y\u00a0<\/span>the addition of\u00a0<\/span>outdoor heaters and seating<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s incumbent on all of us here, rangers, lift employees, ski patrol, to keep a watchful eye so ev<\/span>eryone stays at a safe distance,\u2019\u2019 Crowley said. \u201c<\/span>People\u00a0<\/span>are just looking for recreation.\u00a0<\/span>The good thing is with our year of experience and our ability to deal with crowds, we feel confident.\u2019\u2019<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n