Ski Ward in Massachusetts is a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders. As part of a series on ski resorts, Huffington Post Travel offers our guide to Ski Ward, featuring all the key information snow lovers need to know before they hit the slopes.
The Basics
Less than 40 miles due west of Boston,
in Shrewsbury is a relatively small ski hill, making it an ideal destination for beginner skiers and intermediates who want to improve their skills. The closest major airport is Boston's Logan International Airport. The ski area's family-friendly reputation and its proximity to eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island are key factors in Ski Ward’s popularity. Known as Ward Hill Ski Area when it first opened in 1939, Ski Ward is today a year-round resort, featuring tubing, skiing and snowboarding on artificial surfaces during the summer months.
The Mountain
With a summit elevation of 420 feet and a base elevation of 200 feet, Ski Ward's
is a modest 220 feet. Its winter sports season typically runs from Thanksgiving weekend until mid-March, with surface conditions that vary depending on the weather. Annual snowfall in the Shrewsbury area averages 80 inches. With 100 percent snowmaking capabilities, Ski Ward is able to open early and stay open even when Mother Nature fails to cooperate. The area's longest ski trail, White Out, runs 2,000 feet.
Trails And Lifts
Ski Ward has 45 acres of skiable terrain, which are crisscrossed by nine trails.
of Ski Ward’s trails classifies 30 percent as suitable for beginners, 50 percent for intermediate skiers and 20 percent for advanced skiers. Ski Ward's terrain park challenges snowboarders and freestyle skiers with a variety of features, including rails, jumps, boxes and the "Cannon." Four lifts, including a triple chair, T-bar and 250-foot carpet lift, serve the ski area's nine trails, and an additional two surface lifts provide access to Ski Ward’s five snow tubing lanes.
In The News
Although Ski Ward has hosted no national skiing or snowboarding competitions, it maintains a full schedule of local and regional contests for skiers and boarders.
, a member of the Eastern Massachusetts Buddy Werner League, offers a competitive skiing experience for junior skiers between the ages of 5 and 17. Ski Ward holds its Adult Night Race League on Wednesday nights. Ski Ward's trails are open to skiers and snowboarders until 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday; the slopes close down at 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Cost
Weekday lift tickets (good from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. or 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.) to all areas are $27 for skiers and boarders who are aged 6 or older and $10 for those 5 and younger. Lift tickets that provide access to only the beginner areas are available for $15 for either time period. Basic equipment rental packages are $30 on weekdays and $35 on weekends, holidays and vacation weeks. Helmets rent for an additional $10. The rental shop stocks Head ski equipment, as well as other brands.
offers hour-long private lessons for $70 for a single student; group lessons run $35 per hour.
Apres-Ski
Ski Ward’s apres-ski scene features cafeteria-style food service and a pub that serves beer and wine. Adding to the lodge's ambience is a large stone fireplace, a cozy place to warm up after a chilly day on the slopes. Guests seeking a bit more action can try
, which straddles the line between the towns of Shrewsbury and Northborough and is only three miles from Ski Ward.
WATCH: Ski Ward
The Ski Ward Race Team offers fun and excitement for junior skiers.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.