Ski Season Unofficially Started In Massachusetts This Past Weekend

Utah, California, Washington, Colorado, and Montana have all gotten early-season snowfalls thus far. So naturally, one of the first ski areas offering lift-serviced riding this season is just outside Worcester, Massachusetts. Wait, what?

Ski Ward – located in Shrewsbury, Mass., just under 10 miles from downtown Worcester – announced last week that its snowmaking push has proved successful. The magic carpet lifts ran from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday (October 18-19, 2025) to supplement its Fall Festival.

Ski Ward was able to do so thanks to its Latitude 90 snowmaking system. The technology helps kickstart the season with its ability to make snow in temperatures that are typically too warm. Ski Ward fired up its all-weather snowmaking machines for the first time in October 2023. By November 1, it had more than 3’ of snow on its beginner slope, which helped offer early-season lessons through that tail end of an autumn that featured more rain and warm temperatures than anything else. It’s been a key for a small ski area in combatting climate change, particularly one that is not located at high elevation.

Fall ski and snowboard programs kick off on November 1, 2025. You can sign your child up now at Ski Ward’s website. As of right now, it doesn’t appear that lift-service will be a reoccurring thing at Ski Ward until later this fall.

In August, Ski Ward opened a mini summer terrain park. There was a synthetic slope setup with several terrain park features. Jumps, tubes, boxes, and rails are all available to slide on.