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Located near Route 2 and Interstate 495 on 426 foot Nashoba Hill in Westford, Nashoba Valley Ski Area is one of the most popular ski areas in Southern New England.
Early Surface Lift Years
Nashoba Valley in the 1960s |
Nashoba Valley was first opened for the 1964-65 season by Alan Fletcher Sr. as a rope tow served ski area. Due to poor weather, the ski area only operated for 14 days during its freshman season. Nonetheless, the Fletcher and his core crew of Peter Whitcomb, Midge Zaher, David McPhee pushed on through many tough years, gradually growing the business, catering to school groups and local skiers.
The base area during the early years |
After operating for nearly a decade with only rope tows, its first non-rope tow lift, a T-Bar, as installed in 1972. A new snowmaking system was reportedly installed circa 1975, helping Nashoba to avoid the fate of so many other small ski areas in the eastern side of the state.
Chairlifts
Nashoba entered the chairlift age in 1977 when it installed a used double chairlift. One year later, a triple chairlift was assembled and installed.
Jumping for the latest technology, in 1979-80 Nashoba Valley reportedly became the first ski area in New England to have a power tiller in its grooming fleet. By the start of 1981-82, Nashoba was sporting 33 acres of terrain, often groomed twice daily.
Once ahead getting a jump on a trend, Nashoba was one of the earliest ski areas to permit snowboarding, officially inviting snowboarders for the 1985-86 season.
A third chairlift, a new CTEC triple, was installed for the 1986-87 season. Meanwhile, Fletcher's daughter, Pam, was making international headlines as a member of the US Ski Team throughout the 1980s. In addition to winning a World Cup downhill and 6 national titles, Pam Fletcher was a member of the 1988 United States Olympic team.
Nashoba continued to grow in the 1990s, adding its fourth chairlift in 1994, the Sundance Triple. At this point, the ski area had grown to 51 acres. Four years later, Fletcher's son Alan became General Manager of the ski area.
Nashoba Valley in 2016 |
Nashoba opened a massive snowtubing park nearby in 2001, which has grown to reportedly become the largest facility of its type in New England.
In recent years, Alan was promoted to President of the ski area, while Pam took over Events Marketing and Sales.
Nashoba continues to operate as a successful ski area to this day, while also featuring a popular restaurant and summer activities.
NewEnglandSkiConditions.com Reports
NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News
Image Gallery
Lifts
Click on lift name for information and photos
Maps
Year by Year History
Adult Weekend Full Day Lift Ticket; Adult Full Price Unlimited Season Pass
| 2020s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 2023-24 | |  | $700.00 | | | December 24 | February 26 | | | | | 2022-23 | $95.00 | | $700.00 | | 7.4 days | December 18 | March 19 | | | | | 2021-22 | $85.00 | | $650.00 | | 7.6 days | December 23 | March 6 | | | | | 2020-21 | | | $600.00 | | | December 18 | March 14 | | | | | 2019-20 | $60.00 | | $650.00 | | 10.8 days | December 3 | March 8 | | | |
| 2010s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 2018-19 | $58.00 | | $650.00 | | 11.2 days | November 23 | March 17 | | | | | 2017-18 | $55.00 | | $675.00 | | 12.3 days | December 15 | March 25 | | | | | 2016-17 | $55.00 | | $675.00 | | 12.3 days | December 10 | March 19 | | | | | 2015-16 | $54.00 | | $675.00 | | 12.5 days | December 29 | March 6 | | | | | 2014-15 | $52.00 | | $675.00 | | 13.0 days | November 29 | March 29 | | | | | 2013-14 | $50.00 | | $650.00 | | 13.0 days | November 30 | March 16 | | | | | 2012-13 | $48.00 | | | | | December 13 | March 24 | | | | | 2011-12 | $48.00 | | $625.00 | | 13.0 days | December 12 | March 11 | | | | | 2010-11 | $46.00 | | | | | December 9 | March 13 | | | | | 2009-10 | $45.00 | | | | | | | | | |
| 2000s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 2008-09 | $44.00 | | $575.00 | | 13.1 days | | | | | | | 2007-08 | $40.00 | | $550.00 | | 13.8 days | | | | | | | 2006-07 | $40.00 | | $550.00 | | 13.8 days | | | | | | | 2005-06 | $37.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 2004-05 | $35.00 | | $500.00 | | 14.3 days | | | | | | | 2003-04 | $33.00 | | $500.00 | | 15.2 days | | | | | | | 2002-03 | $32.00 | | $500.00 | | 15.6 days | | | | | | | 2001-02 | $30.00 | | $500.00 | | 16.7 days | | | | | | | 2000-01 | $30.00 | | $500.00 | | 16.7 days | | | | | | | 1999-00 | $29.00 | | | | | | | 100,000 | | |
| 1990s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1996-97 | $27.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1994-95 | $25.00 | | | | | November 26 | March 19 | | | | | 1992-93 | $25.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1991-92 | $24.00 | | | | | November 29 | | | | | | 1990-91 | $22.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1989-90 | $20.00 | | | | | November 24 | | | | |
| 1980s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1988-89 | $20.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1987-88 | $18.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1986-87 | $17.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1984-85 | $14.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1982-83 | | | | | | December 11 | | | | | | 1981-82 | $12.00 | | | | | | | | | |
| 1970s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1973-74 | $5.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1971-72 | $4.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1970-71 | $4.00 | | | | | | | | | |
Visitor Memories
| "Cut my teeth on Wardance starting way back in 1974. I can still remember the smell of the freshly built pine walled Lodge and the aroma of dad‘s whiskey. I’ve lived in Tahoe the last 33 years, but will always have fun memories of Michelle Velky and the people that were there." | | Chris Kelly, Jan. 8, 2023 | | "Hi Al sr.Remember I was your weekend season (1966) ticket coordinator. During the week we worked together at 3c. Thanks it was a lot of fun sitting in the unheated shed sorting out prepaid season tickets to school kids. By the way you still owe me a ride on your snow machine. Anyway, well done, and continued success.Dick Trainor" | | Dick Trainor, Dec. 7, 2015 |
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External Links
Nashoba Valley Ski Area - official site
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Last updated: January 23, 2017
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