HAVERHILL — The revolving wheel of lifts spun and spun, uphill and back down on Saturday. A crunch of boots on freshly made snow, a “snap” or “click” of skis onto heels and off they went — signaling the start of Bradford’s 76th winter
Skiers and snowboarders returned to their favorite seasonal pastime as Ski Bradford welcomed all winter-lovers to carve fresh tracks into trails for the season opener this weekend.
Bundled-up families and early-morning regulars hit the slopes from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on opening day, getting their runs in during the ski area’s first day of operation since spring.
“We’re excited to kick off another season at Ski Bradford,” said Dennis Gauvin, marketing manager. “For many families, the mountain is part of their winter tradition, where generations come together to enjoy time on the slopes and create lasting memories year after year.”
Ski Bradford is open again Sunday, Christmas Eve, and from Friday through next Sunday, Dec. 26 through 28, all from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. once again. The ski area will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 22 and 23, Christmas Day, and the night of New Year’s Eve.
For the full season: visit from noon to 7 p.m. on weekdays, from 5 to 9 p.m. on weeknights, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekend days, and 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday nights.
Gauvin said the true rush is still ahead, with a crowd of visitors expected after Christmas, and even more so after New Year’s Day. He added that on Monday, Jan. 5, following the holiday break, the school ski programs will be back up and running with anywhere from 800 to 1,000 students hitting the hill for lessons, travelling from schools across the Merrimack Valley.
Preseason snowmaking began a little early this year, Gauvin said, giving Ski Bradford a strong start thanks to cold temperatures in recent weeks.
“It all depends on Mother Nature,” he said. “But, 100% of snow capability is always the goal.”
The opening date is typically decided by the snowmaking, weather and trail conditions. Gauvin, who also serves as Ski Patrol director and has worked at Ski Bradford for 53 years, mentioned that this 76th season has seen one of the better beginnings in recent memory.
Last year, he said trails didn’t open until after Christmas, and in the two previous years, the debut was delayed until the New Year — all due to snowmaking.
Ski Bradford has a handful of trails ready to go this weekend, with additional snowmaking scheduled for Sunday and Monday nights.
“We just need to spruce up what we already have and continue to expand,” he said. “We’re excited to get our season up and running, bringing the race teams in, and having the kids come down.”
Celebrating 76 years as a family-friendly ski area, Ski Bradford will once again be a go-to spot for families, schools, and beginners all throughout the region. The snow-sport destination provides 60 acres with 15 fully lighted trails, an uphill capacity of 9,600 people per hour, a full-service rental shop and approximately 65 hours of weekly operation.
Visit skibradford.com/snow-report to stay up-to-date on the latest snow conditions, lifts and slope availability.