After another spring thaw, Al Jenks was close to calling the whole winter season at Windblown cross country skiing and snowshoeing area.
Now, a nor’easter is changing his plans.
Jenks is going to reopen Wednesday, following what is being predicted as a major winter storm, which will spread 12 to 20 inches of snow across the region Tuesday. Windblown, located in New Ipswich, has closed seven times this season due to a handful of thawing periods — the latest closing the area since Feb. 25.
Despite the frequent closings (the most in Jenks’ 45 years as owner), the company is projecting an above-average season, Jenks said. Windblown typically sees 7,000 visitors in a season, and Jenks believes next week’s visitors will put the season over that number.
“We were ready to call it,” Jenks said.
It’s been a “decent” season for most of the region’s winter weather spots, most of which are happy not to have a repeat of the 2015-16 winter season, where little snow fell.
“It’s been a solid year,” said Andy Gendron, director of marketing and events at Crotched Mountain Ski and Ride.
Crotched Mountain is hoping to stay open through the first week in April. The ski resort wants to build on solid Christmas vacation numbers.
“I think the season, all in all, we were pretty happy with it,” said Pat Terry, general manager at Crotched Mountain.
Gendron says the warm spells of February haven’t hurt the ski hill.
“We’re in a totally weather-dependent industry, riding this stuff out is part of our job,” Gendron said.
Windblown doesn’t make any snow, but with the windier weather and lighter powder, the area’s use of snow fences has helped keep Windblown open longer.
“Snow fences have saved us,” Jenks said.
Crotched Mountain has been making snow all week in advance of Tuesday’s storm. There are currently three of the mountain’s five lifts open — and 19 trails.
Officials at Windblown and Crotched Mountain expect some heavy traffic this weekend due to the “backyard effect,” when people from Massachusetts or New York see snow in their backyards, it makes them want to drive up to go skiing.