Mt. Southington Opens This Weekend, But CT Skiing Could Be in Jeopardy

Mt. Southington is preparing to open and could begin allowing skiers to hit the slopes as early as Saturday, but when it comes to skiing in Connecticut it seems the concern is as large as ever for the industry.

Ed Beckley, general manager and president at Mount Southington, said the ski and snowboarding resort has worked in recent years to prepare for the future, but have been challenged by warm winters and lack of snow. To make matters worse, a report in the Hartford Courant Sunday shows that investing in Connecticut ski areas might not be a wise decision.

Reports that Canadian researchers say slight changes in temperature within the next few decades may make it impossible to have profitable ski seasons in New England states south of Vermont and New Hampshire.

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While that may be a long-term concern for Connecticut's few remaining ski areas, owners have more pressing concerns: they hope temperatures get cold soon.

The owners of Mohawk Mountain in Cornwall and Mount Southington hope to open on Dec. 15 (dependent on the weather), while New Hartford's Ski Sundown states on its website that it hopes to open "as soon as possible."

Woodbury Ski Area, which is usually among the first to open in New England, has been welcoming skiiers since the middle of October.

Earlier this year, Connecticut skiiers received welcomed news when Middlefield approved the sale of the abandoned Powder Ridge Ski Area to someone who wants to invest $2 million and restore downhill skiing.

Where Can I Ski Locally? 

Here's a look at Connecticut ski areas, as well as some in Massachussetts and Vermont:

Connecticut

• Mount Southington - nine trails
• Mohawk Mountain - 25 trails
• Ski Sundown - 15 trails 
• Woodbury Ski Area - six trails 

Massachusetts

• Catamount Ski Area - 25 trails 
• Jiminy Peak - 38 trails 
• Ski Butternut - 22 trails 
• Wachusett Mountain Ski Area - 19 trails 

Vermont

• Bromley - 33 trails 
• Magic Mountain - 15 trails 
• Mount Snow - 51 trails
• Okemo Mountain Resort - 91 trails 
• Stratton Mountain Ski Resort - 80 trails

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