From mid-September through October, you'll find chairlift rides a terrific way to view New England's constantly changing, colorful panorama.
Here's the scoop on some of the ski resorts' offerings in New England and Neighboring New York:
>Ride the Sky Ride at Wachusett Mountain
Wachusett Mountain has the only high-speed detachable quad chairlift in Massachusetts. Your view of the scenery from the Fall SkyRide will be breathtaking. The SkyRide is open weekends, holidays and during select fall festivals. For a SkyRide schedule, call 978-464-2300. Admission is $8 per adult round trip, $6 for children agest 6 to 12 and free for children 5 and under. Save $2 per ticket when you purchase online in advance. Directions to Wachusett Mountain, located in Princeton, Massachusetts, are available online.
> K-1 Gondola Rides at Killington
Killington can take you to the highest Vermont peak serviced by a chairlift, where you'll get a view of five states and Canada from your spot in an eight-passenger K-1 Express Gondola. What a way to see the leaves! The K-1 Gondola leaves from the Killington Base Lodge, located at the top of Killington Road, 5 miles from the junction of U.S. 4 and VT 100 North in Sherburne. The lift runs daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Round-trip gondola rides are $14 for adults and $10 for juniors and seniors during foliage season. There is also a family rate of $35 for two adults and any number of dependent children ages 18 and under.
> Summit Gondola Rides at Stratton
Soar to the top of southern Vermont's highest peak and enjoy foliage views that defy comparison. Stratton beckons to leaf peepers with its gondola rides, plus mountain biking, hiking, golf and more! Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for juniors and seniors and free for kids ages 12 and under with a paying adult. Gondola rides are available daily from September 22 through October 8. Directions to Stratton are available at the ski area's Web site. Call 800-STRATTON toll free for more information.
> Fall Foliage Scenic Chairlift Rides at Mount Snow
You'll have views of four states from the 3,600-foot summit at Mount Snow Resort in Mount Snow, Vermont. Summit Chairlift rides are available daily September 23 through October 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting. To purchase your lift ticket, visit Mount Snow Sports in the Grand Summit Hotel. Cost is $10 round trip, $5 for seniors and children under 12 and free for children 5 and under. Directions to Mount Snow are available online. Call 802-464-4040 for more information.
> Cannon Mountain Scenic Tram Rides
The Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway whisks leaf peepers to the 4,180-foot summit of New Hampshire's Cannon Mountain in just about eight minutes. On a clear day, you'll have views of the mountains of New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Canada and New York. Rides are offered daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through October 21. Tickets are $11 for adults, $7 for ages 6 to 12 and free for ages 5 and under. For more information, call 603-823-8800.
