MassDrive Blog

With all the snow this winter has brought, one of the best ways to enjoy it is to go skiing! New England is luckily enough to have some of the best ski resorts. Thanks to all the record-breaking storms, conditions on the mountains have been great this year. Here are the top 5 mountains within a 3 hours drive from Massachusetts. Best Family Friendly Mountain Loon Mountain in New Hampshire Located in the scenic White Mountain National Forest, this mountain offers beautiful scenery and ample snowfall. Loon offers wide groomed trails, tree glades and steep moguls. At night take advantage of the variety of shops and restaurants. For those of you who need a break from skiing, the resort includes an ice castle, a winter zip-line, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, snow tubing and an adventure center. Runs: 61 Most Terrain Parks Okemo Mountain Resort in Southern Vermont Okemo’s accommodates... [...]
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For all the annoying problems that come with snow, it can be easy to forget how much fun it can be.  New England, with all its wonderful mountains and hills, has great places to go sledding. Don’t fret if you don’t have a sled, grab a inner tube, or trash can lid, or check out these awesome DIY ideas to make your own! 1.For those brave at heart and willing to travel, check out Suicide Hill in Bangor, Maine.  It’s icy and steep, which makes fast the only speed to go down. 2. Larz Anderson Park in Brookline, MA will make anyone happy.  They have all types of hills, and a snack shop.  Also, huge bonus for having bathrooms. 3.  The “Bowl” next to Jamaica Pond in Boston, MA provides a little extra fun at the end of your trip down. Like the name suggests, its bowl shaped so... [...]
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The four blizzards in three weeks have left mountains of snow all around New England. Removing the snow has been challenging for towns everywhere, and with nowhere to move it all, the streets have becoming increasingly clogged. Travel lanes have been reduced from four to two, and two-way roads are now one way. Particularly small streets are so clogged up that even sidewalks cease to exist! If they do, they’re so narrow even the smallest of people have a hard time passing the massive snow banks. With nowhere else to walk, pedestrians than take to the road, resulting in further unsafe road conditions. Here are a few safety tips on how to drive with massive snowbanks: 1. Drive SLOWER. Although that seems like such obvious advice, it really is so important.   In the winter, tires don’t hold to asphalt as well as they do in the summer. A mistake becomes much... [...]
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Ice dams go hand in hand with those beautiful looking icicles that form around your house. The snowy roofs and freezing weather that winter brings causes thick ridges of solid ice to form inside the eaves. These dams can cause havoc on your roof by ripping down gutters and loosening shingles. Even worse, they can cause water to pour back into your house. To prevent them, it’s helpful to know why they form in the first place. Attics tend to collect heat and keep the roof warm. The eaves, however, stay cold. When snow lands on the warmer roof, it melts, slides down into the cold eaves and freezes up. As the ice begins to accumulate, a dam forms causing melted water from the roof to back up behind it, unable to flow off of the house, and comes under the shingles and into the house. Once this happens,... [...]
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With record high snowstorms hitting Boston this year, residents are participating in the long tradition of parking space savers. Parking has become a huge challenge for Bostonians with so much snow, Boston doesn’t even know where to put it. Even Mayor Marty Walsh has become a bit frustrated discussing the controversy and competitiveness of them when questioned on the topic at blizzard press conferences. With the amount of snow being so outrageous this year, so are the parking savers. Here are our favorite parking space savers from this season: 6. Although this parking saver is a classic chair, it makes our list because it’s probably the most outrageously huge parking spot ever dug out of snow. Props to this guy. You dig it, you own it. A lil tip about #BostonParking. #Blizzardof2015 #ProtectThePie pic.twitter.com/lG87U640u9 — Mitsubishi USA (@mitsucars) February 1, 2015 5. This sign out right says what every parking... [...]
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The start of February brings more snow to our winter wonderland called Massachusetts!  Although it’s tempting to just stay cooped up in our homes, there are some events that are just worth going to!  Here are some of MassDrive’s favorite events happening in February. Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate and Ice Sculpture Festival Feb 6th – Feb 15th: Salem, MA This luscious tasting event features wine and chocolate samplings from premier Salem restaurants, stores and sweet shops. Kick off the event at Colonial Hall at Rockafellas Friday, Feb. 6 at 6:30 p.m with chocolates and wine tasting. Enjoy more than 15 large sculptures around downtown Salem with trolley rides guiding you through the festival route. Also, many of Salem’s downtown businesses will offer discounts on special offerings throughout the festival so be sure to stop by! “The Wiz” Feb 13th – Feb 22nd: Dorchester, MA Get your tickets while you... [...]
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Who’s excited for the Super Bowl?! The Super Bowl is a true American tradition, and this year in Massachusetts there is an even higher level of anticipation than usual – the Patriots will face off against the Seahawks! Super Bowl Sunday can be one of the best days of the year, but have you thought about Super Bowl safety? This Sunday can be a dangerous time for drivers on the road. Not only is Massachusetts going to be hit with more snow this weekend, making the road conditions worst (check out our safety tips for driving in the snow), but drunk driving on Super Bowl Sunday is rampant. More drivers are involved in alcohol-related accidents on Super Bowl Sunday than any day of the year besides St. Patrick’s Day, according to the Insurance Information Institute. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 48% of U.S. traffic fatalities on... [...]
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A new year is upon us! How will you celebrate and welcome in 2015? We’ve rounded up some great events from around Massachusetts to help you decide what to do. If you still need New Year’s Even plans, check out these great ideas from throughout MA. The Zoo Year – Stone Zoo – Stoneham, MA – 4:00PM The kids will love this one! Celebrate the new year at the Zoo Year celebration at the Stone Zoo – there will be a reindeer parade, Zoolights, costumed characters and even ice sculptures! The Zoolights spectacular will be sure to get your family into the holiday spirit. Tickets are $7 for non-members. First Night – Boston, MA – all day First Night has something for everyone, especially the whole family! With two fireworks shows (one at 7pm and one at midnight), a parade, ice sculptures, concerts (including one by local act and... [...]
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Dreaming of a White Christmas? Enter to win to 2 tickets to see the musical, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, at Boston’s Wang Theater on December 27, 2014! Head on over to Facebook to enter! Official Rules: Entry Instructions:  Each person may enter by clicking “Like” on the MassDrive Facebook page and comment with your favorite holiday song. You may also enter the Contest by sending us the requested information by a postcard or letter addressed to “White Christmas Contest” to our mailing address at 241 A Street, Suite 400, Boston, Massachusetts, 02110. Please include your submission and how to contact you by phone, email and mailing address.  These complete Contest Rules may also be obtained by sending us a request at our address, above. All entrants must be Massachusetts residents and age 18 or older. Only one entry per person. No purchase of any MassDrive product is necessary and... [...]
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Though the weather is growing colder, the holiday season in Massachusetts is beautiful. We hope you’ll get out and enjoy all that the Bay State has to offer despite the cold, so we’ve rounded up some of our favorite events happening this month in Mass. Bright Nights at Forest Park – December 1 – January 4 – Springfield, MA Enjoy beautiful holiday lighting with this three-mile route of impressive decorations! With more than 600,000 and a musical simulcast from 98.5FM, you and your family will be dazzled. With passes per vehicle ranging from $16-$21, Bright Nights is a drive the whole family will love. The Polar Express at Edaville Railroad – December 3-30 – Carver, MA Inspired by the holiday classic and hit movie, this is a fun holiday event the kids are sure to love. Hop aboard the The Polar Express at Edaville Railroad and take off to the... [...]
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