Berkshire Ski Resorts
Location. Location. Location. Ok, those are three good reasons to
visit Berkshire County for skiing but there are plenty of others.
Location is a big incentive because the Berkshires is the closest,
most accessible major ski region for many visitors. Also, the county
is situated in one of the world’s most scenic resort areas, amid
beautiful rolling hills and pastoral New England scenery. Off the
slopes, skiers aren’t trapped in a tangle of expensive ski towns.
Instead, travelers can explore a variety of surrounding towns, each
with its own particular charm and attractions.
Next to location, variety might be the most important basis for visiting
the Berkshires for a ski adventure. Families, singles, experienced
skiers and novices can select areas that cater specifically to their
needs and abilities. All Berkshire ski areas are full service facilities,
providing both ski and snowboard rentals.
SKI BUTTERNUT
Ski Butternut (413-528-2000/www.SkiButternut.com), Great
Barrington, is a family-friendly Berkshire resort, with 22 trails; ten lifts
including their third quad chairlift installed this summer; and one of
the region’s best terrain parks. All trails funnel to the same base
area, so family groups won’t get separated. A great mountain for
first-timers, Butternut also presents plenty of challenge for more
advanced skiers and riders. The resort offers some softer trails from
the summit, allowing most beginners to enjoy the entire mountain
experience their first day.
The mountain's five lane tubing center, added three years ago,
continues to receive rave reviews. Eight kilometers of cross-country
are also available. Butternut’s powerful snowmaking system has
more than 150 snowguns blanketing 100 percent of their 22 slopes
and trails. The area offers high performance rentals, group and
private lessons and the region’s largest children’s programs
offering lessons for beginners to racers.
Butternut features a $45 per day Midweek Ski & Stay package and
more than 40 lodging properties offer weekend “ski & stay”
packages—ranging from extraordinarily economical to incredibly
indulgent. Notable deals include: $15 Lift Tickets every Monday
through Thursday all season (excluding holidays); affordable
anytime lift ticket “3-Packs” ($99 Adult or $75 Jr.) of three anytime lift
ticket vouchers; online specials; and extremely low-cost season
passes, ranging from $59 for young kids to $199 for adults. Look for
the “5th graders ski free” offer on their website.
JIMINY PEAK MOUNTAIN RESORT
This fall Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort (413-738-5500/800-882-
8859/www. jiminypeak.com) in Hancock will complete J.J.’s Lodge,
a 6.8 million dollar facility that replaces the old East lodge. J.J.’s
Lodge will have the ski and snowboard school desk; a modern food
court with a plethora of dining options, day and seasonal lockers; 15
condominiums; and other skier service facilities. J.J.’s will also be a
perfect venue for larger (more than 300 attendees) weddings and
conferences during the spring, summer and fall.
The largest ski and snowboard resort in southern New England,
Jiminy offers slope-side lodging, a high-speed six-passenger lift,
excellent children’s programs and incredible snowmaking. The
recently completed Village Center at Jiminy Peak includes retail
shopping, dining and a café with WiFi access.
Accommodations include Jiminy’s all-suite Country Inn and
mountainside condominiums. Special lift and lodging packages are
available. Online vacation planners will appreciate the resort’s
comprehensive e-commerce section for lodging reservations, ski
and snowboard school programs, children’s programs and
discount offers.
CATAMOUNT SKI AREA
Catamount Ski Area (413-528-1262/800-342-1840/www.
catamountski.com) in South Egremont added three new trails last
season for a total of 32, and completed a superb new beginner
area. They also reconfigured a whole section of the mountain and
christened it “The Meadows.” It’s a huge, seven-trail complex of
green-circle (beginner) terrain perfect for those ready to start
exploring mountains.
Catamount lays claim to the most diverse terrain mix in the
Berkshires, covering 1,000 vertical feet and featuring 100 percent
snowmaking. It offers one of the best beginner areas anywhere
including—in addition to The Meadows—a super-gentle slope
served by an easy-to-ride Wonder Carpet lift.
Located on the border with New York, Catamount skiers can take off
in one state and end up in another, the only area besides Tahoe
where this is possible. The area offers fabulous cruising terrain,
including the popular Sidewinder trail and Ridge Run which,
combined with the brand-new Upper Promenade trail, takes
Catamount guests on the Berkshire’s longest ski and snowboard
run—2 ½ miles in all.
MEGAPLEX TERRAIN PARK
For advanced skiers and riders, there are wonderful challenges.
The Megaplex Terrain Park relocated last season and is bigger and
better than ever. The Catapult, the only true double-diamond trail in
the Berkshires, complements a number of other great black
diamond trails.
Cross-country skiing is found throughout the region, as well as
snowshoeing and skating. Moonlit trails through woodlands for
cross-country ski enthusiasts are unique and breathtaking. Widely
known as America’s Premier Cultural Resort, Berkshire County
offers plenty of activities off the slopes, too. From world-class
museums and historical sites to a considerable assortment of
dining and lodging facilities, outlet shopping and antiques dealers,
the Berkshires gives ski visitors a full winter’s worth of places to go
and things to see. For complete Berkshire County information, call
866-444-1815 or visit www.berkshires.org.
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FAMILY TRAVEL FUN.COM
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