Berkshire Links

Skiing

Skiing is a favorite activity in the Berkshires and has been an important component of the local tourism industry for as long as Tanglewood has been. In 1935, the first of the famous "ski trains" left Grand Central Station in New York bound for Bousquet's in Pittsfield, MA, where the rope tow was perfected and night skiing was introduced on Dec. 24, 1936, by U. S. Ski Hall of Fame honoree Clare Bousquet. By 1945, Bousquets featured 10 rope tows. Olympic skiers Heidi Voelker, Krista and Kim Schmidinger began skiing at Bousquets.

Skiing the Thunderbolt trail Mt. Greylock

Berkshires skiing lore also includes the legendary Thunderbolt Ski Run, a world class downhill trail carved into the east slope of Mt. Greylock in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, under the direction of the Mt. Greylock Ski Club. Today, Berkshire county residents and visitors to the Berkshires have several choices for downhill skiing and snowboarding, as well as for cross-country skiing.

Catamount Ski Area

Catamount Ski Area, located near Gt. Barrington, MA is especially popular with New Yorkers because it is less than a three hour drive from NYC. There has been skiing at Catamount for over 70 years and now outdoors sports enthusiasts come year round to the aerial forest park and its ziplines as well as mountain bike trails. But is was downhill skiing that put Catamount on the map, with a 1,000 foot vertical drop and 32 trails, including the 2.5 mile Ridge Run, one of the longest ski trails in the Berkshires. If you are visiting the Berkshires to ski at Catamount, you can find accommodation at these Gt. Barrington, Mass hotels.

Catamount Ski Area contact information

  • 3200 Rte. 23,
  • Hillsdale, NY
  • Vertical drop: 1,000 feet;
  • trails: 32
  • Night skiing
  • 518-325-3200, 413-528-1262
  • catamountski.com

Catamount Ski Area driving directions and map

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How to get to the Berkshires

Here are inks for local and regional public transportation depots and stops, plus where to get Peter Pan bus and Amtrak train schedules and tickets: how to get to the Berkshires.