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.

Berkshire East Ski Resort

Berkshire East Ski Resort in Charlemont, near North Adams, is unique among local recreational venues because it produces its own energy with a wind turbine, partially funded by a $440,000 grant from Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. In addition to downhill skiing, which has been available on Mt. Institute since the 1950s, there is snow tubing and zip lines, under the name Berkshire East Canopy Tours. If you are coming to the Berkshires to ski in the Charlemont area, you may be interested in North Adams, Mass hotels.

Berkshire East Ski Resort contact information

  • South River Rd. (Rte. 8A),
  • Charlemont, Mass.,
  • Vertical drop: 1,180 feet;
  • Number of trails: 45.
  • Night skiing. 413-339-6617.
  • berkshireeast.com

Berkshire East Ski Resort 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.