It’s been a dandy winter so far—if you like to play in the snow, that is. Given some of the recent winters in which Mother Nature seemed a bit stingy with the white fluffy stuff here in Western Mass., the heavy snowfall this January was a source of great celebration among local winter recreation enthusiasts.
Winter may still have something left, but with moderating temperatures, longer days and generally clear skies in the extended forecast, the February school vacation week is looking good, with resorts and cross country ski centers in the region coming into peak condition. What a great time to take the family out for some winter fun! Here are few activities you might want to try:
GET Skiing at Jiminy Peak
Jiminy Peak is just as plush as its rival resorts up north, but it’s right here in the 413 area code, in Hancock, just down the road from Pittsfield and within an easy drive of Springfield or Northampton. A true four-season resort—its adventure park is a huge draw—Jiminy Peak is still best known for its great skiing and riding. And there’s no better, nor less expensive place, to learn how to ski or ride than Jiminy Peak.
For skiers, Jiminy employs the “Guaranteed Easy Turn (GET)” system, using very short skis that make learning to make parallel turns easier than it’s ever been. For riders, the resort uses the Burton Learn to Ride (LTR) system, which similarly takes advantage of new snowboard shaping technology to put learning riders on equipment that makes learning skills easier. And Jiminy guarantees its teaching methods: if you don’t feel you’ve mastered the lesson, you can take it again and again until you do.
And the price is right: A first time skier or snowboarder package includes beginner lift ticket, 90 minute lesson and rental equipment for $75 ($69 if you book it online)—less than what it would cost for just a lift ticket at resorts not nearly as chic as Jiminy Peak. (www.jiminypeak.com)
Go Nordic at Northfield
A great place for a hike in the warmer seasons, Northfield Mountain magically turns into Northfield Mountain Cross-Country Ski Area in winter, providing the region with some of the finest cross-country skiing in New England. With more than 25 miles of trails designed specifically for cross country skiing and groomed for both classical and free-style skiing, Northfield offers skiers of all abilities plenty of fun and challenging terrain, including the demanding 800-foot vertical climb of Tenth Mountain Trail. During the winter season, the trails are open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and receive regular grooming, usually in the early morning, with tracks set for classical skiing, and areas groomed flat for free-style or skating on skis.
A visit to Northfield, which is owned by First Light Power and maintained as a recreational resource, can be an entirely do-it-yourself affair—just bring your own equipment and, with the skills you possess, ski—or a fully-supported adventure including ski rentals and lessons. Combination packages that include rentals, trail fees and lessons are available. For those with very young children, pulk sleds may be rented for $5 per hour. Fees are fairly modest: $12 for an all-day adult pass with breaks for juniors and seniors, and no charge for kids under 7 and seniors over 70.
You can’t hike or walk your dogs at Northfield during the cross-country season, but if you’re a snowshoe enthusiast, you’re in luck: Northfield dedicates about six miles of trails for snowshoeing.(www.firstlightpower.com/northfield/ccski.asp)
Spend a Day at Bousquet
Particularly if you’re one of those fancy ski families with the SUV festooned with Jay Peak stickers and the condo at Okemo, it’s time to get in touch with skiing’s roots. For you, the amenities have become a distraction, getting in the way of the true sport. The answer is fun to say and a great place to play: Bousquet.
With 750 vertical, 23 trails and three doubles and a couple magic carpets, Bousquet may be statistically challenged in a competition with the big mountains; but if you measure a ski hill by the heart and soul of its community, Bousquet stands taller than most. Founded in 1932 by a farmer named Clarence Bousquet, the ski resort hit the big time in its early days as New Yorkers flocked to the hill by train. Those days are gone, but the skiing tradition lives on. And at $25 for an all-day weekend lift ticket ($20 on weekdays; $10 at night) there isn’t a better value out there.(www.bousquets.com)
Tube the Beast
Berkshire East is a skier’s mountain, with a strong racing culture and lots of interesting, challenging terrain. But the “Beast” is, despite its reputation,, a family mountain first and foremost, with a friendly, low-key vibe and great lower-mountain lifts and trails for beginners and intermediates. Owned and operated by the Schaefer family and located in scenic Charlemont, the resort has added all kinds of stuff in the last few years, including a new tubing park that gives everybody (everybody over the height of 42 inches, that is) not just skiers and snowboarders, an easy way to get out and enjoy winter. And if you think you might like to try something a bit more vertical, a visit with the family to the Beastly Tubing Park will give you a chance to check out the skiing and riding scene at Berkshire East.
Before heading off to Charlemont, it’s important to first check out the FAQs about tubing on the resort’s website (www.berkshireeast.com), where you’ll find information about times and ticket prices as well as basic dos and don’ts to make your experience safe and enjoyable. When you arrive, follow signs to the parking lot for the tubing park and head to the West Lodge, where you can buy tickets and, apres tubing, enjoy something to eat and drink in front of a roaring fire. Winter never looked so good.
