I used to consider the Berkshire Mountains in Massachusetts as a summer time vacation spot, the place I’ve watched the summer time performances of the Boston Pops at Tanglewood, hiked Monument Mountain, and traversed the treetops at Ramblewild. But with snow-covered mountains, ice-coated lakes, and world-class cultural sights, there may be lots to do within the Berkshires within the winter.
If you’re on the lookout for a winter weekend getaway from Boston or New York, however you don’t wish to go all the way in which to Vermont or New Hampshire, it’s time to uncover the Berkshires within the winter. You can go snowboarding, snow tubing, snowshoeing, ice skating, ice fishing, cross-country snowboarding, or mountain climbing. And for those who would moderately keep out of the chilly, you possibly can discover miles of artwork galleries, go to historic websites, or loosen up at award-winning spas.
In the Berkshires, you can even keep at cute boutique inns, historic inns, or slope facet condos and revel in high-quality eating or cute cafes. Ready to go? Just comply with these recommendations for an exquisite winter weekend getaway whether or not you’re on the lookout for a romantic getaway, visiting the Berkshires with children, or simply need a enjoyable time with pals.
Things to do within the Berkshires within the Winter
Editor’s notice: I revisited the Berkshires within the winter as a part of a press journey hosted by Explore Western Mass. All opinions are my very own.
Indoors or outdoors, you can see lots to do within the Berkshires within the winter.
Go Snow Tubing
Snow tubing isn’t only for children (belief me, this 53-year previous nonetheless loves it). Bousquet Mountain is a neighborhood ski mountain close to Pittsfield, Massachusetts that gives night snow tubing on Thursdays by Saturdays and daytime classes on weekends and holidays.
Bousquet is the fifth oldest ski mountain within the USA and the primary to supply night time snowboarding, however current funding has yielded a brand new lodge with a comfy upstairs lounge and restaurant. The ski resort will get busy with native faculty teams and ski classes, however you don’t have to attend lengthy for one of many 4 snow tubing lanes and the magic carpet elevate means you don’t have to lug your tube again uphill both.
You also can go snow tubing at Ski Butternut, which is nearer to the Connecticut border, Catamount Mountain Resort on the New York border, or Berkshires East, within the northern a part of the Greater Berkshires.
Learn to Ski or Snow board
There are 5 ski mountains within the Greater Berkshires that provide classes for downhill snowboarding and/or snowboarding. Of the 5, three of those mountains take part within the Indy Pass. The Indy Pass offers you two free elevate tickets and a 3rd discounted day at every one of many collaborating Partner Resorts (however reservations are wanted.)
If you’re on the lookout for a family-friendly ski weekend, Jiminy Peak is the place to go. As the biggest ski resort in Southern New England, Jiminy Peak is a real four-season resort with a small ski village on the base providing condos for lease and a number of lodges. They provide a full child’s program with the KidsRule Mountain Camp, which incorporates full day instruction, lunch, and loads of sizzling cocoa breaks. If your children don’t wish to ski, no worries, you possibly can signal your little one (two and older) up for the on-site childcare at Cub’s Den Playroom.
At Jiminy Peak, you can see 45 trails, serviced by 9 lifts, together with snowshoeing trails, a mountain coaster, and an alpine slide and aerial journey park in the summertime. And the superb half is that the resort operates completely on renewable power.
If you favor a extra native really feel, and cheaper elevate tickets, attempt the aforementioned Bousquet Mountain or the extra rustic Berkshires East. Located in Charlemont, Berkshires East is essentially the most northern of the ski mountains on this space. In the summer time, households can benefit from the Mountain Coaster, zip lining, the Thunder Mountain bike park, and even close by whitewater rafting.
But within the winter, this family-owned and operated ski mountain gives ski and snowboard classes, ski racing, snow tubing, a new high-speed detatchable quad elevate utilizing one hundred pc renewable power. I loved a bluebird day on the slopes and thought for positive I might encounter a number of ice from current rainstorms however the snow making was top-notch and there was loads of powder.
Try SnowShoeing
Ever since my ft began giving me points once I was on a ski journey in Idaho, I’ve began to choose snowshoeing over snowboarding. There is one thing very enjoyable concerning the quiet of the woods and the rewarding exertion of tramping by the snow.
There are many locations to get pleasure from snowshoeing within the Berkshires, akin to Notchview, the place you possibly can snowshoe alongside of 25 miles of cross-country trails. Maple Corner Farm additionally has 10 kilometers of snowshoe trails, together with tools leases for youngsters by adults.
But you don’t have to exit of your strategy to attempt snowshoeing! Jiminy Peak gives each tools leases and a community of backcountry trails with the intention to snowshoe whereas others ski.
Ride a Mountain Coaster
Even for those who don’t like curler coasters (that might be me), you’ll most likely get pleasure from a trip on a mountain coaster. On a mountain coaster, you’re seated in particular person carts and also you management the pace utilizing a easy braking mechanism. Each automobile is pulled up the steel monitor after which launched on the prime. Then you journey down the twists and turns at your personal tempo.
Don’t fear, you’re buckled in and the cart can’t fly off the monitor! I like it and I’m not a trip particular person, in any respect. Multiple resorts provide mountain coasters, together with the one at Jiminy Peak.
Get Acquainted with Contemporary (and different) Art
The Berkshires are identified for music and artwork, with a number of artwork museums together with The Clark, the Williams College Museum of Art, the Berkshire Art Museum, and the Norman Rockwell Museum.
The most well-known is Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. Located in a transformed Arnold Print Works manufacturing unit constructing advanced in North Adams, Mass MoCA is among the largest facilities for modern visible artwork and performing arts within the United States, protecting over six miles of galleries. It isn’t any surprise that tickets are legitimate for 2 days to offer you loads of time to discover and take up.
Unlike different modern artwork museums, the installations at Mass MoCA aren’t a part of a everlasting assortment, however on mortgage from the artists or different collectors. Many of the reveals are created particularly for this web site and the bulk are massive type installations. You will wish to take time to look at within the artwork, learn concerning the artists and the study the which means behind the piece or set up, and simply benefit from the expertise.
Visit a Living History Museum
Hancock Shaker Village is a National Historic Landmark and a residing historical past museum that showcases the historical past of the Shaker individuals, who settled within the space within the 1780s and lived there for 170 years. The Shakers lived communally, farming and creating top quality merchandise akin to furnishings.
Today, you possibly can go to the village and see the historic buildings, together with the well-known Round Barn, and go to varied workshops with reside interpreters. During the February “Big Chill” weekend, you possibly can get pleasure from strolling excursions, watch ice sculpting, see maple tree tapping, and observe blacksmithing and woodworking demonstrations. Families will admire the face portray, livestock, and snacks by the hearth.
Relax on the Spa
The Berkshires is residence to 2 luxurious spas and one yoga retreat (which is sadly closed within the winter.) If you’re keen to make an enormous splurge, e-book a keep at both the Miraval Berkshires or Canyon Ranch Berkshires. Even for those who don’t keep over night time, you possibly can nonetheless e-book a day move. The Miraval day spa bundle features a resort credit score for use in the direction of companies together with a gourmand lunch, complimentary snacks and smoothies, participation in complimentary yoga, meditation, health lessons, and wellness lectures, and full spa facilities.
Sample Maple Syrup
Mid-February to mid-April is sugaring season within the Berkshires and in every single place you drive, you will notice the plastic tubing connecting the maple bushes and transporting the sap for processing. Visit the Maple Corner Farm on the weekends for pancake breakfasts, maple sugaring demonstrations, and looking for all the things maple.
Where to Stay within the Berkshires
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Hotel on North
I’m an enormous fan of boutique inns and in case you are too, you’ll love Hotel on North in Pittsfield. Located within the coronary heart of this small city, Hotel on North pays tribute to the realm’s inventive roots, proudly displaying the work of native artists within the foyer and the spacious rooms.
In this 45 room boutique lodge, every room has its personal particular person design that includes locally-crafted furnishings and opulent finishings.
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Williams Inn
The Williams Inn is a brand new upscale inn within the coronary heart of Williamstown, inside strolling distance to Williams College, outlets, and eating places. This 64-room lodge makes use of upscale, modern farmhouse design with luxurious facilities and serene, spacious rooms.
The lodge makes use of energy-saving options to cut back power consumption by greater than 40 p.c and I’m an enormous fan of the espresso, tea, ice, and water refill (nonetheless or bubbly) stations. Plus it’s pretty to not even want to go away the lodge for dinner after an extended day on the slopes, simply e-book a reservation at The Barn restaurant for high-quality eating that includes American classics.
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Jiminy Peak Vacation Rentals
Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort gives many privately-owned condominiums that are perfect for households and teams. There are two to four-bedroom items that provide beneficiant residing rooms, full kitchens, and even washers and dryers. You can e-book on-line by a central reserving system and others can be found by Airbnb and vrbo.
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Red Lion Inn
If you favor a historic inn, attempt the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge. You can be somewhat farther from the slopes however you possibly can benefit from the legacy of 250 years of hospitality. Accommodation choices embrace rooms on the authentic Main Inn, a extra modern visitor home, and distinctive lodging choices, together with a turn-of-the-century Firehouse.
This lodge gives all the fashionable facilities you need, together with a heated pool, sizzling tub, health room, loads of eating choices, and even reside leisure. It is further particular at Christmastime.
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Where to Eat within the Berkshires
Dottie’s Coffee Lounge, Pittsfield
Dottie’s Coffee Lounge in Pittsfield is the type of place you simply wish to hang around after some out of doors winter enjoyable or hours exploring museums. With a number of, interconnected rooms, it’s simple to discover a cozy nook to get pleasure from freshly-ground espresso, do-it-yourself pastries, and contemporary, natural meals. It can also be an ideal spot to gas up for a busy day and Dottie’s has some inventive menu objects just like the “Healthy Elvis” breakfast sandwich or the “Grilled Ghee”, which is a step up from a easy grilled cheese.
Tunnel City Coffee, Williamstown
If you keep on the Williams Inn, it’s only a quick jaunt throughout the road to seize espresso and breakfast at Tunnel City Coffee. This specialty espresso roasting firm has a small batch roasting operation and two cafes, one in Williamstown and the opposite at Mass MoCA. In addition to your sizzling beverage of selection, Tunnel City gives bagels, baked items, and a few easy breakfast sandwiches.
John Harvard’s Restaurant & Brewery, Jiminy Peak
If you’re hitting the slopes at Jiminy Peak, you could have a number of eating choices from the easy meals courtroom to a seize and go espresso store and sit down eating. For upscale eating, attempt John Harvard’s Restaurant, situated on the third ground of the Country Inn. John Harvard’s gives basic American delicacies with hearty parts akin to burgers, fish sandwiches (that are large), clam chowder, French onion soup, and extra.
Crazy Horse Bar & Grill, Berkshires East
For a considerably rustic lodge setting on the Berkshires East, the Crazy Horse Bar & Grill is a cushty spot to loosen up and revel in meals and drinks after a day or morning on the slopes. Located upstairs within the Main Lodge, there may be even a terrace overlooking the paths you can get pleasure from in sunny climate. Crazy Horse serves up your typical pub meals akin to wings, Bavarian pretzels, poutine, burgers, and extra.
Methuselah Bar & Lounge, Pittsfield
The Methuselah Bar & Lounge in Pittsfield has a easy menu, however the meals packs an enormous punch. The meals options natural, locally-grown choices every time potential and takes easy dishes (like pigs in a blanket) and brings them up a notch. I’d recommend gravitating towards the Korean-inspired choices just like the Korean bibimbap, which is topped by the juiciest and most tender Korean Kalbi meat. My mouth is watering simply remembering that dish!
The Barn, Williamstown
The Barn Kitchen and Bar is situated within the Williams Inn and whereas the skin could have some barn-like traits, inside it appears like a country high-quality eating institution with hovering ceilings, a powerful bar, and high-touch service. The menu options New England classics and seasonally-inspired, locally-sourced delicacies that works for the entire household with dishes from macaroni and cheese to roasted duck.
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Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Publisher of We3Travel. A former advertising government and journey advisor, Tamara is an award-winning journey author and acknowledged professional in household journey. Tamara is a member of SATW and the Adventure Travel Trade Association, and serves on the Board of the Family Travel Association. She can also be the writer of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Vacation Mavens journey podcast.