Snow Business: Berkshire East Defies Pandemic, Defines Fun

CHARLEMONT, MA — Berkshire East is another example of how a snow sports area close to home has looked the coronavirus pandemic in the eye, embraced the situation, and, with a few adjustments, made the 2020-21 season shine.

A trip there last week was, to put it bluntly, epic. And it's just 90 minutes from the middle of Connecticut.

Let's set the stage. Yes there is limited capacity, so the key is to order tickets early. Face coverings are required and skiers and snowboarders are being encouraged to use the special mobile rest rooms trucked in for the season.

All that aside, here is a rundown of that was an stellar day.

The Morning

A full parking lot with most of the folks booting-up at their vehicles gave a Saturday morning a festive, old-school tailgating feel. The necessity has created more of a laid-back attitude throughout the industry and Berkshire East, which tends to draw families and a friendlier crowd anyway, has had it accentuated for this season.

Things were so amiable that a Patriots fan noticed my Jets facemark was upside down (on purpose) and the whole ticket line joined in the banter like an NFL tailgate party.

It served up a very good feeling, as did the personable ticket agent in the temporary trailer-type booths.

The Base Area

The new courtyard at Berkshire East is the most glaring example of virus-necessitated improvisation actually adding character to the resort. Crews cut into the side of the hill between the base lodge and the lifts and fashioned a courtyard — complete with picnic tables, groups of Adirondack chairs under heaters.

A snack bar has been set up with a walk-up window and the famed Berkshire East fries, arguably the best in the industry, are on the menu. It gives off a cozy party feeling.

Another feature of the base area is a cabana village. They are designed to make up for the lodge being closed off amid the pandemic and offer families an option for a private room for en entire day. They also add a lot of character to the resort.

The Mountain

Conditions last week were stellar, the best of the season and they ranked with any February conditions over the past several years.

With kids in tow, the concentration was on the summit greens and blues and they did not disappoint. The snow was fast when it needed to be fast and comfortable when it needed to be comfortable.

And that was on the trails.

Skiers and riders could Also sneak into the woods both right off the trails and deep into the glades themselves.

It was stellar and easily the best conditions of the season. Berkshire east is primed for a great March into April.

See more about pricing, ticket information and the Berkshire East amenities here.

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Chris Dehnel is a Patch editor who has been writing about skiing and snowboarding for more than two decades. He is a past-president of the Eastern Ski Writers Association and a board member of the North American Snowsports Journalists Association. The Snow Business column runs periodically on Patch sites during the season.