Snow Business: Berkshire East Is A Go-To Family Destination

CHARLEMONT, MA — It's now the second season of a veteran skier discovering Berkshire East and one thing has become obvious — it's now a go-to destination for someone with a pair of 10-year-olds and a 14-year-old in tow.

Berkshire East has been run by the Schaefer family for nearly 45 years. With many of the family members being old-school racers, Berkshire East takes on that character — a traditional New England mid-sized destination with old-school charm mixed in with modern amenties like food services, state-of-the art grooming and snowmaking.

And it's a straight shot up Interstate-91 to Greenfield, Mass., and then Route 2 to Charlemont. That's 90 minutes of simplicity in the vehicle from the center of the state. It's enough time for the kids to nap but not a "are we there yet" ordeal for dad.

And ... Berkshire East is the only ski area in the world to produce all of its energy from onsite renewable sources.

Here's a look at one family outing on one Saturday in February:

The Summit Greens

The kids have fallen in love with two trails in particular — Thunder and Outback. From the Summit Quad lift, they are to the left and right, respectively. Thunder is the cruiser here, with terrain changes, different scenery and opportunities to get some speed and sneak slightly off piste if the snow is there.

Outback is the touring trail that wraps itself around the resort and keeps everyone occupied for about a couple of miles when linked with Roundabout.

The kids will do those two all day and the runs never get old. They are featured in the accompanying photos.

Bunny Hop

OK ... OK ... The Roundabout trail empties to the base area near the Top Notch Double Chair. Here's the conversation.

Kids: "Dad, can we hang out at the bunny hill for a bit?"

Hmm ...

Dad: "OK ... I'll be right back ..."

With that, the kids had their time frolicking on the shorter lift and smaller trail. Meanwhile, Dear Old Dad snuck onto the Wilderness Quad lift and took a cruise down War Dance. Another blue trail, Hemlock, is a second option and, if there is enough snow, glades like Hawleywood keep the older crowd happy.

The runs finish at the bunny hill.

The pattern was, of course, repeated after lunch.

Don't be deceived here. Though the kids were very happy with the greens, there are plenty of black cruisers and glades to go along with the other trail offerings.

The Fries

Speaking of lunch, the first trip to Berkshire East started the great french fry debate. That's when the kids tried the fresh fries at the Crazy Horse, the full-service restaurant and proclaimed they were the best they've ever had.

Then came the second trip and a staffer swearing the fries at the base lodge cafeteria were better. We then had a taste test on the second trip and ... the verdict is still out.

The Bargains

It's also the second year of Berkshire East and Catamount operating under the same banner after a purchase by the Schaefers. Here is a look at the 2020-21 pass prices. March is a free ski month for those buying passes.

Unlimited

• Adults $479
• Juniors $379

6-Day

• Adults $379
• Juniors $319

Weekdays

• Adults $249
• Juniors $249

Night

• Adults $149
• Juniors $149

With a few cold weather windows over the past week weeks both mountains are in good shape heading into March. Check the Berkshire East website and the Catamount site for updates.

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Chris Dehnel is a Patch editor who has been writing about snowsports since 1999. He is a past president of the Eastern Ski Writers Association and board member of the North American Snowsports Journalists Association. His Snow Business column runs periodically during the season.