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{{Short description|Ski resort in Charlemont, Massachusetts, United States}}
{{Infobox ski area {{Infobox ski area
| name = Berkshire East Ski Resort | name = Berkshire East Ski Resort
| picture = Berkshire East Ski Area Main Lodge.jpg | picture = Berkshire East Ski Resort from Charlemont, September 2022.JPG
| caption = The Main Lodge and Summit Triple Chairlift | caption = The resort seen from Charlemont in 2022
| location = ], ], ] | location = ] / ], ], ]
| nearest_city = ] | nearest_city = ]
| coordinates = {{coord|42|37|15|N|72|52|37|W|type:landmark_scale:50000|display=inline,title}}
| lat_degrees =
| pushpin_map = Massachusetts#United States
| lat_minutes =
| lat_seconds = | pushpin_relief= 1
| pushpin_label_position =
| lat_direction =
| map_caption = Location in ]
| long_degrees =
| vertical = {{convert|1180|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| long_minutes =
| top_elevation = {{convert|1700|ft|0|abbr=on}}<!-- ] -->
| long_seconds =
| base_elevation= {{spaces|3}}{{convert|520|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| long_direction =
| vertical =
| number_trails = 45 | number_trails = 45
| longest_run = 2.5 mi | longest_run = {{convert|2.5|mi}}
| liftsystem = 4 ]: 1 Quad, 1 Triple, 2 Doubles, 2 Surface Lifts | liftsystem = 4 ]:<br>(2 quads, 1 triple, 1&nbsp;double)<br>2 ]s
| fast_quadchar = | snowmaking = 100%
| quadchair = 1 | terrainparks =
| snowfall = {{convert|110|in|cm|0|abbr=on}}
| triplechair = 1
| doublechair = 2 | nightskiing =
| external_link =
| snowmaking = 100%
| external_link =
|}} |}}


'''Berkshire East Ski Resort''' is a medium-sized ] ] in the ] ], located in the ] on ] in ] and ], ].


==History==
'''Berkshire East Ski Resort''' is a medium sized alpine ski area located on Mt. Institute in ].
===Thunder Mountain Ski Area===
Organized skiing started on Mt. Institute in the mid-1950s when Arthur Parker opened a small rope tow operation. Due to weather and other difficulties, it closed after one short season.


Parker spent the balance of the decade gathering investors for a much larger operation on the same mountain. The first double ], a ], was installed for the grand re-opening 1961-62 season. A second double chairlift, another Mueller, was installed in 1962.
==Thunder Mountain==
Organized skiing started on Mt. Institute in the mid 1950s when Arthur Parker opened a small rope tow operation. Due to weather and other difficulties, it closed after one short season.


Notable skiers during this time included former Massachusetts Governor ] and U.S. Senator ].
Parker spent the balance of the decade gathering investors for a much larger operation on the same mountain. The first double ], a ], was installed for the grand re-opening 1960-61 season. A second double chairlift, another Mueller, was installed in 1963.


New ownership took over in late 1965, changing the name to Berkshire East at the end of the decade.
Notable skiers during this time included former Massachusetts Governor ] and Massachusetts Senator ].


===Berkshire East Ski Resort===
New ownership took over the mid-1960s, soon changing the name to Berkshire East.


The ownership group struggled, trying a variety of ill-fated expansion plans. By 1975, Berkshire East was bankrupt and outdated with two partially installed chairlifts and two antiquated Mueller chairlifts. Current management soon took over and began a steady series of investments.
==Berkshire East==


A Hall double chairlift was installed in 1978. A fourth chairlift, an ], was also installed in the late 1970s.
The ownership group struggled, trying a variety of ill-fated expansion plans. By 1975, Berkshire East was bankrupt and outdated with two partially-installed chairlifts and two antiquated Mueller chairlifts. Current management soon took over and began a steady series of investments.


In 1995, the first Mueller double chairlift was replaced with a ] triple chairlift. A ] double chairlift was added in 2001. In 2003, the second Mueller double chairlift was replaced with a ]-Leitner quad chairlift.
A Hall double chairlift was installed in 1978. A fourth charlift, an ], was also installed in the late 1970s.


In 2008, Berkshire East replaced a novice handle tow with a magic carpet lift.
In 1995, the first Mueller double chairlift was replaced with a ] triple chairlift. A Hall double chairlift was added in 2001. In 2003, the second Mueller double chairlift was replaced with a ]-] quad chairlift.


As of 2008, the ski area has 45 trails and five lifts, in addition to the tubing slope and lift. Berkshire East is currently the only alpine ski area in ] open to the public.
In 2007, Berkshire East expanded operations to include ], serviced by a ].


In 2010, the Diamond Express ] double chairlift (1978) was replaced with a ] triple chairlift.
As of 2008, the ski area has 45 trails and five lifts, in addition to the tubing slope and lift. Berkshire East is currently the only alpine ski area in ] open to the public.
== Terrain and Lifts ==


In 2011, the ski area added a PowerWind 56 900&nbsp;kW wind turbine. This addition, makes Berkshire East the first ski area in the world to be 100% powered by onsite renewable energy.
* Summit Triple Chairlift - serves all abilities, including an array of expert trails, the intermediate Mohawk, and the beginner Outback complex.
* Diamond Express Double Chairlift - this high speed chairlift services expert terrain on the main mountain.
* West Quad Chairlift - services beginner and intermediate terrain on the west side of the mountain, including the intermediate Wilderness Peak complex and the beginner Exhibition and Roundabout trails.
* Top Notch Double Chairlift - services the novice Top Notch slope.
* Bobcat Handle Tow - services the Bobcat novice slope.


In 2014, the Summit Triple lift (1995) was replaced by a brand new SkyTrac quad chairlift with a moving carpet loading area. The new lift will run at a faster speed than typical fixed grip lifts with a moving carpet that moves skiers into the loading area and assists with loading onto the faster moving chairs. The old Poma Summit Triple lift was moved to ]<nowiki/>t in ], Massachusetts.
== Snowmaking ==


==Terrain and Lifts==
Berkshire East can make snow on all of its trails. The ] system is almost exclusively comprised of fan guns. The snowmaking fleet is dominated by ] Polecats and Wizzards, as well as Areco fan guns.
Berkshire East offers about 1000 feet of true (non-inflated) vertical drop, with about {{convert|200|acre|km2|1}} of skiable terrain. It has mixed terrain from beginner to expert ]: 30% beginner runs, 35% intermediate, 30% advanced, and 5% expert runs. Berkshire also has 4 chairlifts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://liftblog.com/berkshire-east-ma/|title = Berkshire East, MA|publisher=Liftblog.com|date = 11 April 2022}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Name !! Type !! Manufacturer !! Built !! Length<br>{{small|(feet)}} !! Notes !! Terrain
|-
| T-Bar Express || ] || Leitner-Poma || 2023 || 3050 || First detachable lift installed at resort || Serves all abilities and skiable terrain at the resort. This includes an array of expert trails, the intermediate Mohawk, and the Outback beginner complex.
|-
| Summit || ] || Skytrac || 2014 || 3145 || This lift also includes a loading carpet which increases the overall speed of the lift. || Serves all abilities and runs parallel to the T-Bar Express, servicing the same terrain.
|-
| Mountain Top || Triple || ] || 2009 || || Relocated from ] || Serves all abilities, and reaches across the top of the mountain slightly beyond the Summit Triple lift. The same trails serviced by the Summit and T-Bar Quad Chairlifts can be accessed via this lift, minus a few short trails near the true summit.
|-
| Wilderness Peak || Quad || ] || 2003 || 2560 || Relocated from ] || Services beginner and intermediate terrain on the west side of the mountain, including the intermediate Wilderness Peak complex and the beginner Exhibition and Roundabout trails.
|-
| Top Notch || Double || ] || 2001 || 800 || Relocated from Mt. Tom, ]. || Services the Top Notch beginner slopes.
|-
|}

Berkshire East also has a single ], located on the Bobcat novice slope.

==Snowmaking==

Berkshire East can make snow on all of its trails. The ] system is composed almost exclusively of fan guns. The snowmaking fleet is dominated by ] Polecats and Wizzards, as well as Areco fan guns.

==Racing==

Berkshire East and Thunder Mountain have both been known for strong racing programs. Numerous successful racers, ranging from Massachusetts high school state champions to ] members have trained and raced at Berkshire East. Berkshire East frequently hosts ] and ] ] and ] championship races. Additionally, it is a frequent venue for ] races.

==Other activities==

In 2007, Berkshire East expanded operations beyond skiing and snowboarding by opening a ] slope, serviced by a ] surface lift.

In 2009, Berkshire East announced the construction of multiple ]s, creating a ] business called Berkshire East Canopy Tours.

Berkshire East Canopy Tours is one of the largest zip lines companies in North America.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.berkshirezip.com |title=Berkshire East Canopy Zip Line Tour, Charlemont, Massachusetts &#124; Experience the Excitement! |accessdate=2009-03-31 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501115148/http://www.berkshirezip.com/ |archivedate=2009-05-01 }}</ref> It boasts nearly {{convert|4.5|mi}} of zip lines, and features two of the longest zip lines in the United States with X1, and X2. These zips are about a half mile in length and are nearly {{convert|200|ft|round=5}} above the ground.

In 2013, Berkshire East was given approval to build the longest ] in ], and featured a mile (1.6&nbsp;km) of steel track.<ref>{{cite news|last=Broncaccio|first=Diane|title=Mountain coaster ride approved for Berkshire East in Charlemont|url=http://www.gazettenet.com/news/stateregion/9929894-95/mountain-coaster-ride-approved-for-berkshire-east-in-charlemont|newspaper=Daily Hampshire Gazette|accessdate=11 March 2014|date=23 December 2013}}</ref>

In the summer of 2014, the new ] was constructed, and that fall, construction began on a new downhill mountain bike park.


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}


== External links == ==External links==
* - Official site * {{official|http://www.berkshireeast.com}} – Berkshire East Ski Area
* - Official site
* - History and photos * - History and photos


]


] ]
] ]
]

Latest revision as of 14:05, 20 January 2024

Ski resort in Charlemont, Massachusetts, United States
Berkshire East Ski Resort
The resort seen from Charlemont in 2022The resort seen from Charlemont in 2022
Berkshire East Ski Resort is located in MassachusettsBerkshire East Ski ResortBerkshire East Ski ResortLocation in MassachusettsShow map of MassachusettsBerkshire East Ski Resort is located in the United StatesBerkshire East Ski ResortBerkshire East Ski ResortBerkshire East Ski Resort (the United States)Show map of the United States
LocationCharlemont / Hawley, Massachusetts, U.S.
Nearest major cityGreenfield
Coordinates42°37′15″N 72°52′37″W / 42.62083°N 72.87694°W / 42.62083; -72.87694
Vertical1,180 ft (360 m)
Top elevation1,700 ft (518 m)
Base elevation   520 ft (158 m)
Trails45
Longest run2.5 miles (4.0 km)
Lift system4 chairs:
(2 quads, 1 triple, 1 double)
2 surface lifts
Snowfall110 in (279 cm)
Snowmaking100%
Websiteberkshireeast.com

Berkshire East Ski Resort is a medium-sized alpine ski area in the northeastern United States, located in the Berkshires on Mount Institute in Charlemont and Hawley, Massachusetts.

History

Thunder Mountain Ski Area

Organized skiing started on Mt. Institute in the mid-1950s when Arthur Parker opened a small rope tow operation. Due to weather and other difficulties, it closed after one short season.

Parker spent the balance of the decade gathering investors for a much larger operation on the same mountain. The first double chairlift, a Mueller, was installed for the grand re-opening 1961-62 season. A second double chairlift, another Mueller, was installed in 1962.

Notable skiers during this time included former Massachusetts Governor Endicott Peabody and U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy.

New ownership took over in late 1965, changing the name to Berkshire East at the end of the decade.

Berkshire East Ski Resort

The ownership group struggled, trying a variety of ill-fated expansion plans. By 1975, Berkshire East was bankrupt and outdated with two partially installed chairlifts and two antiquated Mueller chairlifts. Current management soon took over and began a steady series of investments.

A Hall double chairlift was installed in 1978. A fourth chairlift, an SLI, was also installed in the late 1970s.

In 1995, the first Mueller double chairlift was replaced with a Poma triple chairlift. A Hall double chairlift was added in 2001. In 2003, the second Mueller double chairlift was replaced with a Borvig-Leitner quad chairlift.

In 2008, Berkshire East replaced a novice handle tow with a magic carpet lift.

As of 2008, the ski area has 45 trails and five lifts, in addition to the tubing slope and lift. Berkshire East is currently the only alpine ski area in Franklin County open to the public.

In 2010, the Diamond Express Hall double chairlift (1978) was replaced with a Poma triple chairlift.

In 2011, the ski area added a PowerWind 56 900 kW wind turbine. This addition, makes Berkshire East the first ski area in the world to be 100% powered by onsite renewable energy.

In 2014, the Summit Triple lift (1995) was replaced by a brand new SkyTrac quad chairlift with a moving carpet loading area. The new lift will run at a faster speed than typical fixed grip lifts with a moving carpet that moves skiers into the loading area and assists with loading onto the faster moving chairs. The old Poma Summit Triple lift was moved to Catamount Mountain Resort in Egremont, Massachusetts.

Terrain and Lifts

Berkshire East offers about 1000 feet of true (non-inflated) vertical drop, with about 200 acres (0.8 km) of skiable terrain. It has mixed terrain from beginner to expert level ability: 30% beginner runs, 35% intermediate, 30% advanced, and 5% expert runs. Berkshire also has 4 chairlifts.

Name Type Manufacturer Built Length
(feet)		 Notes Terrain
T-Bar Express High-Speed Quad Leitner-Poma 2023 3050 First detachable lift installed at resort Serves all abilities and skiable terrain at the resort. This includes an array of expert trails, the intermediate Mohawk, and the Outback beginner complex.
Summit Quad Skytrac 2014 3145 This lift also includes a loading carpet which increases the overall speed of the lift. Serves all abilities and runs parallel to the T-Bar Express, servicing the same terrain.
Mountain Top Triple Poma 2009 Relocated from NM Serves all abilities, and reaches across the top of the mountain slightly beyond the Summit Triple lift. The same trails serviced by the Summit and T-Bar Quad Chairlifts can be accessed via this lift, minus a few short trails near the true summit.
Wilderness Peak Quad Borvig 2003 2560 Relocated from CO Services beginner and intermediate terrain on the west side of the mountain, including the intermediate Wilderness Peak complex and the beginner Exhibition and Roundabout trails.
Top Notch Double Hall 2001 800 Relocated from Mt. Tom, MA. Services the Top Notch beginner slopes.

Berkshire East also has a single Magic Carpet, located on the Bobcat novice slope.

Snowmaking

Berkshire East can make snow on all of its trails. The snowmaking system is composed almost exclusively of fan guns. The snowmaking fleet is dominated by SMI Polecats and Wizzards, as well as Areco fan guns.

Racing

Berkshire East and Thunder Mountain have both been known for strong racing programs. Numerous successful racers, ranging from Massachusetts high school state champions to United States Ski Team members have trained and raced at Berkshire East. Berkshire East frequently hosts USSA and MIAA slalom and giant slalom championship races. Additionally, it is a frequent venue for ski mountaineering races.

Other activities

In 2007, Berkshire East expanded operations beyond skiing and snowboarding by opening a snow tubing slope, serviced by a magic carpet surface lift.

In 2009, Berkshire East announced the construction of multiple zip lines, creating a canopy tour business called Berkshire East Canopy Tours.

Berkshire East Canopy Tours is one of the largest zip lines companies in North America. It boasts nearly 4.5 miles (7.2 km) of zip lines, and features two of the longest zip lines in the United States with X1, and X2. These zips are about a half mile in length and are nearly 200 feet (60 m) above the ground.

In 2013, Berkshire East was given approval to build the longest Alpine Coaster in North America, and featured a mile (1.6 km) of steel track.

In the summer of 2014, the new mountain coaster was constructed, and that fall, construction began on a new downhill mountain bike park.

References

  1. "Berkshire East, MA". Liftblog.com. 11 April 2022.
  2. "Berkshire East Canopy Zip Line Tour, Charlemont, Massachusetts | Experience the Excitement!". Archived from the original on 2009-05-01. Retrieved 2009-03-31.
  3. Broncaccio, Diane (23 December 2013). "Mountain coaster ride approved for Berkshire East in Charlemont". Daily Hampshire Gazette. Retrieved 11 March 2014.

External links

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