Over three days this November, over 21,000 skiing, snowboarding, and tubing enthusiasts gathered in Boston’s Seaport district for the annual Snowbound Expo – a celebration of winter sports in New England. The convention floor featured over 200 brands and resorts from all over New England, Asia, South America, and Europe.
The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) and the Massachusetts Ski Association exhibited at the expo to promote the state’s many areas for winter sports. With 11 different ski areas across the state catering to beginners and experts alike, Massachusetts is the perfect place to discover and perfect your craft.
Ready to plan your winter adventure in Massachusetts? Here is a rundown of the different skiing and snowboarding areas in the Bay State:
Berkshire East
66 Thunder Mt. Road, Charlemont, MA 01339
Phone: 413-339-6617
Berkshire East has set the standard for skiing in Charlemont since the 1950s. The resort’s long history and experience can be felt on every run.
Fun Fact: Berkshire East’s Thunderbolt Mountain Coaster was once the longest alpine coaster in North America! It’s made up of 3,870 feet of downhill track and features 360-degree turns.
Nearby: You can get to the mountain by driving the iconic Mohawk Trail. Along the way, be sure to stop by Shelburne Falls, where you can see the Bridge of Flowers and the Glacial Potholes.
Blue Hills
4001 Washington Street, Canton, MA 02021
Phone: 781-828-5070
8 Trails, 309 ft. Vertical
The closest ski area to Greater Boston is the perfect place to sneak in a few runs after work, or to spend a few days. The mountain specializes in introducing skiing and snowboarding to first-timers of all age groups.
Fun Fact: Great Blue Hill is the highest point in the greater Boston area.
Nearby: Blue Hills is the perfect day trip from Boston or Plymouth. There’s plenty of shopping nearby at the South Shore Plaza and, if you continue going south, at Patriot Place in Foxborough.
Bousquet
101 Dan Fox Drive, Pittsfield, MA 01201
Phone: 413-442-8316
24 Trails, 1,818 ft. Elevation, 750 ft. Vertical
The oldest ski area in the Berkshires is still one of the best – perfect for families just starting out and seasoned skiers and snowboarders alike.
Fun Fact: The original owner of the property, Clarence J. Bousquet, actually invented the rope tow gripper! Bousquet was also the first place to have night skiing, partnering with General Electric in 1936 to install floodlights on its runs.
Nearby: Book lovers can visit Pittsfield’s Arrowhead, the 18th-century home where Herman Melville wrote ‘Moby Dick,’ and The Mount, home of author Edith Wharton in nearby Lenox. Art aficionados shouldn’t miss the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge.
Bradford
So Cross Road, Bradford, MA 01835
Phone: 508-373-0071
15 Trails, 272 ft. Elevation
Bradford is one of the best and most convenient places in Massachusetts where a family can learn to ski or snowboard together – it’s located just under an hour from Boston, and offers night skiing.
Fun Fact: The village of Bradford lies within the towns of Haverhill and Groveland, Massachusetts.
Nearby: Haverhill’s Winnekenni Castle is a must-see for any medieval or architecture enthusiasts.
Catamount
Route 23, South Egremont, MA 01258
Phone: 413-528-1262
44 Trails, 1,000 ft. Vertical
Catamount offers some of the most varied ski terrain in Massachusetts and one of the largest youth ski race programs in the area. Catamount straddles New York and Massachusetts, so here you can ski in 2 states in one day.
Fun Fact: Catamount Mountain Resort is home to the longest zip line in North America – the Catamonster Zip. It’s just over a mile long and offers views of Massachusetts, Vermont, and New York.
Nearby: The W.E.B. Du Bois National Historic Site celebrates the live and impact of the celebrated advocate.
Jiminy Peak
37 Corey Road, Hancock, MA 01237
Phone: 800-882-8859
45 Trails, 2,375 ft. Elevation, 1,150 ft. Vertical
It’s no surprise that the highest elevation in Massachusetts offers some of the state’s finest skiing. The area offers plenty of activities for skiers and snowboarders of all levels, as well as restaurants, groceries, and gift shops for everyone else.
Fun Fact: Jiminy Peak gets 100% of its electoral power from renewable resources.
Nearby: In North Adams, check out the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art.
Nashoba Valley
79 Powers Road, Westford, MA 01886
Phone: 978-692-3033
17 Trails, 422 ft. Elevation, 240 ft. Vertical
Nashoba Valley is a year-round recreational area that offers lessons in skiing and snowboarding in addition to snowtubing, on-site dining and catering, and stage shows and amusement rides in the offseason.
Fun Fact: Nashoba Valley is where Pam Fletcher, a World Cup alpine ski racer and Olympian, learned how to ski!
Nearby: On property, you can get some food and drinks at the Outlook Restaurant & Lounge. Just down the road in Lowell, don’t miss the National Streetcar Museum and the Boott Cotton Mills Museum.
Otis Ridge
159 Monterey Road, Otis, MA 01253
Phone: 413-269-4444
11 Trails, 1490 ft. Elevation, 400 ft. Vertical
Otis Ridge is probably best known for their racing program, which has trained and developed racers for over 30 years.
Fun Fact: You can tour Otis Ridge’s historic snowmaking operation – which dates back to 1968 – by request.
Nearby: In the summer, be sure to check out Jacob’s Pillow in Becket – a national landmark and one of the premier dance theaters in the country.
Ski Butternut
380 State Road – Route 23, Great Barrington, MA 01230
Phone: 413-528-2000
22 Trails, 1800 ft. Elevation, 1000 ft. Vertical
Ski Butternut strikes the balance of size – growing and innovating but avoiding overcrowding to stay intimate. They lease a portion of the East Mountain State Forest from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, and together they’ve committed to support and sustain the local environment.
Fun Fact: The area is named after the mountain’s many Butternut trees.
Nearby: Great Barrington’s River Walk is great any time of year.
Ski Ward
1000 Main Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545
Phone: 508-842-6346
9 Trails, 220 ft. Vertical
Right outside Worcester, Ski Ward is the perfect family destination for any skiers, snowboarders, and tubing enthusiasts in Central Massachusetts. Ski Ward is open year-round and offers volleyball and tubing in the summer.
Fun Fact: Ski Ward has been operating continuously since 1939!
Nearby: The many attractions of Worcester – New England’s second-largest city – are just a quick drive away! Be sure to check out the Ecotarium, the Worcester Historical Museum, and the Worcester Art Museum.
Wachusett
499 Mountain Road, Princeton, MA 01541
Phone: 978-464-2300
27 Trails, 2006 ft. Elevation, 1006 ft. Vertical
Wachusett is one of the most popular and most convenient ski areas in Massachusetts, offering a wide variety of experiences for all skill levels within a shout of both Boston and Worcester. The area’s ski patrol has been named the best large alpine patrol in the country.
Fun Fact: Wachusett is Algonquin for “Great Hill.”
Nearby: Wachusett has several unique museums nearby. In Clinton, you can see the Icon Museum and Study Center. In Harvard, check out the Fruitlands Museum. And in Fitchburg, don’t miss the Fitchburg Art Museum.
You can learn more about Massachusetts’ 11 ski areas at visitma.com/skima or check out the Visit MA Event Calendar for a full lineup of winter activities.
First instance should always be the full name with acronym then OK to use acronym after.
TOPICS: Bradford, Canton, Charlemont, Egremont, Great Barrington, Hancock, Haverhill, Otis, Pittsfield, Princeton, Shrewsbury, Skiing, Westford, Winter Sports
