Embrace Winter Head-on in
The colder months in Massachusetts are no time to hibernate at home. Winter wonder, here, means adventure. And there’s no better way to experience the season than at one of the state’s 11 ski areas and 16 tourism regions. With courses, runs, and trails for skiers and snowboarders of all experiences and skill levels, there’s a way for any powder hound to get their fix. Plus, when it comes to après ski, we dish out the finest local cuisine, shops of wares from local artisans, luxuriant spas, world-class art exhibits, and the coziest hotels and country inns you can find in snow-covered postcard setting.
Massachusetts has a long and storied past of hitting the slopes. In the 1800s, Scandinavian immigrants used their skis to get from place to place in snowy weather — and probably stopped to sneak in some downhill fun. By the 1930s, so many New Englanders were into the sporting side of skiing that the Civilian Conservation Corp began cutting trails throughout the region. In the ensuing decades many small, family-owned ski parks — from community ski hills to full-service resorts — set up on that infrastructure. To this day, winter sports are a pastime for everyone, from every social and economic background, all with easy access to world-class Massachusetts courses from New York, Connecticut, or Rhode Island or right here in their own home state. And by keeping up with technological advances, like modern ski lifts and snow creation, these independent ski areas are ensuring that the story of Massachusetts skiing will stretch on into the future.
A History of Hitting the Slopes
How Do You Ski or Ride?
With eleven ski areas across the Commonwealth, Massachusetts offers convenience, variety and great amenities in every direction. Take this quiz to learn what ski area best fits your location and style of skiing.
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Massachusetts ski areas come in all shapes and sizes. They share a common dedication to introducing skiers and snowboarders to these wonderful activities. Each resort offers a variety of lessons ranging from single half-day instruction to affordable packages that include lessons, lift tickets, rentals, and future ticket discounts for the rest of the season. Whether you're putting the kiddos in their first class followed by an afternoon traversing the slopes as a family or discovering the joy of the mountain for yourself with a private instructor, Massachusetts has a blizzard of convenient ski areas on offer.
Massachusetts Ski Areas are Perfect for Skiers and Snowboarders of all Levels
PINPOINT YOUR NEXT MASSACHUSETTS WINTER ADVENTURE
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In addition to local ski areas, enjoy vibrant outdoor festivals and cozy restaurants set behind frost-filled windows. Dozens of craft breweries, local farm-to-table restaurants, and artisan galleries and shops are perfect for winter visits. Add in all the places to cross-country ski, snowshoe, snowmobile, and other seasonal activities and it’s easy to see why winter recreation in Massachusetts has few peers. Don’t forget to overnight in Massachusetts - the historic inns scattered across the state feature extra sparkle among the snowflakes. Celebrate winter at its fullest in Massachusetts. Fresh air, fresh tracks and fresh takes on après are ready when you are.
Massachusetts Does Winter Right
Outdoor Activities Abound
Outdoor Activities Abound
Hadley’s Mount Warner offers cross country skiing on groomed trails Ice skate on Lake Bray at Mount Tom State Reservation Notchview in the Berkshires features 25 miles of x-country ski trails Identify winter birds at Mass Audubon’s Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary 13 state forests in Franklin County offer trails for skiers, snowshoers and fat tire bikers The Newburyport Rail Trail is a perfect track to learn fat tire biking Snowshoe in the Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary Rent snowshoes at Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Worcester
Dining and Après Ski
Abandoned Building Brewing in Easthampton celebrates 10th Year Anniversary The Inn on Boltwood in Amherst features rooftop fireplace and cozy interior Snowshoe than sip ciders and wine at Hilltop Orchard in the Berkshires Craft Good Barn refuels you with from scratch burgers to tasty treats Refuel at the Williams Farms Sugarhouse in Deerfield Meet other skiers and snowboarders for après at The Tap Brewing Co. Cozy up inside Westminster’s Old Mill The Salem Cross Inn specializes in hearth-prepared fare
Dining and Après Ski
Indoor Fun
Smith College Botanic Garden’s conservatory provides warm winter respite The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is perfect for the little ones The Norman Rockwell Museum takes us back to simpler times Mass MoCA has modern art for every age Try duck pin bowling at Shelburne Falls Bowling Alley The afternoon will race by at the North Shore Children’s Museum Splash down with the kids at Great Wolf Lodge’s indoor waterpark Hone your curling skills inside the Fidelity Bank Ice Center
Indoor fun
Shopping and Culture
Thornes Marketplace teems with 25 independent boutiques and restaurants The Academy of Music Theatre spans every genre of live performance in historical building Clark Art Institute in Williamstown hangs astounding number of European Masters Main Street in Stockbridge is lined with independent shops Collect unique artwork at Montague’s Sawmill River Arts at The Montague Bookmill Market Square in Newburyport is filled with boutiques Watch a live performance at the Groton Hill Music Center Explore the Worcester Public Market for specialty shops and artisanal crafts
Shopping and Culture
Festivals and Events
Winterfest Amherst includes curling, ice skating and entertainment The Northampton Ice Art Festival brings world-renowned ice carvers to the Pioneer Valley Nightwood at the Mount in Lenox immerses you in sound and light surrounded by nature First Fridays Artwalk in Pittsfield restarts in February Salem Frozen Fire Festival launches the New Year The 102nd Winter Carnival comes to Greenfield in early February Restaurant Week returns to Leominster in February Take a sneak peek at spring during “Flora in Winter” at Worcester Art Museum
Festivals and Events
EXPLORE MASSACHUSETTS
Greater Merrimack Valley
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VISIT North central maSSACHUSETTS
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discover central maSSACHUSETTS
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HAMPSHIRE COUNTY
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Franklin county
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the berkshires
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North of boston
The Berkshires
Few regions in North America look as brilliant across every season as The Berkshires. Each year, the autumnal spectacle transitions into a winter scene worthy of a Norman Rockwell painting, which may explain why the Norman Rockwell Museum is located in Stockbridge. Add in one cozy inn after another, holiday card-worthy towns, and a spectrum of outdoor recreation, and it's easy to understand why there’s nothing dormant about a visit to the Berkshires in winter.
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a.
From first chair to last run.
To justify après.
B.
You ski or ride?
Not yet, but can’t wait to learn.
C.
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The best winter holidays include time for off-slope entertainment, recreation and culture, whether you tuck a museum visit into your vacation run, slalom across diverse dining options or traverse a set of cross-country trails in a state park. A visit to Central Massachusetts unveils all of these possibilities and more.
Central Massachusetts
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With Crum Hill soaring 2,841 feet, Franklin County is hardly a low-elevation ski and snowboard country. The self-described "Undiscovered Massachusetts" is filled with charming hill towns that dot a wilderness where more than seventy-five percent of the county's area remains forest and open land. The 13 state forests are set up beautifully for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, followed by rustic pubs and independent eats in the rural townships.
Franklin County
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Winter in Hampshire County is the stuff of poetry. Not surprisingly, two of America's most famous poets, Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson, chose this area to describe woods filling up with snow, crows flicking snow down from a branch, and snow that never drifts, to name a few examples. Today's visitors are lucky to explore a country that has changed little since the Belle of Amherst "took a pencil" to describe winter.
Hampshire County
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Louisa May Alcott, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Ralph Waldo Emerson each wrote beautifully about the winter season. It makes sense: they were all inspired by living in the Greater Merrimack Valley. The region, best known for its role in the American and Industrial Revolution, continues to paint postcard winter experiences for visitors inside its many museums and outside at Nashoba Valley. However you like to travel, you’ll find a storybook destination waiting for you with open pages to fill your days in Merrimack Valley.
Greater Merrimack Valley
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A winter playland is closer than you think. There's no need to spend hours in the car fretting that the weather might turn nasty or calming your impatient kids. North Central Massachusetts offers everything winter within one hour from Boston, Hartford, and other New England hubs. It is the season to release the stress and embrace the season close to home.
Visit North Central Massachusetts
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You don’t have to travel far from Boston to find yourself in a bucolic New England setting. Salem, Gloucester, Newburyport, and the surrounding countryside are populated with historic inns, independent dining establishments, and exceptional outdoor recreation. Whether you prefer skiing, craft breweries, spa days, or all of the above, North of Boston transports you far away from the urban morass.
North of Boston
With guaranteed snow.
D.
With plenty of terrain.
C.
With lights to take your turns into the night.
B.
Within one hour of Greater Boston Area.
a.
You like your ski hill…
A bit of history.
D.
Plenty of amenities.
C.
A quaint town to wrap up the day.
B.
At least three on-mountain watering holes.
a.
You want
a resort experience with…
Affordability where you can ski, ski and ski some more.
C.
A package that covers everything.
B.
Terrain where you can challenge yourself as you improve.
a.
A great learning ski hill features…
Nashoba Valley
is located 25 miles from Boston.
Ski Bradford
features fully lit terrain.
Berkshire East
offers 400 skiable acres on 1,180’ vertical.
Blue Hills Ski Area
doubled its snowmaking operation for 23-24.
Wachusett Mountain
offers the Black Diamond Restaurant, Coppertop Lounge, The T-Bar wine bar and O’Brien’s Deck Bar & Grill.
Butternut
is located just outside Great Barrington, an ideal village for après.
Jiminy Peak
presents The Country Store, Mountain Sports by Potter Bros. and Just Jiminy logo shop, among others.
Bousquet Mountain
first opened on the former Bousquet mink farm in 1932!
Catamount
offers more challenging terrain for when you’re ready to take the next step.
Ski Ward Snow School
offers more than 100 instructors who teach private and group lessons, multiweek lessons and vacation lesson programs.
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Otis Ridge
offers five hours of night skiing, Wednesday – Sunday & holidays for just $25.
LOCATIONS
Dining and Après Ski
Outdoor Activities Abound
Indoor Fun
Shopping and Culture
Festivals and Events
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Massachusetts
SEE OUR LOCATIONS
THE BERKSHIRES
FRANKLIN COUNTY
HAMPSHIRE COUNTY
CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS
NORTH CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS
Greater MERRIMACK ValLeY
NORTH OF BOSTON
HIDE LOCATIONS
LOCALS' TIPS
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Tip #1: Get a Jump of Ski Season
Thanks to tech that kick-starts winter weather, Ski Ward has earned a reputation for being among the first resorts in North America to open each year, usually targeting mid-October.
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Tip #6: Ride Into the Future
Wachusett Mountain recently installed a new high-speed six-passenger chairlift to make skiing more efficient and enable visitors to pack in as much fun as possible.
Tip #5: Ski Into the Past
Ski Butternut features two trails cut into Warner Mountain back in the 1930s, and they are open today in modified form. The Appalachian Trail also wends across the mountain.
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Tip #4: Ski (Environmentally) Responsibly
Skiing is about communing with nature — so why not minimize the environmental impact? Jiminy Peak and Berkshire East are resorts that run on 100% on-site renewable energy.
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Tip #3: Ski Under the Stars
The slopes aren’t strictly for daytime fun. Bousquet Mountain was the first place to install floodlights, back in 1936, introducing night skiing so the thrills could last past sunset.
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Tip #2: Try Tubing
If stepping into skis or a snowboard is a little intimidating, you can still enjoy the snow. Nashoba Valley has the largest snow tubing park in New England with up to 18 lanes.
2
6
How Do You Ski or Ride?
With eleven ski areas across the Commonwealth, Massachusetts offers convenience, variety and great amenities in every direction. Take this quiz to learn what ski area best fits your location and style of skiing.
Not yet, but can’t wait to learn.
C.
To justify après.
B.
From first chair to last run.
a.
You ski or ride?
Affordability where you can ski, ski and ski some more.
C.
A package that covers everything.
B.
Terrain where you can challenge yourself as you improve.
a.
A great learning ski hill features…
A bit of history.
D.
Plenty of amenities.
C.
A quaint town to wrap up the day.
B.
At least three on-mountain watering holes.
a.
You want
a resort experience with…
With guaranteed snow.
D.
With plenty of terrain.
C.
With lights to take your turns into the night.
B.
Within one hour of Greater Boston Area.
a.
You like your ski hill…
LEARN MORE
Otis Ridge
offers five hours of night skiing, Wednesday – Sunday & holidays for just $25.
LEARN MORE
Ski Ward Snow School
offers more than 100 instructors who teach private and group lessons, multiweek lessons and vacation lesson programs.
LEARN MORE
Catamount
offers more challenging terrain for when you’re ready to take the next step.
LEARN MORE
Bousquet Mountain
first opened on the former Bousquet mink farm in 1932!
LEARN MORE
Jiminy Peak
presents The Country Store, Mountain Sports by Potter Bros. and Just Jiminy logo shop, among others.
LEARN MORE
Butternut
is located just outside Great Barrington, an ideal village for après.
LEARN MORE
Wachusett Mountain
offers the Black Diamond Restaurant, Coppertop Lounge, The T-Bar wine bar and O’Brien’s Deck Bar & Grill.
LEARN MORE
Blue Hills Ski Area
doubled its snowmaking operation for 23-24.
LEARN MORE
Berkshire East
offers 400 skiable acres on 1,180’ vertical.
LEARN MORE
Ski Bradford
features fully lit terrain.
LEARN MORE
Nashoba Valley
is located 25 miles from Boston.
TAKE QUIZ
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USA Today named Wachusett Mountain as one of the best ski schools in the US
Source >
Massachusetts was recently named one of the top states for outdoor activity
Source >
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