Catamount Ski Area in Western Massachusetts
Berkshires Area is Close to New York, Offers Sking, Boarding
Jan 22, 2009
Skiers from the metropolitan New York area have only a few choices of ski areas that feel like bigger mountains, but are within a practical two-to-three hour trip. Located on the border of New York and western Massachusetts (with the state line running right up the middle of the steepest slope on the mountain), Catamount, one of the Berkshires ski areas, is one of the few larger mountains with close promixity to New York and its suburbs.
Catamount Ski Area: Mountain Statistics
- 32 trails, including upper mountain and lower mountain trails, as well as the half pipe and the terrain park. This breaks down into 10 greens (beginner trails), 10 blues (for intermediates), and 12 blacks (advanced trails, including one double-black diamond run).
- 1000 feet of elevation change from the top of the quad lift to the parking lot.
- 119 acres of skiable terrain.
- 3 lifts to the summit ridge. (One quad, one triple, and one double) .The triple has a mid-mountain drop off for beginners. There is also a separate mid-mountain lift. A magic carpet (for beginners) and a handle tow are at the bottom.
- Snowmaking covers almost all of the mountain
Catamount Terrain Park, Half-Pipe, Night Skiing, Catapult Trail
- Catamount's terrain park hosts snowboarding events. The main terrain park is in the center mountain, with jumps and jobs. The Half-pipe (which is the only half-pipe in the Berkshires) and the Boardercross's banked turns are on the eastern side of the mountain, adjacent to the Meadows Area, and accessible from the Triple Lift.
- Night Skiing: 15 trails are open for night skiing. Catamount offers the only night skiing in the southern Berkshires. Night skiing tickets are from 3 - 9 on Wednesday and Thursday, and from 3 -10 on Friday and Saturday. Night skiing doesn't start until late December, and ends sometimes in March, depending on conditions: In early and late season, it's best to check before coming. The Ridge Quad to the summit does not operate at night. However, the Glade double summit lift and the Meadows triple both go to the summit ridge at night.
- Catapult: The double-black diamond Catapult Trail is the steepest in the Berkshires; combined with the moguls on Off-Stage, it's a quick, challenging run all the way down the mountain. Catapult can be icy, and isn't always open.
- Longest route in the Berkshires: Linking Ridge Run with Upper and Lower Broadway creates a 2.5-mile run, with great views of Mt. Greylock..
Ski Lessons and Children's Programs at Catamount
- Magic Carpet and Learning Area: The Learning Area is served by the child-friendly magic carpet and is a great place for first-timers.
- Lessons Available, including a special "Mountain Cat" group program for very young children.
- The Meadows: The eastern side of the mountains is all blue and green terrain. A Tripe Chair lift lets beginners off midway. Slightly more advanced beginners and intermediates can continue to the top, where the have a choice of blue and green trails, including Upper Broadway, as well as the Half-pipe and the Boardercross.
Catamount prides itself on constantly adding to its terrain and offerings, but note that not all of its special features are always open, especially early in the season: It's typical for the Half Pipe and Boardercross to not open until late January, and Catapult - the area's famous, but often icy, steep trail - is not always open, especially early in the season. Check Catamount's website for current conditions.
For more information on Berkshire County attractions, including, farmers' markets, Catamount Aerial Park, Berkshire Ski Areas. adventure park, and country homes, see the Berkshire Resources page.
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