Hit the Slopes!January 1, 2012
Bousquet, MA
Ski Watch Reporter Harris

Ski Watch Reporter Harris skied at Bousquet in Massachusetts on Sunday, January 1. Here's what Harris had to say about his ski day, in his own words:

Harris Ghersin report from Bousquet Mountain Sunday January 1, 2012.
Skied from 12 pm - 4pm  Temperatures 45 -47 degrees and sunny.
12 of 23 trails reported open and confirmed open
Three lifts Operating : Summit Double, Blue Double and Green Double 

Despite the warming trend over the last weekend of the 2011 year and lack of significant natural snow in Berkshire Mountains, I was surprised to find mostly enjoyable mixed terrain conditions at Bousquet Mountain this afternoon. 
This year Bousquet has introduced an Electronic Lift Access Card which is trackable on the internet and Facebook, and for those who like to keep track of their number of seasonal ski visits along with the number of runs taken during the day.  This appears to be an emerging trend as I have been recently told.

Upon arrival at this "Charming Old fashioned " New England family owned ski area, I found a small but steadily growing group of skiers and riders meandering through the half empty parking lot to get in their first runs of the 2012 season.

With only three lifts open and 12 reported trails open, I did not expect to have as much fun as I actually did.  Despite my long interrupted ride to the summit for my first run of this season from the intermediate base lift B, my first run was a little shaky as I cautiously skied past smaller children and their families negotiating some skied off sections leading to the base lodge.  For my second and third runs I took the more advanced lift A for a more direct nonstop tours of the summit. Once there, I found three very nicely covered trails including Icicles a Blue trail, Grand Slalom a more advanced trail, Harris and North Slopes for both Novice skiers and riders.  All trails were adequately covered with Spring like soft snow conditions along with a few thinning and bare spots due to heavy skier and rider traffic.

As a general statement, Skiers and Riders needed to be wary of both thin and grassy spots that were mostly hidden and unmarked. 

By early afternoon the main lodge parking lot was nearly full adding to a more congested skiing and riding experience for the 12 open slopes.  Interestingly there were far more skiers then snowboarders at Bousquet Mountain today, which in my opinion helped to maintain the overall terrain conditions.  All in All, early and late afternoon skiing were the best today.   Snow making will resume this week with colder temps predicted into the first week of the New Year. 

Colder temperatures for this upcoming week should allow Bousquet Mtn and other Berkshire mountains to make snow and increase their thin base depth.  However, in a brief conversation I had with both the owner of Bousquet Mountain and the Operations Director, apparently, the lack of snow in New England has reduced dramatically the number of skier and rider visits by 50% and this will make this season a "catch up" game for the balance of the season.  A few positive aspects for smaller areas like Bousquet now celebrating 80 years of skiing.  First, as a small family owned area, Bousquet can offer really great deals such as the $25.00 Sunday Saver for both skiers and riders and the Thursday $10 Night Owl Special for Skiing, Riding and Tubing.  Now that is a Deal!  Second, you did not have to be an active skier or rider to enjoy this place.  I found the cozy wood frame lodge with its Fireplaces to be perfect for anyone who just wanted to sit around with a hot drink and a book... just another way to begin the New Year 2012.

There are many varieties of accommodations in this area and room rates range from $50.00- $175.00 per night. Many name brand drive in motels and local Bed and Breakfasts. For Example: We stayed in the Comfort Inn Pittsfield MA, clean and very conveniently located close to Bousquet Mountain which offered a double bed room with Hot Breakfast for $80 and included a free pass to the Berkshire West Health Club with a pool, hot tub and full nautilus.  This was hotel was cost effective deal for our family for the New Year’s Weekend.  There were many other hotels and motels offering similar lodging
and pricing for families.

In conclusion, I had a very enjoyable afternoon of skiing at Bousquet Mountain for my first day of skiing this season.  I found this small friendly family ski area to be a refreshing change from the "Big Mountain" experience that so many of us have grown accustomed to these days.   Although there are fewer and fewer of these small New England areas left, Bousquet Mountain seems to have preserved something that "Norman Rockwell" might have illustrated in one of his many paintings.  A Quaint Scenic New England family skiing experience, not far down the road from Rockwell's beloved hometown of Historic Stockbridge, MA.

 

-Ski Watch Reporter Harris