Top Things to do in Massachusetts
Top Hotels in Massachusetts
10 Ski & Snowboard Areas in Massachusetts That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Massachusetts, United States including Northfield Mountain Cross Country Ski Area, Otis Ridge, Berkshire East Ski Resort, Ski Blandford, Bousquet Mountain, Ski Butternut, Catamount Mountain Resort, Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, Ski Bradford, Wachusett Mountain Ski Area.
Restaurants in Massachusetts
1. Northfield Mountain Cross Country Ski Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By GlennF154 - Woodbridge, United States
Found this on an internet search and decided to try it out...and it was fun! The conditions were excellent on the day we went (just after the area received almost a foot of snow in early January). We tried snowshoeing -- they have dedicated trails for this as well as for cross country skiing. You can rent all you need from them or bring your own equipment. Their rental fees were reasonable, and there are discounts for afternoon rentals (after 1:30pm). One to two hours of snowshoeing is about right for a great workout and seeing some nice terrain. Note: if you need to rent snowshoes, be sure to wear snow boots or high top hiking boots...you need to strap the shoes to the back of your boots. Enjoy!
2. Otis Ridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Otis Ridge is a family friendly ski area specializing in ski and snowboard lessons for beginner children and adults. Our full & half day Ridge Runners and Ridge Riders program is an ideal way to learn to ski/board or to expand on your abilities. Skiers ages 4-13 and riders ages 6-13. Adult group and private lessons available. Check out our website for more information.
Reviewed By jaysongoldberg1 - Otis, United States
A wonderful family ski ridge w tough and steep terrains (as well as easy slopes) but quick and no major time lost in lines. If you want to do 20 runs, go for it. You’ll spend a fraction of the time as major resorts. Quaint. Rare find. Affordable. And Grouse House restaurant right on slope. Far superior than skiing food.
3. Berkshire East Ski Resort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 116 reviews
Berkshire East Ski Area, part of Berkshire East Mountain Resort, features great skiing on 42 trails, 4 aerial lifts, 2 surface lifts and about 1000' of vertical. We have a high quality snowmaking system operated with folks who know how to use it. 3 Lodges, a Children's Center, Ski and Snowboard School, a well regarded racing program, which are all powered by onsite renewable energy. We also are home to: 1) Berkshire East Canopy Tours 2) Berkshire Whitewater 3) The Thunderbolt Mountain Coaster 4) Thunder Mountain Bike Park 5) The Crazy Horse Bar and Grill, additional restaurant and meeting space, fully optimized for mountain weddings.
Reviewed By Emg220
My family of 4 stayed in the Main House Apartment at the Warfield House and spent 2 days skiing at Berkshire East. I can't recommend this enough. We typically go north to ski, but with COVID travel restrictions we wanted to get away but stay in state. The apartment was beautiful, clearly recently redone and had everything we needed. I felt super clean and safe, and my kids thought sleeping on the pull-out sofa was the best adventure ever. Big bonus was the gorgeous views, both during the day and with the mountain lit up at night. We chose Berkshire East over other western MA ski areas because based on reviews and their website, it looked like they really had their act together with COVID and the price for both staying and skiing can't be beat. Our choice was spot on - ticket pickup was so simple, online food ordering worked like a charm, and lift lines moved really quickly. We didn't see anyone without a mask the entire time, and I was so thrilled to find the West Lodge basically empty on an otherwise busy Sunday morning so I could let my 3-year-old take his snack break without freezing fingers. We have not eaten indoors in public since COVID, so this says a lot that I felt so comfortable. I am truly so grateful for the awesome weekend and first real getaway in a year!
4. Ski Blandford
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 15 reviews
Affordable Family Fun, Close to Home! Welcome to Ski Blandford, home of great skiing and snowboarding - day and night. With a rich history that dates to 1936, the mountain has served as a winter destination for Western Mass and beyond for generations. Now open to the public, we offer a mix of beginner, intermediate and advanced terrain, ideal for all ages and levels of experience. Under new ownership since 2017, with major investments in infrastructure including snowmaking and chairlift upgrades.
5. Bousquet Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 84 reviews
Reviewed By securingman - Long Island, United States
Bousquet is a great Place with small lift Lines , economical prices and family atmosphere. It’s plenty for us (Seniors). It reminds us of a small place on Long Island during the 60’s and 70’s. Bald Hill Ski Bowl Where we grew up and started skiing. Sherri and her crew all work hard to make the best of what they have. They’ve made some improvement that has helped a lot. If you’re looking for Big then go to Jiminey Peak., For us Bousquet is just right.!!! Ps: night skiing is a real bargain $20 Thursday’s $10 with music at the Tamarack Lodge with a pint of Shabadoo beer.
6. Ski Butternut
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 231 reviews
Reviewed By viganiko - Monterey, United States
Mainly a learning mountain with a few black runs. The snow is always well groomed and fresh snow making is in progress as soon as weather allows. It can get icy by the end of the day on heavy trafficked parts of the runs. instructors and race team programs. Lines tend to get long during the weekends.
7. Catamount Mountain Resort
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 86 reviews
Catamount has become one the best mid-sized ski areas on the East coast and offers the most varied terrain in southern New England. Family oriented, close to Great Barrington, MA and the Hudson Valley, Catamount is oriented towards all skier types. Catamount has expanded its menu of year-round offerings with the 2019 addition of the Catamount Zip Tour featuring the longest zip line in the USA at 5,523 feet.
Reviewed By ImanC5 - New York City, United States
My family and I visited Catamount for its new zip line in September 2020. Our initial reservation for August was cancelled due to weather conditions, but it was easy to rebook. We were the only people in our group due to COVID and all the staff wore masks. This zip line is more involved as you have to operate a hand brake; I would recommend this experience for teens and adults. I appreciated having the two smaller zip lines to practice on before tackling the CataMonster. The drop is pretty steep and scary, but I ended up having a blast. The staff at each zip line was helpful and professional, taking time to make sure we felt comfortable before taking off.
8. Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 581 reviews
Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort is the premier four season resort in Berkshire County, MA. A resort where ease of the guest experience is paramount, Jiminy Peak has a thoughtfully designed village center with all of its amenities conveniently located on the way to the lifts and a trail system where all trails funnel back to the base area. In addition, three lodges, two restaurants on property, and separate facilities for both its children’s and first-timer programs (each complete with their own rental shops) help guests make the most of their experience. In the winter, Jiminy Peak offers skiing and snowboarding on 45 trails accessed by 9 lifts, with 96% snowmaking coverage. With 21 lit trails, Jiminy Peak offers night skiing and snowboarding until 10pm. Jiminy Peak offers 4 and 8 hour passes that begin at the time of purchase in order to accommodate skiers arriving throughout the day.Summertime means Mountain Adventure at Jiminy Peak. Climb through the levels of Jiminy’s Aerial Adventure Park, a harnessed, self-guided experience that brings participants up into the canopy for an exhilarating physical and mental challenge as they navigate elements such as ziplines, tight ropes, suspended bridges and many others. Or for a completely different set of thrills, head to Mountain Adventure Park to weave through trees on the Alpine Slide, traverse the mountainside on the Mountain Coaster, reach for the sky on the Giant Swing or experience one of the many other attractions featured in the park. Also offered in the summer are hiking, lift-access downhill mountain biking, great dining options and retail locations.During the spring summer and fall months Jiminy Peak becomes a full conference resort using its multitude of spaces to host weddings, business conferences and corporate outings of all sizes, and has an on-site staff of experienced conference sales managers to help plan your perfect event.
Reviewed By cookiew28
Had a fun, covid safe, outdoor experience with my extended family. My family group ranged in age from 11 to 62 years old. Some of the non skiers/snowboarders were able to experience outdoor fun too. They rode the mountain coaster!
9. Ski Bradford
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 52 reviews
Downhill Ski Area, with 9 Lifts, Terrain Park, 100 % Snow Making, 100% Lighting for Night Skiing, Rental Shop , Lesson Programs, and Cafeteria.
Reviewed By Sueonagain - Haverhill, United States
The best family skiing and "right up the street". No need to drive for the snow, it's right here!! Small but worth the convenience. Great place for kids/teens to spend some outside time.
10. Wachusett Mountain Ski Area
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 238 reviews
Voted the most accessible ski resort in the East by SKI Magazine! Located in the heart of Massachusetts, less than an hour from Boston, Providence and Worcester. We offer over 110 acres of terrain and 1,000ft. vertical for true mountain skiing, minutes away! We also host weddings, corporate events and our famous Fall festivals when we aren't skiing or boarding.
Reviewed By NASTAR_ER - Holden, United States
I am a long time season pass holder as well as a race league and NASTAR junkie. I grew up on a resort out west and am a lifetime skier with trips to many North American resorts well as some to the Alps and Japan. So why in the world would I absolutely LOVE Wachusett? There are three things that cannot be helped- Eastern snow conditions, it is a mid-size mountain, and it gets busy because it is well placed for access from Boston, Hartford, Providence, etc. Despite this, it is such a well run resort that these 'natural' challenges are well mitigated. Everyone knows that skiing 'The East' means learning to ski in icy conditions. However, you won't often find boilerplate conditions at the 'Wa' due to massive snow making capacity and some of the best grooming I have seen anywhere. Mother nature can throw some ugly curves at eastern resorts, but grooming wizardry at the Wa will create nice conditions. Big crowds can scrub it down but grooming twice a day will bring it back. For a mid-size mountain, the facilities are very comprehensive and in good shape. The folks who own and operate the resort care deeply about its success and the quality of the experience to be had by its guests. Staff are attentive and friendly. The owners continue to invest in improvements year after year, including a massive investment in doubling the snow making capacity. The covid situation has pushed many more people into outdoor activities, and eastern ski resorts are seeing the pressure. Spreading people out on the lifts remains necessary as of now and this certainly slows down service. It is what it is, and at least they are able to operate. Most of the resorts in Europe are still completely shut down. Yeah, I hate masks too- but folks should stop whining as it is state policy and lax enforcement could get the entire operation shut down. Lastly, a two-thumbs-up plug for the race program. Whether you have kids interested in giving ski racing a try or you are an experienced adult racer looking for a league- the Wa is awesome for racing.
