Please note: This post was originally published in 2023. While it should still give you a good overview of the experience, it may also contain some outdated information. Please be sure to visit their website for the most current information.
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2023 Post:
Over the past long weekend, my family headed out on its second ski adventure (you can read about our trip to Stowe, VT last year). This time, we stayed a little closer to home, exploring a new-to-us mountain only an hour and a half away in the Berkshires: Ski Butternut in Great Barrington, MA.
Truth be told, I was a little nervous about this trip given the southern New England location and the complete lack of snow we’ve had around our parts so far this winter. I wondered if we’d be skiing or hiking!
But I needn’t have worried. With 100% snow-making, all that was required was a few cold nights and Ski Butternut was ready for us! This gentle mountain with 22 trails is a dream spot for families like mine with young children– especially with so many beginners in our crew! I am not exaggerating when I say that even novice skiers can ski just about anywhere on this mountain without fear of getting stuck on a trail that’s too challenging for them.
Here are TEN things I love about Ski Butternut:
(1) It’s so close to home!
For those of us living in CT, especially in central CT, Ski Butternut is an easy hour and a half drive. So you can plan an overnight stay or just go for the day.
(2) Ski school options with a lunch break.
At Stowe, we knew we wanted to put the kids in all day ski school to accelerate their learning and maximize their ski time (ski school skips the lift lines even on busy holiday weekends!). However, because full day ski school included lunch, we basically dropped off our kids at 8:30am and didn’t see them again until 3:30pm. Now don’t get me wrong, my husband and I definitely enjoyed all that alone time on the mountain! But I also felt a bit wistful that we weren’t really spending so much time as a family on our family ski vacation.
At Ski Butternut, there are morning and afternoon ski school sessions (you can choose to do one or the other, or both), with a break for lunch in between. That meant we got to catch up with our kiddos over lunch in the lodge between their ski school sessions, and even that brief together time made me feel so much more connected. We actually opted to put little miss (5) in only morning ski school both days, and for the boys we did morning and afternoon on the first day and then just afternoon on the second day. This worked out perfectly because while little miss was in her lesson, the boys–who, at 9 & 12, have mastered their basics more quickly than their little sister–could ski with mom and dad for the morning before heading off to their afternoon lesson. And likewise, my husband and I were able to spend some significant time on the bunny hill with little miss while the boys were sufficiently challenged with their instructor.
(3) Every lift leads to an easy trail.
I am not exaggerating when I say even a novice skier can feel confident hopping on any one of the five lifts knowing that there is always a green way down. This is especially wonderful for parents with children who are old enough to ski independently with siblings or friends. You can give them the freedom to strike out on their own and not have to worry that they may accidentally end up on an expert-only peak!
(4) Four “magic carpets” and even a quad lift just for beginner terrain.
This mountain was made for new skiers! There is an enormous area devoted just to true newbies.
(5) All lifts share the same base area.
One big perk of a smaller mountain like Ski Butternut is that all the lifts are situated in close proximity to each other. As parents, it gave us peace of mind that even as we went off skiing on our own while the kids were in ski school, we were never very far away from them. It also made it easy and convenient to split up and reunite when we wanted to take different trails (or find my crew after I inevitably had to stop for a restroom break).
(6) Snow tubing for ages 5+!
We did not get to experience the tubing park ourselves on this trip, but on weekends (and holiday Mondays) visitors can enjoy a downhill tubing experience right on the same property as the ski slopes. In fact, according to their website, this tubing park is one of the top places for tubing in all of New England! Reservations are required for this activity. Get all the details here.
(7) Two spacious lodges with outdoor seating too.
A smaller lower lodge called the Clubhouse (which also houses a ski shop) and a vast Upper Lodge both offer a variety of food and beverage options (although you will find a wider selection at the Upper Lodge). Despite what the names imply, both are located at the base of the slopes and accessible to any level skier–or even someone not skiing at all for that matter!
Both lodges also offer ample outdoor seating perfect for refueling or just lounging. With temps in the high 40’s and even 50’s while we were there, many folks were taking advantage of this option!
(8) You can purchase your lift tickets, rentals and ski school passes online before your trip.
This is such a time-saver! Purchase everything you need ahead online and skip the morning rush. Plus, on Fridays, Saturday and Holidays, you can take advantage of night-before-pickup and stop by the rental building between 4:30pm and 6:00pm to pick up your rentals (skis, poles, boots & helmets), lift tickets and ski school passes when there’s likely to be almost no line!
(9) Really, really friendly staff.
This is truly a mountain that embraces families, small children and beginners! Everyone was so patient and welcoming and kind (even when it took us the better part of 30 minutes just to find helmets that fit all five of us properly at the rental counter!).
(10) The Berkshires are adorable.
There is so much to see and do (and eat!) in the Berkshires. If you have energy left after a day on the slopes, head out to explore!
These are the restaurants my family visited and enjoyed during our stay (in case that helps with your planning!):
Arizona Pizza Company
51 Park
The Locker Room Sports Pub
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We are already looking forward to our next visit to Ski Butternut! I hope you get to experience it with your family too 🙂
Ski Butternut
380 State Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230
Phone: 413.528.2000
Email: info@SkiButternut.com
Find Ski Butternut on Facebook and Instagram!
Hours (2022-2023 season):
Please see here for tubing hours.
Please visit this page for the most current hours of operation.
Pricing (2022-2023 season):
Visit this page for the most current information about pricing, plus options for multi-day tickets.
Visit this page for more information on lesson pricing, ski packages, rentals, tubing and more.
Please note that there is an additional one-time $5 cost to purchase a RFID Reload Card. On your next visit, you can reload Lift Tickets to your card online and head directly to the lift. Replacement fee is $5 per card.
Details:
Stroller Friendly: YES. We saw several bundled up babes being wheeled around in strollers. You might want to opt for a more heavy duty/jogger model though.
Baby Changing Area: OMG, I totally forgot to pay attention in the restrooms! That’s what happens when you haven’t had to change a diaper in over 3 years 🙂 But I’m fairly certain there are family restrooms available, and those usually work in a pinch. There were a lot of babies there!
Parking: YES, park and walk to the lifts/lodges.
Coffee Mug Friendly: Absolutely!
Food for Sale: YES
Outside Food Allowed: YES
Cash Required: The lockers are coin operated. There is a change machine but you need small bills. Credit cards accepted for all other purchases.
Dress Code: Ski clothes & accessories, helmets, etc. Make sure your jacket or other top layer has a secure pocket for your lift card. You can stick it in a pocket anywhere between your waist and shoulder (so a chest pocket is ideal) and the card reader will automatically pick it up as you move through the lift line. Sure beats the days of waiting for an attendant to scan your ticket!
Age Recommendation: Ski school starts at age 4, but there is no minimum age requirement for skiing–you know your child best!
Birthday Party Venue: N/A
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