Published: 12/31/2021 3:10:50 PM
Modified: 12/31/2021 3:10:22 PM
CHARLEMONT — Snow has been made and crowds have turned out to ski and snowboard at Berkshire East despite relatively balmy daytime temperatures and rain throughout the week.
“Mother Nature may be on strike,” said Berkshire East Manager Jon Schaefer by phone, “but if it’s cold enough, we can make snow.”
The resort opened officially for the season Dec. 22 and has been seeing a steady stream of people throughout the past week and a half. Berkshire East is open every day with limited trails and night skiing will begin Jan. 6, according to its website.
Schaefer anticipates a busy New Year’s weekend, even if there is rain in the forecast.
“Skiing will be springlike through the weekend, and then we’ll get a dose of winter.” Schaefer said, “Given the weather, the conditions, we’re doing great.”
Roger Cooney, an instructor for Berkshire East’s Snow Sports School, said higher temperatures have not slowed down the crowds and conditions have been “good.”
“We continue in spite of the warm weather,” Cooney said. “It’s not uncommon, we’ll get through it … everybody’s got to do their snow dance.”
Cooney said he has seen a “nice mix” of people from “all around” and skiing and snowboarding provides a chance to enjoy the outdoors. He added the tubing program will be starting up soon for those who cannot or do not want to ski or snowboard.
“It’s a little bit of normalcy,” Cooney said. “Folks should come out … it’s all about having fun.”
Jan Gliszczynska, of Nassau County, New York, said it was his first time ever going to Berkshire East and called it “underrated.”
“I was pleasantly surprised,” he said. “I’d come back.”
He added the conditions were “awesome” for the 40-degree temperatures Thursday afternoon.
Mark Case, of Southington, Conn., said he was visiting Berkshire East with his family because the conditions in Connecticut did not provide many skiing opportunities.
“They’re OK for the warm weather,” Case said of Thursday’s conditions. “We’re happy to come up.”
Case said the trip was sparked by his daughter visiting from Florida for Christmas, but it was not their first time visiting Berkshire East because his daughters had ski races at the resort in the past.
“It was a good ski day,” he said. “It turned into a mini family ski trip.”
Anthony Mattei, of Portland, Maine, was joined by a group of 12 other family members for a ski outing. Mattei, who grew up in the area, said it was his first time skiing at Berkshire East in 20 years and it was nice to be back.
“The trails that are open are not that bad,” Mattei said. “It was fun to be with the family.”
Mattei’s 9-year-old-son, Charlie, said he had a “great” time Thursday.
“It was fun,” Charlie Mattei said, “I got to ski down some trails that I like.”
Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.