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The Backcountry Basecamp tour is a nationwide event series bringing the backcountry to resort base areas in an effort to educate and promote safe and responsible backcountry skiing and uphill access. 

Backcountry Magazine joins local guides, forecasters and avalanche instructors for a of weekend-long pop-up festival featuring gear demos, avalanche education, skinning skills clinics and a huge raffle benefitting the Ski Patrol.

This event is free to all skiers and focuses on educating folks about safety and providing resources and direction for those interested in learning about backcountry skiing and avalanche resources. 

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The Backcountry BASECAMP Tour is heading back to Berkshire East!

Backcountry Magazine brings the beta published in every issue to resorts all across the US.  From
the Berkshires to the Tetons and the Rockies to the Wasatch, Backcountry Magazine joins local
guides, forecasters, and avalanche instructors for weekend-long pop-up events featuring gear
demos, avalanche education, local forecasting, and a huge raffle benefitting a local non-profit.

Backcountry BASECAMP makes its second visit to Berkshire East on January 6 and 7.  Join us at the West Lodge for free demos and educational workshops all day Saturday and Sunday.

Throughout the weekend we will discuss the local snowpack along with general backcountry safety.  Backcountry Magazine Editors will be on hand both days offering free workshops to freshen up your beacon skills and teach you about basic backcountry safety and etiquette.

The schedule for 2024 has not been finalized yet, but take a look below for last year's to get an idea of what may be offered:

Saturday:

9:00 a.m. BASECAMP trailer and demos open to public
11:00 a.m. Skinning workshop with Backcountry Magazine staff
12:00 a.m. Avalanche safety workshop with Backcountry Magazine staff
2:00 p.m. Skinning workshop with Backcountry Magazine staff
3:00 p.m. Last demos out
4:30 p.m. BASECAMP raffle to support the Mt. Greylock Ski Patrol

Sunday:
9:00 a.m. BASECAMP trailer and demos open to public
11:00 a.m. Skinning workshop with Backcountry Magazine staff
12:00 a.m. Avalanche Safety workshop with Backcountry Magazine staff
2:00 p.m. Skinning workshop with Backcountry Magazine staff
3:00 p.m. Last demos out

The Vertical Challenge is a series of free, casual ski and snowboard races held at the best ski resorts throughout the Northeast each winter season.

In addition to the races, attendees enjoy a festival atmosphere, featuring fun snowy activities for all ages and special giveaways.

What's the Vertical Challenge secret ingredient?  Their crew has as much fun at the events as you do.  They make it a priority to create an environment where EVERY participant and family member is welcomed, accepted, and supported.

Telemarkdown has the largest Tele Demo fleet in the world and they bring it ALL to the mountain and let you demo FOR FREE!

The Fey Brothers of Telemarkdown has a great crew of talented skiers who are committed to Freeheeling, helping new skiers into the sport, and are experts in Telemark Gear.

This event will be at Berkshire East on Saturday, March 2, 2024.  The Fey Brothers team has been doing this since 1996 and they know it's the best way to connect with skiers and give them the gear knowledge they need!

This Could Be Your Lucky Day!

On Sunday, March 17th - St Patrick's Day - our team of leprechauns will be stashing shamrocks on our green circle trails. 

There will be 17 Lucky Day Shamrocks hidden for you to find.  Each one has a unique prize code and all of them are winners.  Prizes range from free lift tickets for the 24/25 season to seriously discounted 24/25 Season Passes.  

The Rules:

• The "This is Your Lucky Day" scavenger hunt is open to all skiers/snowboarders on March 17, 2024 who have purchased a lift ticket for the day or are a current season passholder.
• All Shamrocks will be hidden on Green Circle Trails - none will be hidden off-trail, at trail junctions, areas with low visibility (around corners or below drops for example), or near lifts.
• ONE prize per person.
• Prizes may be collected in the Main lodge.
• Any prizes that are discount coupons which require a purchase (a discounted 24/25 Season Pass for example), must be purchased by 3/31/24.
• Prizes have no cash value, but are transferrable if the winner does not want the prize.
• Unclaimed prizes expire after 3/31/24.

The Prizes:

• Free Lift Ticket for the 24/25 Season (6 of these available)
• Coupon for $17 off any 24/25 Season Pass (6 of these available)
• Buy a 24/25 Night Summit Season Pass for just $17 (2 of these available)
• Buy a 24/25 Weekday Summit Season Pass for just $117 (1 of these available)
• Buy a 24/25 Locals Summit Season Pass for just $117 (1 of these available)
• Buy a 24/25 Unlimited Summit Season Pass for just $117 (1 of these available)

All prize packages will also include a Berkshire East gift Card!

Rumor has it that there may be a Lucky Leprechaun skiing around the mountain giving out prizes too!

Save the Date!  The Berkshire Highlands Pentathlon will be on April 6, 2024.  Details coming soon.

Description from the 2023 event:

The race starts at Berkshire East ski area.  The first leg is a 4.3 mile run that starts on pavement through the town of Charlemont, then heads into a mix of woods roads and trails up around the Warfield House before descending to the Run-Bike transition at Zoar Outdoor.   

The bike leg is a rolling, out-and-back, 18 mile road course that heads west on Rte 2 before turning onto Zoar Rd and proceeding up to the Hoosac Tunnel.  It then returns to Rte 2 on the same route, and turns west, ending at the Bike-Paddle transition at the Mohawk Park Campground.   

The paddle leg starts with a short run from the parking lot of the Mohawk Park Campground down to the river.  Boaters then go left up river for a short attainment section, before rounding a buoy and heading back down stream.  The course is just under two miles of class 1 paddling, with one spot that can be a class 2 where another small river joins the Deerfield.  The takeout is at the Paddle-Adventure Run transition area on the right shore just past the Route 8A bridge. 

The adventure run is about 1.75 miles of mixed dirt and pavement.  It heads up the road to Berkshire East, then around the perimeter of the parking lot, where several small obstacles are located, then up into the base area, and out into a wooded area surrounding the tubing park.  The adventure run finishes heading down to the main base lodge area where the Adventure Run – Ski transition is located. 

The climb and ski leg ascends and descends the Competition ski trail in front of the main base lodge.  Athletes climb or skin up and descend down through a course of gates to the finish. 

These activities – many of the best outdoor pursuits in our area can only be done on the same day early in the spring.  Come join in the fun this year!