BERKSHIRE
WHITEWATER
WHITEWATER
The Fife Brook section of the Deerfield River is the most popular rafting trip in Massachusetts. Hone your skills on several Class I & II rapids, in preparation for the Class III Zoar Gap Rapid. Great for families and friends and highly sought after by school groups, summer camps, and scouts!
TYPICAL DAY
The Fife Brook trip runs on a beautiful section of the Deerfield River with mostly Class I & II rapids and ending with the exciting Class III Zoar Gap rapid. This trip meets at our base in Charlemont, Massachusetts and includes the essential equipment - a paddle, helmet, and PFD (personal floatation device). All guests will be required to wear the Berkshire Whitewater issued PFD and helmet. Please be on time for your trip as we must work within scheduled whitewater release times. The exact meeting times will be in your confirmation email. Participants will also be required to read and sign a release of liability prior to the trip. Lunch is not included on the Fife Brook rafting trip, however, The Backyard BBQ and full service Crazy Horse Bar & Grill are located conveniently onsite with options for the whole family!
HOW MANY PEOPLE USUALLY GO IN A BOAT?
We generally put 5 to 7 people in a boat, but this doesn’t mean that you need to have a group of 5 to 7 to go rafting. For example, if you’re reserving two people, you may be paired with a party of 4 or 5. If you have a group of 10 people, we would just divide you into two boats that travel together on the water. We also have two 8-9 person boats that are sometimes available for this trip.
IMPORTANT INFO
Expect everything you bring with you on the raft to get wet! In warm summer weather, some guests are comfortable in bathing suits/swim trunks or light layers. However, we ask you to not wear cotton, as it will keep you cold and wet throughout the trip. Guests are not allowed to wear jeans on the river. Wool and synthetic materials such as polypropylene, nylon, and fleece, are appropriate for cooler weather and water temperatures.
Wetsuits and neoprene river booties are available for rental if you need them. You are required to wear sneakers or other shoes that can be secured to your feet. No flip-flops or Crocs! Bring any required medications as well as extra money for souvenirs, food, gratuities, etc. Before the trip, please leave any and all valuables including money as well as your dry clothes and towels for after the trip in your locked vehicle. Keep your car keys with you during registration, as we will collect those and put them in a lock box before gearing up, then return them to you when you get off the boats.
The Monroe Bridge section of the Deerfield River is the most exciting river rafting in Massachusetts! A narrow river bed that continually drops over the course of five miles through class III and IV whitewater. Non-stop action from put-in to take-out is what you’ll get on the Monroe Bridge section of the Deerfield river. The rapids crescendo with the biggest rapid of the day, “Dragon’s Tooth” – which leads directly into the longest rapid, a labyrinth of whitewater and boulders known to our guides as “Terminator.”
TYPICAL DAY
The Monroe Bridge Dryway trip runs on the upper section of the Deerfield River with thrilling Class III & IV rapids! This trip meets at our base in Charlemont, Massachusetts and includes the essential equipment - a paddle, helmet, and PFD (personal floatation device). All guests will be required to wear the Berkshire Whitewater issued PFD and helmet. Please be on time for your trip as we must work within scheduled whitewater release times. The exact meeting times will be in your confirmation email. Participants will also be required to read and sign a release of liability prior to the trip. Lunch is included on the Monroe Bridge rafting trip which will be served at our base.
HOW MANY PEOPLE USUALLY GO IN A BOAT?
We generally put 5 to 7 people in a boat, but this doesn’t mean that you need to have a group of 5 to 7 to go rafting. For example, if you’re reserving two people, you may be paired with a party of 4 or 5. If you have a group of 10 people, we would just divide you into two boats that travel together on the water. We also have two 8-9 person boats that are sometimes available for this trip.
IMPORTANT INFO
Expect everything you bring with you on the raft to get wet! In warm summer weather, some guests are comfortable in bathing suits/swim trunks or light layers. However, we ask you to not wear cotton, as it will keep you cold and wet throughout the trip. Guests are not allowed to wear jeans on the river. Wool and synthetic materials such as polypropylene, nylon, and fleece, are appropriate for cooler weather and water temperatures.
Wetsuits and neoprene river booties are available for rental if you need them. You are required to wear sneakers or other shoes that can be secured to your feet. No flip-flops or Crocs! Bring any required medications as well as extra money for souvenirs, food, gratuities, etc. Before the trip, please leave any and all valuables including money as well as your dry clothes and towels for after the trip in your locked vehicle. Keep your car keys with you during registration, as we will collect those and put them in a lock box before gearing up, then return them to you when you get off the boats.
The Family Float trip is run by our friends at Zoar Outdoor. The trip will register, start and end at Zoar Outdoor's beautiful riverside base. The half-day guided Float Trip is the perfect introduction to rafting for folks who want to dip a toe in the water before taking on our Fife Brook trip or for groups with children as young as 5 years old.
TYPICAL DAY
The Afternoon Family Float trips meet at Zoar Outdoor's riverside base at 7 Main Street in Charlemont, Massachusetts - just across the river from Berkshire East! This trip includes the essential equipment - a paddle, helmet, and PFD (personal floatation device). All guests will be required to wear the Zoar Outdoor issued PFD and helmet. Please be on time for your trip as we must work within scheduled whitewater release times. The exact meeting times will be in your confirmation email. Participants will also be required to read and sign a release of liability prior to the trip. A snack is included on the Family Float rafting trip which will be served on the river.
HOW MANY PEOPLE USUALLY GO IN A BOAT?
We generally put 5 to 7 people in a boat, but this doesn’t mean that you need to have a group of 5 to 7 to go rafting. For example, if you’re reserving two people, you may be paired with a party of 4 or 5. If you have a group of 10 people, we would just divide you into two boats that travel together on the water. We also have two 8-9 person boats that are sometimes available for this trip.
IMPORTANT INFO
Expect everything you bring with you on the raft to get wet! In warm summer weather, some guests are comfortable in bathing suits/swim trunks or light layers. However, we ask you to not wear cotton, as it will keep you cold and wet throughout the trip. Guests are not allowed to wear jeans on the river. Wool and synthetic materials such as polypropylene, nylon, and fleece, are appropriate for cooler weather and water temperatures.
Wetsuits and neoprene river booties are available for rental if you need them. You are required to wear sneakers or other shoes that can be secured to your feet. No flip-flops or Crocs! Bring any required medications as well as extra money for souvenirs, food, gratuities, etc. Before the trip, please leave any and all valuables including money as well as your dry clothes and towels for after the trip in your locked vehicle. Keep your car keys with you during registration, as we will collect those and put them in a lock box before gearing up, then return them to you when you get off the boats.
Rafting is one of the best team building, bonding, and getaway experiences that you and yours can experience.
The Schaefer Family has been in the outdoor recreation business since 1960 and has been proudly operating Berkshire East Ski Area since 1975. Our facility, employees, and activities are built around our mission to provide “experiences of a lifetime.” We work hard to make each part of the experience both easy and awesome.
Rafting is a great activity for schools, camps, scouts, youth groups, religious groups, and corporate groups. Berkshire Whitewater is a family run business with a team of professional staff who will create experiences and memories that will last a lifetime! Our lodge spaces can accommodate large groups and we offer several other complimentary activities onsite that may be integrated into the day.
