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Health & Fitness

Ice and Snow Explorations in the Berkshires

Escapades in the ice and snow country of the Berkshire Mountains are exhilarating for the whole family!


Planning a winter trip to the Berkshires in western Massachusetts, we desire an adventurous and inexpensive way to take our whole family outdoors to experience the lake and mountain country within an easy drive of Connecticut.  Intrigued to find activities that would allow our family to spend time together, we find amazing ice and snow sports that offer exciting and affordable ways to enjoy the outdoors and the beauty of nature. 

Our first step is to enlist a professional, fully-equipped fishing guide service to
facilitate our family adventure in the heart of the Berkshires.  Making inquiries from local outfitters in Great Barrington, we discover that children under 15 can fish without a license on any body of water as long as they are accompanied by a licensed adult.  We find several packages for ice fishing, ranging from jigging for pan fish in a custom, modern ice shanty to providing avid anglers with all antique equipment for a more rustic, ice fishing experience.  On weighing the options, we look for a professional expert, who can provide assistance with finding a suitable spot for ice fishing on one of the area lakes.  

Ice fishing with a fully-equipped ice shanty proves to be a good choice since it offers shelter from the cold and entertainment on the ice.  Even our most timid teenagers feel happy on the ice since the guide guarantees the catching of fish through the ice.  Among the many different species in these waters are Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, White Perch, Bluegill, Red Ear Sunfish, Crappie, and Rockbass.  After a number of hours, we finally pull out two large bass that fill us with joy and laughter.

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Following a great day of ice fishing, our family is eager to spend more time outdoors.  But next morning, a heavy snowfall keeps us housebound and we yearn to enjoy the snow. But first in the historic center of Lenox, we find a Gilded Mansion, Ventfort Hall, and join other families in the dining room for Victorian afternoon tea, prior to our exploring outdoors.

We are staying in Lenox in a magnificent country house, Kemble Inn that has exquisite architecture with the beautiful Berkshires as a backdrop. Originally, the Kemble Inn was one of the four Gilded Age mansions designed by Rotch & Tilden in 1893 that was since noted in the archives at Ventfort Hall.  The Inn has since undergone major renovation and restoration, which has transformed it back to its original grandeur.  We are impressed by the startling contrast of the traditional interior with the pop art décor of the British Monarch and other evocative photographic artworks. Particularly inviting are the bold elements that seem to create a modern eclectic feel within the artistic spaces of the library and dining areas. Within this extraordinary setting, the stylish parlor rooms that lead to the gourmet dining salons also reflect the Inn’s high standards.  We feel right at home and appreciate the warm hospitality of the staff, who welcomes us by lighting the fireplace in our large bedroom suite. 

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While waiting for the snowfall to cease, we wonder how we might enjoy the abundant snow and consider cross-country skiing at Hilltop Orchards and Furnace Brook Winery in nearby Richmond.  We drive nine miles to the orchard and enter the cozy barn where we enjoy a steaming drink of apple cider by the blazing fireplace before gathering our skis and poles for our tour around the property.  As we leave, the friendly staff offers us maps to navigate around the vast apple orchards and woodlands.  We select trails that are well-groomed and are color coded to reflect our level of experience. By midday, the blustery, winter storm has passed and the weather has turned sunny and bright, providing a splendid afternoon for cross-country skiing. Upon returning to Lenox, we enjoy the conviviality in the historic Village Inn and experience the fine dining in Rumplestiltzkin’s Restaurant, capped off with visiting Rumpy’s Tavern onsite.

Next morning, in light of the fresh snow compliments, we cannot forego a chance to schuss down the slopes at Ski Butternut in Great Barrington.  We meet spokesperson, Matthew Sawyer, who reveals how the resort obtained its name from the native butternut trees that were originally growing at the bottom of the basin.  According to him, the resort keeps its beauty intact, while maintaining its reputation as a ‘family mountain’ in the Berkshires.  To develop further appeal, the owners continue to offer great value to skiers who come to Butternut.  We ski till late in the day before celebrating our winter holiday away from home.

We choose to hold our celebrations at the Castle Street Café in the historic downtown part of Great Barrington.  Enhancing this elegant establishment is the live jazz that complements the soft ambiance and provides a marvelous dining experience. We are greeted by the Chef Proprietor Michael Ballon, who is noted for his outstanding cuisine, given his many years of experience as Executive Chef at many fine restaurants in New York. According to Chef Ballon, he prepares his ingredients, using the freshest, locally grown produce to create his colorfully, attractive dishes.  

In attempting to bring happiness and warmth through specially prepared food, the Chef offers Winter Specials consisting of three-course dinners that are hearty and nourishing.  On the last night of our visit, we dined on Stuffed Portabello Mushroom with Spinach & Tomato, & Fresh Mozzarella, followed by Roasted Salmon with Roasted Root Vegetables and topping it off with a delicious, Mixed Berries Trifle.

This winter trip resulted in so much fun and excitement that we desire to return to the Berkshires beforethe season changes. Our visit to the Berkshires provided not only a fun-packed trip, but also an exciting, memorable adventure in the ice and snow.

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