Butternut Basin: The Jewel of Massachusetts Skiing

One of the great things about living in the North East is you have such as diversity and plethora of really nice ski resorts so that you will never get bored of the same scenery. Butternut was the first mountain I had the opportunity to meet as I learned to ski there and it also provided me with my first skiing adventure. Ah what could be better than beautiful scenery and a nice selection of slopes and trails as diverse as the terrain and area surrounding Butternut.

Butternut Basin actually started off as a bar and dude ranch back in the early 1960's. The dude ranch proprietors actually owned the mountain, known as Warner Mountain back then and had established a tow lift and a slope for people to be able to ski. Channing and Jane Murdock, at the ripe old age of JUST 28, owned the mountain and had the mountain changed to what is currently known as Butternut due to the abundance of butternut trees that accompanied the property. they purchased the land and mountain for just $60,000 back in 1963. From that point in time, the rest is history as the selection of a Norwegian ski racer to be the ski school director and a host of other personnel spots were filled to provide the nice array of skiing and amenities for ski(alpine and X-Country) and snowboard buffs.

A nice alternative that is provided by Butternut is the fact that they offer X-Country skiing as a way of enjoying the great outdoors and getting some recreational exercise as well. Not everyone is comfortable or interested in alpine skiing since standing at the base lodge and looking all the way up to the top of the mountain knowing that what goes up must come down doesn't tickle their fancy. A ski adventure that inhabits km of groomed trails, that weaves through various terrain in a picturesque wooded area surrounding Butternut ski area, may be just what the doctor ordered as an alternative to downhill skiing . Whether you are just beginning or are an advanced X-Country skier, you will have a great time surrounded by nature.

Now for some info regarding the Butternut Mountain. Butternut offers a 5-lane Tubing Park for those that would like to get involved outdoor but don't intend to ski. This park offers snow making on 100% of the terrain and tube rental as well.

Then their is the Terrain Park, known as TWISTED. Snowboarders will have ample opportunity here to brush up, learn and improve their skills on various pipes, rails and other fun filled obstacles. Snowboarding has taken off in the past few years to the point that almost every ski area has implemented a terrain park into their arsenal as a way of expanding, becoming more popular as well as enticing more outdoors oriented people to their mountain who don't have any intention of downhill skiing.

Butternut offers 22 slopes and trails covering 110 square miles of skiable terrain serviced by 12 lifts. The break down of the trails as far as experience is concerned is as follows: 8 novice, 8 intermediate and 6 expert trails to provide an exciting array of challenge or comfort zones for those skiers of all ability levels. The three quad chairs are ideal in reducing the wait time and increased time experiencing the fun at Ski Butternut. 13,275 is the is the skier per hour capacity whisking skiers to various parts of the mountain. A vertical drop of 1,000 feet and an elevation of 1,800 feet will tickle many skiers fancy as steepness and long runs is crucial to many of us. You have the opportunity to take the slow and long way down the mountain via a 1.5 mile trek from top to bottom or you can fly down on one of the more advanced or difficult trails to really get the blood flowing.

Lucifer's Leap, which by the way, is the most challenging trail at Butternut and will test your guts and ability. This along with Whip and Downspout are some of the best advanced trails on the mountain so be prepared to have a challenge and be tired after a few times on these trails.

Intermediate trails like Mainstreet, Freewheeler and Applejack will suffice at providing alternative ways down the mountain without having to go to crazy via the black diamond trails to go from the top of the mountain to the bottom. For the novice and intermediate skiers, these trails will enable you to have a nice variety of terrain to help you to improve your skills.

Novice trails are also very accessible and are evident all over the mountain from the top to the bunny, learn to ski areas. Cruiser, Crosstown and Pied Piper are some of the better known trails for those just beginning their venture in skiing or just want to brush up and work on their self confidence while venturing away from the bunny hill.

Full service ski shop featuring rental equipment, ski school, first aid/ patrol, two lodges, lost and found, learn to ski area , free Wi-Fi and cell service, children's center and outlook deck can also be enjoyed and taken advantage of. A great mountain with many benefits, close to home to offer you a world of entertainment, enjoyment and outdoor recreation.

http://www.skibutternut.com/mountain/index.php