Most Berkshires itineraries gather around Lenox, Stockbridge and the cultural towns of the south and center, but the northwest corner has a different character. Hancock sits at the foot of a ski mountain, close to the state line, and Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort has made itself the region's main base for outdoor families. The resort offers slopeside lodging, a village-style cluster of restaurants and activities, and a program that runs through the whole year, from skiing and snow tubing in winter to mountain coasters, zip lines and hiking in warmer months. It is a very different Berkshires from the concert lawns and Gilded Age gardens, and it works well as a counterweight for travelers who want some adventure mixed in with the culture.
The appeal is the sheer range of things to do without leaving the property. In winter, the ski area offers downhill runs, lessons, snow tubing and cozy après-ski, and the proximity of the lodging to the lifts means you can walk to the slopes. In summer, the mountain turns to adventure, with a mountain coaster, climbing and zip-line style activities, swimming and hiking in the surrounding hills. Check which activities are running for your dates and what they cost when you book, because many are seasonal, weather-dependent and priced separately.
Lodging varies, from hotel-style rooms to suites and larger units that suit families and groups. Some units have kitchens or sitting areas, which is useful for longer stays, and the resort often offers packages that combine rooms with lift tickets or activities. Ask about the room layout, how far the unit is from the main lodge and any resort fees at the time of booking. Peak dates, such as holiday weeks and winter weekends, fill early and carry higher prices.
Outside the resort, the northern Berkshires are a pleasure to explore. Hancock Shaker Village, a living-history museum of a former Shaker community with a famous round stone barn, is only a few minutes away. Pittsfield, with its theaters, galleries and restaurants, is about fifteen to twenty minutes by car, and Williamstown, home of the Clark Art Institute and the Williamstown Theatre Festival, is about half an hour north.
MASS MoCA in North Adams is roughly forty minutes. Tanglewood in Lenox is about forty minutes, so a concert evening can be part of the trip with some planning.
Practical points
You will need a car, and mountain roads can be slippery in winter, so check conditions before travelling. Cell service is generally fine near the resort but can be patchy in the hills. The resort is best booked early for winter holidays and for summer weekends. In the shoulder seasons, around late autumn and spring, some activities and restaurants pause or reduce their hours, and rates drop.
Jiminy Peak suits families, ski groups and active couples. It is less suited to travelers who want the quiet charm of a village inn, and that contrast is its value: combine two nights here with two nights in Lenox or Stockbridge, and you get both the energy of a mountain resort and the old-fashioned Berkshires that most visitors come for.
Why stay here
- ✓Slopeside mountain resort
- ✓Skiing and snow tubing in winter
- ✓Mountain coaster and summer activities
- ✓Hotel rooms and larger suites
- ✓On-site dining
- ✓Near Hancock Shaker Village
- ✓About twenty minutes to Pittsfield
- ✓About thirty minutes to Williamstown
Good questions
Is it open in summer?+
Yes, the resort runs summer activities as well as winter skiing. Check which are open for your dates.
Is it near Hancock Shaker Village?+
Yes, the museum is only a few minutes away by car.
How far is Tanglewood?+
Roughly forty minutes by car, so plan extra time for concert traffic.
