Vacation question about Berkshires

[danalytical]

Hey I hope it's OK to post this in here. I'm taking my family on a feb vacation. I originally was going to Mt Snow but found it much too pricey to rent a cabin/challet. So I figured I might find something more reasonable in the Berkshires ski areas. And I seem to have found some reasonable cottage rentals, but I don't really know where I should stay. All we want to do is be in close proximity to so restaurants and the snow tubing area where the Bromley ski area used to be. We'll probably drive around and look at shops and eat lunch somewhere. Nothing spectacular. So what towns fit that sort of vacation idea? There is Hancock next to Jiminy ski area, but this seems to be the priciest and most sold out. Any thoughts to help me out. I'm from CT by the way.

[MADem]

1. I don't know much about western MA, unfortunately.

It's pretty out that way, but I tend to go north when I winter holiday...

I'll kick your post though, hope you get a few responses!

[danalytical]

2. I would like to go further North

But it's too damn pricey in Vermont this time of year. We're talking about 3000 or more for a weekly cottage rental. Most places are 1200 and up just for the weekend.

[MADem]

3. Go to Big Rock in Aroostook County, Maine

Very affordable.

Looooooooooong drive from CT, though!!

[danalytical]

4. Too far

Vermont is at least a 2-3 drive. Maine is between 4-12 drive depending where you go. Not to mention weather and driving conditions.

[MADem]

5. Keep looking around the net--I'm sure you'll come across some good info

You might also call the place where you want to go skiing or tubing and ask them where a lot of their customers stay. You never know, you might get someone helpful (especially if you call on the slower weekday).

[thoughtanarchist]

6. You mention Bromley...

That is a beautiful place! It IS pricey though. That is up in VT.

For more cost-effective digs, you can look at:


http://www.skibutternut.com/lodging-dining/lodging.html


And there is a decent mountain with tubing in north central MA, Wachusett.

http://wawa.wachusett.com/

The lodging should be pretty cheap around there as it's more of a local ski destination than a huge resort, and the restaurants are great, but spread among neighboring towns, so you can eat well if you don't mind driving around a bit. Not sure what you'll find for rental condos there though, perhaps worth a look...

There's also a fairly small skiing / tubing hill at Nashoba in Westford, MA
www.skinashoba.com/

[MaineDem]

8. I loved skiing at Wachusett

Great family mountain with varied terrain but not a true destination resort area.

How about Brodie Mountain in Hancock? That always used to be a great area. Oops, looks like the name changed to Jiminy Peak. (I thought that was somewhere else. Oh well.) Here's the website. http://www.jiminypeak.com/index.php

On edit...Duhhh, I see that you already mentioned that.

I'm partial to Sugarloaf in Maine. It's been my mountain for centuries, it seems. Yes, it's a long ride but you wouldn't even need your car if you stayed on the mountain. http://sugarloaf.com/

[Kat45]

7. I believe Northhampton has interesting shops and such, but

I don't know wehre ski areas are in relation to that town.

[Fearless]

11. It is a busy area

in the middle of no where. There and the surrounding cities, particularly Amherst and Hadley have some merit. They are the center of the "five college" area (UMass, Amherst, Holyoke, Smith, and Hampshire, if it matters) and has a large population of money-spending individuals during the school year. In off times it is quiet. The stores and sites are all usually still open. As for skiing, I'm not that big a fan of it, yet I do know people (I live in the area) that go frequently throughout the winter, so there has to be something decent nearby. Although, now that I think of that, that may be Mt. Snow. I don't know. For culture and whatnot, the area is very lively and very beautiful. There are also numberous biking and hiking trails as well as camping areas in the vicinity. Hope that helps some.

[danalytical]

9. I lucked out

Found a place in Wilmington about 10 minutes from Mt Snow. I really lucked out, I got a 4 bd chalet for $850 ffor Tuesday through Sunday. It has a clubhouse with a heated indoor pool and game rooms. Great for the kids. The other chalets in the area for that week would cost me double at least. The guy already rented the first weekend so he didn't need as much money I guess. I'm really relieved to find a place in our budget. I might rent the place every year if I like it. Thanks for all the replies everybody.

[bicentennial_baby]

10. Great food in Wilmington:

Dot's Restaurant on Main St. You will not be disappointed! :hi: