Butternut
22 runs, 110 acres in the Berkshires. No expert terrain, ten lifts, family-owned since 1963.
Season 2025 - 2026
Opens
6 Dec 2025
Closes
13 Apr 2026
Days open
128
Annual snow
10ft
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Butternut's summit reaches 1,801 feet, dropping roughly 980 vertical feet to a base at 820 feet across 22 runs spread over 110 acres in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Terrain splits 60 per cent intermediate, 20 per cent beginner and 20 per cent advanced, with no expert-rated runs. Average annual snowfall is modest at roughly 115 inches, meaning the resort relies substantially on snowmaking. Butternut carries no major multi-resort pass affiliation and remains independently, family-owned.
Ten lifts, including three quads, one double, one triple and five surface lifts, serve the 22-run network, a dense lift count relative to the resort's compact size. The heavily intermediate-weighted terrain, with no expert runs, gives Butternut a reputation as a learning and family mountain within the Berkshires. The resort leases part of its land, within the East Mountain State Forest, from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. Its name comes from the butternut trees found in the mountain's basin.
Ski trails on East Mountain were first cut by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, developing into the G-Bar-S Ranch rope tow area that operated for roughly two decades before a fire and ownership troubles closed it in 1957. Channing and Jane Murdock took over the site in 1963 and named it Butternut Basin. Their son Jeffrey Murdock took over operations in 1994, and the resort remains Murdock family-owned today, one of relatively few independently held ski areas left in the Northeast.
With no major pass affiliation, Butternut sells its own day tickets and season passes directly. Adult full-day tickets range from 65 to 85 US dollars depending on date, with an Unlimited Season Pass at 399 dollars and a discounted Midweek Season Pass at 189 dollars. The resort suits Berkshires-area families and skiers from the New York and Boston metropolitan areas seeking an accessible, intermediate-focused mountain. Its continued family ownership since 1963 sets it apart from the region's larger, corporately owned resorts.
981ft
Vertical
22
Runs
110 acres
Skiable
10ft
Annual snow
The Terrain
22 runs across 110 acres skiable
Butternut spreads 22 runs across 110 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 60%, with 4 beginner runs to find your feet and 4 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
22
runs
22 runs across 4 grades
Beginner4 runs · 20%
Intermediate13 runs · 60%
Advanced4 runs · 20%
Expert0 runs · 0%
Time it right
When to visit Butternut
The 2025-26 season at Butternut ran from 6 December 2025 to 13 April 2026, a roughly nineteen-week window supported substantially by snowmaking. The resort's modest natural snowfall means season length depends heavily on temperatures suitable for artificial snow production. Season dates can shift based on early and late-season weather. This is a comparatively long season for a resort with Butternut's snowfall totals.
Average annual snowfall of roughly 115 inches is modest for the Berkshires, meaning Butternut depends on snowmaking for the majority of its season-long conditions rather than natural accumulation. This makes temperature, more than storm cycles, the key variable in the resort's operating reliability. Base depth is maintained artificially across most of the season. Specific snowmaking coverage percentage is not confirmed in available resort information, though it is understood to cover the great majority of terrain.
Midwinter, from late December through February, typically offers the most reliable conditions once snowmaking has built a consistent base. Weekend crowds are heavier than weekdays, given the resort's role serving both Berkshires locals and weekend visitors from New York and Boston. Late-season visits into April can be inconsistent as temperatures warm and snowmaking becomes less viable. School holiday periods bring the heaviest family visitation given the resort's beginner and intermediate focus.
Butternut's calendar centres on ski school and family programming rather than festival events, consistent with its long-standing role as a learning mountain. The resort's continued family ownership under the Murdocks since 1963 keeps operating priorities focused on accessible skiing over destination-style programming. Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. As one of the Berkshires' more family-oriented resorts, the calendar leans toward reliable, beginner-friendly conditions throughout the season.
Season 2025 - 2026
6 Dec 2025
Opens
13 Apr 2026
Closes
128
Days open
10 ft
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Butternut, and where to stay
Butternut sits in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, within the East Mountain State Forest, with a base elevation of 820 feet and a summit at 1,801 feet across a vertical drop of roughly 980 feet over 110 acres. This is the Berkshires, a hilly, forested region in western Massachusetts. The resort leases part of its terrain from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. Great Barrington itself is a well-known Berkshires town with a strong arts and culture scene alongside its winter recreation.
Great Barrington is the nearest town, offering lodging, dining and the broader Berkshires cultural scene beyond the ski area itself. The wider Berkshires region draws visitors year-round for its arts institutions, historic villages and outdoor recreation, with skiing as one part of a broader tourism economy. New York's Hudson Valley and Connecticut's northwest corner lie within a short drive, extending Butternut's practical catchment area. Boston lies further east, a roughly two and a half hour drive.
US Route 23 and other local roads connect Great Barrington and Butternut to the broader Berkshires highway network, including the Massachusetts Turnpike further north. The drive from New York City takes roughly two and a half hours, while Boston is a similar distance in the opposite direction. Winter driving conditions in the Berkshires can include snow and ice on rural roads, though main routes are generally well-maintained. No direct public transport service reaches the resort itself, though regional bus and rail services serve nearby towns.
Albany International Airport in New York is the nearest airport with substantial commercial service, roughly an hour's drive from Butternut. Bradley International Airport near Hartford, Connecticut, offers a further alternative. Boston's Logan International Airport provides more extensive flight options but sits considerably further away. Most visitors drive to Butternut from the New York or Boston metropolitan areas rather than flying into a specific regional airport.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Butternut, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
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31 Aug 2026
Butternut Lift Tickets
Butternut lift tickets & passes
The 2025 - 2026 season at Butternut closed on Apr 13, 2026. Check back for next season's opening date and ticket pricing.
Day passes start from US$45, with peak rates up to US$85.
8 pass options
Single-day passes
Adult 18–64
Adult Full Day
US$65up to US$85 peak
Full day skiing at Butternut in Massachusetts' beautiful Berkshire Mountains. Family-owned ski area with 22 trails, 10 lifts, and terrain parks just hours from Boston and NYC.
Buy passYouth 13–17
Youth Full Day
US$55up to US$70 peak
Youth daily ticket for Ski Butternut in Great Barrington. Explore the Berkshire Mountains with excellent ski instruction and beginner-friendly terrain perfect for developing skills.
Buy passChild 7–12
Child Full Day
US$45up to US$60 peak
Children's lift ticket at Butternut ski area. Massachusetts skiing in the scenic Berkshires with gentle learning slopes and family-friendly atmosphere near Connecticut border.
Buy passChild 0–6
Child (6 & Under)
Free
Free skiing for children 6 and under at Butternut. Massachusetts' pride of the Berkshires welcomes families with convenient access from southern New England.
Buy passSenior 65–99
Senior Full Day
US$55up to US$70 peak
Senior discount lift ticket for Butternut in the Massachusetts Berkshires. Enjoy 1,000 feet of vertical with mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced trails.
Buy passHalf-day passes
Adult 18–64
Half Day Afternoon
US$50up to US$65 peak
Afternoon skiing at Butternut starting after 12:30pm. Perfect for shorter visits to Massachusetts' Berkshire Mountains with access to all trails and lifts.
Buy passSeason passes
Adult 18–64
Unlimited Season Pass
US$189up to US$399 peak
Unlimited access to Butternut all season with new lower pricing. Includes 3 free days at 20 Freedom Pass partner resorts and free nights at Otis Ridge starting 2025/26.
Buy passAdult 18–64
Midweek Season Pass
US$149up to US$199 peak
Midweek only season pass for Butternut with new lower pricing. Perfect for flexible skiers who can enjoy the Berkshires Monday through Friday with significant savings.
Buy passLift tickets FAQ
How much does a Butternut day pass cost?
Butternut day passes range from US$45 to US$85 depending on the date and advance booking.
Can I buy Butternut lift tickets online?
Yes, you can purchase tickets directly from the resort website or at the resort ticket office.
Are there discounts for multi-day passes?
Yes, multi-day packages typically offer significant savings compared to individual day passes. The per-day cost decreases with longer stays.
What is included with a Butternut lift ticket?
Full access to all lifts and trails at Butternut, including mountain safety and patrol services.
What is the difference between Butternut lift tickets and ski passes?
"Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at Butternut - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
When should I buy Butternut lift tickets for the best price?
Purchase tickets at least 7 days in advance for the best rates, and consider weekday visits for further savings over weekend rates.
Does Butternut offer group discounts on lift tickets?
Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact Butternut directly for group booking information and rates.
How can I check current conditions before buying tickets?
Before purchasing, check the live snow report and mountain webcams to see current weather, snow conditions, and lift operations at Butternut.
More Butternut intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.