Winter in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is cold, brisk, snowy and clear. Storms brew like the coffee the locals drink to stave off the chill. But for brave, adventurous cold lovers, there are plenty of outdoor activities. From the ice rinks of Boston to the Berkshire Mountains of extreme western Massachusetts, the Commonwealth will keep your winter busy and immersed in history, from broom hockey traditions to the musings of Henry David Thoreau.
Skiing
In a state with so many mountains and so much snow, skiing is a natural choice of winter activity. A number of resorts across the state cater to the downhill skier, from smaller fare like Pine Ridge Snow Park--in Barre, with seven trails and a vertical drop of 210 feet--to behemoths like Berkshire East Ski Area, which has 45 trails and drops of 1,180 feet. For the cross-country skier, state forests like Mohawk Trail in the Berkshires provide miles of peaceful, wooded trails.
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is a great aerobic activity that allows you to enjoy the pristine silence of a fresh New England snowfall while burning off the blueberry pancake and coffee calories. Massachusetts snowshoeing is as diverse as the state itself, with locations only a few miles north of the Boston metro area in Gloucester, and deeply wooded, isolated trails on Mount Greylock, Massachusetts’ tallest peak. For historical snowshoeing in the Boston area, don’t miss the trails around Walden Pond, an area famous for Thoreau’s attempt to escape society.
Pond Hockey
Pond hockey is a Massachusetts activity that dates to days before pads, sticks and even skates. In its nascent years, pond hockey was a group of friends running around on a frozen pond knocking whatever excuse for a ball they could find with brooms. Now, a number of public skating rinks around the state allow pick up ice hockey games. The rink in Monterey, Massachusetts, has hockey hours from 5 to 7 p.m. daily during winter. In the Boston area, the town of Needham permits ice hockey everywhere but its large pond at Horsford, while the Larz Anderson Park in Brookline has an adult hockey league.
Snow Tubing
Snow tubing is a classic Massachusetts winter pastime that’s great for kids, families and adults alike. It requires neither the training nor equipment of skiing, and it can be a lot more fun. Many of Massachusetts’ ski resorts, such as Butternut and Nashoba Valley, have smaller trails that permit tubing, though places like Amesbury Sports Center also have facilities. Ski Ward, in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, has a Tubaslide center with six individual shoots, with tubes included in the admission price.
Sledding with Man's Best Friend
Northern Exposure Outfitters of Brookfield, Massachusetts, offers unique bonding experiences between humans, canines and the great, wintry outdoors of New England. Standard tours and lessons on the dog sled are a great alternative outdoor activity for Massachusetts visitors and residents alike. Northern Exposure also offers opportunities for area residents to become members of the team. Team members assist full time in the raising, care and training of dogs that will become sled team members. Private parties can be arranged to meet the dogs, speak with the sled conductor--known as a musher--and go for a ride.
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