(Photo: Courtesy of Greg) In terms of resort amenities, lodging and dining options and diverse terrain, Jiminy Peak in Hancock, Massachusetts is undoubtedly Southern New England’s largest full-service ski resort. The Village Center is where visitors will find retail shops, children’s program areas, guest services and a café. The resort offers many lodging options including the Country Inn Suites and two and three-bedroom condominiums. Resort dining options include Founders Grille, Christiansen’s Tavern and Powder Hounds.Resort amenities aside, the real action is on the slopes. The Berkshire Express is the only six-passenger detachable chairlift in the region and while its weekend lift lines can be perceived as long, it rarely takes more than six or seven minutes to board. With a five minute ride to the summit, it’s possible to achieve a lot of vertical in a single day. In the event the lift line becomes too long for even the most patient skiers and riders, the Q1 and Widow White’s Quads or summit Triple Chair rarely have more than a two or three chair wait.<br><br>Jiminy offers terrain for all abilities. Beginners can follow West Way/Grand Slam or Left Bank, gentle cruisers on opposite sides of the mountain both leading back to the base area. Intermediates can link turns on numerous blue-rated trails including the Foxes and Riptide/Willie’s Gulch. Experts can find real challenge on steeps like Whirlaway, Whitetail or Jericho, one of three double diamond rated trails. Terrain features include a terrain park on Grand Slam and a half pipe in the Coyote Ridge Terrain Park (formerly Ace of Spades). For bumpers, moguls are allowed to form on Cutter and skier’s right of many of the black diamonds.<br><br>Considering both on and off-slope offerings, Jiminy Peak does a solid job of offering a big-mountain resort experience to Southern New England.
(Narrative: Courtesy of Greg)