Sprinkled with small New England towns, country
shops, and green hillsides that turn to a kaleidoscope of golden
colours in autumn, the Berkshires are a popular weekend destination
from Boston, and in winter the snow-covered peaks and cross-country
tracks lure skiers from around the region.
The Berkshires skiing community is well-served by the
heavy snowfall in the area. The hillsides are dotted with grand
country estates and Victorian mansions that were once the summer
residences for wealthy families from Boston and New York, and today
have become inns or museums.
Many have converted their grounds to outdoor venues
for summertime music, theatre, and dance performances, attracting
thousands of visitors every summer. Perhaps most notable is the
Boston Symphony Orchestra that performs at the Tanglewood Estate in
Lenox. These performances, as well as several museums and art
institutions, have turned the region into the summer culture
capital of New England.
Farther north it is easy to escape the crowds,
especially along the scenic route known as the Mohawk Trail that
historically used by the Native Americans to travel between
valleys, and there are beautiful views and vistas as it winds
through miles of state parks and forests.