10 Ways to Have Fun at Jiminy Peak Resort in the Berkshires
We just returned from a beautiful (almost) fall weekend in the Berkshires (read about our adventures at Hancock Shaker Village, Naumkeag, The Mount, Berkshire Botanical Garden, and our full Berkshires City Guide). We were fortunate to be invited to stay the Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort and spend time checking their resort amenities and activities. Opened in 1948, Jiminy Peak is the largest ski and snowboard resort in southern New England and offers year round family fun. We were impressed by the initiatives the resort takes to preserve the environment and maintain their energy independence. The resort uses only renewable sources for all their electrical power- the only resort in North America to do so!
Lodging at the resort: There are several options for lodging including the Country Inn and two, three, and four bedroom condos and vacation homes located at Mountainside, Village Center, Country Village, and Beaver Pond. The condos are ideal for larger families or groups traveling together.
The Country Inn features all suite rooms and a heated outdoor pool, exercise room, and indoor and outdoor hot tubs. We stayed in a one bedroom suite that includes a separate bedroom, two vanities and bathroom, living room, breakfast bar with stools, and full kitchen with fridge, stove, microwave, and plenty of supplies for cooking. This was a great fit for our family of four. The best part was that the suite faced the mountain so we had a great view of all the activities (would be AMAZING during ski season!). I highly recommend asking for a room facing the mountain.
Dining at the resort: Note: Due to summer 2020 restrictions, some of these options are closed. Check here for the latest updates. Jiminy peak offers a wide variety of dining atmospheres and menus:
- Christiansen’s Tavern: (slope side) is open year round when the park is open and serves lunch, snacks, and early dinner options. Plenty of indoor and outdoor dining too!
- Hendrick’s Summit Lodge (at the summit of the mountain) is open on weekends for grilled lunch items and afternoon snacks and drinks, all with great views!
- JJ’s Lodge is open during the winter season and features a Food Court of burgers, pizza, chili, and famous cinnamon buns and Powder Maker’s donuts.
- Crane Lodge (next to JJ’s Lodge) is open on the weekends and holidays, offering speciality pizzas, salads, and homemade soups.
- Peak Sweets (Courtyard of the Village Center) is open on the weekends and holidays and offers coffee and chocolate- the perfect combination!
- John Harvard’s Restaurant and Brewery (3rd floor of the Country Inn) is open during peak winter months for a breakfast buffet and then lunch and dinner and features a wide variety of great pub fare.
- Other local dining options can be found here.
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10 Summer Activities at Jiminy Peak:
1. The Alpine Slide (Mountain Adventure Park)- Take the chair lift to the top of the mountain and coast down in an individual slide (young children can ride with a parent). Use the hand brake to adjust speed.
2. The Mountain Coaster (Mountain Adventure Park)- Take the individual coaster up the track, turn and then push the coaster back down the track. Note: the coaster goes much faster than the slide- non thrill seekers will enjoy the slide more.
3. The Giant Swing (Mountain Adventure Park) allows four people to go swimming back and forth overlooking the ropes course- not for the faint of heart!
4. The Soaring Eagle (Mountain Adventure Park) has a 700 foot flight path high up in the sky!
5. The Euro-Bungy (Mountain Adventure Park) has four trampolines with attached swivel harnesses that make it easy (and safe) to perform all sorts of flips and spins.
6. The Aerial Adventure Course with six different ropes courses in varying degrees of difficulty. Each participant goes through “Ground School” training and coaches are spread throughout the course to assist guests.
7. The zipline course (Aerial Adventure Course) will send guests sailing through the air and amongst the trees. There is also a playground located just outside the Aerial Adventure Course for the less adventurous (and shorter!) toddler crowd.
8. The heated outdoor pool attached to the Country Inn and overlooking the Mountain Adventure Park is open year round! Don’t forget to grab towels from the main desk.
9. The Country Store has a wide variety of gifts, apparel, firewood, wine and beer, snacks, groceries, homemade treats and sides, and take out meals.
10. There are several hiking trails throughout the resort. Guests can grab trail maps from the ticket window and inside the Country Inn. There are trails throughout the western part of the resort, near the Mountain Coaster, and, for the experienced hikers, directly up to the summit of the mountain.
While the Mountain Adventure Park and Aerial Adventure Course are open from early June through October, the resort really comes to life in the winter months. It’s well known for its skiing and snowboarding- read more options here and make plans to try it for yourself.
Disclosure: My family was hosted by the Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort. All opinions expressed are my own.
