CHARLEMONT — As tiny flakes of snow drifted through the sky on Friday, the first sign of the storm to come, Hawlemont Regional Elementary School students eagerly descended the slopes of Berkshire East.
This weekend, 14 inches of snow are expected to fall in Greenfield, according to the National Weather Service. But as snow has mostly evaded Franklin County this winter, Berkshire East has relied on artificial snow to stay open.
Hawlemont, located a stone’s throw from Berkshire East, has taken its students to the ski field for 25 years, according to Hawlemont Principal Lindsay Rodriguez. About 70 students spent some of Friday skiing Berkshire East with instructors and parents.
“It’s so exciting to see the snow,” Rodriguez said. “It was wonderful to see how excited the kids were when they skied for the first time.”
Hawlemont student Isabela Boehmer had one problem with the skiing program: She wasn’t able to ski fast enough.
“I like to ski fast,” 8-year-old Isabela said.
Jim Boehmer, Isabela’s father, helped the children on the mountain.
“The program is great. It’s very enjoyable chaos,” he said. “Students can face their fears. It’s good for their confidence.”
On the mountain, sixth-graders Tucker Hicks and Silas Freeman were skiing for the first time.
“I love it,” Tucker said. “It’s so fun.”
Berkshire East, Franklin County’s local ski field, hosts 30 schools and youth clubs each year, Marketing Director Gabe Porter-Henry said.
“It’s how I learnt to ski,” said Porter-Henry, who attended Rowe Elementary and Greenfield Center schools. “I had skied with my parents, but being able to go out with my friends, it ended up being a passion.”
Porter-Henry said the predicted snowfall this weekend will draw skiers to the slopes.
“People don’t think about skiing when snow isn’t in their backyard,” Porter-Henry said. “It will definitely energize people.”
While Berkshire East opened Nov. 23, the Glades, a tree run, needs natural snow to open, Porter-Henry said. Of Berkshire East’s 47 runs, 31 were open on Friday. Four of six lifts were open.
“Because of cold weather, we have a good cover on the ground,” Porter-Henry said. “We just need the help of mother nature.”
You can reach Grace Bird at: gbird@recorder.com or 413-772-0261 ext. 280