Enjoy Winter (and Beyond) in the Mohawk Trail Region

By Kate Grip Denon; sponsored by the Mohawk Trail Region

You may have visited the Mohawk Trail Region in spring or summer, when its rivers rush through green valleys and its charming downtowns are brightened by flowers in bloom. You may have been there in fall, when autumn colors cover the slopes of Mount Greylock and blaze along the roadside of the legendary Mohawk Trail Scenic Byway. But if you have not seen it in winter — when this corner of northwest Massachusetts is at its most serenely beautiful, and its hidden gems closer to the surface than ever — you haven’t experienced all that the Mohawk Trail Region has to offer.

There’s outdoor fun at every turn, from winter hiking and snowshoeing to cross-country and downhill skiing. Cultural attractions like Mass MoCA, the Clark Art Institute, and Historic Deerfield are open for enjoying at your own pace, now that the high-season crowds are gone. And in the 30-plus towns that make up the Mohawk Trail Region, the local hospitality feels even warmer as you join in a small-town festival, linger in cozy shops and restaurants, or snuggle in for the night at a welcoming inn.

Explore the Great Outdoors

At the family-owned Berkshire East Mountain Resort in Charlemont, a brand-new high-speed quad whisks skiers and snowboarders to the summit in less than four minutes. That means they can get in even more runs down the resort’s first-class terrain, which is expertly groomed and boosted by snowmaking technology that covers all 45 trails. Those who prefer milder downhill thrills will love the tubing park, with three 500-foot lanes and a magic carpet lift.

The Mohawk Trail Region’s impressive collection of state parks shines bright in winter, too. One of the biggest and best-known is Mount Greylock State Reservation, whose 12,500 acres surround the state’s tallest mountain. Venture out on your own, or join one of the many free outings offered at the visitor center, including tree identification and wildlife tracking hikes, a winter photography session, and family-friendly winter walks. More winter fun awaits at Mohawk Trail State Forest, which also just reopened its campground after it was closed for nearly a year for repairs and upgrades. And at Natural Bridge State Park in North Adams, the beauty of picturesque hiking trails is matched by the wonder of North America’s only natural white marble arch, which stretches across a 60-foot gorge.

An abundance of natural beauty can be found in the Mohawk Trail Region’s municipal and locally owned parks, too. At Rocky Mountain Park in Greenfield, an easy hike leads to you the 492-foot Poet’s Seat Tower, a sandstone turret built in 1912 and named for local poet Frederick Goddard Tuckerman. One look at the sweeping Pioneer Valley vista from this perch, and you may well be inspired to put pen to paper yourself. Among the other local gems are the Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center, where you can explore 26 miles of trails along the Connecticut River via cross-country skis or on foot, and Williamstown’s the Clark Art Institute, which has a number of trails on its 140-acre campus and connects to the Stone Hill trails network (plus, the Clark has snowshoes that visitors can borrow for free).

For a less-expected winter outing, look to the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail in the towns of Adams, Cheshire, Lanesborough, and Pittsfield. A favorite of cycling enthusiasts in warmer weather, this path along the Hoosic River beckons cross-country skiers and snowshoers with its serene river views. An extension to the trail was recently completed, bringing it to more than 14 miles overall, with plans for further expansion into Pittsfield this year.

Choose Your Own Adventure

Snowy outdoor fun in the Mohawk Trail Region doesn’t end with skiing, hiking, and snowshoeing. If it’s high-octane thrills you’re after, load up your snowmobile and head to Savoy Mountain State Forest, which is at the heart of a top-notch 75-mile system of high-elevation trails maintained and groomed by the local snowmobiling club.

Birders and wildlife lovers are in their element in winter, a season that yields some of the best spotting conditions of the year. Look for woodpeckers, hawks, owls, great blue herons, otters, deer, and other critters along the riverside and pondside trails at Mass Audubon’s Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary in Pittsfield. Mass Audubon’s High Ledges Wildlife Sanctuary in Shelburne also has wooded trails that lead to unparalleled views of Mount Greylock and the Deerfield River Valley. (Want to learn who’s been sharing these great local trails with you? MassWildlife offers this handy downloadable guide to animal tracks, from moose to mice.)

For a wildlife outing of a different sort, try your hand at fishing the Deerfield River for wild brown trout and brook trout. Ice fishing enthusiasts have lots of opportunities, too, as the Mohawk Trail Region is dotted with streams and lakes — such as Hoosac Lake (Cheshire Reservoir) and North Adams’ Windsor Lake — that typically develop a suitable layer of ice.

Do Some Culture-Hopping

Mass MoCA — a.k.a. the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art — celebrates a big birthday this year. Yet this North Adams institution is such a major presence regionally, nationally, and internationally that it may be hard to believe it’s only turning 25. There will be a 25th anniversary gala this spring — but why wait to visit? The brand-new exhibit “Eluding Capture: Three Artists from Central Asia” offers thought-provoking perspectives on the history and future of modern-day Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Offering more reasons to return are “Osman Khan: Road to Hybridabad,” opening May 25; “Carly Glovinski: Almanac” opening June 22; and “Amy Podmore: Audience,” opening July 27.

A spin through Mass MoCA’s exhibits pairs perfectly with a visit to the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, known for its treasure trove of Impressionist masterpieces, among other gems. And with the Clark offering free admission through March, it’s the perfect time to explore the permanent collection as well as changing exhibits such as “50 Years and Forward: Works on Paper Acquisitions” (a nod to the 50th anniversary of the Clark’s Manton Research Center). Newly arrived this February is “David-Jeremiah: I Drive Thee,” an overview of the Texas artist’s series of large circular reliefs. In March, the Clark welcomes “Paper Cities,” an exhibit that looks at Western European and U.S. cities in prints and photographs from the late 15th century to early 20th century.

Always free of charge is another cultural hot spot: the Williams College Museum of Art in Williamstown. Set on a beautiful campus made for strolling (and dotted with sculptures of its own), the museum boasts more than 15,000 works of art and hosts an eclectic lineup of exhibits and programs throughout the year. Brand-new this winter is “Emancipation: The Unfinished Project of Liberation,” which visualizes what freedom looks like for Black Americans today.

For insight into New England life during days gone by, the outdoor history museum Historic Deerfield offers workshops, demonstrations, and events revolving around its preserved 18th-century Colonial village as well as its state-of-the-art Flynt Center of Early New England Life. Among the learning opportunities this winter are lectures on the lesser-known witches of New England and the 1704 raid on Deerfield by French and Indian forces, as well as hearth cooking workshops. Mark your calendar for the Flynt Center’s next big exhibit, “Unnamed Figures: Black Presence and Absence in the Early American North,” opening May 1.

Join the Crowds

Whether you’re attending a live performance or joining in a local festival, there’s something special about coming together with other people to enjoy an experience. Concerts are a great place to start, and in the Mohawk Trail Region you can find a diverse array of genres — from classical music by the likes of cellist Sebastian Bäverstam and violinist Eugene Drucker at Williams College’s Visiting Artist Series, to a modern multimedia performance by Ice Rasta and Father Hotep at the Clark Art Institute, to the tunes of Afro-Cuban jazz singer Daymé Arocena at Mass MoCA.

March sees the return of Massachusetts Maple Month, an annual celebration that is marked by open houses and special events across the state. But you can get in on the sweet stuff anytime by stocking up at sugarhouses like Williams Farm Sugarhouse in Deerfield and White’s Maple Sugar in Charlemont. You can also find great local syrup and other maple goodies at a number of shops and markets around the Mohawk Trail Region, including Avery’s General Store and Hager’s Farm Market.

Also in March is the Old Deerfield Spring Sampler Craft Fair, with live music and specialty food along with more than 100 regional artisans displaying their wares, and the annual ThunderFest in Adams, which salutes all things winter with outdoor activities, live music, local craft beer, and even a campfire for roasting marshmallows.

As spring takes hold, the spirit of community and culture comes alive with the 20th annual Asparagus Valley Pottery Trail, a weekend open-studio tour when some of the area’s best local artisans invite visitors into their creative spaces, and Mass MoCA’s 25th Anniversary Gala and Celebration, May 24-26, which celebrates the impact this groundbreaking institution has had on the region and the country, and across the art world.

Plan Your Trip

The Mohawk Trail Association website is your handy guide for where to eat, stay and play in the Mohawk Trail Region. Essential links for visitors this winter and beyond include:

UNIQUE SHOPPING: A trip through the retail scene in the Mohawk Trail Region can yield everything from quilts, table runners, and potholders from a master crafter (Ann Brauer Quilt Studio) … to candles of all shapes, sizes, and scents (Yankee Candle Company) … and to locally brewed craft beer from a selection topping 700 styles (Ryan & Casey Liquors). Browse Where’d You Get That!? for eclectic gifts, find delectable treats at Richardson’s Candy Kitchen, and refuel with grab-and-go meals from Cold River Package & Market and Avery’s General Store. And there’s even more to explore, so bring a big shopping bag!

DIVERSE DINING: Here’s one way to fill up a day in the Mohawk Trail Region: gourmet pastries and lattes for breakfast (Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters), authentic New York–style pizza for lunch (Berkshire Pizzeria), and a casual but refined farm-to-table menu for dinner (Champney’s Restaurant & Tavern). Still hungry? How about award-winning steak, seafood, and pasta at Boston Sea Foods? Or dishes with international flavor at Spice Root Modern Indian Cuisine? Find more delicious inspiration in the regional dining guide.

COZY LODGING: Alongside hotels, inns, and motels that have been visitor favorites year after year (Deerfield Inn, Centennial House B&B, The Inn at Crumpin-Fox, The Porches Inn at Mass MoCA), the Mohawk Trail Region is home to new and revitalized properties worth checking out (Hotel Downstreet, Shelburne Springs). With lodging options for every kind of traveler, it’s easy to find the overnight that’s just right for you.

EVENTS CALENDAR: There’s always something going on in the Mohawk Trail Region, and these highlighted exhibits, performances, dining events, and festivals are just the beginning.

FREE GUIDES: Choose from the comprehensive Mohawk Trail Region Official Visitors Guide or The Mohawk Trail: 5 Driving Tours — or both! — then just download and go.