Greylock Glen hosts multiple events and programs throughout the year. Visitors from near and far enjoy hikes, races, educational programs, live music, and festivals that showcase the Glen’s natural beauty and unique character as well as the cultural richness and diversity of the Berkshires. Please click here to receive email updates on events, programs, and activities at Greylock Glen.
The Glen Center and Greylock Glen has become a year-round destination for breathtaking special events with a view like no other in the Berkshires. Whether you’re planning a private dinner, celebration of life, corporate gathering, or community program we have flexible spaces inside and out for weddings, parties, and events of all kinds. Email us at info@greylockglenresort.com to request a date or learn more.
People from all over the northeast travel to the Berkshires in October to enjoy the spectacular fall foliage. The traditional peak foliage time is Columbus Day weekend. Since 1967, Adams has organized the annual Greylock Ramble on Columbus Day. Thousands of hikers trek up the Cheshire Harbor Trail, from Greylock Glen to the summit of Mt. Greylock, the state’s highest peak.
The Greylock Ramble takes place on the Cheshire Harbor Trail which is the gentlest path to the summit. However, the round trip is 6.6 miles, moderately strenuous and takes about five hours. There are refreshments and souvenirs available for purchase at the top, but the hike itself and the spectacular views are free!
Free shuttles bring hikers from downtown Adams to the trailhead at the end of West Mountain Road. The first 2,000 hikers receive certificates of accomplishment and awards are given to the first to the top, the youngest, the oldest, and the hiker who traveled the greatest distance to participate.
The Thunderbolt Ski Run was originally cleared down the precipitous eastern slope of Mount Greylock in the 1930s as a public works project of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). With its Expert Class A rating, a vertical of 2,050 feet, a racing length of 1.6 miles and a grade of as much as 35 degrees, the trail earned the name “Thunderbolt” due to its thrilling similarity to the Thunderbolt roller coaster at Revere Beach in Massachusetts. It quickly became known for its world-class races that attracted top skiers from across the United States and Europe. The fastest known time down the trail is 2 minutes, 8.6 seconds, set by Norwegian Olympian Per Klippgen in 1948.The Thunderbolt Ski Run was originally cleared down the precipitous eastern slope of Mount Greylock in the 1930s as a public works project of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). With its Expert Class A rating, a vertical of 2,050 feet, a racing length of 1.6 miles and a grade of as much as 35 degrees, the trail earned the name “Thunderbolt” due to its thrilling similarity to the Thunderbolt roller coaster at Revere Beach in Massachusetts. It quickly became known for its world-class races that attracted top skiers from across the United States and Europe. The fastest known time down the trail is 2 minutes, 8.6 seconds, set by Norwegian Olympian Per Klippgen in 1948.The Thunderbolt Ski Run was originally cleared down the precipitous eastern slope of Mount Greylock in the 1930s as a public works project of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). With its Expert Class A rating, a vertical of 2,050 feet, a racing length of 1.6 miles and a grade of as much as 35 degrees, the trail earned the name “Thunderbolt” due to its thrilling similarity to the Thunderbolt roller coaster at Revere Beach in Massachusetts. It quickly became known for its world-class races that attracted top skiers from across the United States and Europe. The fastest known time down the trail is 2 minutes, 8.6 seconds, set by Norwegian Olympian Per Klippgen in 1948.
In 1998, a movie about the trail was made by local school teacher and historian, Blair Mahar. His film won an award in the 1999 New England Film Festival, First Place, Documentary Category. The title of the movie is Purple Mountain Majesty, A History of the Thunderbolt Ski Run.
Mahar then went on to bring the races back on the Thunderbolt and form a new club called The Thunderbolt Ski Runners. This new club started clearing and maintaining the Thunderbolt Ski Trail each year and brought it back to its original state. They also held several classic races on the trail, which is becoming a popular backcountry destination for skiers. For information about the restored Thunderbolt Ski Run and the Ski Runners of Adams please visit the Thunderbolt Ski Runners website.
Modern racers compete in seven categories: Alpine, Telemark, Snowboard, Women’s Overall, The Ascent, and both King and Queen of the Mountain for fastest overall combined time up and down the mountain. The tradition continues today thanks to the Thunderbolt Ski Runners, a group of backcountry ski enthusiasts who restored both the trail and the annual race.
Be sure to visit the Glen Center’s Exhibit Hall for more information about the Thunderbolt Ski Race and Greylock Ramble. For a deeper dive take a short drive downtown Adams to the Visitor’s Center to tour the Thunderbolt Ski Museum. For more information on Ramblefest or Thunderfest, please visit the Explore Adams website.