"Butternut is a god's send...the best nearby skiing I know of as to snow making, lifts, trails and ambiance."
–William Wallace, New York Times
In 1962, a quiet ceremony in Boston celebrated the marriage between a fledgling corporation called Butternut and the Department of Environmental Management of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
It heralded the beginning of a ski resort located on the northern slopes of East Mountain State Forest near the lovely village of Great Barrington. Through this cooperative effort, an award-winning ski area evolved that has become the favorite of many northeast skiers and riders. Butternut's lifts, trails and base facilities complement a beautiful natural setting of evergreen and hardwood forests. It's clear that the area's enviable reputation among skiers centers on providing the best possible snow conditions in a pleasing, relaxed atmosphere. Historically, the Berkshires have been a prime year-round vacation area, and over the years Butternut has become a major focus for those seeking a quality ski vacation.
The underlying philosophy at Butternut is to maintain a proper balance between growth and intimacy.
In a bustling world of expanding commercialism, our area remains an island of protected natural beauty, one that Ski Magazine has called "An Environmental Showcase". We believe that skiers should be offered a lovely, uncompromised winter environment, and that's what we do best! While we focus our efforts on making your skiing day at Butternut a truly memorable one, after skiing with us you'll enjoy the quaint, welcoming accommodations which are located throughout the Berkshires.
The year was 1963.
JFK was shot, Lawrence of Arabia won best movie, Beatlemania hit the U.K., and in Great Barrington, MA, a man named Channing Murdock turned the G Bar S Ranch into Butternut Basin. He decided it was a great spot for a ski area, with a northern exposure, good elevation, plenty of water for snow making and only 120 miles from New York City.
60 Years later now, "those are still our greatest strengths as well as our continued commitment to offer quality skiing and riding at affordable rates."
60 Years Later
"...those are still our greatest strengths as well as our continued commitment to offer quality skiing and riding at affordable rates."
HE DREAMED IT. HE DID IT. REMEMBERING CHANNING MURDOCK.
Channing Brown Murdock, founder of Butternut, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2026, at the age of 91.
More than six decades ago, Channing and his wife, Jane, saw possibility where others might have simply seen an old dude ranch and a wooded mountainside. With vision, determination and an extraordinary willingness to do the work themselves, they created Butternut Basin.
When Butternut opened in December 1963, Channing and Jane were just 28 years old — the youngest ski area owners in the nation.
What followed was far more than the building of a ski area. Channing built lifts, cut trails, made snow, designed Butternut's logo, created advertisements, cooked hamburgers, welded equipment and worked alongside generations of employees. There was scarcely a part of Butternut he did not touch.
Today, his influence can still be felt across the mountain he helped create and throughout the wider ski industry he spent decades helping to advance.
We remember Channing with gratitude for the mountain he built, the people he brought together and the remarkable legacy he leaves behind.
Read the FULL STORY HERE.
In November of 2024 there was a large wildfire adjacent to the ski area. Tap here to see the detailed account.
New Lift: Jane's Quad installed for Winter 2025/2026. Tap here for more information.
