Mountain Safety & Policies

Lift Ticket sales may be limited and subject to availability. Online pre-purchase is strongly recommended to ensure availability. Pre-purchasing a Lift Ticket guarantees you a spot on the mountain each day.

All Day Tickets must be loaded on a $5 RFID Reload Card and will be scanned at the chairlifts. There is an initial $5 fee to purchase an RFID Reload Card per Lift Ticket. On your next visit, you can reload Lift Tickets to your card online and head directly to the lifts. Replacement fee is $5 per card.

• PREPURCHASE at SkiButternut.com.
• PICKUP Reload Card at a pickup box by scanning confirmation barcode.
• PLACE your Reload Card in a left pocket by itself and gates at lift will open automatically.
• RELOAD your card online for your next visit and go directly to the lifts.

Please have your printed or digital reservation barcode available to scan upon arrival to the lift ticket pick-up box to help us maintain a quick and efficient transaction. If you purchased any ski or snowboard rentals with your lift ticket, please go directly to the Rental Shop to redeem your ticket.

Tubing Ticket sales are limited and subject to availability. Online pre-purchase is strongly recommended to ensure availability. Pre-purchasing Tubing Tickets guarantees you a spot on the mountain each day. 

Please have your printed or digital reservation barcode available to scan upon arrival to the ticket window to help us maintain a quick and efficient transaction. Tubing Tickets are sold for specific 2-hour time slots. Tickets are limited per session so please be sure to plan ahead and purchase in advance. Tubing Tickets are redeemed at the Tubing Center, and we recommend arriving at least 5-10 minutes before your session begins to ensure that you can have your full 2-hours. You will not be able to tube past your end time.

 

CanceLlation Policy: 

• Guests have until end of day (4pm) 2 days prior to ticket date to receive a refund less a $5 fee per item
  • Example:  Friday night tickets would need to be canceled by 4pm Wednesday
  • Example: Saturday tickets would need to be canceled by 4pm Thursday
  • Example: Sunday tickets would need to be canceled by 4pm Friday
• Refunds/Cancelations WILL NOT be accommodated 1 day prior to ticket date or DAY OF.

 

Reservations are not required for Season Pass Holders. All Season Passes must be loaded on a RFID Reload Card and will be scanned at the chairlifts. Replacement fee is $5 per card.

Lifts will be loaded to maximize uphill capacity to minimize wait times. You may be asked to ride the lift with skiers and riders who are not part of your household or reservation group.

Indoor Etiquette: Out of respect for other guests, please limit your time indoors and remove all bags and personal items from tables. Reserving of tables is not allowed and items left on tables will be removed. 

There are new outdoor food options at the base of Main Street and at the Tubing Center. We have added new take-away food zones and grab-and-go style options are available for purchase in the lodges. Physical distancing should be practiced whenever possible indoors. Additional outdoor seating is provided also. Please remember to wash/sanitize your hands frequently.

Mask maybe required for equipment fittings that require close contact. Pre-purchasing ski and board rentals online is highly recommended to ensure availability. Also, we recommend guests purchase seasonal rentals to minimize their interaction with the Rental Shop. We have also extended our in-season rental hours to 6PM Fridays, Saturdays and Holidays to allow for night-before equipment pick-up to ease early morning congestion. Additionally, we have equipment available for purchase at the Ski and Board shop in the Lower Lodge. Please understand that paying for a set of equipment does not secure lift access on a given day – you MUST buy a lift ticket (if you are not a passholder) so please be sure there are lift tickets available first before paying for your equipment. To redeem, please head directly to the rental shop upon arrival. Rental staff will have your rental paperwork ready, and you can redeem any lift tickets purchased here as well. 

 

Return Policy:

• To refund or exchange merchandise, it must be returned within 10 days & be accompanied with original receipt.
• Merchandise must be un-used, with original tags in place and have original packaging.
• Refund will be given in the manner in which it was paid.
• Face masks, neck warmers, googles, helmets & hoods (items that go over the face) are NOT RETURNABLE. 
• All clearance/sale items are final sale. 
• Per our Enhanced Safety Procedures Policy, no outside equipment or gear is to be brought into the Shop.

All lessons and programs require a reservation and are subject to availability. Children from 3–5 years-old will require a parent or guardian to accompany them in a lesson. Please understand that paying for a lesson does not secure lift access at Butternut on a given day – you MUST buy a lift ticket (if you are not a passholder) so please purchase your lift ticket first before paying for your lesson.
 

Cancelation Policy: 

Guests have until end of day (4pm) 2 days prior to lesson date to receive a refund less a $20 fee per canceled item.

IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY - Common Sense, it's one of the most important things to keep in mind and practice when on the slopes. The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) believes education, helmet use, respect and common sense are very important when cruising down the mountain. NSAA developed Your Responsibility Code to help skiers and boarders be aware that there are elements of risk in snowsports that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce.

Your Responsibility Code

1. Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects.
2. People ahead or downhill of you have the right-of-way. You must avoid them.
3. Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.
4. Look uphill and avoid others before starting downhill or entering trail.
5. You must prevent runaway equipment.
6. Read and obey all signs, warning, and hazard markings.
7. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
8. You must know how and be able to load, ride and unload lifts safely. If you need assistance, ask the lift attendant.
9. Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
10. If you are involved in a collision or incident, share your contact information with each other and a ski area employee.

Know and Obey the Code. It’s your responsibility. If you need help understanding the Code, please ask an employee. THIS IS A PARTIAL LIST. BE SAFETY CONSCIOUS.

It is your responsibility to have the knowledge and ability to ride the lifts at any ski area safely.  If you don’t know how to use the lifts safely, Ski Butternut strongly encourages you and your family to: read and understand the instructional the instructional video below and; take a private lesson to learn the proper techniques for using lifts safely and then practice riding the beginner slope chair lift until which time you are proficient at using the lift and before using any of the other lifts on the mountain. Please note: the presence of an instructor in a Lesson does not guarantee the safety of any student who may be riding in the same chair, riding in a completely different chair on the lift, or on the mountain.  It is each person’s responsibility to have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely by their own accord and without the assistance from anyone else, whether participating in a lesson, or skiing/riding alone and/or with friends. 

Please take a few minutes to view our videos below about technique and park safety, as well as the graphic below about Rules for Using our Terrain Parks. Education is the most important thing for both beginners and advanced park style / freestyle terrain riders. FOR PARENTS - IT IS ALSO YOUR RESPONSIBILITY - Please teach the Rules and reinforce Park Safety and etiquette to your kids! Both you and your kids should watch the Terrain Park Safety Video to see the rules illustrated and to better learn the importance of safety.  PARENTS: You too, should review all the above materials. If any child under your supervision or control (under 18 years of age) is interested in using Ski Butternut's Terrain Parks - you need to take an active role in monitoring and ensuring their safety. PARENTS: Get involved with them, learn the rules and help them make good decisions. You need to become aware of what they are choosing to enjoy and the risks associated with using the features and jumps that are in today’s Terrain Parks!

Go Fast - Lose Pass! - DESIGNATED SLOW ZONES - Pied Piper, Nuthatch and Cruiser trails are designated as Slow Zones. This is so beginner and newly skilled skiers and riders can practice their turns and enjoy the day without having to worry about faster, more experienced skiers darting past them at high speed. We ask that all guests follow the ski area's rules and that they know and follow the Skier Responsibility Code. Any guest witnessed skiing/riding too fast, or out of control, in these areas by Host, Ski Patrol, a member of the Management Team, could lose their lift ticket.

The Ski Butternut Ski Patrol is here to serve you and there is no cost for their care. The Ski Patrol headquarters is conveniently located just off the front right corner of the main parking lot and there is also a building at the top of the Top Flight Quad chairlift and another at the top of the Overbrook Triple chairlift. In Case of EMERGENCY - Call: 413-528-2000 ext. 444 . The Ski Butternut Ski Patrol staff are skilled First Responders and work closely with Fairview Hospital, located only 5 minutes away in downtown Great Barrington, Mass. For NON-EMERGENCIES - Call: 413-528-2000 ext. 400

As a family friendly ski area, Ski Butternut expects guests at the mountain to behave in a pleasant, positive and respectful manner towards all other individuals. As such, Ski Butternut will not tolerate the following behavior and reserves the right to confiscate lift tickets or season passes without refund and without warning, and/or deny services in the following circumstances: Apparent drunkenness or being under the influence of drugs; Open use of alcohol or drugs anywhere in public on the mountain; Serious disorderly conduct including but not limited to fighting, damaging property, apparent theft, interference with and/or endangerment of others; Jumping off a chairlift or actively swinging or bouncing a chair; Throwing any object off a chairlift; Using profanity or vulgar language in the presence of children; Verbally abusing any person or employee at the ski area; or any other appropriate case. In general, Ski Butternut will issue one warning in the following circumstances before lift tickets or season passes will be confiscated without refund: Skiing closed trails or areas not designated for skiing; Cutting in front of other people in a lift line; Interference with or endangering others (and/or self); Skiing too close to others, out of control, or colliding with others; Skiing on terrain beyond one’s ability; Repeated use of offensive or vulgar language; or any other appropriate case. Ski Butternut reserves the right to confiscate lift tickets, season passes for any repeat offenses and/or or deny services at the sole discretion of management.

Massachusetts General Law, Part I, Title XV, Chapter 94G, Section 7 allows adults age 21 and older to possess limited quantities of cannabis (marijuana) for personal use. The law further states that: “no person shall consume marijuana in a public space or smoke marijuana where smoking tobacco is prohibited”. Additionally, Massachusetts regulations (526 CMR 10.08) prohibit riding a chairlift under the influence of drugs. Therefore, in compliance with Massachusetts law, marijuana may not be consumed (by smoking, vaping, and/or eating) at Ski Butternut in any commercial or public space including parking lots, lodges, buildings, surrounding areas, base area, lift lines, chair lifts, or anywhere on the mountain.  In addition, Resort policy prohibits being under the influence of drugs or alcohol when participating in recreational activities at Ski Butternut and prohibits the smoking or vaping of tobacco or drinking alcohol in lift lines or on chairlifts. Guests who violate Massachusetts law or Resort policy are subject to having their lift tickets or season passes revoked without refund, removal from the resort, and enforcement by the Great Barrington Police or Massachusetts State Police.

Out of safety concerns for guests, employees, and resort property, Ski Butternut prohibits the operation or use of unmanned aerial systems, or aerial drones, by the general public – including recreational users and hobbyists. This prohibition on drone use extends to any drones launched or operated from Resort property, as well as drones launched from private property outside of the Resort boundaries. Any violation of this policy may involve suspension of your skiing or snowboarding privileges, or the revocation of your season pass, as well as confiscation of any equipment. Violators will be liable for any damages, including but not limited to, physical or personal injuries, property damage, damages for violations of privacy, regulatory fines and legal fees.

Skinning Uphill is permitted with a valid Uphill Travel Ticket and is restricted to skier’s right on Cruiser during normal operating hours* and skiers right on Freewheeler on Saturdays & Sundays from 8-11 am.  Uphill Travel is prohibited on every other slope, trail, or area at all times.  Skinners may have downhill access on all trails except Upper Applejack, Lucifer’s Leap, Whip and Pied Piper. Snowshoeing Uphill (and Downhill) is permitted with a valid Uphill Travel Ticket and is restricted to skier’s right on Cruiser during normal operating hours*.  Uphill Travel is prohibited on every other slope, trail, or area at all times.  Downhill travel for snowshoeing is restricted to skiers right on Cruiser due to safety and trail maintenance concerns. Uphill Travel Tickets:  Available at the Main Office (behind Ski Patrol). Day Ticket: $20 (signed waiver required) Season Pass Holders: FREE (signed waiver required) Normal Operating Hours: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm on Weekday Non-Holidays; 8:15 am – 4:00 pm on Weekends & Holidays

As a family friendly resort, Ski Butternut recognizes that pets may be an important part of your family. Ski Butternut welcomes you to bring your pet to the resort during the ski season if you abide by the following resort rules: All pets must be on a leash (or in a carrier) and must be under control at all times; Pets must be clean, quiet, non-aggressive, and up to date on their shots and vaccinations; Owner must immediately clean up after pet; Pets are NOT ALLOWED in any public indoor facility including either lodge, ski shop, rental shop, main office, or other building; Pets are NOT ALLOWED in any outside seating area or food venue as a courtesy to Ski Butternut guests; Pets are NOT ALLOWED in the base area, on any lift, on the mountain, or any other place where skiing, snowboarding, or tubing occurs due to safety concerns for guests and pets alike; Ski Butternut welcomes service animals for the visually impaired; Pets are not permitted to swim in snowmaking ponds from November through March; Ski Butternut reserves the right to ask that a pet be removed from the premises for any reason.