times, and was last updated on January 23rd, 2012
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Welcome to the Thunderbolt Ski Trail Virtual Visitor's Center.  Here you
can find weekly updates on trail conditions, submit your trip or trail
report, get the latest Thunderbolt weather forecast, and download trail
maps and directions you can print and take with you on your next trip.
Trail Conditions and Trip Reports
  • If you have been on the Thunderbolt and would like to
    report trail conditions, we'd love to hear from you.  

  • Please e-mail us and we'll post your trail report.  
Getting There
Click on the links below to access trail maps, directions, and current weather conditions on the Thunderbolt.
Thunderbolt Trail Guide
  • Contains directions from the
    Thunderbolt trail head on
    Thiel Rd. in the Glen to the
    Summit
  • Also contains historical
    things to see on the trail for
    you history buffs
  • Opens a rich text format
    Word document on your
    computer that you can print
    and take with you
Thunderbolt Weather Conditions
  • From hamweather.net
  • Opens a web site with current
    weather on the Thunderbolt, as
    well as a 6 day forecast
Directions to Thunderbolt Trailhead
  • Contains directions into Adams
    and to the Greyock Glen from Rte.
    8 (North or South) and Rte. 116
  • Opens a rich text format Word file
    on your computer that you can
    print and take with you
What to Expect
  • The ascent: about 2 hours if you are in shape
  • The descent: anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes
  • Terrain: the Thunderbolt is often described as
    intermediate terrain with expert conditions.  
  • It is steep in places
  • It is narrow in places
  • It is steep AND narrow in places
  • Conditions: conditions can vary widely from deep
    fresh powder, to hard packed powder, to icy moguls,
    to spring corn, to cream cheese, to thin cover and
    with exposed stumps, rocks, and other hazards that'll
    just rip your ACL in half.  The varying conditions are
    mostly what make the Thunderbolt an expert trail.
  • Weather: obviously this will vary from day to day.  
    But even on a given day, the local weather conditions
    can vary widely.  It can be sunny and mild on the
    lower half of the Thunderbolt, and freezing cold with
    blowing snow on the upper mountain.  
What to Bring
  • Skinning up Mt. Greylock is probably the most
    preferred method.  Obviously not everyone has the
    gear to do this.  Hiking up on snowshoes is a good
    alternative.  Boot packing is also a way to get up.  If
    you must boot pack, it is recommended that you stay
    off the trail and keep to one side.  
  • Dress in layers, as you will probably work up a sweat
    going up.
  • A good map will help.  There are many trails to the
    summit of Greylock...some are named, others are
    not.  See below for directions to Adams and to the
    Thunderbolt.
  • Food and water are always good things to pack
    along.  There is a 4 sided shelter on the summit that
    often has a fire going inside.  It's a nice place to have
    a snack and rehydrate before your run down.
  • Dogs are good friends..but they can be dangerous
    hazards on the Thunderbolt.  People bring them, so
    you'll have to be careful.  But they're probably better
    left at home.
Trail Statistics
  • Course Record: 2 min. 8 sec.,
    set by Per Klippgen in the
    1948 Eastern Downhill
    Championship Race.
  • Exposure: North, East, and
    North-east
  • Length: 1.6 miles (racing),
    2.0 miles (total)
  • Summit Elevation: 3,491 ft.
  • Finish Line Elevation: 1,450 ft.
  • Vertical Drop: 2,050 ft.
  • Average Grade: 16 degrees
  • Steepest Grade: 35 degrees
  • Narrowest Point: 15 feet at
    Needle's Eye
  • Widest Point: 75 feet at the
    Big Schuss
General Information
NEW!
January 21st, 2012 - by JF
  • "Upper before big bend was thick and blown in. Top of big
    bend had rocks showing. easy to avoid.I was unsure of
    some humps in the steps. were they rocks or ski ruts a little
    blown in? Mostly ruts blown in. As I said there was a rain
    crust under the most recent  two storms.the crust was very
    skiable, you wouldn't punch thru just loud and FAST!I went
    directly over one 8in.round stump in the steps, I mean right
    over, both skis while turning!!, scary. A few rollovers right
    above the bridge had been scrped off, one by me. Below the
    bridge cover was noticably thinner, Logs and branches
    loomed close to the surface.The snowmobile track to the
    parking below the roost was smooth and clear. A GREAT
    day on the bolt.I was wearing my patrol jacket the whole
    time,alas  no post holers or dog walkers to lecture. Just fun
    skiing. I'll stop by next time I'm in the area. Think Snow JF"
January 20th - 2012
  • "surprisingly good, had to go carefully through a couple thin
    spots and fast skiing due to icy subsurface."
NEW!
January 21st, 2012 - by C. LaViola
  • "Coverage is fair top to bottom. The lack of a true base
    combined with hidden objects makes for difficult and
    dangerous skiing.
  • Most of the trail has blades of grass/goldenrod etc. still
    showing at the snow surface.
  • Coverage along the trail varies from about 6-10 inches of
    powder depending on elevation... some spots have been
    skied down to only an inch or two.
  • There is little to no base, particularly below the AT.  Use old
    skis since the hidden rocks and stumps can damage the
    base of skis/boards.
  • Due to the danger of rocks and stumps being hidden below
    the surface but not under a layer of solid snow I would not
    recommend skiing it until more snow falls or a base forms."
NEW!