times, and was last updated on February 12th, 2010
Copyright 2010 Bigschuss Productions
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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 Condition 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.  
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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 the Thunderbolt
  • Use this Yahoo application to
    get to the Thunderbolt trail head
    parking lot on Thiel Rd. in
    Adams, MA.
  • Type in your address and then
    print the directions
Thunderbolt Maps
  • Another Yahoo application with
    topographic, street, and satellite
    maps of the Thunderbolt
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
Mt. Greylock Web Cam
  • From www.berkshires.org
  • A 24 hour a day web cam of Mt.
    Greylock and the Thunderbolt
    from downtown Adams
What to Expect
  • The ascent: about 2 hours if you are in shape
  • The descent: anywhere from 10 to 20 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
March 8th, 2010  - by TSR
  • Hard packed powder conditions can be found
    on the Thunderbolt.
  • Total coverage from top to bottom.
  • 60 volunteers spent Saturday leveling and
    packing the trail in preparation for the race.
  • There are also over 100 gates up on the trail.
TSR on the Thunderbolt, February 28th, 2010 (from left: Blair Mahar,
Rich Adamczyk, Josh Chittenden, John Armstrong, and Cosmo LaViola)
March 1st, 2010  - by TSR
  • The Thunderbolt received anywhere from 2 to
    3 feet of snow depending on elevation.
  • There is 100% coverage from tower to tailgate.
  • The powder is starting to get packed and
    lumpy on the trail, but the skiing is beautiful
    right now.
  • There are some overhanging branches on the
    Big Bend due to the weight of the snow, but a
    sunny day will release these.
  • Skinning up was a breeze!