Osceola Playground, Pittsfield, MA Feb 1, 2015

Osceola Playground? Can that possibly be an open ski area? Indeed, it is - the smallest ski area in Massachusetts, and the only free public area. In addition, it is also the only public rope tow area left in the entire state, with over 100 being closed.

The area is located off Osceola Street in Pittsfield, MA. It is a town park, supported by taxpayers, and is a great asset to have for the community. The tow is 500' long, and 70-80' of vertical. It has parking at both the top and bottom. The snow is all natural.

Looking up the tow


The area is used primarily by sledders and tubing, and is mostly used by families, who use the tow to get to the top. We were the only skiers there. The lift operators were a bit surprised to see skiers, and the parents at the top were getting a good laugh at us, probably wondering why the heck experienced adult skiers would come here.

Even the kids there were surprised...they said stuff like "Are you really a skier?" "Wow, skis are long!".

So why would we ski here? Because it is there! This area wraps up all the public ski areas for me in MA. I only have two areas left, Eaglebrook School (which will be difficult to ski as it is a private school) and the Waidlich Family Tow (which will be able to do).

The area is open most weekends 1230-4pm, and is worth checking it off your bucket list, and is easy to check off if you are skiing nearby Bousquet or Jiminy.

View from the top. Note the sledders and tubers.

Good for you for skiing there. Looking forward to the next rope tow report!

 Excellent!

TR of the year..