NEMBA One-Day Trail School, Berkshires

July 13, 2024

Join us for a one-day NEMBA Trail School, hosted by the Berkshire NEMBA chapter. This hands-on building clinic teaches the basics of trail assessment, design and construction. This is a great course for experienced and new trail builders, riders looking to learn about trail construction and maintenance, and land stewards and land managers interested in learning about creating sustainable, enjoyable trails. The course is taught by  CJ Scott, former head of the trails department at one of North America's premier mountain bike destinations, Kingdom Trails and the Bousquet trail is being created in collaboration with Happy Trails Guiding.

Location:

Bousquet Mountain Ski Area, 101 Dan Fox Dr, Pittsfield, MA 01201

Parking:

Trail School parking will be in the lot behind the lodge, rather than the main lot. The entrance is just past the main lot and will be marked with a NEMBA sign.(Location pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZCyrNCah1rVYZSi47 

Schedule:

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM Registration & welcome

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Morning training

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM  Lunch provided by Bousquet

1:00 PM - 3:30 PM Afternoon training

3:30 PM - 4:00 PM Debrief and closing 

Instructor:

As head of the the trails department a Kingdom Trails, for 23 years CJ Scott was integral in sustainable trail management, layout & design, planning, maintenance, winter grooming, budgeting, land manager relations and implementation of a wide variety of projects with professional trail crews and volunteers. He brings a wealth of experience in trail building and instructing.

About the Project:

Bousquet Mountain, established in 1932, is the Berkshires’s oldest existing ski area and has recently undergone a lodge and facilities facelift and multiple enhancements to winter operations. This has been a popular destination and local home for skiing for many years and is adjacent to BNRC's Mahanna Cobble trail. We are working to expand summer recreation and mountain bike opportunities here as well. This collaborative effort between Bousquet, Berkshire NEMBA, and Happy Trails Guiding is to design a mountain bike-specific trail from the base of the mountain that provides an approachable climbing option for riders of all abilities. The trail will climb 450 feet over 1.7 miles and take riders through mixed hardwood forests, fern hollows, and rocky outcroppings all while being visible from Bousquet's main lodge. This trail is being designed to fit into potential future downhill mountain bike trails and enhance Bousquet's growing summer options for recreation.

All attendees of the Trail School will also receive a 50% discount on tickets to Bousquet's popular Mountain Day concert with Whiskey Treaty Roadshow on 7/20! 

Questions: office@nemba.org

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