Great Barrington, Massachusetts — Ski Butternut’s new chairlift will be a touching tribute to its late co-founder.
Today, Ski Butternut announced that it will replace the Overlook Triple Chair with a new SkyTrac fixed-grip quad chairlift. The old fixed-grip triple chairlift is a slow ride up, and doesn’t give direct access to all of the trails in that terrain pod. This lift services the Uptown, Freewheeler, and Downspout trails.
The new Skytrac chairlift will have 125 carriers (chairs), 15 lift towers, a length of 3633 feet, and a vertical rise of 757 feet. The chairs will feature comfy seats and footrests. Its base and top terminals will be situated at different locations than its predecessor. Situated further uphill, the top terminal will eliminate the need to hike uphill to the Uptown trail.
“After a multi-year planning, engineering, and permitting phases, we are excited to bring this modernization to Ski Butternut,” said Dillon Mahon, the Marketing Director of Ski Butternut. “This area of the mountain is a favorite among our guests, and this new lift will enhance the overall experience. It’s a long-term investment in the future of Ski Butternut and in the enjoyment of our skiers and snowboarders.”
The name of the new chairlift, Jane’s Quad, is in honor the ski area’s co-founder. Jane and Channing Murdock founded the ski area in 1963, and the Murdock family remains the owner to this day. Jane Murdock passed away in November 2023 at the age of 88.
Site work commenced in the fall of 2024, and construction will resume at the end of the 2024-25 season. Jane’s Quad scheduled to open during the 2025-26 season.
Ski Butternut won’t be the only ski area in Massachusetts to add a new chairlift next winter. Wachusett Mountain announced last year that it will replace the Polar Express with a Doppelmayr detachable high-speed six-pack chairlift.
Image Credits: Ski Butternut
