The coaster will open to the public at 1pm on Friday, October 10 and will be open for the Columbus Day weekend from 9:30am until 5pm each day.
CHARLEMONT, MASS. – Ride the Thunderbolt! North America’s longest and most exciting Mountain Coaster is now open. Encompassing 5,450′ of mountain terrain, riders rush near exposed rocks and cliffs, dive through a diverse mountain forest and descend into Southern New England’s most exciting mountain resort.
The coaster will open to the public at 1pm on Friday, October 10 and will be open for the Columbus Day weekend from 9:30am until 5pm each day.
Guests riding the Thunderbolt will begin their experience by ascending 1580′ of uphill track. Once there, they will begin a 3850′ downhill descent in their own personal carts. As riders roll down the rails guests control their speed via handbrake. Featuring dramatic twists and turns, sharp dips to steeply banking corners and two large 360s that are certainly the highlight of the ride, this coaster will satisfy guests thirst for thrills.
Rider comfort will be ensured on anti-collision proximity sensors that apply a brake automatically if carts approach too close to one another and a magnetic braking system that will slow riders to a stop at the offload deck at the bottom of the coaster.
Berkshire East is one of the last family owned and operated ski areas in New England. Run by Roy Schaefer, who purchased the mountain resort out of bankruptcy 37 years ago and helped by his two sons, the business is rapidly expanding from a mom and pop ski area, to one of the most dynamic day resorts in the country. Located in the beautiful hill town of Charlemont in Western Massachusetts, BEMR is close to many metropolitan areas.
“We pride ourselves on providing our guests an amazing experience, whether it’s skiing, snowboarding, one of our three zip line tours and soon on North America’s Longest Mountain Coaster,” says owner Roy Schaefer.
Additionally, BEMR offers three zip line canopy tours, featuring two half mile long zips and has partnered with Gravity Logic to bring big time Downhill Mountain Biking to Berkshire East. Last season, Berkshire East completed a three year, $2mm snow making upgrade and added a beautiful 12,000 square foot custom timber frame lodge. Featuring a wind turbine and a 500kWh solar field, Berkshire East is the first ski area in the world to run from onsite renewable energy.
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