Thunderbolt Ski Race Canceled for 2013; Thunderfest Still On

ADAMS, Mass. — The Thunderbolt just can't catch a break from Mother Nature.

Plans for the historic race were canceled late Wednesday after a checking the trail conditions and the weather forecast.

The Thunderbolt Ski Runners posted the bad news at 7 p.m. on their Facebook page: "The race is a NO-GO. Sorry everybody. Current trail conditions and the 3 day forecast prevent us from being able to bring you better news."

The trail down Mount Greylock can only be accessed on foot — no snow guns — so the race is dependent on good weather. And there hasn't been a lot of that around lately.

Warming, rainy weather postponed the race from Feb. 9; the same type of weather is forcing the cancellation.

The Berkshires have been getting sporadic snowstorms, often followed by sleety rain. Checks of the ski trail last week found exposed ground and icy chutes despite a good coating on the mountain.

There was some hope the storm systems heading into the region over the weekend and early this week would drop enough snow to save the race. But that didn't happen.

Cheshire Town Meeting Oks Budgets, Debates Potential Prop 2 1/2 Override

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
10:12PM / Monday, June 08, 2026

Moderator Carol Francesconi, left, and Anne Marie Furey were presented flowers in memory of the Rev. William Furey, their brother and husband, respectively. The town report was dedicated to him. 

CHESHIRE, Mass. — Town meeting on Monday approved all 35 articles on the annual meeting warrant, including a total spending for fiscal 2027 of more than $8.5 million. 

 

Some 77 of the town's more than 2,500 registered voters filled the Cheshire Community House meeting room, debating on a number of articles during the meeting that lasted nearly three hours

 

The town dedicated its annual report to the Rev. William David Furey, longtime pastor of First Baptist Church and more recently Berkshire Union Chapel in Lanesborough. Furey died last year at age 77.

 

His wife, Anne Marie Furey, and his sister, Town Moderator Carol Francesconi, were presented with a bouquet of flowers in tribute to him. 

 

He was an exemplary member of the community who left a lasting impression in each and every life that he touched, said Town Clerk Whitney Flynn. 

 

Voters approved several warrant articles that make up an operating budget of $3,840,314 for fiscal 2027. Of this amount, $1,642,481 is allocated for the general government budget, which was approved after clarification of a few questions.

 

One item was the administrative assistant's salary. Prior to the annual meeting, the town eliminated the executive assistant salary of $54,309 in favor of a part-time administrative assistant salary of $27,155, to reduce costs considering the financial constraint the town is in.