Thunderbolt Ski Run Canceled
ADAMS, Mass. — This year's nominal snowfall will prevent the Thunderbolt Ski Race from taking place but the other festivities around the historic ski run are still on.
Thunderbolt Ski Runner board member Josh Chittenden said, once again, the trek up and down the 3,491-foot summit of Mount Greylock has been canceled.
"It looks like something is going on up there on the mountain but not enough to hold a race," Chittenden said. "I think we are running on a 50/50 chance if you look at our track record. This will be the sixth year that we tried to run a race and we have only done three races."
Chittenden said the cross country ski race has also been canceled, but the new ThunderTrek Snowshoe Race was rescheduled to March 11 with the hopes that there may be some snowfall.
Chittenden said the board members have no interest in rescheduling the Thunderbolt.
"We feel that our timing is the appropriate timing to run the race; it is just getting that cooperation from Mother Nature which is beyond our control," he said. "We were really excited about running our own race again this season and expanding."
He added that Jiminy Peak Ski Resort reached out to the ski runners and offered to hold the race there. But Chittenden said the Thunderbolt would not be the Thunderbolt without the historic trail.
"Thunderbolt Ski Runners have no interest in relocating the race, and it's all about that trail," he said. "This is for the Thunderbolt, it'snot just to put a race on."
Even though there may be no snow next weekend, Thunderfest will still be held at the Visitors Center on Saturday, March 5. The celebration starts at noon and features live music, food, local beer and wine, a chowder contest, outdoor recreation and craft vendors, and a campfire.
At a recent Selectmen's meeting, ProAdams member Dave Bissaillon said the event will showcase Adams .
"I think Thunderfest has done exactly what it was supposed to do — put Adams in the best light and allow people to take advantage of what the town offers," Bissaillon said. "It's a weekend of events to really give people the opportunity to see Adams for a full weekend, spend time and money, and just leave with a positive impression."
Tags: Thunderbolt, Thunderfest,
