Berkshire East Ski Area is a medium sized alpine ski area located on Mt. Institute in Charlemont, Massachusetts. It was originally opened in the 1950s by Arthur Parker as Thunder Mountain. The first double chairlift, a Mueller, was installed in 1960. A second double chairlift, another Mueller, was installed in 1962. A third double chairlift, a Hall, was installed in 1978. A fourth charlift, an SLI, was also installed in the late 1980s. As of 2006, the ski area has 45 trails and five lifts. It is currently the only alpine ski area in Franklin County open to the public.