When winter swipes away the crowds that make the Berkshires such a bustling summer arts hub and autumn leaf-peeping playground, this hilly region falls less dormant than you initially might perceive. Like Wite-Out painted over oopses, a coating of snow gives the Berkshires a fresh, clean start, but a careful look reveals it’s merely masking what lies underneath. Dark nights and cold snaps can’t erase the Berkshires’ cultural vitality, beauty, and recreational possibilities. When your inclination to hibernate peaks, run away, instead, to the Red Lion Inn, and—like an artist who sees each blank canvas’s inherent potential—shift your viewpoint on the season. Sure, rooms at this historic hotel on Stockbridge’s Main Street—particularly the spacious, serene retreats at Maple Glen guest house just steps from the lively main inn—seem ideally designed for a long winter’s nap. But the Red Lion Inn is at the heart of efforts to make the Berkshires an active four-season destination. A place where traditional winter sports are just the start of a vibrant line-up of outdoor and indoor activities so physically and intellectually stimulating, even cold and snow haters will feel inspired and recharged. Read more
