- Hey, everyone.

Welcome back to "Field Trip."

I'm Matt.

- And I'm Nicole.

We're here today at the stunning Bousquet Mountain.

- That's right and guess what?

We're diving into the history of this incredible mountain and finding out how it became the birthplace of night skiing.

- I cannot wait.

Not only are we gonna learn about its historical and cultural features but we're also getting a miniature ski lesson and fitted with rental skis right here at this amazing mountain.

- And just to keep things a little interesting, this is actually kind of my first time on skis ever.

No pressure, right?

- No, no pressure at all.

But don't worry, you're in good hands.

I've been a few times many years ago so we'll see how this goes.

We're basically experts.

- I mean, what can go wrong?

- Exactly.

But before we hit the slopes, we're going to learn all about the rich history here at Bousquet.

- [Matt] And there are some amazing stories behind all of these innovations.

- Let's go get the scoop on what makes Bousquet so special and then we'll strap on those skis and see what happens.

(calm music) - So we are at Bousquet Mountain in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

Bousquet Mountain is a independently owned and operated ski area located in the heart of the Berkshires right here in Pittsfield.

We're the fifth oldest continuously operating ski area in the United States.

Today, Nicole and Matt are gonna go out onto our bunny slope and they're gonna take a lesson with one of our awesome PSIA-certified instructors and they're gonna learn to ski.

♪ Are you ready for this ♪ ♪ Uh huh ♪ (upbeat music) ♪ Yo ♪ ♪ Uh huh ♪ ♪ Yeah ♪ - Prior to 1932, the land behind us was actually a mink farm owned by Clarence Bousquet which unfortunately failed as a result of the Great Depression.

In 1932, the Greylock Ski Club came to Clarence Bousquet and started renting out what was called the Bousquet Ski Grounds and Bousquet Mountain was born.

- I'm not good enough yet.

- Here I come, Nicole.

- [Nicole] Matt, that kid has a pacifier and is doing better than us.

- And then in 1936 in December, there was a group of engineers at General Electric just around the corner who wanted to ski on Christmas Eve.

So they installed floodlights on the mountain and it is known as the invention of night skiing.

Fast forward to 1939-ish, Clarence Bousquet actually patented a rope tow gripper.

So in the 1930s, the rope tow was really popular but people's gloves kept getting tattered and beaten up as a result of like holding onto the rope tow and so he invented this belt situation with a clamp that was called the Nutcracker and people could effectively clamp themselves onto the rope tow and get up the mountain.

One thing that's really important to us here at Bousquet is having like a very local feel and a local vibe and we have a lot of events that are tailored to our local community and we work on engaging in our local community in a really intentional way, working with organizations like 1Berkshire in downtown Pittsfield to engage the community.

- I think I got the hang of it now.

That was good.

How are you feeling, Nicole?

- I'm feeling great, Matt, how are you feeling?

- I'm feeling not great but pretty good, pretty good.

I think I've got my, some of my pizzas, some of my turning, some of my hockey sticks down or whatever it's called.

- Do you wanna do a few more runs here?

- I think that would be beneficial.

- Okay, let's try it and then we'll take a break and go on the chair lift.

- Okay, if you say so.

No, I'm excited, that'll be fun.

This way.

- So we both go opposite directions.

- One, two, three.

Thank you.

- [Nicole] So pretty.

Just two little friends going skiing.

Clap your skis together, gently.

How you doing?

- I'm very scared, I don't know what's gonna happen.

I know when you get off like you go down a little hill and I'm gonna fall and I hope I can make it back down the mountain 'cause it's getting dark.

I don't wanna end up like Jack Nicholson at the end of "The Shining."

- [Nicole] What?

- [Matt] I think I'm gonna fall.

That's what happens.

I'm gonna wet my snow pants.

- [Nicole] Stand up.

Stand up.

- [Matt] I've got the cone.

(exciting music) - [Matt] Oh my God.

Thank you, this is my first time.

- You ready to be impressed?

(exciting music) Whoo.

Nice.

(exciting music) - [Camera Operator] Wah wah wah.

I got it on film.

- Augh.

(exciting music) (calm music) - All right, we're on our last trip up for night skiing tonight.

I think we did pretty good.

- I think we did really good considering that we're new at this.

- Yeah.

But thank you for joining us on this episode of "Field Trip" and remember to let us know.

- Know where you think we should go next.

(calm music) This is where the adventure begins.

My goal is not to take you down with me.

Sorry.

Bousquet, Bousquet.

- Bousquet.

- Bousquet, Bousquet.

- Bousquet.

- And it's the community that really helped.

That was a good one.

- Yeah, that was a good one.

We're, oh (beep).

(Matt laughs) (calm music)