Latest news with #BerkshireEast
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
GPS Rescue Tool Sees Uptick in Use at Ski Areas
I've never put much effort into learning the names of ski runs. Even at my home mountain, I never thought twice about it. That is until a ski patroller reminded me how much easier it is for them to find injured people if they can tell patrol exactly where they are. Luckily for folks like me or those who are skiing a mountain they're unfamiliar with, a GPS rescue tool called AirFlare has seen a large uptick in use across US ski areas during the 2024/25 season. Want to keep up with the best stories and photos in skiing? Subscribe to the new Powder To The People newsletter for weekly updates. AirFlare, among other features, allows ski patrollers to find a guest's exact GPS coordinates. Even for guests without an AirFlare subscription, the AirFlare platform allows search parties to request a location from a guest via text message. Upon receipt and approval, the lost person's phone will automatically send their coordinates back to the search party. Users can also get an AirFlare app subscription, which transforms their phone into a mobile wilderness rescue beacon. Across the US, ski areas using AirFlare reported a 27 percent increase in their use of the tool, which helped initiate 2,500 rescues nationwide. One ski area reported 370 searches were done using the AirFlare tool this season, and others averaged 87 searches throughout the season over 57 the previous year. Company officials attribute the increase in use to better integration of AirFlare in day-to-day patrol practices. The tool is also applicable in a wide range of scenarios and has significantly decreased patrol response times as well as the number of patrollers needed to be deployed to find a guest. "When we actually have an AirFlare location for them, we no longer need to send three people to go look for one person. Now, we can more accurately find where they are and narrow it down. So it's decreased response times for sure," said Purgatory ski patrol director Blayne Woods. As of this season, four new ski areas were added to an already impressive roster of resorts using the tool. Currently, Berkshire East, Bridger Bowl, Brundage Mountain, Burke Mountain, Crystal Mountain, Diamond Peak, Jay Peak, Magic Mountain, Mt. Ashland, Mt. Hood SkiBowl, Purgatory, Powder Mountain, Schweitzer, Sierra at Tahoe, Silver Mountain Resort, Soldier Mountain, and Tamarack all utilize AirFlare.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Chicopee sidewalks still covered in ice after snowstorm
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – Western Massachusetts residents might be over the winter weather, but the city of Chicopee still requires you to clear those sidewalks if you're a property owner. In the Willimansett neighborhood in Chicopee, several walkways are still covered with snow and ice. One resident in the area told 22News crews he's not avoiding this responsibility, but he has about 300 square feet of sidewalk surrounding his home to take care of. Berkshire East reopens after two-day power outage In Chicopee, residents in the Willimansett neighborhood are trying to get caught up, and Scott is one of them. He was outside his home this afternoon shoveling and has been working on clearing the sidewalk surrounding his property on Chicopee Street in parts. 'This is my third day out here,' Scott said. 'Once I get done with mine, I'll help anybody that needs it.' Scott said that the ice makes it difficult to get the area cleared. According to the city of Chicopee, property owners are responsible for cleaning within 24 hours after snowfall. That includes removing ice or placing sand on the ice. For not clearing sidewalks surrounding their property of snow and ice, Chicopee residents face a $50 for their first offense. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Berkshire East closes skiing and snow tube park due to high winds on Monday
CHARLEMONT, Mass. (WWLP) – Berkshire East announced its closure of over 35 skiing trails due to high winds on Monday. On Sunday afternoon, the resort announced over 35 skiing trails would be shut down on Presidents Day however, the snow tubing park would remain open. An update on Monday morning said that they canceled snow tubing after a power outage. The resort said that they are contacting those with reservations to discuss rescheduling options. Weather Alert: High Wind Warning for gusts over 60MPH A High Wind Warning is in effect until 7 p.m. for all of western Massachusetts with wind gusts possible over 60 mph at times. Monday will be partly sunny, very windy and cold with highs in the 20s. Monday night will be partly cloudy and it will continue to be windy. Lows will drop down into the teens and single digits. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Reuters
11-02-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Brazil secure women's Olympic alpine skiing berth after 12 years
Feb 10 (Reuters) - Alice Padilha has secured a place for Brazil in alpine skiing at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, marking the South American nation's return to the women's category after a 12-year absence. Competing at Berkshire East in the United States, the 17-year-old from Rio de Janeiro put in a fitting performance in Sunday's slalom competition, scoring 83.07 points, well below the 120-point qualification threshold set by the International Ski Federation (FIS). Advertisement · Scroll to continue Report this ad Her combined time for the two races was 1:37.75, placing her 14th in the event. The result allows Padilha to meet the limit set by the federation, an average of her best five results during the qualification period, and thus secure an Olympic berth. Padilha's Olympic place is awarded to Brazil's National Olympic Committee (NOC), not the athlete personally, but the result marks Brazil's return to the women's alpine skiing competition for the first time since the Sochi Games in 2014.
