
Private Lessons & Tours
Private coaching and guiding tailored to your goals.
Looking for a personal tour of the mountain? Do you want one on one coaching tailored to you and your group? Sign up for a private lesson! Our experienced instructors will help you progress your riding to the next level.
Private lessons are designed for 1-5 riders of a similar ability (minimum age 6). We have certified staff that is trained to teach everything from introductory lessons, to double black technical trails and everything in between. If you are just looking for a tour of our incredible trails, hiring a guide is the most efficient way to see the mountain. At this time we do not offer coaching or guiding on Fort Hill.
Lesson Start Times
-
Half Day (3 hours)
10:00am or 2:00pm
-
Full Day (6 hours)10:00am
LESSON PRICE
- Half Day starts at $215
+ $25 per additional guest - Full Day starts at $395
+ $40 per additional guest - Lift Tickets are sold separately and are available at checkout
MEETING LOCATION
Bike Shop on the Main Floor of the Berkshire East Ski Resort Main Lodge
AGES 6+
Contact Customer Service to book a spot or for more info (413.339.6618 )
Cancellation Policy
We offer a full refund up to 48 hours before the event start time. No refunds will be offered within the 48-hour window, with exceptions for chairlift and bike park closures.

CLINICS & PROGRAMS
SKILLS SPECIFIC CLINICS AND MULTI-DAY PROGRAMS
The Thunder Mountain Bike School is excited to offer a variety of offerings for children and adults. Typical group sizes range from three to six participants. Clinics do not include a lift ticket, however they can be purchased for a discounted rate at checkout. We are currently updating our 2024 calendar. Registration for our youth program, Boats and Berms, is open!
ADULT HALF DAY CLINICS
- $75
- 3 hours
- Includes coaching and discounts on lift tickets
ADULT FULL DAY CLINICS
- $165
- 6.5 hours
- Includes coaching, discounts on lift tickets, lunch, an apres drink voucher and Thunder swag!
Contact Customer Service to book a spot or for more info (413.339.6618 )
KIDS PROGRAMS
ADULT HALF DAY CLINICS
ADULT FULL DAY CLINICS
GUEST CLINICS AT THUNDER
Cancellation Policy
In-house bike clinics will run rain or shine. We offer a full refund up to a week out from the day of the event. No refunds will be offered within this one week window, unless lifts shut down or the mountain closes for weather.

101 Learn to Ride
RIDE SCHOOL AT THUNDER MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK
This package includes:
- A rental downhill bike
- A full face helmet
- Protective body armor
- A lift ticket
- A two hour group lesson
Are you new to mountain biking? Have you ever ridden at a bike park? The 101 is your all inclusive entry package to the sport. You will get a lift ticket, rental bike, body armor, helmet and a two hour lesson for an unbeatable price.
Instructors will teach participants the basic fundamentals of downhill mountain biking at our designated skills areas. Coaches will focus on body positioning, braking, shifting, descending and cornering. The goal of each lesson is to successfully ride one lap on our green trail, Sugar Line. Students that are excelling may progress to blue terrain, however they will not have access to Gronk, our blue jump trail. Those interested in learning to jump should sign up for a jumping clinic or a private lesson.
Lesson Start Times
-
Morning ($165)
10:30am - 12:30pm
-
Afternoon ($135)
1:30pm - 3:30pm
LESSON PRICE
Morning lesson, all day lift ticket & rental $165
Afternoon lesson, afternoon lift ticket & rental $135
MEETING LOCATION
Bike Shop on the Main Floor of the Berkshire East Ski Resort Main Lodge
AGES 10+
- Participants must know how to ride a bike prior to the 101 lesson
- You may only take ONE 101 lesson
- This is a beginner lesson only
- Participants cannot pick up their rental until 30 minutes before the lesson start time.
- You may not ride the lift before the 101 lesson.
- Minimum age: 10
Contact Customer Service to book a spot or for more info (413.339.6618 )
Cancellation Policy
We offer a full refund up to 48 hours before the event start time. No refunds will be offered within the 48-hour window, with exceptions for chairlift and bike park closures.

THUNDER MOUNTAIN GRAVITY TEAM
YOUTH EASTERN STATES CUP TRAVEL TEAM
The Thunder Mountain Gravity Team is a competitive mountain bike program for young athletes ages 10-16. With a focus on gravity riding, this program will train athletes for enduro and downhill racing on Eastern States Cup tracks. This year's coaching staff will be led by racing standouts, Ellen Noble and Gordon Goss. During the summer, practices will run every Thursday at Thunder, with the team traveling to four Eastern States Cup races around New England. Coaches will teach athletes everything from mountain bike fundamentals, to high speed cornering, jumping, drops, line choice, finding speed, race tactics and more. Join us for another season of racing with the Thunder Mountain Gravity Team!
*Call to book to save on booking fees
Not sure if this program is right for your family? Join us for a free info session and team ride-around on June 10th at 9am next to the ski racing shack near the Main Lodge. Please email
COST
$990
50% off athlete's season pass
Call to book to save on booking fees
413-339-6618
DATE RANGE
Summer Session
June 29th - August 24th
AGES 10-16
PROGRAM OUTLINE
Practices will be held at Thunder Mountain Bike Park every Thursday. Athletes will ride with coaches and team members, focusing on a combination of drills, freeriding and timed practice runs. Although we will target race specific training, the overarching goal of the program is two fold. One, we want young athletes to progress their riding by developing sound fundamentals. Two, we want kids to simply love mountain biking and racing. Not only will the program challenge your child, it will put them in a social environment that could lead to lifelong outdoor friendships.
Team members are expected to make 80% or more of the practices at Thunder. Although there is not a requirement to do every race, we hope that your child can attend one or more of the ESC race weekends during the summer. At races, our coaching staff will assist athletes with three hours of practice runs and course walkthroughs on Saturdays. This will give the team an opportunity to practice their lines and dial in their bikes under the supervision of a coach. Whether your child is racing enduro or downhill, race day is always Sunday. Athletes will be on their own on Sundays as our coaches will be racing themselves. Parents will need to provide supervision throughout the weekend. We also ask that parents chip in to help create a team atmosphere at races.
About the Coaches
Gordon Goss is excited to help athletes looking for a competitive edge to improve their skills and speed on the trail this summer. Gordon started riding at his home mountain of Mt Snow, VT in 1999, which progressed into racing DH a few years later. A lifelong outdoor enthusiast, he has worked at bike parks and ski areas, led youth conservation crews, and camped out across the country in search of new trails. This summer he is looking to repeat his top five overall finish in the pro enduro class. As co-head coach, Gordon will use his years of experience as a rider, racer, crew leader, and mechanic to help athletes find their own success and enjoy the thrill of racing.
This season we are ecstatic to bring Ellen Noble to the Gravity Team coaching staff. A former Trek Factory Racing and Red Bull athlete, Noble is no stranger to the big leagues. In her pro-career, Noble won three U-23 Cyclocross National Championships, a Pan-American Championship and scored a second place podium at the UCI CX World Championships. In addition to dominating cyclocross, Ellen raced on the cross country World Cup circuit for a number of years. Now retired and living in Western Massachusetts, Noble is shifting focus to gravity riding and giving back to the sport she loves. Ellen runs her own youth cycling camps for girls, and is passionate about inspiring the next generation of riders. In her “retirement”, she plans to race more enduros, and build on last year's podium at the Sugarloaf EWS 100.
Program Requirements
- Athletes must have prior mountain biking experience and be able to ride black diamond trails at Thunder or a comparable bike park.
- Families must provide their children with pads, a full face helmet and a full suspension bike with disc brakes.
- Parents must be willing to transport their children to races or carpool with other families. Parents are responsible for providing lodging or camping for their kids at races and must be able to cover registration fees and other costs associated with racing.
What Is Included?
- A meet and greet session on June 10th. 9am -12pm.
- Nine Thursday practices
- Four three hour Saturday coaching sessions at races
- A team uniform from Fox with the athletes name printed on the back
- 50% off bike shop labor for team members. *Some exclusions apply
- 50% off athletes season pass
- 30% off parts and retail items at the Thunder bike shop
What is Not Included?
- Bikes and equipment
- Lift tickets (we offer 50% season pass for team members)
- Meals at practices and races
- Transportation and lodging
DETAILS & DATES
Thunder Mountain Gravity Team (Summer Session)
- Ages 10-16
- Free info session / ride with the team on June 10th. 9am - 12pm.
- Summer season, June 29th - August 24th
- $990 enrollment
- Practice at Thunder one day per week plus four race weekends
- Co-head coached by Gordon Goss and Ellen Noble
Eastern States Cup Races
- July 23rd - Sugarbush, VT
- July 30th - Mount Snow, VT
- August 6th - Burke, VT
- August 20th - Sugarloaf, ME
Practice Schedule at Thunder (9:30 AM - 4:00 PM)
- Every Thursday 6/29 - 8/24
Cancellation Policy
- You may cancel free of charge up to two weeks from the program start date. Those that cancel within the two week window will be charged for the full price of the program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Email
Prior racing experience certainly will help, however it is not required. If your child is a proficient mountain biker, this is a great opportunity for them to get into racing at a young age.
Most race venues are easily hikable and only allow spectators on foot. We encourage experienced race families to help less experienced parents at races.
Old or under-maintained mountain bikes pose a big safety risk for racing. Parents must provide their children with a suitable full suspension bike. Ask your local shop for help, or come into the service shop at Thunder to ask questions.
No, however Thunder Mountain Bike Park is not responsible for athletes outside of practice times. You may coordinate with other parents for supervision at races.
Athletes may enter any race they like wearing their TMGT jersey, however we only provide coaching at ESC races.
The ESC is a race series based in the Northeast that hosts Enduro and Downhill races for people of all ages.
If you feel like your child's coach did an exceptional job, it is appropriate to tip them at the end of the season.

THUNDER MOUNTAIN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The Devo program meets for five consecutive Sundays and is for young mountain bikers—ages 8-16—looking to progress their skills in a fun, non-competitive environment. The goal of the Development program is to inspire the next generation of riders to build a love for mountain biking. Sunday sessions will include instruction in small groups along with tons of supervised bike park riding! Have your kids join us for a memorable season at Thunder!
If the program is filled, please call 413-339-6618 to be placed on the waitlist.
COST
- $490 on/after 4/1.
(Call to book to save on booking fees) - 50% off a season pass for participant.
(Call to book 413-339-6618)
DATES
5/28, 6/4, 6/11, 6/18 & 6/25 (Rain date 7/2)
AGES 8-16
OVERVIEW
Each day will run from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM with a lunch break supervised by our instructors. At the first session kids will be matched up into smaller groups based on age and ability. For continuity, your child will ride with this group and the same coach throughout the program. Instructors will teach basic skills such as body positioning, cornering and braking on easier terrain, before practicing up on the hill. More advanced groups will progress into skills such as finding speed in technical terrain, pumping, jumping and drop technique.
*Participants must know how to ride a mountain bike prior to joining the Devo program and be comfortable riding a green trail such as Sugar Line.
Equipment Requirements
- Participants must provide their own bike with working disc brakes. We strongly encourage parents to get their child’s bike tuned before the Spring session.
- Full suspension bikes are strongly encouraged but not required.
- Children must wear a full face helmet.
- At a minimum, knee pads are required to participate. Chest, back, neck and elbow protection are encouraged but not required.
- Mountain bike specific pedals are required for safety. Flat pedals are encouraged as they promote proper technique.
Rentals
- An extremely limited supply of kids bikes will be available for rent through the online reservation system. There are no guarantees that a bike will be available each week. Parents are responsible for walking their child through the rental process and must arrive at 9 AM to pick up their reserved bike.
Equipment Discounts
- Fox and Thunder are teaming up to offer families 25% off pads and helmets. Once you sign up, an email will be sent out with a link to order protective equipment.
Lift Tickets
- Lift tickets are not included in the program cost. Families may choose one of the following options:
- Purchase a Junior Season Pass at 50% off (no blackout dates). *Ages 14 and under. $194.50
- Purchase an Adult Season Pass at 50% off (no blackout dates). *Ages 14 and older. $274.50
- Purchase individual lift tickets for each day of the program. *Pre-purchase online for best pricing.
Lunch
- Lunch is not included. Please send your children with a bag lunch or money for the snack shack.
Daily Schedule
9:30am Drop off
~Noon - 1:00pm Lunch
4:00 Pick up
Financial Assistance
- We understand there are significant financial barriers of entry into mountain biking and want it to be accessible to as many local kids as possible. We are limited in what we can offer, however, we want to help where we can. If you are struggling to afford gear, please email
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Cancellation Policy
- You may cancel free of charge up to two weeks from the program start date. Those that cancel within the two week window will be charged for the full price of the program.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Thunder Mountain Development program is designed to give young riders a strong foundation of the fundamentals of mountain biking. Many will take these skills and go on to race XC, Enduro or Downhill, while others will continue on as recreational riders.
Please inquire about our youth ESC travel race team. This program is separate from Devo.
Congrats on raising the next phenom, however, Devo is probably not the right fit for your family. Most groups will max out their jumping progression on Gronk, our blue jump trail. A handful of kids may advance to Hawleywood. Devo exists to grow the general mountain bike community in Western Massachusetts, not to coach elite-level athletes.
Seven students to one instructor. The average is five to one.
Yes, we will do our best to accommodate these requests when possible. Please remember that learning is more conducive when kids are with peers of a similar ability. If friends request to be together, the stronger rider will be placed in a group that is the best fit for the weaker rider. Ultimately, we will put the students' safety and learning potential before requests to be with friends.
We ask that you please give our coaches and your child space. This is a great opportunity for parents to explore the bike park and the Deerfield River Trails free of kids.
Yes. We need a couple of volunteers to tail guide each week. This does not guarantee you will be with your child's group. Those interested in volunteering, please email
If you feel like your child's instructor did an exceptional job, it is appropriate to tip them at the end of the season.

