Hot in Northern Bershires: Timeshares, Condos

I just returned from a short visit with family in Williamstown, MA -- that's "North County" Berkshires in local parlance.

Lots of folks seem to be dropping by the Vacation Village office on Route 7 north of Lanesboro. "Vacation Village in the Berkshires" (that's the full name) is a new timeshare development at nearby Jiminy Peak, the restyled and stylish ski/play/real estate area in nearby Hancock.

In Williamstown itself, locals are looking forward to the loft condos to be created in the coming years out of an old factory on Water Street. They'll be within walking distance of Williams College, the now-being-built new Williamstown Playhouse, and other attractions.

North County is far less developed than such mainstream tourist areas as South County's Lenox, Stockbridge and Great Barrington. But Jiminy and Williamstown are still only 3 hours drive from NYC, 2 1/2 hours from Boston.