Six Reasons to Get Out This Winter

By Clover Whitham

With all that Vermont’s cross-country ski scene has to offer, there’s no reason to hibernate this winter. Resorts and trail systems around the state offer a wide variety of terrain, amenities and experiences for those just getting into the sport and those who have been on skinny skis for decades. Here are six reasons to get out there this winter.

Newcomers welcome – Cross-country skiing, also known as nordic skiing, can be a relatively easy and affordable way to get outside in the winter, with many Vermont ski areas offering what you’ll need to get started. Most cross-country centers offer rentals and lessons, often for both classic and skate skiing styles. 

Adult trail tickets range from about $10 to $45 for the day. Those planning to ski several times a season can save by buying a season pass. The Ski Vermont Cross Country Reciprocal Program is a great way to explore new resorts as it allows season pass holders at participating ski areas to receive one free or discounted day pass per season at other participating ski areas: skivermont.com/deals.

Those who have their own equipment, or rent from a local ski shop, can ski at parks or community trail systems, some of which are groomed by volunteers. 

For anyone with disabilities or those needing extra support to get into skiing, Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports facilitates individualized experiences at locations around the state: vermontadaptive.org/winter. 

All kinds of vibes – With so many Nordic resorts around the state, chances are high there’s a ski area that fits whatever vibe you’re looking for. From larger resorts with all the amenities to trail systems with little more than a shack and a donation box, each has its own charms and unique experiences. 

At von Trapp Family Lodge and Resort in Stowe, for example, you’ll find a large and elegant campus with a skiers lodge and rental shop, Austrian-inspired lodging, and multiple places to dine, including the von Trapp Brewing Bierhall Restaurant that you can ski to. The 60K trail network has trails for all abilities and access to backcountry terrain: vontrappresort.com. 

Other Vermont resorts are smaller but still offer miles of excellent trails and plenty of coziness. At Wild Wings in Peru, visitors will find 25K of trails winding through the woods at an elevation that provides snow when the nearby valleys are bare. You can warm up in a converted horse barn that also houses its rental shop: wildwingsski.com.

If you’re looking for complete wooded solitude – and have your own gear – check out Camel’s Hump Nordic in Huntington. There’s no base lodge or staffed amenities, but the nonprofit-run trail network offers 65K of trails on public and private land in the shadow of Camel’s Hump mountain. The system has both groomed and backcountry trails and tickets are $15 for anyone ages 11-69, free for everyone else: camelshumpskiers.org.

In southern Vermont, the Brattleboro Outing Club grooms 33K at the Brattleboro Country Club. Volunteers staff a hut and serve hot chocolate on weekends and some school breaks. Guests are expected to leave a trail fee ($15 for adults) in the honor box or pay via Venmo, and rentals are available when the hut is staffed: brattleborooutingclub.org.

Wide range of terrain – Vermont boasts some of the best Nordic ski trails in the country, with over 1,000 miles of groomed trails across the state. Each resort typically has everything from flat and rolling terrain to steeper climbs with mountain-top destinations. Most resorts have trails for both classic and skate skiing.

Craftsbury Outdoor Center, with 105K of groomed trails, is one of the larger Nordic resorts in the state. It has wide open trails that can accommodate elite-level races, but tranquility can still easily be found in the forest. Also hidden in these woods are stuffed animals, part of an annual “Critter Count” competition and fairy houses. These surprises are excellent motivation for younger skiers. Craftsbury also hosts programs for all ages to both get into the sport or to fine-tune skills, or to try racing or biathlon: craftsbury.com.

Blueberry Lake Cross Country Ski Center in East Warren has 35K of trails groomed for classic and skate skiing, plus snowshoeing. Visitors will find trails for all abilities, a woodstove-warmed ski center, plus a new eight-person trailside sauna (book ahead for your 45-minute session). Dogs with trail manners are welcome, too: blueberrylakexc.com.

Several Nordic centers have longer loops to plan your day around. At von Trapp Family Lodge skiers can climb about three miles to a cabin that serves soup, hot drinks and delicious baked goods (bring cash). It’s OK to fill up on the giant brownies, because the ski back is mostly downhill. 

Similarly, Sleepy Hollow Inn, Ski & Bike Center in Huntington has Butternut Cabin, which is about one mile from the base and offers incredible views of Camel’s Hump. Besides the trail to the cabin, Sleepy Hollow has another 30K of well-groomed trails for skiing and snowshoeing. It’s also one of the resorts that has a night skiing loop and hosts a weekly night racing series: skisleepyhollow.com.

Prospect Mountain Nordic in Woodford has more than 30K of trails ranging from flat field loops to long climbs. The Mountain Trail takes skiers up a winding trail to an elevation of 2,740 feet where you can take in the view and then come down a number of ways, including some old Alpine trails. The Hobbit House, off of the Hobbit Hollow trail, is a great destination for children (and the young at heart). This almost 3k loop on gentle rolling terrain includes a stop at a small wooden treehouse where skiers can leave a letter for the hobbits in their mailbox: prospectmountain.com.

Catamount Outdoor Family Center in Williston is excellent for beginners because the trails start out in a field before heading into the woods. The center has trails for all levels and also has a lit night skiing loop which is great for putting in a few kilometers after work or school. Snowshoeing, fat tire biking and sledding are also popular here: catamountoutdoor.org.

Resort staff can recommend loops and outings to suit your skill level and time frame. 

We’ve got the snow and snowmaking – This season has been a good one for snow, and Vermont’s geography and terrain generally make it a reliable destination for snow seekers. In addition to natural snow, several resorts have added snowmaking. 

One of the first Nordic resorts to add snowmaking was Rikert Outdoor Center in the heart of the Green Mountain Forest. Snowmaking gives Rikert, which is about 20 minutes from Middlebury, a jump on early-season skiing and helps it weather warm spells or droughts. Rikert also has onsite lodging, 55K groomed for classic and skate skiing, plus snowshoeing and fat tire biking trails. This year the resort is also hosting free weekly adaptive biking days: rikertoutdoor.com.

Sleepy Hollow Inn, Ski & Bike Center has a 3K snowmaking loop and powers it with onsite solar panels and grooms with an electric groomer. Some of the other resorts with snowmaking include von Trapp Family Lodge, Craftsbury Outdoor Center, Prospect Mountain Nordic, and Grafton Trails and Outdoor Center. 

Upcoming events – Throughout the season Vermont’s resorts host events, including learn-to-ski clinics, guided tours, citizen and elite races and other fun events. 

Several resorts host full moon skis once a month, including Prospect Mountain with Moonlight Dinner and Ski, Feb. 28 and March 28, and Catamount Outdoor Family Center  with Tour De Moon, March 1. See resort websites for details. 

For those with strong downhill skills and stamina, check out the Stowe Derby, it’s the oldest downhill cross-country race in North America, scheduled for Feb 22. This 20K race has a total vertical drop of almost 2,700 feet. Skiers speed their way down Mt. Mansfield’s Toll Road to the Stowe Recreation Path and finish in Stowe village: mmsca.org.

The Nordic X race in Richmond is another unique event for brave cross-country skiers. Cochran’s Ski Area, a small community alpine hill, hosts this event at the end of the season. Nordic skiers ski up and down the mountain, over obstacles and through slalom poles, often in costume. This wild, spectator-friendly event is scheduled for April 4: cochranskiarea.com. 

To see some of the fastest skiers in the country, check out the 2026 US Ski & Snowboard SuperTour Finals hosted at Craftsbury Outdoor Center, March 27-29: craftsbury.com.

Make it a weekend – Several of Vermont’s Nordic centers have onsite lodging, and most Vermont ski areas offer activities in addition to skiing, such as snowshoeing and fat biking. This makes it easy to fill a few days with winter fun and bring family and friends who don’t ski. 

In addition to skiing, sledding and snowshoeing, Mountain Top Resort in Chittenden has ice skating, sleigh rides and a hot tub. Mountain Top has on-site luxury lodging, a spa and dining. Among the resort’s 60K trail network is a 10K black diamond trail called Round Robin that circles Chittenden Reservoir. After skiing that, what could be better than a hot tub and massage? Visit: mountaintopinn.com.

Woodstock Inn & Resort also has luxury accommodations and its own Nordic center with 45K of trails for both classic and skate skiing, plus rentals, lessons and guided tours. Woodstock also has snowshoeing and fat tire biking. On weekdays, Vermont residents can get 10 percent off trail passes with proof of residency: woodstockinn.com.

Grafton Trails & Outdoor Center in southern Vermont has snowshoeing, fat tire biking, snow tubing, sleigh rides and ice skating in addition to cross-country skiing. On several Saturdays through March 7, Grafton hosts a Wine & Cheese Snowshoe Tour, a one-hour guided snowshoe walk, after which participants enjoy a Grafton Village cheese plate and two glasses of wine at the cabin: graftoninnvermont.com.

With this season’s great snow, there’s no better time to get out on cross-country skis and explore all that Vermont nordic centers have to offer. For more help planning your next adventure, check out Ski Vermont’s Mountain Finder: skivermont.com.

Clover Whitham (clover.whitham@gmail.com) is a freelance writer and editor who lives near Burlington and skis nordic and alpine with her husband and three boys. She grew up skiing at Prospect Mountain in southern Vermont.