Central Massachusetts has a fresh covering of snow this morning making it a perfect day to go cross country skiing.
The book “Skiing the Pioneer Valley” provides a list of great places for cross-country skiing. This includes 8 Cross Country Ski Centers –Brookfield Orchards Touring Center (508-867-6858), Bucksteep Manor (1-800-645-BUCK), Canterbury Farm (413-626-0100), Hickory Hill (413-238-5813), Maple Corner Farm (413-357-6697), Notchview Reservation (413-684-0148), Stump Sprouts (413-339-4265) and Northfield Mountain (413-659-3714).
All of these have trails groomed or ungroomed, some have lodges and ski rentals, most charge a small fee.
Of these eight, the only one I am familiar with is Northfield Mountain which I can heartily recommend! There are 26 miles of wide groomed trails. The terrain varies from meadows to sloping hills to a climb to the beautiful reservoir at the summit. And the Northfield Mountain Visitor Center doubles as a ski lodge.
Or for those that have their own skis and don’t care about groomed trails –Harvard Forest in Petersham also has miles and miles of trails–which the Petersham residents enjoy! Some of these great trails start right at our Inn, Clamber Hill. We have even had guests ski up to spend the night (although they had their luggage dropped off)
No matter which type of skiing you prefer–get out there in time to enjoy the fresh snow!
