South West Vermont

One of the most popular places to cross country ski in Vermont is the Catamount Trail. It ranges from North to South throughout Vermont. A great place to access this trail is north of Weston.

Take route 100 North. When you see a sign for the National Park Camp Ground, prepare to turn left onto a dirt road and drive a short distance to Jane Coolidge road where cars typically park along the side of the road.

At this point you can either go to the left up the Catamount Trail, or follow the trail straight up the unplowed road that leads to the campground. After a gentle up-hill ski, the Catamount Trail branches off to the right. Some continue to ski on the road instead of taking the right.

We took our cross country skis up the Catamount Trail. It sloped just enough to make it fairly hard work. Fortunately the cold weather and deep snow ensured that all of the running water on the trail stayed away from our skis. This is not a trail to try in the Fall or Spring. It must be a muddy mess.

We continued up for a about a half hour and then enjoyed a wonderful ski down the trail. The gradual slope that made ascending such a chore made the descent a joy.