Cross Country Skiing & Snowshoeing
Cross country skiing is a marvelous winter sport that is growing in popularity among people of all ages. It is easy to learn for kids and adults and equipment is not complicated. And it is a sport that whole families can do together. Centers for cross-country (also called XC or Nordic skiing) are found in most parts of Massachusetts, with the greatest concentration in the Berkshire Mountains in the west. Almost all cross country skiing centers also welcoming snowshoeing and also offer snowshoe equipment rentals and lessons.
Western Massachusetts Cross Country Ski Area Association is a group of seven Nordic ski areas, all of which provide groomed trails and usually lessons and equipment rentals. The association’s goal is to make cross-country skiing (and snowshoeing!) accessible for everyone.
12 listings
Becket, MA
Canterbury Farm Cross Country Skiing
1986 Fred Snow Road, directions to Canterbury Farm Cross Country Skiing 413-623-0100At 1650 feet elevation, Canterbury Farm and its 32 km of trails offer plenty of snow and views of Mount Greylock. Most trails are groomed every day and offer beginner, intermediate, and advanced terrain. Some trails are wide enough for ski skating; some of the back country trail have tracks only. Skis, snow shoes and ice skates for rent; lessons offered.
Richmond, MA
Hilltop Orchards Cross Country Skiing
Hilltop Orchards - 508 Canaan Road, directions to Hilltop Orchards Cross Country Skiing 413-344-6817In addition to its large apple trees, Hilltop Orchards has a 200-acre property devoted in winter to Nordic skiing and snowshoeing, with some places offering vast vistas of the Berkshire Mountains. At this Nordic Ski Center, trails are groomed for classic and skating-style skiing and snowshoeing. Wooded backcountry trails will thrill the more advanced XC skiers. John Morton, a seven-time participant in the Winter Olympics, designed the 4 miles of trails through the orchards and nearby woods. Equipment rentals. Join the Guided Full Moon Snowshoe and bonfire. Open daily 9am - 5pm. Please call for ski & snowshoe fees; Guests of the Garden Gables Inn in Lenox ski for free.
Northfield, MA
Northfield Mountain Cross Country Ski Area
99 Millers Falls Road, directions to Northfield Mountain Cross Country Ski Area 800-859-2960Twenty-five miles of trails are groomed for classical and ski style skiing. Difficulty ranges from gentle to the 800-foot vertical climb up Tenth Mountain Trail. Center has a base yurt and a lounge, trailside warming hut open on Saturdays and Sundays; rentals of Nordic skis and snowshoes; and lessons. Six miles of snowshoe trails.
Windsor, MA
Notchview Cross Country Ski Area
Notchview Reservation - 83 Old Route 9, directions to Notchview Cross Country Ski Area 413-684-0148Notchview Nordic ski area is owned and operated by the Trustees of Reservations, a conservation group that does an excellent job of caring for its properties. Variety of traisl ranges from KInderloop for children to backcountry trails for advanced XC skiers and snowshoers. Twenty-eight of a total of 40 trails are groomed. The 3100-acres property has scenic forest and open meadow. A high base elevation means lots of snow, even into March and April. Trailside shelters offer grand views across the surrounding Hilltown countryside. One area is groomed for skiing with dogs. Visitor lodge has a wood burning stove. Snowshoe rentals and ski equipment rentals.
Hawley, MA
Stump Sprouts Cross Country Ski Center and Guest Lodge
64 West Hill Road, directions to Stump Sprouts Cross Country Ski Center and Guest Lodge 413-339-4265Stump Sprouts is a small rustic resort high above the Mohawk Trail with dependable snow coverage throughout the winter. Twenty-five kilometers of trails designed for classical track XC skiing and snowshoeing include beautiful wooded glades that move into and through the nearby state forest. Great views from trail intersections. Check the website for trail conditions before visiting.
The lodge has wonderful views in all directions, a fireplace, bunkrooms. Home-cooked served to weekend guests and midweek groups. The lodge is a destination for family reunions, clubs, small weddings, and informal business meetings.
Falmouth, MA
Beebe Woods
Off Depot Avenue, directions to Beebe Woods 508-457-2536This is a sweet little conservation area with lots of trails of a 334-acre former estate. Trails are open to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing if Falmouth gets enough snow, but there are no skiing services or supports, such as equipment rentals. Dogs are welcome. Nice for families. Property in include large kettle ponds, woodlands, and wetlands. The 1.6-mile walk to Ice House Pond is a delight. - Area Map (PDF)
Weston, MA
Weston Ski Track
190 Park Road, directions to Weston Ski Track 617-965-5110Thirteen miles and a 20-minute drive from Boston headed west on the Massachusetts Turnpike (Route 90), Weston Ski Track is a cross-country ski and snowshoe center located on the Leo J. Martin Golf Course. Snow guns keep track covered as long as temps allow. Track is easily accessible to the Boston area. The Ski Track grooms 15 kilometers of trails and lights a two-kilometer loop for night skiing. This is a family-friendly area with lots of support and teaching for beginner skiers and snowshoers. Trails passes & equipment rentals available.
Carlisle, MA
Great Brook Ski Touring Center
Great Wood Farm State Park - 1018 Lowell Street, directions to Great Brook Ski Touring Center 978-369-7486Two dozen miles from downtown Boston, Great Brook Ski Touring Center has 10 miles of machine-groomed trails in Great Brook Farm State Park. Trails provide terrain for all levels of ability. Surroundings are fields, a farm, woods, and hills. Wide lands allow two sets of skiing tracks and ski skating. Large rental inventory has skis in every size, as well as snowshoes and pulk sleds for pulling children. Machine-groomed trails require a paid trail pass to access.
Gardner, MA
Dunn State Park
289 Pearl Street, directions to Dunn State Park 508-632-7897In winter, people may do cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the park’s two walking trails. Ice skating is done on the pond. Often, a wood fire is lit in the visitor center. All activities in the park are wheelchair-accessible. - Trail Map (PDF)
Baldwinville, MA
Otter River State Forest
86 Winchendon Road, directions to Otter River State Forest 508-939-8962Otter River State Forest is a popular camping and day-use property that welcomes cross-country skiing on its many trails. - Trail Map (PDF)
Granville, MA
Maple Corner Farm Cross Country Ski Center
794 Beech Hill Road, directions to Maple Corner Farm Cross Country Ski Center 413-357-8829This family farm in the foothills of the Berkshires offers 20 kilometers of marked ski trails from beginner to expert, groomed for traditional and skating styles. Also, there is 10 km. of snowshoe trails. The trails venture through or past pastures, mountain streams, maple groves, forests, and hills. A rental shop has plenty of skis and snowshoes for children through adult sizes. Group and private ski lessons are available. The ski lodge has a cozy wood fire and snack bar with hot foods. Behind the lodge is a warm-up area and beginner trails.
Worcester, MA
Elm Park-Newton Hill Nordic Ski Park
Elm Park - bounded by Highland, Pleasant, Elm and Russell streets, directions to Elm Park-Newton Hill Nordic Ski ParkThis ski park includes beginner, intermediate, and advanced terrain, supporting both classic and skate skiing as well as snowshoeing and fat tire mountain biking. When snow coverage is sufficient ski trails are groomed throughout Elm Park and Newton Hill.
Access and Parking: Skiers may park along Elm Park on Russell Street, in the Doherty High School upper parking lot on Highland Street, or on Pleasant Street near the Newton Hill storage building and tennis courts. Elm Park contains the easier (green dot) trail; Newton Hill has more challenging terrain (blue square and black diamond). These trails can be accessed by walking across Park Avenue from Elm Park at the Cornerstone Bank parking lot. When there is a minimum 6” base, trails will be open and are typically groomed three times weekly and/or after storms. Grooming updates and conditions are posted to the Friends of Newton Hill Facebook page.