The Catamount Trail began as an idea in the minds of three young Vermont friends: Steve Bushey, Paul Jarris and Ben Rose. Steve Bushey, then a University of Vermont student in geography, researched the route and obtained access privileges from various landowners as a thesis project. Steve, with friends Paul and Ben, skied the route on the first End-to-End Tour in 1984, and the Catamount Trail was born.
The Association was incorporated in 1984 with the purpose of building, administering and maintaining the Catamount Trail as a public resource.
Since then, with the help of many volunteers, great strides have been made toward finishing the Trail as well as protecting the corridor in perpetuity so skiers can continue to enjoy it for generations to come.
In 2002, the Vermont General Assembly adopted a Joint Resolution recognizing the contribution the Catamount Trail Association makes by promoting cross-country skiing and for the contribution outdoor winter recreation makes to the health and wellbeing of Vermonters and visitors to the state. The Legislature further charged CTA to continue to “develop, administer, maintain and conserve the Catamount Trail.”
The last stretch of the Catamount Trail was connected in the Fall of 2007, making it 100% complete!
