Willoughby State Forest includes approximately 12 kilometers of groomed Nordic terrain around Bartlett Mountain – suitable for both classic and skate skiing. Weather permitting, the trails are groomed through the winter months (generally late December to mid-March) by the NorthWoods Stewardship Center.
In addition, Vermont FPR is working with the Northeast Kingdom Backcountry Coalition (NEKBC), a chapter group of the Catamount Trail Association, to develop a variety of ungroomed backcountry ski terrain, including both gladed trails and narrow ‘skin tracks’. NEKBC manages gladed lines on Mt. Hor, Bartlett Mountain, and the lower CCC Road. These glades are part of an effort to provide a greater diversity of backcountry terrain on public lands while reducing illegal cutting. Any unauthorized removal of forest vegetation is prohibited.
Route Info
The WSF Skin Free Tour is 4 miles long with approximately 1100ft of climbing, and is appropriate for skis such as the Voile BC Ultra Vector with a telemark or alpine touring binding and boot. This route is up and down and therefore best enjoyed with minimal transitions. You might have to do a little binding adjustment but no need to put on or pull off skins. You can tour WSF with any waxless setup, but in order to really enjoy the glades on this route you will want a pair of skis and a set of skills that can handle the intermediate descents.
Route Description
Park at state maintained parking area on route 5A (see map). You can park on either side of the road depending on availability. Ski up the CCC Road (for efficiency and views) to the Baby Bowl entrance, down Baby Bowl, up Bartlett Boogie to top of Bartlett glades. Descend Humble Pie and loop back up the CCC road and the Bartlett Mtn Trail for a descent of Mountain Maid. This should drop you onto the CCC Road just above Skinny Dipper (though you may need to shuffle up just a little). Descend Skinny Dipper and head out the skin track until you get to Goat. Climb Goat to the CCC road again where you can do one final descent of either hors d’oeuvres or 5A direct.
Need To Know
Trail Fee
There are no trail fees but donations can be made to Northwoods Stewardship Center, the organization that maintains the groomed sections and/or NEKBC via Catamount Trail Association the organization that manages the glades.
Be Prepared
WSF has limited to no cell service. We strongly encourage doing this tour with at least one other person. You need to self-sufficient and prepared to help yourself. That means having the proper equipment, dressing properly, having extra food and water, and having a way to keep yourself found. Check out this List Of Recommended Equipment and stay safe out there.
Navigation Resources
WSF Self-Guided Skinless Intermediate Tour – Download GeoPDF
Willoughby State Forest Trail Map – Download GeoPDF
The map files available above are georeferenced PDFs. These are special PDFs that include geospatial information that allows certain apps to use your phone’s GPS to display your location on the map. Avenza is a free app available for both Android and iPhone. It will allow you to use georeferenced PDF maps for real-time navigation on your phone even when you don’t have cell service. Click here to learn more.
If you would like to contribute a tour of your own please review our Submission Guidelines.
If you have questions… Contact Greg Maino at gmaino@catamounttrail.org.
