2024 Single-Day Tours: Nordic Touring
CTA’s volunteer led tours are a great way to discover new sections of the Catamount Trail, explore our chapter managed zones, and get to know all of the amazing terrain that Vermont has on tap. SDTs are FREE and open to both CTA members and non-members. Before you reach out to a Tour Leader to signup please make yourself familiar as possible with the trail section or zone. Review the appropriate Trail Section Map or Zone Map to help make sure your skill level and experience is adequate for the tour in question.
If you’re looking to ski sections of the Catamount Trail don’t forget to check out our Multi-Day Tours. We’re planning to ski all 31 sections this season and you’re welcome to signup for a single day if that’s all you want/need.
Registering for a Single-Day Tour
Before registering for any CTA tour please read the following information:
Skier Responsibilities
Recommended Equipment List
Skills and Fitness Guidelines
To sign-up for a tour please follow the steps below.
- Fill out 2024 CTA Single-Day Tour Online Wavier.
- Check to make sure your waiver was submitted properly – Click Here To Confirm.
- Contact the tour leader well in advance of the tour. Do not wait until the night before. The leader will provide information on the meeting location, meeting time, and other necessary details. All CTA tour leaders are volunteers.
Here are some additional guidelines to consider when participating on a CTA tour:
- Have the skills and physical conditioning necessary to complete the trip. If you’re unsure… Ask the tour leader.
- Bring sufficient food and water for a full day and extra layers.
- Stay with the group.
- When leaving the trail, tell someone or leave your pack.
- At the end of the tour check out with the leader before leaving, otherwise they may not know you’ve left and might go back out to look for you while you’re on your way home.
- Leave your dog at home unless specifically allowed by the tour leader.
2024 Single Day Tours
January Day Tours – 2024
Beartown to Butternut WMBA – Beartown State Forest (Lee and Great Barrington, MA)
All Skill Levels – Tuesday, January 2nd
The Western Mass Backcountry Alliance (WMBA) in conjunction with the Dept of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) in Beartown State Forest is reclaiming CCC era ski trails. These tours will explore recently reclaimed portions of the Wildcat Trail which originally ran 11 miles from Beartown to what is now Butternut in Great Barrington. The terrain varies from steep tight trails to rolling hills. Since we have limited snow coverage where and what equipment will be dependent on conditions and the interest of the participants. These will be out and back full day trips.
Contact: Neal Chamberlain, nealchamberlain@gmail.com
Beartown to Butternut WMBA – Beartown State Forest (Lee and Great Barrington, MA)
All Skill Levels – Saturday, January 6th
The Western Mass Backcountry Alliance (WMBA) in conjunction with the Dept of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) in Beartown State Forest is reclaiming CCC era ski trails. These tours will explore recently reclaimed portions of the Wildcat Trail which originally ran 11 miles from Beartown to what is now Butternut in Great Barrington. The terrain varies from steep tight trails to rolling hills. Since we have limited snow coverage where and what equipment will be dependent on conditions and the interest of the participants. These will be out and back full day trips.
Contact: Neal Chamberlain, nealchamberlain@gmail.com
Section 17 Lincoln to Ripton, North to South – Lincoln Gap Road to Natural Turnpike
Intermediate to Advanced – Saturday, January 20th
This tour skirts Vermont’s “presidential range” and has rolling terrain with a few steeper downhills & uphills and some road shoulder skiing. Mid-weight set-up is appropriate.
Contact: Dean Bloch, dtbloch@gmail.com
Section 2: Harriman Dam to Route 9 – Wilmington Vermont
All Skill Levels – Saturday, January 20th
This tour is 11 miles of fairly flat and easy skiing. The first 8 miles is wilderness with no bailout points. Our pace will accommodate the slowest skier in the group. Tour cancels if insufficient sign-up by prior Thursday. Tour might be canceled or rerouted due to logging operations.
Contact: Sam Bartlett, sam@bart-tech.com (Put CTA in the subject line) or 413-834-0274.
Little River State Park Tour – Mount Mansfield/Bolton Area
Intermediate – Thursday, January 25th
This tour will feature a loop through the Little River State Park. The park has a variety of service roads ideal for skiing and offering a variety of landscapes. The tour includes a long, gradual uphill with a winding, but at points, steep downhill. Several variations are possible and the exact tour route is dependent upon the conditions. Some experience with hills and rolling terrain is needed. Metal Edge skis recommended. Skins are a must. Bring snacks, lunch, and drinks.
Maximum of 10 skiers.
Contact Eric Bishop, barberic@comcast.net for signup and tour location details.
Sterling Forest Tour – Sterling Forest Stowe
Beginner to Intermediate – Sunday, January 28th
Come join us for a tour of the Sterling Valley Forest in the area near section 24.
Contact: Julie T Higgins and Michael O’Connor, jthrunner@amcvolunteers.org
February Day Tours – 2024
Stratton Pond – Stratton
Beginner to Intermediate – Saturday, February 3rd
We will ski through the woods 4 miles to beautiful Stratton Pond on the southern portion of section 5. After having lunch at the Stratton Pond shelter we will return on the same route for a total of 8 miles. There is minimal climbing, so skins are not necessary. Any BC nordic touring skis should suffice.
Contact: Alan Binnick, anbin@myfairpoint.net or 802 464 3917
18th Annual Beaver Meadow tour – Just off the CT between Edson Hill (Stowe) and Golf course (Morrisville)
Intermediate to Advanced – Saturday, February 3rd (Backup date: Friday, February 9th)
This tour of 7 to 8 miles is a loop that gradually goes up to Beaver Meadow where a rustic Long Trail shelter welcomes us for a nice snack break. We will return via the Burling trail. 820 foot elevation gain. Tailgate potluck at the end of the tour, conditions permitting.
Contact: Kim Dunkley and Scott Meyer, tsimkim37@yahoo.com or 802-922-4507
Section 1: Harriman Dam to Route 100 (Readsboro) and back – Readsboro Vermont
All Skill Levels – Saturday, February 3rd
A good introduction to the backcountry for novice skiers. It follows an easy 6 miles on a backcountry abandoned railroad grade along the Deerfield River. A short, steep section can easily be walked. Our pace will accommodate the slowest skier. The tour leader will cancel if there are insufficient sign-ups by prior Thursday.
Contact: Sam Bartlett, sam@bart-tech.com (Put CTA in the subject line) or 413-834-0274.
Beartown to Butternut WMBA – Beartown State Forest (Lee and Great Barrington, MA)
All Skill Levels – Saturday, February 3rd
The Western Mass Backcountry Alliance (WMBA) in conjunction with the Dept of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) in Beartown State Forest is reclaiming CCC era ski trails. These tours will explore recently reclaimed portions of the Wildcat Trail which originally ran 11 miles from Beartown to what is now Butternut in Great Barrington. The terrain varies from steep tight trails to rolling hills. Since we have limited snow coverage where and what equipment will be dependent on conditions and the interest of the participants. These will be out and back full day trips.
Contact: Neal Chamberlain, nealchamberlain@gmail.com
Northern portion of section 4 – Stratton
Beginner to Intermediate – Sunday, February 4th
We will ski for a total of 8 miles up and back on the northern portion of section 4. This ski goes around Grout Pond and then meanders through the woods along the eastern shore of Somerset Reservoir. We will have lunch at blueberry swamp. There is minimal elevation change. BC nordic skis are recommended although if skilled nordic touring skis without metal edges should be ok.
Contact: Alan Binnick, anbin@myfairpoint.net or 802 464 3917
Beartown to Butternut WMBA – Beartown State Forest (Lee and Great Barrington, MA)
All Skill Levels – Tuesday, February 6th
The Western Mass Backcountry Alliance (WMBA) in conjunction with the Dept of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) in Beartown State Forest is reclaiming CCC era ski trails. These tours will explore recently reclaimed portions of the Wildcat Trail which originally ran 11 miles from Beartown to what is now Butternut in Great Barrington. The terrain varies from steep tight trails to rolling hills. Since we have limited snow coverage where and what equipment will be dependent on conditions and the interest of the participants. These will be out and back full day trips.
Contact: Neal Chamberlain, nealchamberlain@gmail.com
Ramble On Tour – Camels Hump Nordic Center/Bald Hill/Huntington
Intermediate to Advanced – Saturday, February 24th
Starting at the Camels Hump Nordic Center (CHNC) in Huntington, the tour will follow the Catamount Trail, the Challenge Trail, and a network of side trails to complete a 10-mile loop. The tour will take us through moderately steep and rolling northern hardwood forest, sub-alpine yellow birch glades and a flowy network of downhills on a recently rerouted 5-mile section of the Catamount Trail. We’ll end the tour back at CHNC. This will be a relaxed tour but will require the better part of the day. Best with metal-edged skis, but doable with wider, non-metal edge skis. Some experience with hills and rolling terrain is needed.
Bring snacks, lunch, and drinks. Maximum of 12
Sign up by Saturday, February 10th.
CHNC trail day fee required.
Contact: Bill Hegman, bhegman@gmavt.net
Dutch Hill Introductory XCD (Cross Country Downhill) Tour – Dutch Hill, Readsboro
Beginner to Intermediate – Saturday, February 24th
We’ll climb to the top of the old ski area and tour through the woods to the summit vista, then descend on a snowmobile trail and the easier downhill trails. For those who have the energy we’ll then do a few more downhill laps. Waxless skis with skins will work best on this, a true tour of Dutch Hill. Suitable for beginner backcountry skiers or intermediate/advanced cross country skiers.
Contact: Jeff Nugent, jnugent.vt@gmail.com or 802-257-1325
March Day Tours – 2024
Beartown to Butternut WMBA – Beartown State Forest (Lee and Great Barrington, MA)
All Skill Levels – Saturday, March 2nd
The Western Mass Backcountry Alliance (WMBA) in conjunction with the Dept of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) in Beartown State Forest is reclaiming CCC era ski trails. These tours will explore recently reclaimed portions of the Wildcat Trail which originally ran 11 miles from Beartown to what is now Butternut in Great Barrington. The terrain varies from steep tight trails to rolling hills. Since we have limited snow coverage where and what equipment will be dependent on conditions and the interest of the participants. These will be out and back full day trips.
Contact: Neal Chamberlain, nealchamberlain@gmail.com
Beartown to Butternut WMBA – Beartown State Forest (Lee and Great Barrington, MA)
All Skill Levels – Tuesday March 5th
The Western Mass Backcountry Alliance (WMBA) in conjunction with the Dept of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) in Beartown State Forest is reclaiming CCC era ski trails. These tours will explore recently reclaimed portions of the Wildcat Trail which originally ran 11 miles from Beartown to what is now Butternut in Great Barrington. The terrain varies from steep tight trails to rolling hills. Since we have limited snow coverage where and what equipment will be dependent on conditions and the interest of the participants. These will be out and back full day trips.
Contact: Neal Chamberlain, nealchamberlain@gmail.com