2010 Winter Events Calendar
The CTA Events Calendar this winter includes a wide variety of day tours and special events. In addition we will offer two Weeklong Tours (WLTs) and two Three Day Weekend Tours (3DTs). Our Day tours are FREE. We ask for a contribution to the CTA to hold a spot on Multi-Day Tours.
CTA’s guided ski tours are a great way to discover new sections of the Catamount Trail and make new ski friends. For the more adventuresome our Multi-Day Tours (MDTs) provide an opportunity to ski many sections of the CT in one winter and even become an End-to-Ender, an exclusive group that now numbers only 42. You may sign-up for as many days of an MDT as you wish, even one.
For the safety and enjoyment of all tour participants, please:
• Have the skills and physical conditioning necessary to complete the trip.
• Bring sufficient food and water for a full day and an extra layer of clothing.
• Stay with the group.
• When leaving the trail, tell someone or leave a pack.
• Check out with the leader before leaving at the end of the day. Otherwise the leader may go back and look for you when you are already on your way home.
You may download additional information on skier responsibilities and equipment here:
To sign up for a tour, contact the Tour Leader a few days in advance. Don’t wait until the night before! The Leader will give you information on the meeting place and time and other details.
Check back here often for new additions to the calendar and rescheduled tours.
All Events by Date
Harriman Dam to Route 9 (Wilmington) - Easy/Intermediate
Saturday, January 9
This tour is 10 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.
Contact: Sam Bartlett, 413-624-0192 (Put CTA in email subject line to get past filters)
2nd Annual Ladies Nordic Ski Expo - Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe
Saturday, January 9
Details and how to register.
Greendale Loop Excursion (Weston) – Easy Intermediate
Sunday, January 10
This is a 4 mile tour of 3-4 hours on a southern portion of the Trail with a long but gradual uphill climb and a very rewarding downhill.
Contact: Shelley Lutz, 802-775-4867 before 6 pm
Beaver Meadow Loop (Morristown) - Intermediate
Sunday, January 10
This tour is 5-6 miles with an elevation gain of 820 feet. Our route is a loop from Beaver Meadow parking lot gradually up to a meadow where a rustic Long Trail shelter will be a nice snack break. We will ski out via the Burling Camp trail. Tail gate potluck at the end of the tour, conditions permitting.
Contact: Kim Dunkley and Scott Meyer, 802-635-2418
White Face Loop (Johnson) – Intermediate
Monday, January 11
This loop tour is less than 5 miles with some climbing at the beginning. (Skins would be helpful.) It follows the VAST Trail and includes a section of the Long Trail with glades where turns can be had, conditions permitting. Potentially free lodging for folks doing the tour the day before.
Contact: Kim Dunkley and Scott Meyer, 802-635-2418
Three Day MLK Weekend Tour in Central Vermont
Sections 15, to 17 - Route 73 to Lincoln Gap
Saturday, January 16 to Monday, January 18
This event is on intermediate terrain. Participants may sign up for as many days as they wish.
Details and how to register
Exploring the Bolton Backcountry – Part I– Strong Intermediate
Friday, January 22
Bolton has some of the most wonderful backcountry skiing in Northern Vermont. We will spend the day exploring some of this terrain on trails that are ungroomed and may be untracked. This tour is for FIT intermediate skiers. There is a trail fee, but CTA members get two-for-one.
Contact: Priscilla Kimberly, 802-879-6153
Mountain Top Resort to Route 73 (Chittenden/Goshen) – Intermediate
Saturday, January 23
We will ski this 10 mile route from north to south to avoid some steep narrow downhills but will have a good workout on some uphills. The route starts on a snowmobile corridor and ends on the groomed trails of Mountain Top Ski Center. There is only one bail-out opportunity so skiers should be confident of their endurance.
Contact: Craig Hadden, 802-234-5218
Braintree Mountain (near Randolph) - Advanced
Saturday January 23
POSTPONED UNTIL SUNDAY MARCH 7
Please scroll down to March tour dates for more info
Kelley Stand Road to Kendall Farm Road – Intermediate
Saturday, January 23
This 9-mile tour features a new two mile portion that takes this section of the CT entirely off snowmobile corridor. The route now visits two beautiful ponds and stops at one GMC shelter. A 6-mile version will accommodate skiers who want a shorter trip.
Contact: Andrew Harper, 802-824-3139
Kendall Farm Road to South Road – Intermediate
Sunday, January 24
Join us on this 9 mile tour on the “The Golden Spike” section of the CT which was completed in the fall of 2008 and made the CT a trail that really runs the length of Vermont. The route is primarily backcountry through the GMNF with an early exit option about halfway.
Contact: Dagny St. John, 802-297-2331
2nd Annual Get Out and Backcountry Ski Festival (Bolton Nordic Center)
Sunday, January 24
Details and how to register.
Weissner and Gameroff Woods (Stowe) – Easy/Intermediate
Sunday, January 24
This tour of about 4 miles is on Stowe conservation land trails and includes part of the CT connecting Edson Hill and Topnotch. Some of the trails are occasionally groomed while others are ungroomed but usually packed by skiers and showshoers.
Contact: Cindy Gray, 802-244-6265
Weeklong Tour in Central Vermont
Section 9 to 16 – Greendale to Bridges Trail
Saturday January 30 to Sunday February 7
POSTPONED TO MARCH 6-14, 2010
Please scroll down to March tour dates for more info
Somerset Dam to Route 9 (Wilmington) – Intermediate
Saturday January 30
POSTPONED UNTIL SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20
Please scroll down to February tour dates for more info
Bolton Valley to Nebraska Valley Road - Advanced
Saturday, January 30
One of the most challenging sections of the CT, this tour is about 7 miles through remote backcountry terrain that climbs 1300 feet and descends 2300 feet. The tour features ridgeline skiing, narrow chutes and abrupt turns and is for advanced skiers in good physical condition with strong downhill and backcountry skills. Climbing skins are mandatory. There is a trail fee, but CTA members get two-for-one once a year. This tour is a joint effort with the Green Mountain Club.
Contact: Rich or Sheri Larsen, 802-878-6828
5th Annual Tour de Blueberry Hill
Sunday January 31
POSTPONED TO SATURDAY MARCH 6TH
Please scroll down to March tour dates for more info
Exploring the Bolton Backcountry – Part II – Strong Intermediate
Sunday, January 31
Bolton has some of the most wonderful backcountry skiing in Northern Vermont. We will spend the day exploring some of this terrain on trails that are ungroomed and may be untracked. This tour is for FIT intermediate skiers. There is a trail fee, but CTA members get two-for-one.
Contact: Priscilla Kimberly, 802-879-6153
Harriman Dam to Route 100 (Readsboro) - Easy
Sunday, February 7
This is a delightful, easy 3-mile tour on a slightly downhill backcountry railroad grade along the Deerfield River. A short, steep section in the first half-mile is easily walked by novices. Our pace will accommodate the slowest skier in the group.
Contact: Sam Bartlett, 413-624-0192 (Put CTA in email subject line to get past filters)
Three Day President’s Weekend Tour in Southern Vermont
Sections 1,3, &4 - Mass. Border to Kelley Stand Road
Saturday, February 13 to Monday, February 15
This tour is on easy to intermediate terrain. Participants may sign up for as many days as they wish.
Details and how to register.
Pre-Valentine’s Day Couples Tour & Potluck, Underhill Center Advanced Intermediate
Saturday, February 13
This event is cancelled/postponed due to minimal snow pack. Please stay tuned for possible rescheduling later in the winter or spring.
Join CTA Executive Director Jim Fredericks and his wife JoAnn Hanowski for an afternoon ski tour and potluck supper. Leave from their home and explore the backcountry trails on the western side of Mt Mansfield. The tour is for intermediate to advanced backcountry skiers who will meet at 1 PM and ski for 2 to 3 hours. Bring a pot luck dish. Tour limited to 6 couples. Please reserve a spot by February 8th.
Contact: JoAnn Hanowski, 802-899-4552
Tour de Mount Mansfield (Stowe) - Advanced
Date to be determined in late February or early March
This is a very strenuous tour of about 25 miles that will circumnavigate Mt. Mansfield via Madonna Vasa Trail, Overland Trail, Houghton Trail, Crossover Trail and Smuggler’s Notch Road. Due to the difficulty of terrain and the need for good snow conditions, the date of this tour will be determined approximately one week ahead of time. Please check the CTA website, www.catamounttrail.org, for possible tour dates in late February to mid March.
Contact: JoAnn Hanowski, 802-899-4552
Somerset Dam to Route 9 (Wilmington) – Intermediate
Saturday, February 20
This is a 7.5 mile remote backcountry tour, which features active beaver ponds and miles of skiing along the Deerfield River that never freezes. A recent reroute has eliminated several problematic stream crossings. We will ski north to south to enjoy some nice downhill runs.
Contact: Tim Marr, 802-442-3469
Blueberry Hill to Rikert – Easy Intermediate
Saturday, February 20
This tour of about 7 miles is on rolling terrain and is a good opportunity for cross country skiers who want to try a backcountry outing. The tour will begin on the groomed trails of Blueberry Hill Touring Center and end at the Chatfield parking lot near the Rikert Ski Center but will be mostly on backcountry trails. If there is interest, we can extend the tour at Blueberry Hill or on ungroomed trails along the way. There is a trail fee, but CTA members get half price.
Contact: Phil Kivlin, 802-897-8031
Weeklong Tour in Northern Vermont
Sections 24-31 – Edson Hill Manor to Canadian Border
Saturday, February 20 to Sunday February 28
This tour is for strong intermediate skiers. Participants may sign up for as many days as they wish.
Details and how to register.
Telemark Tour – Marsh Billings Nat’l Park (Woodstock) – Strong Intermediate
Saturday, February 27
Marsh-Billings is Vermont’s only National Park and home to the "lost" alpine slopes of Mt. Tom ski area plus countless ungroomed glades linked by Woodstock Ski Touring Center trails. It is a great place for turns with a variety of pitches, some having as many as 25 turns. Skiers should have skis that can accommodate BOTH touring and turning, possess skills to ski in control in tree-filled terrain and absolutely relish skiing downhill. The tour is dependent on decent snow depth and limited to 8 skiers. There is a trail fee, but CTA members get half price.
Contact: Lynn Fisher, 802-672-5280
Mad River Valley Tour - Easy
West Hill House to Mad River Barn
Saturday, February 27 at 1 PM
This is an easy, afternoon tour of about 3 hours on rolling and scenic terrain.
Contact: Lauren and Geoff Slater, 802-496-6793
Camel’s Hump Rd. to Duxbury Rd. (Route 2) – Intermediate
Saturday, February 27
This 8-mile tour includes a gentle climb through the groomed trails of Camel’s Hump Ski Area in Huntington and a fun, downhill descent along the Honey Hollow Trail.
Contact: Josh Ryan, 802-456-8967
Stowe Derby Race in Stowe, VT February 28 The Stowe Derby is a downhill cross-country ski race for skiers ages 5 and up. A short 6km flat course is perfect for the kids and kicks off the day at 9 am. The Long course (Skate or Classical) is for skiers ages 14 and up and starts at the top of Mt Mansfield and ends in the town of Stowe. For more information go to: www.stowederby.com
Weeklong Tour in Central Vermont
Section 9 to 16 – Greendale to Bridges Trail
Saturday, March 6 to Sunday March 14
This tour is for strong intermediate skiers. Participants may sign up for as many days as they wish.
Details and how to register.
6th Annual Deerfield Valley Marathon - Intermediate Saturday, March 6 For strong intermediate skiers, this 35-mile backcountry ski tour runs from near the headwaters of the Deerfield River to the Massachusetts border. The first 8 miles are usually brutal trail breaking, the next 8 may be easy downhill glides or brutal trail breaking, the next 11 are mostly flat and easy, and the last 8 are all flat and easy, if you have any energy left. We will start early. Open only to folks who are reasonably sure they can do the entire length, but there will be bail out options.
Contact: Sam Bartlett, 413-624-0192 (Put CTA in email subject line to get past filters)
Burnt Mt – Old Plymouth Rd Loop (Plymouth) – Strong Intermediate
Saturday, March 6
The trail over Burnt Mt. may be the most beautiful backcountry ski on the CT in southern VT. It has lovely views to the east through hardwood trees and then a very nice downhill run with an opportunity for many turns. If conditions are good, we will climb back up for more turns. The loop is 6-7 miles and eliminates the usual car shuttle in Shrewsbury.
Contact: Betsy Gaiser, 802-763-2288
Bob Jordan, 802-869-2784
5th Annual Tour de Blueberry Hill
Saturday, March 6
Enjoy a fun ski day at Blueberry Hill for the famous BBH Pig Race and the Annual Tour de Blueberry Hill. The event is designed for the whole family with guided tours for all ages and ability and the Pig Race for the more competitive skiers. Tours for families and beginners start at 10:00 and 12:00. Advanced tours begin at 10:00 with a thrilling ski over Romance Mountain. As in the past, Blueberry Hill's homemade soup and local musicians will be waiting by the woodstove for post-tour fun. A $15 donation includes trail pass, reduced-price rental equipment, and all of the above. Children with parents are free, including equipment rental. Contact: Dagny St. John, 802-297-2331
Rt 17 to Camel's Hump Road – Advanced Intermediate
Saturday, March 6
This 10 mile outing will take us up over Huntington Gap and through the western portion of Camel's Hump State Park. This is a strenuous trip with significant climbs and descents. Climbing skins are a must. Trip leader reserves the right to revise the travel plan based on conditions.
Contact: Paul Demers, 802-660-0971
Nebraska Notch to Taylor Lodge Loop – Intermediate
Saturday, March 6
This round trip of about 5 miles leaves from Nebraska Notch Trailhead (via Stevensville Rd. outside of Underhill) and goes to Taylor Lodge, a Long Trail shelter. There is a birch glad with potential for some fun woods skiing, conditions permitting.
Contact: Kim Dunkley and Scott Meyer, 802-635-2418
Root Beer Ridge Loop (Weston) – Strong Intermediate
Sunday, March 7
This 7-mile tour provides a true backcountry experience. The route follows a snowmobile trail for a mile and then goes into seldom-visited backcountry. The return leg of the loop follows a beautiful ridge that provides some views to the west and ends with a nice downhill back to the CT.
Contact: Andrew Harper, 802-824-3139
Braintree Mountain (near Randolph) - Advanced
Sunday, March 7
This 5-6 mile tour will take us to the highest peak in the Braintree Mountain Range, the easternmost ridgeline of the Green Mountains, where we can enjoy panoramic views of VT and NH. This private trail system starts at 1500 feet and ascends to 3030 feet. Depending upon snow conditions, the trail either traverses the ridgeline to the north descending 2000 feet to West Braintree or to the south returning to the point of departure. The tour may require breaking deep snow on the ascent and will provide the challenge of some steep descents. Climbing skins are encouraged.
Contact: Paul Kendall, 802-728-3726
Tin Shanty to Ninevah Four Corners – Advanced Intermediate
Saturday, March 13
This 11-mile tour is mostly intermediate but with some real challenges, particularly with deep snow. For the first 3 miles the route follows a lightly-used snowmobile trail, and the remainder is on a beautiful ungroomed wilderness trail over with views to the east through the trees. Midway there is a nice downhill where turns can be had. There is a bale out option midway at Old Plymouth Rd. Climbing skins are recommended. This tour will be combined with Day 8 of the Central Vermont Week Long Tour.
Contact: Bill Michels, 802-672-1100
Hazen's Notch (West Side) to Jay Pass – Advanced Intermediate
Saturday, March 13
This 6.5 mile tour offers a variety of terrain from nearly level groomed snowmobile trail and logging roads to steep, narrow and twisting trail. The ridge below Buchanan Mountain offers fine views of Jay Peak to the north and Burnt Mountain to the south.
Contact: Sam Nelson, 802-524-0358
Dog-Friendly Tour – Tin Shanty/Old Plymouth Rd- Intermediate
Sunday, March 14
This tour is a loop of about 6 miles on snowmobile free trails for intermediate skiers and their canine companions. Dogs should be fit and friendly and be able to travel through unbroken snow and be under control on a section of snowmobile trail. Skiers should be prepared for a moderately steep ascent and decent of Burnt Mountain on the Catamount Trail.
Contact: Lynda Baydin, 973-229-7622
3rd Annual Catamount Trail Challenge (Stowe)
Trapp to Bolton - Backcountry Race and Tour
Sunday, March 14
Details and how to register.