2012 Guided Tours and Special Events
This year, the CTA is proud to offer a wide variety of single and multi-day tours and special events, with returning favorites and new adventures. 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.
To sign up for a day tour contact the Tour Leader at least a few days in advance. Don’t wait until the night before! The volunteer Tour Leader will provide information on the meeting place and time and other details. To sign up for an MDT visit the MDT page for more information.
All tour participants must read the following information before signing up for a tour:
Check the website, OFTEN for new additions to the calendar and rescheduled tours. Last minute tours often arise when snow conditions are good. Details can be found on the Forum page.
Guided Tours and Special Events
First of the New Year at Somerset Reservoir (Section 4) - Intermediate
Monday, January 2
We have two options depending on the group and conditions. One option starts from the south on the Catamount Trail and returns on Somerset Reservoir, assuming it is frozen, providing great views of the surrounding hills. The other is skiing the entire section of about 8 miles. A long car shuttle is avoided by some skiers starting in the north and some in the south with a key swap in the middle. All meet again for a beverage and “car swap” near Wilmington. No big verticals, yet numerous small stream crossings, likely trail-breaking and drifts.
Contact: Jim or Mary Lou Briggs, 413-458-4390
Harriman Dam to Route 9 (Section 2 - Wilmington) - Easy/Intermediate
Saturday, January 7
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, (Put CTA in email subject line to get past filters) or 413-624-0192
4th Annual Ladies Nordic Ski Expo - Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe
Saturday, January 7
For details and how to register see the Special Events page.
Elmore Excursion (Section 25) - Easy Intermediate
Sunday, January 8
Staying on the eastern side of the Worcester Mountain range, this 5.5-mile tour uses a sled dog trail before joining the Catamount Trail and ends in Elmore State Park. There are some long slopes up and down, as well as several short gullies which can be side stepped.
Contact: Jill Aspinall, 802-224-9980
Greendale Loop Excursion (Weston) – Easy Intermediate
Sunday, January 8
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
Hazen's Notch to Jay Village (Montgomery Center) - Advanced Intermediate
Sunday, January 8
This 12.4-mile tour on Sections 30 and part of 31 will be a treat for strong skiers. The route is varied with some steep twisting ascents and descents, some dead-flat pieces and a final 1000-foot descent through the woods between Jay Pass and Jay Village. With deep, unbroken snow, this tour can be strenuous. Metal-edged backcountry skis are essential. Skins are strongly advised.
Contact: Sam Nelson
Three Day MLK Weekend Tour in Central Vermont
Sections 16, 17 & 18 – Widow's Clearing to Route 17 (Waitsfield)
Saturday, January 14 to Monday, January, 16
This tour is on easy-to-intermediate terrain with a few steep climbs and descents of varying lengths. Participants may sign up for as many days as they wish.
For details and how to sign up see the MDT page.
A Ski Day in The Kingdom (Lowell) - Intermediate
Saturday, January 14
This beautiful Northeast Kingdom day will celebrate the best of the region. A morning back country ski on the Catamount Trail will precede lunch at your leader`s house featuring his famous pea soup. Bring equipment for groomed trails for the shorter afternoon ski. This may be on your leader's private trails. Tour length and difficulty will be adjusted for the participants and for snow conditions.
Contact: Jan Rozendaal, 802-862-2735
Trapp Family Lodge to Stowe –Intermediate
Sunday, January 15 at 10:00 AM
In conjunction with the second winter of grooming the Stowe Recreation Path and the "Stowe Tour de Snow", this is approximately a 12 mile ski from Trapps to Stowe village. The first 7 miles will primarily follow the CT trail up to the Trapps Cabin, down into the SMR touring system, then follow the Stowe Derby trail and then head down fairly steep downhill to the groomed Stowe Rec. Path. From the Rec Path you join the official "Stowe Tour de Snow" and ski into town (5 more miles) with special events along the way and refreshments, raffle drawing at the end. Three touring systems: the Catamount trail, the Stowe Derby Trail, the Stowe Rec Path and a major event all rolled into one ski! Visit the website for more details on the Stowe Tour de Snow. BC equipment not recommended. This is not a difficult ski in terms of terrain but it is a fairly long ski. There is a trail fee for Trapps and a $5 fee for the Stowe Tour de Snow.
Contact: Ed Miller, 802 760-6194
Stowe Tour de Snow - Stowe Rec Path - Family Event
Sunday, January 15
For details and how to register see the Special Events page.
Wintervale at the Intervale - Burlington, VT - Family Event
Sunday, January 15
If you're sticking around Burlington for Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, head down to the Intervale for a free day of cross-country skiing or snowshoeing on the 3 miles of groomed trails. There will be activities for kids, snacks and drinks, and free demo equipment from the SkiRack. For more information, check out the Local Motion website.
Three Day Tour in Southern Vermont
Sections 6, 7 & 8 – Kendall Farm Road to Greendale Road (Weston)
Friday, January 20 to Sunday, January, 22
This tour is on generally easy-to-intermediate terrain with a few slightly difficult portions. Participants may sign up for as many days as they wish.
For details and how to register see the MDT page.
Mt. Mansfield Backcountry: Skiing Through Time (Stowe) – Advanced
Saturday, January 21
This is a tour in the legendary Ranch Valley, the birthplace of Mt. Mansfield skiing. Starting from Stowe Mountain Resort XC Center, we will ski back through history on the 80-year old network of backcountry trails. We will climb up the Burt Trail, ski across the Underhill Trail and descend the Lower Steeple Trail back to the Center. Join trip leader and guidebook author (Best Backcountry Skiing in the Northeast) David Goodman, who will share the rich ski history of Mt. Mansfield. Copies of David's book will be available to buy after the tour. Touring center fee. CTA members get a 2-for-1 discount. Metal-edged BC skis and climbing skins are mandatory.
Contact: David Goodman
4th Annual Get Out and Backcountry Ski Festival (Bolton Nordic Center)
Sunday, January 22
For details and how to register see the Special Events page.
Weeklong Tour in Southern Vermont
Sections 9 to 15 – Greendale Road (Weston) to Route 73 (Goshen)
Saturday, January 28 to Sunday February 5
RESCHEDULED to Saturday, March 3 to Sunday, March 11
This tour is for intermediate-to-advanced skiers. Participants may sign up for as many days as they wish.
For details and how to sign up see the MDT page.
Bolton Valley to Route 2 (Section 21) – Easy Intermediate
Saturday, January 28
This tour of 7-8 miles will run north to south, providing a very nice downhill run with a total decent of about 2000 feet. The route starts with a long downhill, first on the groomed trails of Bolton Valley and then on backcountry trails. It then moves onto a lightly used snowmobile trail for the second half of the route which includes some fairly steep downhill stretches. Trail fee. CTA members get a 2-for-1 discount with coupon.
Contact: Kristina Roomet, 802-598-5909
Chester's Woods (Tunbridge) - Intermediate
Saturday, January 28
Enjoy a scenic tour in the heart of Vermont through hardwood forests and open meadows on groomed and ungroomed trails. We will ski for about two hours and then have the option to ski over to the famous tele-bowl for some turns. This tour is dog friendly for well behaved canine companions.
Contact: Betsy Gaiser, 802-763-2288
Bolton Valley to Nebraska Valley Road (Section 22 - Stowe) - Advanced
Sunday, January 29
One of the MOST challenging sections of the CT, this is a 6-7 mile backcountry tour through remote terrain that climbs 1300 feet from Bolton Valley, traverses Bolton Mountain and a ridgeline and then descends 2300 feet to Nebraska Valley Road. The route features narrow chutes and abrupt turns and is for advanced skiers in good physical condition with strong downhill and backcountry skills. Climbing skins are required. Trail fee. CTA members get a two-for-one discount with coupon.
Contact: Rich or Sheri Larsen, 802-878-6828
Exploring the Bolton Backcountry – Part I – Strong Intermediate
Thursday, February 2
Bolton has some of the most wonderful backcountry skiing in 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. Trail fee. CTA members get a 2-for-1 discount with coupon.
Contact: Priscilla Kimberly, 802-879-6153
Beaver Meadow Loop (Morristown) – Intermediate
Saturday, February 4
This tour of 5-6 miles 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. The elevation gain is 820 feet 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
Out With the Old, In With the New (Ripton) - Intermediate
Saturday, February 4
From Rikert Ski Touring Center we'll ski up the old Catamount Trail. A couple of miles on the VAST trail will bring us to the new CT with its beautiful stands of yellow birch, mixed older-growth hardwood and evergreens. We will descend the new back-country section for 2 1/2 miles, then rejoin the Rikert trails and return to our start. This 4 to 5 hour tour has a couple of advanced short steeper descents. Trail fee. CTA members get a 50% discount with coupon.
Contact: Andy McIntosh, Evenings: 802-388-8376, or Weekdays: 802-236-2488
Harriman Dam to Route 100 (Readsboro) - Easy
Sunday, February 5
This tour is a good introduction to backcountry skiing on the Catamount for novice skiers. It is a delightful, easy 3 miles 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, (Put CTA in email subject line to get past filters) or 413-624-0192
Historic Ramble in Cottonbrook (Stowe) – Intermediate
Sunday, February 5
This ski is long, about 10 miles, but gradual, doing a loop up into Cottonbrook Valley, mostly on snowmobile trail, before cutting over behind the Waterbury Reservoir and into Little River State Park. The route will go by many old house sites with some modest ups and downs.
Contact: Debbie and Steve Page, 802-878-6529
Wintervale at the Intervale - Burlington, VT - Family Event
Sunday, February 5
Bring your family and friends down to the Intervale for a free day of cross-country skiing or snowshoeing on the 3 miles of groomed trails. There will be activities for kids, snacks and drinks, and free demo equipment for kids and adults from the CTA and SkiRack. For more information, check out the Local Motion website.
Romance Mountain Half Marathon – Rikert Nordic Center (Ripton)
Saturday, February 11
For details see the Special Events page.
Camels Hump Rd to Duxbury Rd (Section 20 – Huntington) – Intermediate
Saturday February 11
The 7.8-mile route starts on rolling terrain with some moderate slopes and sudden dips. It then joins the groomed trails of the Camel’s Hump Nordic Center where you can catch a view of the Adirondacks. The route returns to ungroomed terrain, passes through glades, reaches the height of land, and finishes with a long downhill run on the Honey Hollow Trail with several short, steep descents and narrow chutes.
Contact: Peter Cottrell, 802-879-0755
or Andy Strauss, 802-660-9373
2nd Annual Nordic & Telemark Clinic – Pico Mountain
Sunday, February 12, Noon to 4 PM
For details and how to register see the Special Events page.
Blueberry Hill to Rikert Ski Center (Goshen) – Easy/Intermediate
Sunday, February 12
This tour is a fairly easy ski of 6 ˝ miles on rolling terrain and is a good opportunity for cross country skiers with some experience to try a back country outing. The route begins on the groomed trails of Blueberry Hill Touring Center but is mostly on back country trails and finishes at the Chatfield parking lot near the Rikert Ski Center. The tour can be extended at Blueberry Hill or on other ungroomed trails. Trail fee. CTA members get a 50% discount with coupon.
Contact: Phil Kivlin, 802-897-8031
Ninevah Four Corners to Buttermilk Falls (Section 10 - Healdville) - Intermediate
Sunday, February 12
This completely NEW route of 7 miles starts with a steady 2 mile ascent on an old logging road around Tiny Mountain after which we will take a short side trip to beautiful Tiny Pond. From there the trail follows rolling terrain crossing an open power line before reaching a 2 mile descent with some switchbacks and one short, steep run to Buttermilk Falls.
Contact: Donna Dearborn or Dagny St. John, 802-875-6617
Weeklong Tour in Northern Vermont
Sections 24 to 31 – Edson Hill Manor (Stowe) to the Canadian Border
Saturday, February 18 to Sunday February 26
This tour is for intermediate-to-advanced skiers. Participants may sign up for as many days as they wish, even one.
For details and how to sign up see the MDT page.
Secret Trails of Ripton - Intermediate
Saturday, February 18
Explore some of the hidden beaver meadows and most beautiful patches of forest in Ripton! With clear skies we'll also get views of Mt. Abe, Breadloaf Mtn, Worth Mtn, and the peaks of Romance Mtn. This 4-5 hour tour of 13 to 15 km tour explores the secret hand-tracked trails just north of Rikert Ski Touring Center's groomed network. Wide back-country skis are NOT recommended.
Contact: Andy McIntosh, Evenings: 802-388-8376, or Weekdays: 802-236-2488
Woodward Mountain Trail – Advanced Intermediate
Saturday, February 18
The Woodward Mountain Trail is a 5.6-mile adventure that starts at the top of the Bolton Valley Ski Area and ends about 3,000 vertical feet lower at the Waterbury Reservoir. You start by riding the lift to the top of the ski area, then head in the opposite direction from all the other skiers—into the woods! The first part of the trail starts with a quick, narrow downhill and then proceeds either up or around four successive mountain peaks, with great views, occasionally steep climbs, and exciting glade descents. The second part of the trail is a long downhill cruise to the reservoir. Bring your skins and metal edges, and hope for powder. Trail fee. CTA members get a 2-for-1 discount with coupon.
Contact: Andy Strauss, 802-660-9373
Kelly Stand Road to Kendall Farm Road (Section 5 - Stratton) - Intermediate
Sunday, February 19
This 9-mile tour features a fairly 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
Sterling Valley to Edson Hill Road (Stowe) – Intermediate
Saturday February 25
We will ski from the Sterling Valley parking area to Edson Hill Road through Gameroff and Weissner Woods on usually well traveled trails. The tour is about 6 miles and includes a moderate climb and descent.
Contact: Cynthia Gray, 802-244-6265
Camel’s Hump Road to Trapp Road AND BACK (Section 19 - Huntington) - Advanced
Saturday, February 25
This is a short, but very challenging section of the Catamount Trail, and we will ski it twice! This beautiful and remote section is almost all up and down with no flat terrain to speak of. The route is almost 6 miles and about 3000 vertical feet of climbing (and skiing down). This tour is for advanced backcountry skiers with strong downhill skills and appropriate gear and limited to six participants. Full climbing skins are required.
Contact: Mark Eliot Schwabe, 802 489-5505
NENSA's TD Bank Kids Ski Day - Jay Peak Nordic Center - Family Event
Saturday, February 25
Kids and parents of all skiing abilities are encouraged to head to Jay for a fun day of ski instruction and activities for the whole family. The CTA will be providing free equipment demos for kids and NENSA will be organizing various activities. Some of the activities include slalom courses, radar gun speed testing, beanbag tosses, mini-marathons, obstacle courses, organized group games (including the ever popular Feral Cat Tail Grab), treasure hunts, biathlon practices, and jumps. There will also be snacks and lots of general merriment. For more information, check out the NENSA website or this flyer.
Exploring the Bolton Backcountry – Part II – Strong Intermediate
Friday, March 2
Bolton has some of the most wonderful backcountry skiing in 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. Trail fee. CTA members get a 2-for-1 discount with coupon.
Contact: Priscilla Kimberly, 802-879-6153
Weeklong Tour in Southern Vermont
Sections 9 to 15 – Greendale Road (Weston) to Route 73 (Goshen)
RESCHEDULED to Saturday, March 3 to Sunday, March 11
This tour is for intermediate-to-advanced skiers. Participants may sign up for as many days as they wish.
For details and how to sign up see the MDT page.
7th Annual Deerfield Valley Marathon - Intermediate
Saturday, March 3
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, (Put CTA in email subject line to get past filters) or 413-624-0192
Burnt Mountain Frolic (Section 11, Plymouth) - Advanced Intermediate
Sunday, March 4
This out-and-back tour of about 10 miles will include both sides of Burnt Mountain, the glades on the south side and the steeper and snowier sections on the north side. Lunch/snacks at John Stearns view spot. Best suited for skiers who like downhills. Climbing skins might be necessary depending on conditions. Limited to 10.
Contact: Lynn Fisher, 802-672-5280
Pemi White Mountain Overnight Traverse - Advanced
Saturday, March 10 to Sunday, March 11
For details and how to register see the Special Events page.
Route 30 to Kendall Farm Rd (Section 6)- Intermediate
Saturday, March 10
This shortened version of section 6 is meant to allow for multiple runs on the newly opened-up part of the trail just south of Rte. 30, which has a beautiful slope. Bring your turning skis or just take the switchbacks calmly.
Contact: Andrew Harper, 802-824-3139
Wintervale at the Intervale - Burlington, VT - Family Event
Sunday, March 11
Join Local Motion, the Intervale, SkiRack, Burlington Parks and Rec, RunVermont, and the Catamount Trail Association for the Wintervale finale. Head down to the Intervale for a free day of cross-country skiing or snowshoeing on the 3 miles of groomed trails. There will be activities for kids, snacks and drinks, and free demo equipment for kids and adults from the CTA and SkiRack. For more information, check out the Local Motion website.
Maine Huts & Trails Groomed Skiing- Intermediate
Monday, March 19 to Thursday, March 22
For details and how to register see the Special Events page.