XC Skiing/Snowshoeing

The Green Mountain National Forest boasts a wide array of snowshoeing and cross-country skiing opportunities. The GMNF permits four Nordic centers including Mountain Top Inn and Resort, Prospect Mountain, Rikert Nordic Center, and Wild Wings Ski Touring Center; all of which provide groomed trails for a fee. The rest of the areas listed below offer primarily ungroomed, backcountry experiences at no cost. Users should be familiar with Vermont Backcountry Ethics.

Guides

XC Skiing/Snowshoeing Areas

Finger Lakes - Hector District
The Finger Lakes National Forest, positioned along the ridges between Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake, offers scenic beauty and unlimited recreational opportunities any season of the year. Whether you are a hiker, cross country skier, camper, fishing or hunting enthusiast, snowmobiler, horseback rider, mountain biker, or wildlife watcher, the Forest can provide the recreational experience you are seeking!

The most popular season is autumn when the trees and pastures are ablaze with color. Hunter ejoy the woods and brush lands of the forest during this time. Summer is a popular time for camping, hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, and fishing. Winter brings out cross country skiers, snowmobiles, and snowshoe enthusiasts. In spring, the Forest bursts forth from the grip of winter with emerging leaves on the trees, bird flyway activity, and numerous wildflowers that are visible along many of the Forest trails and pastures. The first fishing days are enjoyed by a lot of people.

Spring is also mud season, which is usually short but intense. Going "off-road" and hiking on wet trails is not encouraged during this time.

Finger Lakes National Forest - Hector Ranger District Office Information

Address

5218 State Route 414
Hector, NY 14841

Phone

1-607-546-4470
Green Mountain - Middlebury/Rochester District
The Middlebury/Rochester Ranger Districts are located in central Vermont.
Blueberry Hill
Blueberry Lake Trails
Norske Trail
Catamount Ski Trail
Chittenden Brook Area Trails
Leicester Hollow Area Trails
Silver Lake Campground
Silver Lake Campground is a small, primitive campground located on Silver Lake. Silver Lake is only accessible by hiking 0.6 miles down the Goshen Trail or on the Service Road.

Please note: drinking water access is currently closed to protect public health. There is no garbage service available, please carry out what you carry in.

Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, a snowmobiling opportunities are all avaialble in the Silver Lake Area Trails.
Silver Lake Area Trails
Mt. Top
Rikert
Rochester Valley Trails
Water Tower Trails
Widow's Clearing Trail
Wilkinson Ski Trails
Green Mountain - Manchester District
The Manchester Ranger District is located in southern Vermont, from the Massachusetts border north to State Route 103 in Clarendon, Vermont.

Green Mountain National Forest - Manchester Ranger District Office Information

Address

2538 Depot Street
Manchester Center, VT 05255

Phone

1-802-362-2307
Greendale Loop
Grout Pond Recreation Area
Grout Pond Recreation Area is available for year-round recreation. The recreation area is a great destination for camping, hiking, canoeing, kayaking and fishing all based around the 80 acre Grout Pond. Over 10 miles of multipurpose non-motorized trails are available for enjoyment.
Grout Pond Area Trails
Mountain Valley Trails Association
Prospect
Root Beer Ridge Trail
Wild Wings