Cross Country Skiing Near Boston

There are plenty of Nordic ski trails throughout the region to enjoy one of New England's favorite winter pastimes — cross-country skiing. Cross country skiing is a great way to get outdoors, into the wilderness, and explore trails covered with snow.

It’s also terrific exercise and can be much easier on your knees and joints than running on pavement or tackling rugged snowshoe trails.

Cross-Country Skiing Near Boston, MA - Nordic Ski Areas at a Glance

Below are some popular places to cross country ski in New England and the quick scoop on what you need to know as you narrow down where you might want to hit the trails.

Massachusetts Cross Country Skiing

Weston Ski Track - Weston, MA

Time and distance from Boston: From Downtown Boston it's about 14 miles and 15-20 minutes driving time depending on traffic. Also, just a 1.3 mile walk from the Riverside Green Line T stop.
Stuff you can do: XC Skiing, snowshoeing (lessons for kids and adults)
Cool Perks: Closest XC skiing area in the Boston metro area;  reasonably priced
*Reservations required for 2022 season

More Information: 617-965-5110; Weston Ski Track

photo courtesy of Sno Country

Great Brook Ski Touring Center - Carlisle, MA

Time and distance from Boston: From Downtown Boston it's about 30 miles and 35-40 minutes driving time depending on traffic. 
Stuff you can do: XC Skiing, snowshoeing, hiking
Cool Perks:  Scenic trails;  reasonably priced; seasonal passes available,  equipment rentals (temporarily suspended in 2021), operated by DCR

More Information: 978 369-7486; Great Brook Ski Touring Center

photo courtesy of Great Brook Ski Center

Notchview Cross Country Skiing - Windsor, MA

Time and distance from Boston: From Downtown Boston it's about 134 miles and about 2 hours and 20 minutes driving time depending on traffic. 
Stuff you can do: Cross-country skiing & snowshoeing available early Dec. thru early April
Cool Perks:  Operated by Trustees of Reservations, more than 3,000 acres of rolling terrain and miles of groomed ski trails. Season passes available.  Rentals are first come first serve (weekends & Holidays usually sell out). 

More Information: 617-542-7696; Notchview

photo courtesy of Trustees of Reservations

Stump Sprouts Cross Country Ski Center - Hawley, MA

Time and distance from Boston: From Downtown Boston it's about 119 miles and about 2 hours and 25 minutes driving time depending on traffic. 
Stuff you can do: Cross-country skiing & snowshoeing 
Cool Perks:  Situated atop a high meadow in rural northwest Massachusetts, the facility provides a spectacular setting for cross-country skiing/snowshoeing.  Rentals available.

More Information: 413-834-4832; Stump Sprouts

photo courtesy of woodyu388 | Youtube

Maple Corner Farm XC Skiing - Granville, MA

Time and distance from Boston: From Downtown Boston it's about 114miles and 2 hours 15 minutes driving time depending on traffic. 
Stuff you can do: Cross-country skiing & snowshoeing (separate trails)
Cool Perks:   20 kilometers of groomed trails for classic and skate skiing over a variety of terrain.  Ski equipment and snowshoe rentals are available for children through adult.  1400 foot elevation.  

More Information: 413-357-6697; Maple Corner Farm

Canterbury Farm XC Skiing - Becket, MA

Time and distance from Boston: From Downtown Boston it's about 124miles and 2 hours driving time depending on traffic. 
Stuff you can do: Cross-country skiing & snowshoeing | Make a Reservation
Cool Perks: The venue features a bed and breakfast

More Information: 413-623-0100; Canterbury Farm

New Hampshire Cross Country Skiing

Gunstock Nordic Center - Gunstock, NH  

Time and distance from Boston: From Downtown Boston it's about 100 miles and 2 hours driving time depending on traffic. 
Stuff you can do: XC Skiing, snowshoeing, hiking
Cool Perks:  Scenic trails;  reasonably priced; seasonal passes available,  equipment rentals 

More Information: (603) 745-9396; Gunstock Nordic Ski Center 

photo courtesy of Gunstock
 

Adventure Center at Waterville Valley - Waterville, NH 

Time and distance from Boston: From Downtown Boston it's about 125 miles and 2 hours driving time depending on traffic. 
Stuff you can do: XC Skiing, snowshoeing, hiking 
Cool Perks:  Scenic trails;  reasonably priced; seasonal passes available,  equipment rentals 

More Information: 1-800-468-2553; Waterville Valley XC Ski Center

photo courtesy of Waterville Nordic Center

Bretton Woods Nordic Center - Bretton Woods, NH  

Time and distance from Boston: From Downtown Boston it's about 160 miles and 2 1/2 hours driving time depending on traffic. 
Stuff you can do: XC Skiing, snowshoeing
Cool Perks:  Scenic trails;  spectacular view of Mount Washington, on the grounds of the Mount Washington Hotel, seasonal passes available,  equipment rentals 

More Information: (603) 278-3322; Bretton Woods Nordic Center

photo courtesy of Bretton Woods Nordic Center

Mount Washington Valley Ski Touring & Snowshoe  - Intervale, NH 

Time and distance from Boston: From Downtown Boston it's about 145 miles and 2 hours 45 minutes driving time depending on traffic. 
Stuff you can do: XC Skiing, snowshoeing, hiking
Cool Perks:  Scenic trails;  reasonably priced; seasonal passes available,  equipment rentals

More Information: 603-356-9920; Mount Washington Valley Ski Touring Center

photo courtesy of Mount Washington XC Ski Touring

Bear Notch Cross Country Ski Touring - Bartlett, NH  

Time and distance from Boston: From Downtown Boston it's about 175 miles and 2 hours 45 minutes driving time depending on traffic. 
Stuff you can do: XC Skiing, snowshoeing, hiking
Cool Perks:  Scenic trails;  reasonably priced; seasonal passes available,  equipment rentals

More Information: 603.374.2277; Bear Notch Cross Country Ski Touring 

photo courtesy of Bear Notch Cross Country Center

Jackson Cross Country Ski Center - Jackson, NH   

Time and distance from Boston: From Downtown Boston it's about 150 miles and 2 hours 52 minutes driving time depending on traffic. 
Stuff you can do: XC Skiing, snowshoeing
Cool Perks:  Scenic trails;  private lessons, ski school, youth programs, daily trail passes & seasonal passes available, equipment rentals 

More Information: 603 383-9385; Jackson Cross Country Center

photo courtesy of Jackson Cross Country Ski Center

Great Glen Trails Cross Country - Gorham, NH  

Time and distance from Boston: From Downtown Boston it's about 160 miles and 3 hours driving time depending on traffic. 
Stuff you can do: XC Skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, tubing
Cool Perks:  Scenic trails;  private & semi-private lessons, day & seasonal passes available,  equipment rentals 

More Information: 603-293-4341; Great Glen Trails Cross Country

photo courtesy of Great Glen Cross Country Center

Vermont Cross Country Skiing

Woodstock Nordic Center - Woodstock, VT

Time and distance from Boston: From Downtown Boston it's about 30 miles and 35-40 minutes driving time depending on traffic. 
Stuff you can do: XC Skiing, snowshoeing, hiking
Cool Perks:  5 km of groomed trails for skate and classic cross-country skiing. Snowshoers & fat bike riders are welcome on the groomed ski trail areas in addition to a series of ungroomed trails for a more invigorating hike. Cross-country ski, snowshoe and fat bike rentals, and trail passes are all available at the Woodstock Nordic Center.

More Information: 978 369-7486; Woodstock Nordic Center

photo courtesy of Woodstock Nordic Center

Prospect Cross Country Ski Center - Woodford, VT

Time and distance from Boston: From Downtown Boston it's about 147 miles and 2 hours 38 minutes driving time depending on traffic. 
Stuff you can do: XC Skiing, snowshoeing, hiking
Cool Perks:  Scenic trails;  reasonably priced; day & seasonal passes available,  equipment rentals

More Information: (802) 442-2575; Prospect Cross Country Ski 

photo courtesy of Prospect Cross Country Center

Timbercreek Cross Country at Mount Snow - West Dover, VT 

Time and distance from Boston: From Downtown Boston it's about 184 miles and about 2 hours driving time depending on traffic. 
Stuff you can do: XC Skiing, snowshoeing, hiking
Cool Perks:  Scenic trails; reasonably priced; day & seasonal passes available, private & group lessons, guided tours. XC & snowshoe rentals, and sales.

More Information: 802-464-0999; Timbercreek Cross Country at Mt. Snow

photo courtesy of SkiVermont

Viking Nordic Center - Londonderry, VT

Time and distance from Boston: From Downtown Boston it's about 136 miles and 2 hours 52 minutes driving time depending on traffic. 
Stuff you can do: XC Skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking hiking
Cool Perks:  Scenic trails;  reasonably priced; day & seasonal passes available,  equipment rentals, 26km of groomed ski trails winding through old growth forest, farmland, beaver ponds, and CCC timber stands.  Groomed tracks, beginner-friendly trails, rental boots from adults down to a US size 1, and even tiny tiny dinosaur snowshoes.

More Information: (802) 824-3933; Viking Nordic Center 

photo courtesy of Viking Nordic Center

Stratton Nordic Center - Stratton, VT  

Time and distance from Boston: From Downtown Boston it's about 140 miles and 3 hours driving time depending on traffic. 
Stuff you can do: XC Skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking
Cool Perks:  12km of trails groomed for classic and skate cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and Fat Biking. Beginners &experts will enjoy the tree-lined trail system. Located to the left of the Sun Bowl area.

More Information: 1-800-787-2886; Stratton Nordic Center

photo courtesy of Stratton Nordic Center

Rikert Nordic Center - Ripton, VT 

Time and distance from Boston: From Downtown Boston it's about 176 miles and 3 hours driving time depending on traffic. Located in the heart of the Green Mountains, but just 20 minutes from Middlebury.
Stuff you can do: XC Skiing, snowshoeing, hiking
Cool Perks:  Scenic trails; 55+ km of skate and classic skiing, snowshoeing, and fat-biking, day & seasonal passes available,  equipment rentals 

More Information: 802-443-2744; Rikert Nordic Center

photo courtesy of Rikert Nordic Ski Center

Ole's Cross Country - Roxbury, VT 

Time and distance from Boston: From Downtown Boston it's about 184 miles and about 2 hours driving time depending on traffic. 
Stuff you can do: XC Skiing, snowshoeing, hiking
Cool Perks:  Scenic trails;  reasonably priced; day & seasonal passes available,  private & groups lessons, guided tours. rentals, and sales.

More Information: 802 496 3430; Ole's Cross Country

Dashney Nordic Center at Burke Mountain - Burke, VT

Time and distance from Boston: From Downtown Boston it's about 185 miles and 3 hours 5 minutes driving time depending on traffic. 
Stuff you can do: XC Skiing, snowshoeing, (No Fat bikes)
Cool Perks:  Scenic trails;  reasonably priced; day & season passes available, equipment rentals, lessons and tours available by appointment.

More Information: (802) 626-7300; Dashney Nordic Center at Burke 

photo courtesy of Dashney Nordic Center at Burke

Blueberry Hill Inn Outdoor Center - Goshen, VT  

Time and distance from Boston: From Downtown Boston it's about 175 miles and 3 hours 5 minutes driving time depending on traffic. 
Stuff you can do: XC Skiing, snowshoeing, hiking
Cool Perks:  Scenic wooded trails

More Information: (802) 247-6735; Blueberry Hill Outdoor Center 

Wild Wings Cross Country Skiing - Peru, VT  

Time and distance from Boston: From Downtown Boston it's about 143 miles and 3 hour driving time depending on traffic.  Located high up in the Green Mountain National Forest. 
Stuff you can do: XC Skiing, snowshoeing, hiking
Cool Perks:  The Wild Wings trail system consists of loop trails that will satisfy all skill levels of cross-country skiers.  Peregrine is a newer 3K trail that also accommodates both classic and skate skiing. 

More Information: (802) 824-6793; Wild Wings Cross Country Skiing 

photo courtesy of Wild Wings Cross Country Ski Center
 

Hildene - Peru, VT  

Time and distance from Boston: From Downtown Boston it's about 145 miles and 3 hours 7 minutes minutes driving time depending on traffic. Located on the grounds of The Lincoln Family Home. 

When conditions permit, XC trails are open 10am to 4:00pm. Parking is in the main lot, adjacent to the Welcome Center. Hildene is a smoke free, idle free and pet free campus.
Stuff you can do: XC Skiing, snowshoeing
Cool Perks:  Scenic trails; Pavilion open for ski, snowshoe & micro spike equipment, rentals, day passes available.

More Information: 800·578·1788; Hildene Cross Country Trails 

Craftsbury Common Cross Country - Craftsbury Common, VT  

Time and distance from Boston: From Downtown Boston it's about 208 miles and 3 hours 25 minutes driving time depending on traffic. 
Stuff you can do: XC Skiing, snowshoeing
Cool Perks:  Scenic trails; Ski through farms, fields and forests on 105k of meticulously groomed trails.  Lessons & rentals available; reserved day & season passes.

More Information: [email protected]; Craftsbury Common Cross Country Ski 

photo courtesy of Craftsbury Cross Country Ski

Trapp Family Lodge Cross Country Ski Center - Stowe, VT 

Time and distance from Boston: From Downtown Boston it's about 200 miles and 3 hours 15 minutes driving time depending on traffic. 
Stuff you can do: XC Skiing, snowshoeing, hiking
Cool Perks:  Scenic trails & beautiful views; reasonably priced; day & seasonal passes available, equipment rentals & maps.  Enjoy peaceful snowshoeing treks and faster-paced Nordic and backcountry skiing trails.  Private & small group lessons available.

More Information: 1-800-826-7000; Trapp Family Lodge XC 

photo courtesy of Eastern Slopes Magazine

Sleepy Hollow XC Ski & Bile Center - Huntington, VT 

Time and distance from Boston: From Downtown Boston it's about 213 miles and 3 hours 22 minutes driving time depending on traffic. 
Stuff you can do: XC Skiing, skate skiing, snowshoeing, (trails are separate)
Cool Perks:  Scenic trails; 2km snowmaking loop, reasonably priced day & seasonal passes available, night skiing, complete lineup of ski and snowshoe rentals, as well as 2 pulks (sleds) lent for free with reservation.

More Information: 802.434.2283; Sleepy Hollow XC Ski Center 

photo courtesy of Wild Wings XC Center

Bolton Valley Nordic Center - Bolton Valley, VT  

Time and distance from Boston: From Downtown Boston it's about 243 miles and 3 hours 42 minutes driving time depending on traffic. 
Stuff you can do: XC Skiing, snowshoeing, 1500 acres of back country skiing, 
Cool Perks: Bolton’s 100-kilometer Nordic trail system offers terrain for skiers and snowshoe enthusiasts of all levels, with 15 kilometers of groomed trails.  Scenic trails; day & seasonal trail passes, and night lessons are available.  Rentals for alpine touring gear, splitboards, cross country skis, and snowshoes.  

Indoor Sports Park includes indoor skate and bike park, a full bar, pool, sauna, hot tub, exercise equipment, bouncy houses, basketball hoops, and more.

More Information: (802) 434-3444; Bolton Valley Nordic Center

photo courtesy of Great Glen XC

Smugglers Notch Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Center - Jeffersonville, VT 

Time and distance from Boston: From Downtown Boston it's about 230 miles and 3 hours 44 minutes driving time depending on traffic. 
Stuff you can do: XC Skiing, snowshoeing, hiking
Cool Perks:  Scenic trails;  reasonably priced; day & season passes, equipment rentals, lessons and guided tours available. 

More Information: (802) 332-6854; Smugglers Notch Nordic Ski Center 

photo courtesy of Smugglers Notch Nordic Center

Jay Peak Nordic Center - Jay, VT

Time and distance from Boston: From Downtown Boston it's about 230 miles and 3 hours 57 minutes driving time depending on traffic. 
**Note: For the 2020-2021 season, the Nordic Headquarters is located in the Tramside Rental & Repair at the Tram Haus Lodge, not the Clubhouse. 
Stuff you can do: XC Skiing, snowshoeing
Cool Perks:  Scenic trails; day & season passes available,  equipment rentals, lessons.  Large indoor water park, ice skating arena & spa facility.

More Information: 802-327-2199; Jay Peak Nordic Ski Center 

photo courtesy of Jay Peak Nordic Center

Where to go Downhill Skiing in New England

Downhill skiing is another great way to get outdoors and explore trails covered with snow.  Visit our guide to Skiing Near Boston to find some terrific Ski Resorts near you.  Snow Tubing is another easy, fun winter activity to entertain kids of all ages. 

For more information about things to do in the Boston Area in the Winter, visit our Winter Guide to Family Fun in Boston, a list of where to ice skate in Boston, and our February Vacation Guide.  

You can also stay on top of all the fun happenings in Boston with our Boston events calendar.  We highlight lots of family-friendly events and activities to help you make the best of your free time.  

Stacey Sao has been the Managing Director of the family-friendly events and activities website, BostonCentral for over 20 years.  She continues to enjoy discovering and exploring new places to visit in the Greater Boston area.