Located at sea level, Boston does not come to mind as a cross-country destination. However, there is plenty of world-class cross-country skiing not far from the city. There are over 20 Nordic skiing areas near Boston, and many of them can be reached in one or two hours. You will find great choices for all skill levels and tastes. These are some of our recommendations:
There are a few things to consider before making your choice:
Reservations A few trails require reservations, such as the Weston trail. Make sure to check the website.
Ski Rentals Most trails rent out skis, poles, and boots. Some smaller trails have limited availability, especially on weekends, and very few require reservations.
Skating Trails Skating is a new type of cross-country skiing that requires special grooming and spacing on the trail. Some trails accommodate them; others have restrictions or don’t allow them at all.
Snow Conditions Many trails on this list have almost guaranteed snow because they are in areas with high natural snowfall or because of extensive snowmaking. Please make sure you check the snow conditions on the websites of the trails.
Children Skiing is a fun activity even for small children, but some locations are more family-oriented than others. For example, larger resorts often have more options for children's activities.
Dogs: Some destinations allow dogs on the trail, but others don’t. Please check before you take your sweet puppy along.
Weston Ski Track - Boston Area
 The Weston Ski Track is only 15 minutes from Boston and offers reliable cross-country skiing on 1.5 miles of trail length. This facility uses snow-making and expert grooming to maintain the professional quality of the track even if temperatures are not ideal. Night skiing is available and so are lessons. Traditional and skating are allowed. Reservations are required to ski. |
Great Brook Ski Touring Center - Carlisle,MA This is a gem of a trail and only about half an hour from Boston. You will glide through charming farm landscapes with gentle slopes, small woods and ponds and streams. The trail is 10 miles long and offers something for all levels of expertise. It is professionally groomed and allows for skating as well as traditional skiing. Rentals and lessons are available on-site. |
Waterville Valley - White Mountains, NH Waterville Valley is ranked as one of the best cross-country resorts in the Northeast. Only two hours from Boston, it offers an extensive network of trails with over 50 miles of groomed track. Many trails cross into the White Mountain National Forest and are groomed for skate and classic skiing. Snowshoeing is welcome on any trail and fat biking is welcome on select trails with the purchase of a trail pass. Dogs are also welcome on select trails. All amenities of a full-featured ski resort are available. |
Canterbury Farm XC Skiing - Birkshires, MA Located in the Birkshire Hills and about 2 hours from Boston is this idillic trail covering 2200 acres. You will be passing beautiful brooks, beaver ponds, stone walls, lakes, fields and mountains where nature abounds. The trails meander through old wood stands, which gives you the feel of being in the wilderness. Other trails are wider for excellent ski skating. Snowshoe trails are maintained just for snow shoeing for those who want that experience. |
Notchview Cross Country Skiing. - Birkshires, MA Located in the Birkshire Hills and about 2.2 hours from Boston is this idillic trail covering 3000 acres. There are over 25 miles of backcountry trails to explore and half of the trails are groomed and track-set for classical cross-country skiing and 5 miles are groomed for skate skiing. A separate trail system is for “skijoring,” or skiing with dogs. You can also snowshoe alongside the ski trails or go off track and explore the backcountry. Rentals and food are available at the Visitor Center. |
Bretton Woods - White Mountains, NH The Bretton Woods Nordic Center is one of the largest cross country ski areas on the East Coast. The trail networks spans over 100 miles of open fields, and meanders through woods, passes beaver ponds and mountain streams.
The trails are groomed with modern grooming equipment and are prepared for classic as well as skate skiing. There are number of attractions such as a warming cabin on Porcupine Trail. |
Stump Sprouts - Berkshires MA Stump Sprouts is a small rustic resort about 2.5 hours from Boston and is located at the foothills of the Berkshires. The trail is situated on a mountaintop 450 acre farm and has some of the most reliable snow conditions in Southern New England. The 18 mile trails are mostly designed for classical skiing. The unique trail system features wooded glades and landscaped intersections connected by a variety of trails. The view from top point makes it a popular destination. Stump Sprouts is known to be one of the most sustainable resorts |
Bear Notch Ski Touring Center - White Mountains, NH Bear Notch is about 3 hours from Boston and is scenic gem. The 40 miles trail network will take you through flat meadows, riverside views, rolling hills, and pristine waterfalls. You will cross Bartlett village and ski along the Saco River towards Attitash Mountain. Natural snowfall is over 200 inches a year and grooming is excellent. |
Trapp Family Lodge Cross Country Ski Center - Stowe, VT The Trapp Family Lodge is about 3.25 hours from Boston and it is well worth the long drive. What you will find is a European style Nordic lodge with 40 miles of beautifully groomed trails and access to miles of backcountry trails suitable for cross-country skiers of all ages and abilities. Also, be sure to make the exiting trip to the Slayton Pasture Cabin where you can warm up on the hearth of a roaring fireplace. |
Jackson Ski Touring Foundation - White Mountains, NH Jackson is 4.75 hours from Boston and is one of finest ski areas in the North-East.
Embedded in a winter wonderland are 100 miles of attractive trails, meticulously groomed. The track layout allows two classic ski tracks as well as a single wide lane skate skiers. All of the trails originate from the village of Jackson, and branch to a number of destination including the warming hut, restaurants and lodging options. |
