Cross-Country Skiing

[lillibet]

A friend of a friend has recently moved to Somerville with her cross-country skis and is wondering where one might go to use such equipment.

Anyone know good local places to ski?

Comments

[orbitalmechanic.livejournal.com]

I don't ski at all, but I know there are trails in the Blue Hills Reservation down in Quincy.

[wellstar.livejournal.com]

I have been cross-country skiing once and I'm pretty sure it was at Great Brook Farm in Carlisle.

[justom.livejournal.com]

It depends partly on what your friend is looking for-- backcountry skiing vs. groomed trails, skate vs. classical, etc. Great Brook is the best close places, but conditions will vary based on local snowfall (i.e., probably fine now, but in a week, who knows?). There's a mix of open areas and foresty areas. Windblown is in Southern New Hampshire (about an hour and a half drive), and is supposedly good. When I was skate skiing semi-regularly with friends from my bike club we would often go up to Waterville Valley, which is a bit over two hours by car but has lots of trails.

I'm sure there are plenty of places for backcountry skiing, but I'm not as familiar with those...

[kissoflife.livejournal.com]

That was pretty comprehensive! I support these choices too.
And I add these, with similar caveat that conditions do vary.

For a rather low-key time around a golf course(not my fave, but popular- and the nighttime ski is fun), Weston Ski Track, in Weston.
And... IF snow has just fallen, and especially if the next day is either a weekend or a broadly-celebrated holiday, the Minute Man trail. Arlington has the annoying habit of using its wee plow to clear the trail within its limits if commuting may be expected soon- but so far, Lexington and beyond never do. And the trail there is very lovely, especially as you get on up to Bedford. Or start there! There are various turn-off trail options along the way too.

[bedfull-o-books.livejournal.com]

Not sure if this counts as local, but I used to cross country ski at the Essex County Club golf course in Manchester on the North Shore.

It's been awhile, and it could be that it worked because I was a "townie" but the grounds are lovely

Their not so very helpful web site: http://www.essexcc.org/