MIRAMAR SKI CLUB

GENERAL CROSS COUNTRY SKI INFORMATION

2005-2006 SEASON

 

There is one cross country ski center in the Mad River/Sugarbush Valley area, two cross country ski centers in the Stowe area and one cross country ski center in the Killington/Pico area that are accessible by Miramar's chartered bus. The trip leader will have the bus drop off the cross country skiers at only one designated area each day of the weekend trip.

 

Attached is detailed information on each of these cross country ski centers and also on those in our ski area that are only accessible by car.  Directions for driving by car from the Miramar Lodge are given for all of these centers.

 

If the bus cannot drop off cross country skiers, then the trip leader will authorize a $tbd subsidy per skier for alternate paid transportation on one day of the weekend. If the weekend is 3 or 4 days, and the above applies, an additional $tbd subsidy will be given.

 

It is advisable that cross country skiers load their skis last on the bus or on top of the downhill skis so they can be removed first or readily If dropped off first at a cross country center. If the bus goes to a downhill area first, they should see that their skis are reloaded on the bus.

 

The trip leader will announce the pickup schedule on the bus.

 

Note that lunch is not available at all cross country centers and some eating places may be beyond your budget or taste. It is advisable to bring your lunch, preferably nonperishable so you can have options. You can fill your thermos with hot water at the Miramar Lodge. Food served at the Miramar Lodge is to be eaten at the lodge and cannot be taken out.

 

It should be noted that the information given may be subject to change and or corrected. Conditions for skiing and travel may change due to weather. Participants should call the XC area for current information. Cross country skiers should be both mentally prepared and equipped with the appropriate gear and clothing, and that there are risks involved in cross country skiing.

 

(Added by consensus of XC skiers)

While Ole’s is fine for beginner-low intermediate skiers, advanced skiers may prefer to rent a car and drive to more challenging centers. In order to minimize costs, it is recommended that if at all possible, a XC skier be appointed as coordinator for each trip. This person’s responsibilities will include coordinating car rental for those interested in splitting the costs of a car rental. Additional duties would include answering questions about the options available at the various XC centers, Ideally this person’s name and contact information should be made available before Friday on the answering machine and/or via the trip leader to avoid duplicate rental cars and to help “newbies” plan their weekend.

 

On two day weekends, more advanced skiers may wish to rent a car to go to Blueberry Hill, Trap, or Craftsbury. The second day is typically Mt. Mansfield Touring Center which is excellent for advanced skiers.

 

On three day weekends, depending upon the bus schedule, advanced skiers may wish to rent a car for two days.

 

Car rental Information:

Name:               Valley Rental-All

Phone:              (802) 496-4451 or (802) 496-5440
Address:            Winter Park Complex

Waitsfield, VT 05673

Notes:               Car will be dropped off for a nominal fee in the morning.

                        Car can be returned in the evening and it is a pleasant mile walk back.

                        Call in advance to reserve car

                        Bring insurance card and driver’s license for all drivers.

 

Obviously if XC skiers rent a car, they should not have chores that require them to be back before pre-dinner snacks.

 

Please put this on the Web site so XC skiers can plan their trips.

Please give additions/corrections to:

Richard Seibel

973-839-7795

richardseibel@covad.net

 

 

Name:

Ole's Cross Country Center

Operator:  

Ole

Location:  

Sugarbush Airport, Warren

Phone: 

(802) 496-3430

Web site

http://www.olesxc.com/skishp01.htm

Directions:

From lodge parking lot turn left onto Bridge St.

 At the next fork stay right onto the East Warren Road.

After about 5 miles you will see the Schafer Farm on your right turn right at the airport road.

After a 1/2 mile, turn right and follow signs to Ole's XC Center.

Drive past airport hangers to parking lot at "control  tower".

Total distance is approximately 6 miles.

Total trail length:

Over 45 KM

Trail grade:

Beginners to intermediates, woodlands and meadows (The consensus of the advanced skiers in the club is that this is not expert terrain)

Daily trail fee:

$15

 

Group of 8 or more: Call

Daily rental fee:

Skis, poles, and boots: $16 (Performance gear $20)

Skis only: 

Inquire

Lessons: 

Generally available

Lesson fee: 

Group: $20 (1 hour)

 

Private: $35

Package:

$45 (group)/$60 (private) – lesson, trail pass, rental

Guided tour:

$20 (I assume group, Web site did not state)

Lunch: 

Soup, sandwiches, hot food, hot drinks, cookies served by very friendly staff.

Notes:

Lessons here are both very good and a good price.\

Good place to learn skating technique.

Senior rates available - inquire

Accessible by bus:

Only via Route 100 and the town of Warren.

 

 

 

 

Name:

Blueberry Lake Cross Country Center

Operator: 

Lenord Robinson

Location: 

Plunkton Road, East Warren

Phone:

(802) 496-6687

Directions: 

Parking lot turn left onto Bridge St.

At the next fork stay right onto the East Warren Road.

After about 5 miles you will see the  Schaefer Farm on your right.

Continue past the airport road (to Ole's xc), at first  intersection, turn left onto Plunkton Road.

Continue to xc sign and parking lot on left  side of road.

 

Total distance is approximately 8 miles.

Total trail length:

Approximately 30 KM

Trail grade:

Beginners to intermediates, woodlands and meadows

Daily trail fee:

Weekends and holidays: $tbd

 

Midweek:  $tbd

Daily rental fee:

Skis, poles, and boots: $tbd

Lessons:

Inquire

Lunch:

Microwave oven available, powder mixes for hot drinks – double check before going

Notes:

Snow from snow making gun Is spread on trails when necessary. One trail is lit for night XC.

Accessible by bus:

 

Accessibility unknown.

 

 

Name:

Camels Hump

Operator: 

Camels Hump Skier’s Association

Location: 

Huntington

Phone:

(802) 434-4455

Web Site:

http://www.camelshumpskiers.com/index.html

Directions: 

Take 100 North to 89, take 89 to Exit 11 (Note: let author know if toward Montpelier)

Take route 2 East, till Main Road in Huntington.

Go to Handy Road (about 2 miles from bottom of East Street)

turn left onto Handy road to skier’s parking lot.

Total trail length:

60K of which 20/25 is groomed.

Trail grade:

Unknown, but expect it is NOT for beginners – other than some easy field loops.

Daily trail fee:

$tbd

Daily rental fee:

Not available

Lessons:

Not available

Lunch:

Bring your own, there is a warming hut or be prepared for a back-country lunch.

Notes:

This is a users’ association network and is NOT professionally maintained/run.

The author of this has had no direct experience here but based upon the description I expect it will be good for the back-country skier.

Before choosing this trip, you must plan in advance before you leave NY/NJ as there will be limited information available once you are there.

This is for the adventurous – information at this point unknown.  Please contact author if you go here so this form can be updated.

Accessible by bus:

 

No, car only

 

 

Name: 

Stowe Mountain Cross-Country Center (aka Mt. Mansfield Cross Country Center)

Operator:

 

Location: 

Mountain Road (Route 108) Stowe

Phone: 

(802) 523-3000

Web site:

http://www.stowe.com/mountain/xcountry.php

Directions:

Turn right onto Route 100, and stay on Route100 until you reach the traffic light in Stowe Village.

Then turn left onto Route 108 and continue to XC center on left side of road

Total distance Is approximately 35 miles.

Total trail length:

Approximately 45 KM plus 30k backcountry trails.

Trail grade:

Beginners to experts, mostly wooded. Most suitable for intermediates or better.

Daily trail fee:

$16

Daily rental fee:

Skis, poles, and boots: $22

Lesson fee:

Package, includes group lesson, rental and trail fee.  $tbd

 

Group: $27 (as of 11/26/2005, times are10:30AM-12 and 1:30PM to 3PM)

 

Private: $63, each additional skier $15

Package:

$45 – lesson, trail pass, rental

Lunch

Chili, soup, vending Machine, package mixes for hot drinks.

Cabin between Trapp and Mt. Mansfield has sandwiches, hot soups, brownies, hot drinks, etc. Beginners should NOT attempt to go to the cabin unless the conditions are very good AND they are very confident of their downhill ability. It is a long way back down the hill. Lunch as the cabin is recommended for those who are competent to get there and back (the brownies are a must!)

Restaurant at Toll House (short ski from center)

Notes:

Skiers using wilderness trails should sign in at the XC center and also notify Miramar staff. Skiers should be aware of the difficulties and the remoteness of these trails and allow for sufficient time to return.

 

Mansfield probably has the most challenging trails of any the centers listed here.

 

Trail pass includes Trapp side. For the stronger skier, ski the outer loop to cabin for lunch, then ski the trails at Trapp before returning to center.

 

Trail pass includes lift at adjacent downhill center which has green downhill runs, Be warned though: the top can be very icy.

Accessible by bus:

Skiers will be dropped off on the road.

 

 

 

Name: 

Trapp Family Cross Country Center

Operator:

 

Location

Luce Hill Road, Stowe

Phone: 

(802) 253-8511 or (800) 826-7000

Directions: 

Travel North on Route 100, pass Waterbury and Waterbury Center. Watch for road sign to Trapp Family Lodge or to Moscow Road (sign is on the right side of the road). Turn left and follow signs to Route 108. At stop.sign (tee intersection), turn left to Trapp Lodge. Total distance is approximately 30 miles.

Total trail length:

50K groomed, 100k back-country

Trail grade: 

Beginners to experts, woodlands , meadows old farm roads.

Daily trail fee: 

$16

Daily rental  fee:

Skis, poles, and boots: $20 (performance $25)

Lesson fee: 

Group: $15

 

Private: $50 (each additional person is $20)

Package:

Rental, lesson, trail fee: $40

Guided tour:

$40 (I assume group, Web site did not state)

Lunch:

Trailside wilderness cabin, tea house restaurant

Cabin between Trapp and Mt. Mansfield has sandwiches, hot soups, brownies, hot drinks, etc.

Beginners should NOT attempt to go to the cabin unless the conditions are very good AND they are very confident of their downhill ability. It is a long way back down the hill. Lunch as the cabin is recommended for those who are competent to get there and back (the brownies are a must!)

Notes:

Skiers using wilderness trails should sign in at the XC center and also notify Miramar staff Skiers should be aware of the difficulties and the remoteness of these trails and allow for sufficient time.

 

Trail pass include Mansfield side of mountain.

Accessible by bus:

Only under good conditions.

 

 

Name: 

Edson Hill Touring Center

Operator:

Jane and Eric Lande, Owners

Location: 

Edson Hill Road off Route 108 (Mt. Road) Stowe

Phone:

(802) 496-3430

Directions: 

Turn right onto Route 100, and stay on Route 100 until you reach the traffic light in Stowe Village. Then turn left onto Route 108 and continue to Edson Hill Road (past Stoweway Lodge ad Arbor Inn Lodge). Turn right and drive about 1 mile to the touring center. Distance is approximately 35 miles.

Total trail length:

Approximately 20 KM groomed/25KM ungroomed

Trail grade:

Beginners to experts, meadows (Doubt if expert, need to ask)

Daily trail fee: 

Inquire

Daily rental  fee:

Skis, poles, and boots: Inquire

Lesson fee: 

Group: Inquire

 

Private:  Inquire

Lunch:  

Edson Hill bar

Notes:

Information not available at time of this write-up.

This center has not been particularly popular with XC skiers for at least the last 5 years so please verify all information before going.

Given logistics of bus and quality of both Stowe Mountain Cross-Country Center and Trapp, the author’s initial thoughts are that this would be appropriate for beginners/intermediates who wish to drive to a different center than Ole’s.

Please contact richardseibel@covad.net with updates.

Accessible by bus:

Not accessible by bus.

 

 

Name: 

Topnotch Ski Touring Center

Operator:

 

Location: 

4000 Mountain Road (Route 108) Stowe.

Phone:

(800) 451-8686

Directions: 

Turn right onto Route 100, and stay on Route 100 until you reach the traffic light in Stowe Village. Then turn left onto Route 108 and continue to touring center on the left side of the road. Distance is approximately 35 miles.

Total trail length:

Approximately 20 KM groomed/20 KM ungroomed

Trail grade:

Beginners to experts, meadows (Doubt if expert, terrain looks too flat – looks more like beginner)

Daily trail fee: 

Inquire

Daily rental  fee:

Skis, poles, and boots: Inquire

Lesson fee: 

Group: Inquire

 

Private:  Inquire

 

Lunch:   Inquire

Notes:

Information not available at time of this write-up.

This center has not been particularly popular with XC skiers for at least the last 5 years so please verify all information before going.

Given logistics of bus and quality of both Stowe Mountain Cross-Country Center and Trapp, the author’s initial thoughts are that this would be appropriate for beginners/intermediates who wish to drive to a different center than Ole’s.

Please contact richardseibel@covad.net with updates.

Accessible by bus:

Skiers will be dropped off on the side of the road

 

 

 

Name: 

Craftsbury Outdoor Center

Operator:

 

Location: 

535 Lost Nation Road

Craftsbury

Phone: 

(800) 729-7751/(802)-586-7767

Web site:

www.craftsbury.com

Directions:

Take 100N through Stowe, in Morrisville go onto VT-12 (upper Main Street), then VT-15A (Park Street), then take Vt-15 south east toward Wolcott. Note: easy to get confused in Morrisville, basic concept is to keep going north until you hit 15, and then turn right. Follow 15 to 14 North (near Hardwick). Go 7 miles, then turn right at T intersection onto TH-1. In a few miles you will be in Craftsbury. Stay on road you are on and follow signs to Craftsbury Outdoor Center. Longer trip, maybe 1 ¼ to 1 ½ hours, but pretty drive and well worth it once in awhile.

Total trail length:

85 KM groomed/135 KM total

Trail grade:

Beginners to experts, mostly wooded and open views. Trails will not be challenging for experts, but they can get a lot of kilometers in.

Daily trail fee:

$14 (Sr. 60+ $9)

Daily rental fee:

Skis, poles, and boots: $12 (Performance $15)

Lesson fee:

Group: $45 (2 people)/$60 (3-8 people)

 

Private: $30

Package:

Not available

Lunch

Lunch is iffy. They sometimes have excellent soups but they consistently run out. So either buy a sandwich in the general store in town or bring chili and a bowl to heat it in.

Notes:

They frequently have excellent snow when nobody else does. Additionally, they have less traffic so their trails are not snowplowed off in the afternoon.

Accessible by bus:

Car trip

 

 

 

Name: 

Blueberry Hill

Operator:

 

Location: 

1307 Goshen Ripton Road

Goshen

Phone: 

(800) 448-0707 | (802) 247-6735

Web site:

www.blueberryhillinn.com

Directions:

Take 100S to Hancock, turn right on 125. Go past Middlebury College. After 10 minutes or so (working from memory here, so may be a bit longer, may be a bit shorter), on long downhill, there is a sign for Blueberry Hill maybe a mile or so before the actual turn on the left hand side which is somewhat hidden. The turn is just across from a yellow house. You than take a forestry road for 6 miles to center. Forestry road is not recommended if it is snowing. (if you go all of the way down a long hill before turning onto forestry road, you went too far)  Little over an hour each way.

Total trail length:

Approximately 50 KM with 15 KM ungroomed.

Trail grade:

Beginners to experts, mostly wooded and open views.

Daily trail fee:

$16 (Sr. 60+ $12)

Daily rental fee:

Skis, poles, and boots: $16

Lesson fee:

Group: $18 (10AM-11AM)

 

Semi-private: $22/person

 

Private: $35/person

Package: