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Cross country skiing in Connecticut is abundant in state parks

Connecticut > State > Winter Activities > Cross Country Skiing

The hilly state forests and state parks of Connecticut offer lots of places to get out on cross country skis. At least one downhill (Alpine) ski area offers groomed trails and equipment for Nordic skiing. Many Connecticut state parks and forests allow Nordic skiing on their multi-purpose trails, but don’t count on finding supports like equipment rental, lodges and warming huts, or food. Bring your own gear. Find a park here.

Cross Country (Nordic) Skiing in Connecticut
James L. Goodwin Forest

off of Route 6 at 23 Potter Road Hampton, CT Phone:

Great for hiking on short or long trails; enjoying nature; a boat ramp is available

Cross country skiers are welcome on the very extensive trail system of this forest. One trail, along an old railroad bed, is level and particularly well suited to XC skiing (not groomed). Trail maps are available at the nature center on the property. - Trail Map
See a full description on our State & Local Parks page.
White Memorial Conservation Center

80 Whitehall Road Litchfield, CT, 06759 Phone: 860-567-0857

Conservation area welcomes Nordic skiers on trails; bring your own equipment and supplies

This conservation area has 35 miles of trails open year-round for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and horseback riding. Good assistance from a color-coded trail map. Guided tours of the woodlands are offered on occasion throughout the winter. For skiers, there is no trail grooming, lodge, or rentals. Bring you own equipment.
Winding Trails Cross Country Ski Center

50 Winding Trails Drive Farmington, CT, 06032 Phone: 860-677-8458

20 kms of trails, groomed daily, travel through 350 acres of woodlands; marked trails; sledding; tubing; ice skating

Family-friendly Nordic ski area offers 20 kilometers of groomed trails in woodlands. Trails for all levels of skill. Snowshoeing not permitted on trails. Equipment rentals and retails sales. Center also rents pulk sleds for children and tubes for snow tubing. Tubing and sledding allowed on summertime soccer and softball fields. It is a 150-foot hill with a slope of 20 degrees. Bring your own sled; tubes available for rent.
Lodge with wood stove; snack bar. Season is mid-December through Mid-March, depending on snowfall. Open daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Information:
American Legion & Peoples State Forests

Between Center Hill Road (Route 181) and East River Road [see map] Barkhamsted, CT Phone: 860-379-0922

Large forests offer all outdoor recreation: camping, water sports, extensive hiking trails

These two adjacent state forests are located along the west branch of the Farmington River, named a wild and scenic river by the National Park Service. Cross country skiing is done in the snowy seasons. - Cross Country Skiing Map