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In Search of Free Cross Country Skiing in Burlington, Vermont
When I visit Burlington, Vermont with my skinny skis, I am always looking for free places to cross country ski. With abundant snow, I search for cross country skiing places that were easy to get to and free of trail fees. I have found a nice variety of free cross country skiing areas in Burlington, Vermont to strap on the boards for a quick ski. It’s so much easier for me to get out on a cold day if I only have to commit an hour or so. I can be back inside with a steaming mug in no time. Plus I feel nicely satisfied that I got outside. I have explored the following XC terrain. All these areas are dog friendly if you want to bring the pooch.
The Intervale
The Intervale covers over 700 acres of farm and forest bottomland by the Winooski River in Burlington. In the summer it’s a thriving tribute to sustainable farming and local food. In the winter, groomers transform the trails that wind across open fields and through the woods near the river. Over 3 miles of trail are groomed for both classical and skate skiing. And it’s all free to use.
I enjoyed gliding over the windswept fields and watching the ice formations on the Winooski River. The well-set classical track was fast, although hikers walk on the skating lane so it was a little beat up.
The chilly wind made me glad I had my layers on. Check out my blog post on dressing for success in winter to stay dry and warm. All in all, the Intervale is a great place for a quick ski trip as it’s so close to the center of Burlington.
The Rail Trail
The Island Line Rail Trail extends 14 miles along Lake Champlain from South Burlington north along the waterfront, across the mouth of the Winooski River, and all the way to South Hero Island via the Causeway, a 10-foot wide gravel path that crosses Lake Champlain.
In the winter, it’s possible to cross country ski on the multi-use path. Snow conditions vary because of lake effect weather but when there are a few inches on the trail it’s a great place to ski with spectacular views of the lake along the journey. Local skiers create tracks on the side of the rail trail so classical skiing is the way to go. Walkers use the middle of the path so skate skiing is not recommended. My favorite section is from Leddy Park to the Winooski River bridge in Colchester. The glimpses of Lake Champlain in all its winter fury are awe-inspiring. Parking is available at Leddy Park.
Derway Island Park
The Winooski River makes a huge question mark-shaped turn to define the boundaries of the Derway. A beautiful trail for cross country skiing weaves through this lowland natural area. Tracked by locals or by you after a new snow, this out-and-back trail winds through the woods and along the river. The trail is flat so it’s a great area for newbie skiers. If the ice on the Winooski is solid I’ve skied up the river to investigate the frozen ponds of the Derway. Be aware that the ice downriver by the rail trail bridge is dangerous so stay off it.
The entrance to Derway Island Nature Park is right by the Burlington wastewater treatment plant on North Avenue. A parking lot is past the old marina sign or you can park on North Ave. near the rail trail.
For some ideas to explore the Derway and surroundings when the weather warms up, click over to this blog post.
Ethan Allen Homestead
The grounds of the Ethan Allen Homestead have over 4 miles of scenic trails for free cross country skiing in Burlington. The historic home of Ethan Allen and the adjacent museum are closed in the winter, however, the trails are open from dawn to dusk.
As many locals ski on the Homestead trails, you’ll find good conditions, especially after new snow. The trails wind around the marshy bottomland, through the riverside forest, and across open fields. The Winooski River forms the boundary of the ski area. If you continue following the trails to the south and east they will join with the groomed trails of the Intervale.
Take the River Loop trail to the Peninsula Loop trail for a scenic ski along the Winooski River. You can return on the Homestead Loop to get a glimpse of the restored 1787 historic farmhouse of Green Mountain Boys’ leader Ethan Allen.
To get to the trailhead for skiing, enter the Homestead property off Route 127. Then, park at the first parking lot you come to. Trails start after crossing a wooden bridge on your skis.
Smuggler’s Notch Road
It’s not in Burlington, but it’s a fun place for free cross country skiing so I’ve included it. Smuggler’s Notch Pass is closed to traffic in the winter. Therefore, Rt. 108 just past the Smuggler’s Notch ski resort over the pass down to Stowe is the snow-covered domain of winter outdoor adventurers. Backcountry skiers skinning up, out-of-bounds alpine skiers on a sneak route off the peak, families with sleds, ice climbers on the roadside cliffs, and hikers all joined our winter adventure party.
I was happy with my Nordic skinny skies as the grade of the road wasn’t too steep. Just a continuous uphill to break a good sweat. At the notch, we admired the snow bowl around us and then turned for the descent. It was like skiing down the escalator at the airport—nice easy speed so I could enjoy the view. Parking is available near the road closure gate.
Accommodations in the Burlington Area for Free Cross Country Skiing
Burlington is a beautiful winter weekend destination. The lights of downtown and the jaw-dropping beauty of Lake Champlain sunsets will entertain you after you take your skis off for the day.
You can’t beat the sunsets from a room in the Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain. Get a room with a view of the Adirondacks across Lake Champlain. Be careful, you might not be able to pull yourself away from that view.
For an incredibly cozy place located south of town, try Green Mountain Suites Hotel. The large suites have full kitchens for a do-it-yourself ski weekend. The included breakfast is a wonderful start to an active day.
Cross country skiers on a budget, try out the Starlight Inn in nearby Colchester. The rooms are movie-themed to give a fun flair to your stay. It’s also the top-rated accommodation in the area.
More Ideas for Cross Country Skiing
There are also some fantastic touring centers in northern Vermont that charge a trail fee but are totally worth it for a day’s skiing destination. But I’ll leave writing about them for another time. For more information on Vermont ski touring centers, check here. If you want to venture out for a quick, easy spin on your cross country skis in Burlington, try the places I’ve mentioned. You’ll be back by the woodstove before you know it, feeling invigorated for the day.
Related post-> Best Free Cross Country Skiing in Vermont
You will need your own skis for these free places to cross country ski in Burlington. However, the Ski Rack downtown has you covered if you need cross country ski rentals.
Cross country skiing is popular in many states. I learned to XC ski on the beautiful trails of Minnesota and brag about that area for prime skiing. I also recommend these XC ski trails in Massachusetts, most of them are free.
For free cross country skiing trails on the east side of Vermont, visit my post on free cross country skiing around the Upper Connecticut River Valley and Hanover, New Hampshire.
If you are interested in other places for outdoor adventure near Burlington take a look at my blog post on Outdoor Pocket Adventures near Burlington, VT.
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I’ve compiled my posts on my favorite cross country skiing places in the Northeast for you to explore!
38 Comments
Linn · February 21, 2020 at 10:38 am
Love your blogs! We’ll have to try Stowe, looks more our speed…having survived the Bolton back country adventure!
Karen · February 21, 2020 at 11:46 am
Linn, You would like that Smugg’s Notch road. Just fun up and down. Next time I want to go down the Stowe side. The sign said the gradient was 16% so it would be a nice fast ski I think.
Josy A · February 21, 2020 at 11:28 pm
These all look so fun!
I would like to give cross country skiing a try. Our here in BC it is so hilly that cross country is a really good workout…so far I have been lazy and stuck to downhill. Do you even up getting really hot during the ascents?
Karen · February 22, 2020 at 7:13 am
XC skiing in BC would be a dream. Yes you get hot on ascents so that’s where laying comes in. I usually take off most of my layers on the ascent. I hope you get to hit some of the trails in BC.
Emma · February 22, 2020 at 12:21 am
I’ve never been skiing, but the fact that this looks like it would be great for newbies gives me hope that I might be able to build up the courage to ski at some point
Karen · February 22, 2020 at 7:09 am
Emma
It’s an easy winter sport to learn. If can walk you can XC ski.
Kiana · February 22, 2020 at 1:45 am
I’ve never gone skiing before, but it looks like a lot of fun! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Karen · February 22, 2020 at 7:07 am
I hope you get a chance to try it sometime. It’s fun!
Cierra · February 22, 2020 at 3:07 am
Loved reading about your icy adventures! Makes me wish I could ski better! I also see this as a kind of “travel hack” since ski lifts are soo expensive! Very cool
Karen · February 22, 2020 at 7:06 am
Yes, cross country skiing is a much cheaper way to get out on the snow especially if you go to free places. It’s certainly not the same as alpine skiing but I’ve enjoyed some amazing downhill runs on skinny skis.
Imani · February 22, 2020 at 6:35 pm
Never been skiing but really want to try it, this looks so fun! And the views must be amazing. Loved to see the dog trotting alongside you too!
Karen · February 23, 2020 at 8:47 am
I hope you do try it! Peaty the adventure dog loves the outdoors too.
Katie Diederichs · February 22, 2020 at 8:36 pm
I’ve been dreaming of visiting Vermont during the autumn (for fall foliage!), but the winter looks really nice too! I love getting outside and going XC skiing, and this is motivating me to get out and do it where I live (Oregon!). Looks like you’ve got a great list of spots here!
Karen · February 23, 2020 at 8:46 am
Vermont is lovely in all seasons (well maybe not mud season) so it’s worth a visit. Hope you can get out for some XC skiing in Oregon.
kelly · February 23, 2020 at 6:25 pm
I would like to do a cross country adventure like this. And Vermont is really one of the places I want to visit. Thank you for the information. P.s. love the video in your post
Karen · February 24, 2020 at 10:30 am
The beauty of these cross country adventures is that they are so accessible to all. There are plenty of other areas and touring centers in VT. to XC ski as well. Vermont in winter is magical.
Kristen · January 15, 2021 at 11:49 am
I love cross country skiing. I’ve never tried ice climbing though! That looks like a workout.
Tara · February 2, 2021 at 9:20 pm
I learned to ski on the Intervale Trails! They are so pretty covered in snow and so close to town that you can get out and back in no time. I would love to adventure on the road through Smuggler’s Notch, but that is an adventure I’ve yet to try! I do remember years ago an acquaintance who lived in Jeffersonville and worked in Stowe would leave his car on one side and ski to work during the winter.
Susan · February 3, 2021 at 9:49 pm
I wanna visit all of these ski trails! How cool that you also got to see the ice climbers?! Thanks for including the xc skiing packing list as well.
Karen · February 12, 2021 at 10:41 am
There are so many outdoor adventures in the Northeast. The Smuggler’s Notch road in winter is a feast of different ways to get outdoors.
Renee · December 22, 2022 at 6:11 am
I’ve been to Burlington, VT in the fall and it was so pretty and charming. I can only imagine how magical it would be under a blanket of snow. And what a great way to experience it then to go cross-county skiing.
Emily · December 22, 2022 at 12:29 pm
I’ve only been skiing indoors, would love to try it outdoors too! This looks like so much fun!
Nikki · December 23, 2022 at 12:46 pm
What a fun adventure! I’d totally never do it because I hate the cold, but it looks like great exercise. Love that you can bring your dog, too. 🙂
Marian · December 23, 2022 at 8:27 pm
How lovely! I would love to watch ice climbing in action!
Kez · December 24, 2022 at 11:48 am
As someone who has always lived in areas that don’t get snow, I never thought of cross country skiing as a winter activity.
But it looks like fun. You’ve inspired me to give it a try when I’m next in a snowy place for winter.
kmf · January 19, 2023 at 10:57 pm
I used to live in Vermont but never went cross-country skiing. I’m due for a visit so would love to use this as a guide for some outdoor adventures.
Karen · February 8, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Cross country skiing is so wonderful in Vermont. I also have a guide to free cross country skiing throughout the state.
amy · February 8, 2023 at 1:04 pm
This looks so amazing!! I’d love to experience something like this.
Karen · February 8, 2023 at 3:00 pm
I hope you get to.
Linda (LD Holland) · February 8, 2023 at 1:21 pm
When we used to ski, Vermont was definitely on the list of places we wanted to visit in the winter. I always thought if it for downhill skiiing so it was interesting to read about the cross country skiing. What a great waterfall view you got!
Karen · February 8, 2023 at 3:01 pm
Alpine skiing often overshadows other things to do in the winter in Vermont. However, cross country skiing is alive and well in Vermont. It offers a budget-friendly way to get outside.
Shreya · February 8, 2023 at 2:04 pm
This is an awesome resource for someone who’s local (me!) Thanks for pulling this together!
Karen · February 8, 2023 at 3:02 pm
I hope you get to try some of these places out.
Ashley · February 8, 2023 at 3:23 pm
Skiing is not my forte but it’s good to know that there are still a number of places people can go skiing for free!
Karen · February 9, 2023 at 1:20 pm
XC skiing is not for everyone (-;
Kiki · February 10, 2023 at 5:01 am
Never tried skiing before. Tried snowshoeing this winter and saw so many people skiing. Looks fun but I am a wee bit scared. Probably I will give it a try next winter.
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