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There is nothing like free cross country skiing. On recent trip to the Hanover, New Hampshire area I found plenty of free cross country skiing.
Don’t get me wrong, because I do love a great cross country skiing touring center. Crisp machine-set track, a cup of cocoa in front of the warming hut fireplace. What’s not to like?
Sometimes, I just want to get out skiing for an hour or two and not commit to a whole day at a touring center. If I’m paying a trail fee, I feel that I can’t “get my money’s worth” if I just go for an hour. Plus, I might want to take my dog and go somewhere more remote.
That’s the joy of free cross country skiing. And free ski areas on both sides of the Connecticut River around Hanover are abundant.
Notes on Free Cross Country Skiing
Since the places I mention are not ski touring centers, there are a couple things to remember.
First, you are on your own. There is no ski patrol on the trails if something goes wrong. Therefore, dress WISEly. If you don’t know about dressing WISEly, check out my post on proper winter layering. I suggest taking a small backpack with water, food, a headlamp, a small first aid kit, and an extra layer.
Second, many of these ski places are run by non-profits, schools, or volunteers. Be appreciative of their generosity by respecting the land and rules. Don’t walk on the ski trails. Make sure your dog is welcome and well behaved. Give a donation to support them if you are so moved.
Lastly, I use the following terminology to describe how each area is prepared for skiers. Groomed means the trails have been packed by mechanical means. Set track are trails with mechanically carved ski tracks. And by tracked out, I mean other skiers have created the track.
Enjoy the bliss of gliding through remote wilds. Here’s me skiing down a hill wishing I had my GoPro instead of my iPhone, so I could use my poles. Well, I made it.
Free Cross Country Skiing Places near Hanover, New Hampshire
Green Woodlands
I’ll start with my favorite place for free cross country skiing near Hanover. Green Woodlands is a family foundation that preserves land near Dorchester, New Hampshire for wildlife and historical preservation and research. They really specialize in providing exquisite cross country ski trails and winter experiences in remote forest lands.
The trails are expertly groomed for skate skiing and have set tracks for classical skiing. The fir and hemlock ski trails go past frozen lakes and sparkling streams. There are four warming huts throughout the property. Plus, there are campfire circles with chairs for taking a break and gazing at the wilderness scenery. Propane stoves to make hot chocolate for the skiers are also provided.
Another generous act of the folks at Green Woodlands is that they provide free rental of cross country ski gear. Those without skis can hike in about a half-mile to find loaner skis, boots, and poles. The gear is top-notch and available free to anyone to use.
Green Woodland is a true backcountry wilderness experience with over 50 km of groomed ski trails. There is no cell service so be prepared. Well-behaved dogs are allowed to trot alongside their skier owners.
There are two main trailheads, the east one is at 1756 NH RT 118 in Dorchester, New Hampshire, and the west trailhead is along a residential road between Reservoir Pond in Lyme and Cummins Pond in Dorchester, NH. For this west trailhead, follow Dorchester Road from the west until it ends in a large parking lot.
Fullington Farm River Trail and Field
If you want a change from skiing in the woods, try Fullington Field and the Fullington Farm River Trail.
Fullington Field is a great place to do some after-work laps around the tracked-out field. You won’t be by yourself as many local ski teams and skiers use the 1 km trail for practice. A spacious parking lot is across from the Dartmouth Organic Farm on Lyme Road (Route 10).
For the river trail, park at Wilson’s Landing on the Connecticut River off Lyme Road (Route 10). The out-and-back Fullington Farm River Trail begins here and follows the Connecticut River. Watch for mergansers or other river ducks swimming in the eddies. This tracked-out trail is wonderful for expansive field and river views. In addition, you can see the Smarts Mountain summit to the north. Leashed dogs are welcome.
The area has a rich history. Tribes of the Abenaki people farmed and fished in this Connecticut River valley. The fertile alluvial soils were a draw to early American farmers. Four generations of the Fullington family raised dairy cows and sheep on the land. The farm is now owned by Dartmouth College.
Trescott Water Supply Lands
The lands of the Trescott Water Company provide drinking water for the town of Hanover and Dartmouth College. In the winter, the trails here are open for hiking and cross country skiing.
With over 13 miles of tracked-out ski trails, there is free cross country skiing for all abilities. Beginners will favor the old logging roads, while more experienced skiers can head up Prospect Hill. Views of Mount Ascutney in southern Vermont can be seen.
There are two trailheads to choose from to start your ski trip. The Trescott Road trailhead is on the south side of the water lands, while the Dogford Road trailhead is on the east. Dogs are welcome on the water lands but must be strictly on a leash.
The trails of the Trescott Water Supply Lands connect with the groomed Dartmouth College Oak Hill cross country ski complex. In addition, Balch Hill Natural Area and the Appalachian Trail nearby offer more trails to explore.
Thetford Academy
Here’s a chance to ski at the oldest secondary school in Vermont. The ballfield behind the beautiful Thetford Academy is the start for the 5 km Woods Trail that extends into Thetford Hill State Park. This groomed trail winds gently up and down through mature pine/hemlock woods. There are two loops to the trail so if you can ski just a 2 km loop if you want a shorter ski outing.
Thetford Academy is located on Academy Road in Thetford, Vermont. Park out of the way near the athletic fields in the back.
Hartland Winter Trails
The Hartland Winter Trails is a community-run network of cross country ski trails. When conditions warrant, volunteers groom and set track on 25 km of ski trails. The trail system is located in Hartland, Vermont south of Hanover.
The ski trails pass over varied terrain from easy trails through the woods or across rolling meadows to black diamond screaming descents. Choose your own adventure on these trails. Leashed or voice-controlled dogs are welcome.
I enjoyed circling through the woods on the easy green trails and then going fast on the beautifully tracked wide-open field of Dachshund Run. The steep black trails are further back on the property and yield good climbs and downhills.
The trailhead is on Vermont Route 12 about one half mile west of the Three Corners of Hartland, Vermont. The parking lot is directly across from the Hartland Fire Department.
Fairlee and Lake Morey Trails
The area around Fairlee, Vermont north of Hanover has a variety of cross country skiing experiences. The VAST snowmobile trails in the Fairlee Town Forest can be skied on in the winter. Choose wider trails such as the forest roads unless you are a kamikaze skier. The Lake Morey Resort golf course has some tracked-out trails for skiing. There’s a great view of the lake from there too.
Lake Morey Resort rents cross country ski gear as well as equipment for a slew of other winter activities. The Lake Morey skate trail is known as the longest skating loop in the United States. While you can’t cross country ski on the skating loop, you can do the next best thing—Nordic skating. Nordic skate bindings are designed to fit a cross country ski boot. Hence, you can simulate skate skiing on ice.
I wanted to rent the Nordic skates when I was there to try it out, but the lake wasn’t quite frozen through so the skating loop was closed. I think it would be an awesome adventure experience for cross country skiers.
Accommodations for Free Cross Country Skiing near Hanover, New Hampshire
There is so much cross country skiing and other winter outdoor activities near Hanover, that if you aren’t local, it makes sense to stay over. On my last trip to the area, I stayed the better part of a week and still didn’t fit in all the fun I planned.
Fairlee Inn
I was fortunate to find an Air Bnb suite called the Fairlee Inn Loft that easily exceeded all my expectations. This loft apartment is spacious and comfortable. For a large group of family and friends, it would be amazing as it sleeps 13 people in three good-sized bedrooms. Even so, it’s still snug enough for a couple’s weekend.
The natural light flooding in on the open floor plan loft is stunning. The super-comfortable furniture on wide pine flooring is inviting after a long day on skis. There are also some cozy nooks with chairs for reading or socializing. A dining area with an ornate antique table and chairs dominates one end of the loft.
The fully stocked kitchen has everything you need to fix wonderful meals. Kyle, the manager, is very friendly and helpful. He responds quickly and can provide lots of local information on where to adventure and find food.
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the Fairlee Inn and recommend it as a base for amazing skiing and winter outdoor activities in the Hanover area. Kyle manages some other impressive properties in the area if the Fairlee Inn Loft is booked. The Upper Vally Retreat, the Hillcrest Manor, or the Green Mountain Chalet are other Air BnBs in the area managed by Kyle.
Wrap Up of Free Cross Country Skiing near Hanover, New Hampshire
For cross country skies at all levels of ability, there are plenty of places to ski for free in New Hampshire and Vermont on both sides of the Connecticut River. For non-skiers in your party, sledding and skating on Lake Morey is great fun. The picturesque town of Hanover is worth a visit to stroll or shop.
Besides free trails, there are a few cross country ski touring centers nearby. Strafford Nordic Center in Strafford, Vermont is about a half-hour away. In addition, downhill skiers and boarders will appreciate the Dartmouth Skiway outside Hanover or a short day trip to Suicide Six or Burke Mountain.
So pack up the kids or some skiing friends and have a budget-friendly time on the free cross country ski trails near Hanover, New Hampshire.
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21 Comments
Cosette · January 16, 2021 at 2:55 am
Great tracks. Cross country skiing is still on my list of things to do when on a snow vacation.
Amelia · January 16, 2021 at 8:18 am
Great post! It’s very good to see cost free places to ski. This is much needed during covid because many people are struggling with financial stress and also needing vitamin nature.
For those who have a stimulus check they are able to donate. Donating to local non-profit ski areas seems like a good idea. Many mutual aid grassroots orgs are sharing stimulus checks with the community via wonderful community donors. I’d love to see an Avenue for those looking to donate what they are able here at some point now or in the future. Thank you for your effort please share @venmo for this blog or mutual outdoor aid. You’re amazing! This blog is so critical for so many.
Ada · January 16, 2021 at 10:29 am
I love free cross-country skiing and love that you found so much of it! The fact that you also found free ski rental blows my mind! Here in Minnesota we don’t really have free skiing (except for in the Boundary Waters) because a state pass required on almost every trail system. That said, I’m happy to support the groomers – keeping ski trails in good shape is no small task!
Karen · February 2, 2021 at 5:39 pm
It is great to donate to those who groom the trails. The generosity of these people creating the trails is lovely.
Sue Tippett · January 16, 2021 at 5:17 pm
Can’t wait to try all these rails. Now we just need some snow.
molly · January 16, 2021 at 11:52 pm
Loaner Skis?! What an awesome idea. I really didn’t consider that New Hampshire would have so much to offer in cross country skiing. Nothing feels better than putting my feet up around a fire after a nice day of skiing!
Catherine · January 17, 2021 at 12:02 am
I really want to learn to cross country ski! I was going to for the first time last year but then COVID. I can’t wait to try. Thanks for these ideas for cross country skiing in New Hampshire!
Hannah · January 17, 2021 at 3:34 am
Wow, I’m not much of a skier but what a beautiful winter wonderland! I might even be tempted to give it a go with such beautiful trails! The Fairlee Inn Loft looks so cozy! I can definitely see me curling up here on an evening with a good book! Thanks for the great guide!
Krista · January 17, 2021 at 4:35 am
I used to love going cross country skiing when I was younger! This looks like the ideal place to do it too.
Ashlee Fechino · January 17, 2021 at 8:17 am
Hi Karen! Fun post. I enjoyed your video. You really got going. Yeah, having a GoPro would be super fun. haha. We love to XC too. But, none of that where we live in Tulsa now.
Amy Aed · January 17, 2021 at 2:30 pm
This looks like such a beautiful place! I would love to visit when I’m eventually able to start travelling again. Beautiful photos.
MacKenzie · January 17, 2021 at 3:33 pm
This place looks fantastic!! Unfortunately, I am definitely not skilled enough to cross country ski without help or a tour center. I’ve only been skiing once, so I’m definitely a beginner (even the old logging roads scare me, but I’d try that first).
Josy A · January 17, 2021 at 11:00 pm
Wow! I am so impressed that there are free areas to go skiing, then even more impressed that Greens Woodlands even has free rentals! That is so generous and helps with one of the biggest barrier for newbie skiers, getting hold of the equipment!
Hannah Dawn · January 18, 2021 at 2:59 am
Ooh, so I’ve skied twice in my life and as much as I did enjoy it – I am petrified of steep runs and it was all so expensive that it took months to pay it off. So this sounds like the perfect solution for me! I’d really like to try cross country skiing and the scenery here looks like a Christmas Card – so beautiful.
Kristen · January 19, 2021 at 3:20 pm
I love the video you shared! I haven’t been out XC skiing yet this season so this makes me really want to go. Right now we have a lot of ice on the ground so I’m hoping for a big snowfall soon.
Tara · January 20, 2021 at 11:20 am
I love that there are so many great places to ski in New England. I really need to practice so I can go down hills without falling. Also, I really want to try Nordic skating around Lake Morey! It’s been on my winter to-do list for a couple of years!
thepurpleninja · January 20, 2021 at 9:44 pm
I’ve gone skiing a few times but have hated it because of steep, slippery downhills, but maybe I should give it a try again! This actually looks perfect.
Emmy · January 20, 2021 at 10:13 pm
What great ideas for cross country skiing near Hanover. I love all the tips about the different types of trails to consider and all the detailed locations guides. Thanks for these great tips!
sydney · January 21, 2021 at 11:33 am
this looks like a wonderful time!
Ildiko · January 21, 2021 at 3:40 pm
I love cross-country skiing. Now I like in a place that doesn’t get much snow … almost none at all. The trails and terrain you presented look beautiful. I would love to try some of them if I venture to that area one winter.
Char · January 22, 2021 at 3:17 am
Such a fun list of places to go skiing! As someone who isn’t confident skiing, because of steep slopes at busy resorts, this looks like a great alternative!