Cross Country Skiing

Cross-country skiers are welcome on all Miramar’s winter trips to our lodge in Vermont. Our XC destinations are based on which downhill area we visit and the day’s snow and weather conditions. The usual XC destinations include Ole’s in the Mad River Valley, The Trapp Family Lodge or the Mount Mansfield XC Center near Stowe. Cross Country skiers traveling by automobile have additional options (see list at bottom).

Ole’s , Warren Vermont — http://www.olesxc.com/

The closest cross country ski facility to our lodge in Waitsfield, Ole’s was opened by a legendary Norwegian cross-country skier. Still locally owned, Ole’s features rolling trails through the woods and fields and  past local barns. Beginner, intermediate and some challenging trails for more experienced skiers are offered. Helpful staff, excellent lessons for skiers of every level and a bright welcoming sky-light lit lounge with soup and sandwich offerings round out the experience. Occasional acoustic music jams occur at lunchtime as well as a memorable local distillery tasting.

Mansfield/Stowe Cross County in Stowe, Vermont   — http://www.stowe.com/ski-ride/xc/

Where skiing began before they invented the ski  lift. Enterprising cross country skiers unearthed the old trail maps of Stowe Ski Resort  and recreated the original trails. Just down the mountain from the Stowe Alpine Resort, Mansfield offers some challenging black runs with serious downhill stretches in addition to a multitude of beginner and intermediate trails. Facilities include a warming hut along the trail serving hot chocolate,and a yurt by the lodge to relax in. Trails connect to the Toll Road trail at the downhill resort where gravity’s pull can be experienced to its fullest. High quality instruction and rentals are available. A connection to the nearby Trapp Cabin is available for hearty souls willing to head uphill approximately four kilometers, A fireplace, soups sandwiches, hot apple cider and cookies are served. Of course after heading uphill you get to race back downhill when you have finished your destination dining experience in the woods.

Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe, Vermont — http://www.trappfamily.com/

A true  resort in addition to  an excellent cross-country ski venue, Trapp Family Lodge offers an on site brew-pub  an Austrian bakery as well as the Trapp Cabin. A well groomed and extensive trail system provides trails for racers as well as expert, intermediate and beginner skiers. Yes, this venue  was opened and run by the Trapp family of Sound of Music fame and the hills are alive and the trails are exceptionally well groomed.

If you’re driving up there are a number of other cross country ski areas near Waitsfield, Vermont that you may wish to visit on your own (we recommend you call ahead and confirm open hours, rates and available amenities).

Name	Skill Level	Phone	Food	Web
Ole’s	Novice to lower intermediate	802.496.3430	Available	olesxc.com
Blueberry Lake	Beginners to intermediate	802.496.6687	No	blueberrylakeskivt.com
Camels Hump	N/A	802.434.4455		camelshumpskiers.com
Mt Mansfield Touring Ctr.	Beginners to experts	802.523.3000	Toll House Cabin	stowe.com
Edson Hill Touring Center	Beginners to experts	802.496.3430		edsonhillmanor.com
Craftsbury Center	Beginners to experts	800.729.7751 802..586.7767	Limited Quantities	craftsbury.com
Blueberry Hill	Beginners to experts	800.448.0707		blueberryhillinn.com
Mountain Meadows		800. 221.0598		xcskiing.net
Mountain Top		800.445.2100	Available	mountaintopinn.com
Hazen’s Notch		802.326.4799		hazensnotch.org