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Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
at Strafford Nordic Center in Vermont
166 Brook Road, Strafford, VT 05072
Strafford Nordic Center (802-464-4309, www.straffordnordicskiing.com) in Strafford, VT is east central Vermont's newest cross country ski center. It operates on two locally owned farms with scenic and varied terrain. There are 20 km of groomed trails for classic and skate skiing on rolling fields and there's winding wooded trails, too. Hours are 9-5:00 PM daily.
The base lodge and trailhead are at the Tamarack Hill Farm (known as an equestrian training center). The Rock Bottom Farm is a working organic dairy farm and home of Strafford Organic Creamery. There are some nearby inns for overmight accommodations.
The Outer Loop Trail has the most panoramic views of mountains in the distance. There are also several miles of snowshoe trails. The trail fee is $13 for adults during the week and $17 on weekends. Juniors (6-17) and those aged 65 or older are $10 on the weekdays and $13 on the weekend. There are punch card passes for adults $60 for 5-day and $125 for 10 days. Juniors and seniors can get the 5-day pass for $36 and 10-day pass for $80.
Rental gear is available for cross country skiing with an adult package for $20 per day and youth for $12 per day. Snowshoes can be rented for $15 per day for adults and $10 per day for youth. Lessons are also available with a package including gear, 1-hour lesson, and trail fee for $55. Private lessons are $40 and group lessons are $20. There is also a half hour child private lesson for $15.
There are a variety of racing and training programs and a recreation-oriented Kids Ski School on Mondays and Wednesdays 3:30 - 5:00 PM. A biathlon shooting range will also be opened at Strafford.
Directions: From I-89 take Exit 2. From south take a right on VT Route 132 (from north take a left) and go 3.5 miles to Cross Road. Take a left and go 2 miles to T. Then take a right on Brook Road and go 1.5 miles to the Tamarack Hill Farm. From I-91 take Exit 14 at Thetford. Go west on Route 113 and take a left on Tucker Hill Road; right on route 132, rigth at the Y intersection on Justin Morril Hgwy. Go 2 miles and take left on Brook Road. Go 1.6 miles to the farm.
