 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Cross-Country Skiing and
Snowshoeing at Viking Nordic
Center - 615 Little Pond Road, Londonderry, VT 05148
One
of the oldest xc ski centers in North America, Viking
Nordic Center (802-824-3933, www.vikingnordic.com)
in Londonderry, Vermont provides 35 km of groomed trails through winding
trails, thick woods, past beaver ponds and open meadows. It is best
suited for intermediates, but it has some longer advanced trails, too.
No worries about ever meeting a killer downhill on these trails.
Viking is one of the leading xc ski centers for families. There is a kids' terrain park in a meadow with little hills and valleys and fun figures to ski around; all within view of parents on the sun deck. Cookie Cards are available to children aged 12 and under. A punch card comes with the trail pass and kids ski to all 5 cookies-card punch stations to stamp their cards. Then they glide back to the lodge cafe to claim their free cookie reward. It's a game that gives the kids an objective, specific destinations and a cookie.
Of course, Viking specializes in small rental equipment sized for kids and lessons geared to youngsters. They also have on-snow kid-sitting or babysitting so parents can ski on their own for a while. There are close-in ski trail loops that are easy and geared to kids and sheltered from the wind. Families are welcome to bring their own picnic lunch and eat at the warming hut, on the sun deck or at picnic tables that are available along the trails.
Viking
Nordic has a warming hut with a full service ski shop. There is also
a 4 bedroom guest house on the trails that is perfect for parties or
for weekend getaways. It sleeps up to 9 people, has 3 baths, full kitchen,
fireplace and is an original farmhouse built in the 1860's.
Trail pass prices at Viking Nordic are $16 for adult and $11 for half day. Trail fees for junior 6-14 are $8 and $5 for half day and seniors, aged 61+ are $12 and $10 for a half day. Kids that are 5 and under ski free. XC ski equipment rentals are $15 ($11 for a half day) with lower fees for children. Snowshoes are $15 or $11 for half day. Pulk sleds (to pull the toddler kids behind) are available for rent for $25 or $15 for AM or PM. Group lessons (1-hour) are $14, a private individual lesson is $25. Lessons for children are $12 for a half hour. Night skiing on Saturdays and holidays features lighted trail loops, hot coco and special desserts.
Viking Nordic is about 1 hour from Albany, NY and 2 hours from Hartford, CT. From points south, take Route 100 to Route 11 east to Londonderry, VT. Go through the light at Route 100N intersection and take 2nd left on Little Pond Rd. Viking Nordic is at the top of the hill.
Viking Nordic Center is located in the south central region of Vermont and only 18 miles to Manchester, known for retail shops, outlets and restaurants. It is near Bromley, Stratton and Okemo alpine ski areas. CCSAA member