Cross-country skiing through Woodstock
There is huge interest from the public in having fun outdoors, which was a trend over the past year. That feeling is carrying over into the winter, and Nordic skiing has seen the impact.
The Ottauquechee River Trail runs by the scenic waterway in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
Saturday’s fresh fallen snow brought ideal conditions to explore the trail systems of Woodstock, Vermont, on cross-country skis. It is one of the best ways to enjoy the beautiful, scenic landscapes in the area. From free places to explore, to locations that need a trailpass, there is an access point for everyone to get out and enjoy the natural environment around them.
There is huge interest from the public in having fun outdoors, which was a trend over the past year after so much time indoors during the pandemic. That feeling is carrying over into the winter, and Nordic skiing has seen the impact.
"There's a lot of excitement and interest in cross-country skiing," said Nick Mahood, the Nordic Center and recreational trails director for the Woodstock Inn & Resort. That activity also began earlier than usual. "There was way more pre-season interest, with people purchasing new passes and equipment."
That major December storm dumped nearly three feet of snow in Woodstock before Christmas, bringing epic skiing conditions. Although the snow cover was hit hard by the significant rains in the following days, Mahood and his team still managed.
"We were able to recover and hang onto about two kilometers of skiing, with an extensive effort moving some snow around," he said.
This week's snow helps the cause, too. Nordic Center season passes, and the combo passes offered with the resort's Suicide Six Ski Area, are doing well.
"A lot of those numbers seem to be up," Mahood said.
Along with the overall interest in outdoor activities, Mahood noted there have been a number of new families with children in the area, and they've been enjoying the Nordic skiing experience here also.
"They're all active and looking for things to do," he said.
Woodstock has seen a lot of traffic in recent days overall, and outdoor enthusiasts are among them. We've greeted fellow skiers, snowshoers, and hikers in numerous locations, enjoying the scenery the area has to offer.
Skiing on the Ottauquechee River Trail, which begins at the new East End Park, was a fun, new "first" for my wife and I on Saturday, and we saw some hikers taking in a late-afternoon stroll near the river. This public trail was unveiled last year and is a gem of an addition to local outdoor opportunities.
As we skied by a field, the clouds in the distance opened up slightly, revealing a radiant sliver of sunlight, beaming down on the mountains. To me, that had a symbolic meaning, as the chance to spend more time outside shined an especially positive light into people's lives in recent months, in a strong and meaningful way. It's a peaceful, healing feeling that nothing can replace, and it's a joy to see that hopeful trend continue, as we ski, hike and snowshoe our way through the wintertime.
— Gareth Henderson