The Craftsbury Outdoor Center will maintain XCC trails this winter

Following last years successful season, the Craftsbury Outdoor Center has again agreed to maintain most of the over 60km Highland Lodge winter trail system.  The Outdoor Center will maintain the Marathon Trail over Barr Hill, through Skunk Hollow and back toward Craftsbury through the Fisher Sugarbush, as well as many of other commonly used Greensboro trails. The frequency of grooming will vary depending on when the snow comes and how much use the trails get, with a minimum goal of having the trails in good shape for the weekends and major holidays.  The Center will collaborate with a volunteer group to keep a warming hut (former ski shop) behind the Lodge open and manned, at least, on weekends and vacation weeks; they hope to provide some shuttle service between the hut and the Outdoor Center at selected high use weeks.

A group of 10 volunteers has already been out clipping branches and sawing downed trees to help get the trails ready for 2012-13 winter skiing.   Thank you so much for your efforts!   All of us who use the trails are very very grateful for you direct and physical help.

Highland Lodge has announced it will have some rooms available for rent over the XCC season.  See here for details.

The Craftsbury Outdoor Center is accepting donations to defray the costs of maintaining the Highland Lodge network.    All who are interested in maintaining this wonderful trail resource should consider at a minimum joining the Craftsbury Outdoor Center as a member, and also should think about contributing with a tax deductible donation to help defray the Outdoor Centers costs.  The Craftsbury Outdoor Center is a non-profit organization whose mission includes both life-long sports and land stewardship.   Yearly membership (as little as $25 for students and seniors) grants year-round access to the trails, rowing opportunities, ski rentals and a broad variety of programs.  More information on memberships can be found here.