Skip to content

Activities

Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center maintains 26 miles of trails that offer excellent year-round activities

Cross Country Skiing

Northfield Mountain has more than 25 miles of trails designed specifically for cross country skiing and groomed for both classical and free-style skiing. Our trails offer some of the finest Nordic skiing in the region, from beginner trails to the demanding 800-foot vertical climb of Tenth Mountain Trail. Hikers, dogs and other pets are excluded from our trails during the ski season.

Hours of Operation: The trails will be groomed and opened to skiing and snowshoeing when there is adequate snow cover, Wednesday – Sunday, 9:00 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.

What you need to know for the 2023-2024 season:

When snow cover is sufficient, trails at the center will be groomed as needed. Cross country skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking will be allowed to all guests with a valid trail ticket. At times when snow cover is absent, too icy, thin or inconsistent for skiing, the trails may be opened for hiking, walking, and studded fat bikes. Visitors can get information about trail conditions and allowed activities by visiting FirstLight’s Northfield Mountain Trail Report, Facebook or the Western Mass Cross Country Ski Areas Association.

  • Ski and snowshoe rentals will be available through a season rental program enrollment period (12/16/23 – 1/6/24). A limited supply of ski equipment will be available as day rentals when the trails are open for skiing
  • The Visitor Center will be open for access to the restrooms only
  • Trail pass and equipment rental transactions will be purchased at the ticket window by credit card only
  • Ski Lessons available by reservation only

Trail Fees and Rental Equipment

2023-2024 Trail Ticket Rates

2023-2024 Daily Rental Rates

Seasonal Ski and Snowshoe Rentals

In effort to put you in control of your winter recreational activitywe will be offering the season rental program for cross country skis and snowshoes again this season. This program gives renters the opportunity to ski and snowshoe regardless of conditions in Northfield, giving you the flexibility to get out and cross-country ski or snowshoe whenever or wherever the snow conditions and your schedule allow.

Snowshoes, and a limited number of skis, boots, and poles will be available for day rental this season when conditions permit us to open the trails for skiing. Payment will be accepted by credit card only.

Appointments for dropping off seasonal rentals can be made below. The deadline is March 10.

Questions? Email us at northfield@firstlightpower.com or call 413-659-4426.

With some changes to amenities and procedures, the natural beauty of the Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center trails remain a refreshing and invigorating place to visit for outdoor winter recreation.

Snowshoeing

More than six miles of trails are reserved exclusively for snowshoeing. The trails meander through scenic sections of the mountain, with great views from Rose Ledges. Free snowshoe trail tickets must be picked up at the ski shop before heading out. Please see our price chart above if you need to rent snowshoes.

Fat Biking

A pass is required when we are open for skiing. Tire size must be larger than 3.5″ and tire pressure must be less than 10 psi. Exit trails if your tire creates ruts more than one inch in depth. Please do not walk on groomed trails. Always check trail report below before heading out.

Grooming

Northfield Mountain can take on the largest blizzard or the lightest dusting of snow with their fleet of grooming vehicles. The trails receive regular grooming–usually in the early morning, with tracks set for classical skiing and areas groomed flat for skating.

Ski Lessons for 2023-2024

Northfield Mountain’s certified ski instructors offer 90 minute group lessons for $25/person which are generally offered at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on weekends and weekdays. Ski lessons emphasize fun, essential skills, and safety. Participants may choose between beginner’s group lessons or private instruction for $50/hour. Reservations are required. Phone: (800) 859-2960.

Maps and Guides

If you are heading out to the trails, feel free to download our trail map. We also posted the map to the Visitor Center doors if you would like to take a photo of it when you’re at the site.

Download Trail Map
Rose Ledge Guide
Hidden Quarry Guide

Upcoming Events

Nature Art with Artist, Deborah Bazer

May Baskets: Welcoming Spring

Saturday, April 13th, 10:00 a.m. until noon 

Join in helping to revive an ancient tradition that makes people smile!  Creating and secretly leaving small baskets of flowers and treats on the doorstep of neighbors, family, and friends on May Daymorning, dates back many, many centuries. After a long winter, you can add to spring’s welcoming by gifting the May baskets you created. We’ll learn how to make a number of different styles of baskets out of paper, bark, twigs, and other natural materials so you will be ready to help spread some joy on the first of May! For children ages 4 -10. Pre-registration is required at www.bookeo.com/northfield

Hiking and Yoga along Barton Cove

Saturday, April 13th, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Let’s reconnect to ourselves and our forest neighbors with an afternoon of yoga and hiking along Barton Cove. We’ll shift our focus between our inner and outer landscapes to deepen our presence and attune to nature as it manifests in our own bodies and the world around us.

The hiking will be mostly silent and gently paced (~3 miles w/a few short, steep sections), alternating with a gentle yoga practice that integrates mindful movement, conscious breathing, and meditation. Beginners welcome. Ages 13+.  Bring water, dress in layers, and feel free to use hiking poles, or let us know if you need to borrow some.

Pre-registration is required at www.bookeo.com/northfield


Libby Volckening, E-RYT 500, YACEP, teaches a breath-centered style of Hatha yoga that focuses on developing healthier movement patterns and reintegrating body, mind, and spirit. She draws inspiration for her yoga teaching and practice from many sources, including Patty Townsend, Gary Kraftsow, Tom Myers, and Bonnie Bainbridge-Cohen. For more information, visit her website www.yogalibre.net 

Birds of Prey with Tom Ricardi

Saturday, April 27th, 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. 

More details coming soon!

Facility Rentals

Pavilion

Fee: $300 plus a refundable $150 cleaning/damage deposit fee for exclusive use of our post and beam pavilion and adjacent lawns along the Connecticut River*.

Please note: If a large tent is to be set up and removed on the nearby grounds, the Pavilion must be rented on the days before and after the event. Contact us for three day rental discounts and information.

To reserve, please email us at northfield@firstlightpower.com or call 1-413-659-4426.

  • Available Wednesday through Sunday, 8:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day.
  • Maximum group size is 100 people. The 8 picnic tables in the Pavilion seat 64.
  • Swimming and beaching or anchoring of any watercraft on the riverbank is not permitted.
  • There are two 110 volt/20 amp outlets under the serving table with GFI protection. Disabled guests will find the service entrance most convenient. All others should use the Pavilion parking area directly off Pine Meadow Road.
  • Disabled guests will find the service entrance most convenient. All others should use the Pavilion parking area directly off Pine Meadow Road.

*Address of the Pavilion is 156 Pine Meadow Road. From the Visitor Center at 99 Millers Falls Road in Northfield, head north on Route 63 and it is the first left onto Ferry Road. At the bottom of this short road, turn right onto Pine Meadow Road and the Pavilion parking lot is on the left. Please share the address and directions with your guests.

Yurt

Fee: $100 with a refundable $100 cleaning/damage deposit fee. Located behind the Visitor Center.

  • Available between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
  • Maximum group size is 30 people.
  • A pellet stove keeps the yurt warm in any season. Limited electricity is provided.

Visitor Center Auditorium
(Currently Unavailable)

Fee: $150 with a refundable $100 cleaning/damage deposit fee for large indoor meeting room in our Visitor Center.

Available between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. April through October.
Maximum group size is 60 seated in rows.

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT USE OF ALCOHOL IS NOT PERMITTED IN YURT OR AUDITORIUM.

Hiking

Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center maintains 26 miles of trails that offer excellent hiking in warmer months, May through November. In order to preserve the integrity of the trails, hiking is not permitted once the ski season begins, or during spring mud season. The wide carriage-width trails that make up most of the trail system are designed for cross-country skiing. Additionally there are 6.0 mi. of traditional hiking trails that wind past streams, hemlock groves, old rock quarries, and the striking Rose Ledge cliffs. Below are links to our trail map, trail report and trail guides for the Rose Ledge Trail and the Hidden Quarry Trail.

Please enjoy the trails and respect other hikers. We also ask that you please keep your dogs on a leash and pick up after them.

The Visitor Center restrooms are open June-October and when we are open for skiing. There is also a porta potty available.

Sign up here for our monthly Enewsletter to stay up to date with events and information.

We welcome inquiries from the media, questions about our projects and recreation spaces, and gladly engage curiosity about our mission, vision, and more.

Contact us for media inquires and interview requests.