Recreation Areas

Sled dog demonstration with HIlltown sleddogs

Saturday, April 29th, 11:00 – 12:00 p.m.   POSTPONED TO MAY 7TH!

On Sunday, May 7th from 11:00 until noon, Hilltown Sleddogs will be demonstrating Dryland Mushing with their Sled Dogs. This is a sport you can do with your own dog of any breed along as they like to run…Cani-Cross is jogging with a dog pulling you or trotting alongside. Bikejoring, Scootering & Rig Racing are activities you can also do with one or with two dogs.

*Please leave your dog at home during the demonstration.

Hilltown Sleddogs is a Touring and Racing Kennel, home to a team of Alaskan Husky Sled Dogs in Western Massachusetts. In Summer we offer Sled Dog Camps, Dog Yard Tours, and Hikes with a Husky. In Winter, Spring, and Fall, we offer Rides, Group or Private Lessons, with Our Dogs or Yours, on Dryland and Snow! www.hilltownsleddogs.com

Please pre-register for this program at www.bookeo.com/northfield

Nature’s sculptures and designs for kids with artist deborah bazer

Saturday, May 13th, 11:00 – 12:00 p.m.  Cancelled

Looking at the artwork of Andy Goldsworthy, as well as at patterns in nature, we’ll use natural materials to make sculptures and designs. Space is limited. For kids ages 4- 10.

Please pre-register for this program at www.bookeo.com/northfield

take me to the river

Thursday, May 25th, at Dickinson Memorial Library in Northfield, MA                  

Looking for the best Connecticut River access and information to plan your picnic, nature walk, kayak, or fishing trip? FirstLight Power’s Senior Land and Compliance Administrator, Beth Bazler’s background in offering paddling trips and hikes paired with her knowledge of FirstLight land ownership make her uniquely qualified to share camping, fishing, and paddling hotspots that may be the perfect location for your next adventure at Dickinson Memorial Library from 6:30 until 7:30 p.m. Beth will also share ways to make time in the natural world safe and adventurous for kids of all ages. Available websites, maps, and apps will be shared to help you learn more about weekly river water quality data, birds, plants, and finding letterboxes and geocaches. No registration is required for this free event.

wild edible and medicinals plant walk

Saturday, June 10th, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Join us for a plant walk exploring the bountiful wild edible and medicinal herbs of late spring and early summer! We’ll discuss identification, medicinal and edible uses, recipes, and sustainable harvesting practices for many of our locally abundant plants.

Jade Alicandro weaves a love of bioregional herbalism and kitchen medicine into her work as a community and clinical herbalist. She loves sharing the wonders of the plant world with others and inspiring connection with our locally abundant flora, and has been teaching in the Valley on this subject since 2010. She offers in-person bioregional herbalism classes, hosts monthly online classes in her Viriditas Community, and teaches an online kitchen herbalism intensive each winter, Spice Rack Medicine. Forever in love with the weeds, her current favorite plants are Wild Rose, Nettles, and Chicory. Learn more about her work at www.milkandhoneyherbs.com and on Facebook and Instagram @milkandhoneyherbs.

Please pre-register for this program at www.bookeo.com/northfield

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.

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.

Trail Map  •  Trail Report  •  Rose Ledge Trail Guide  •  Hidden Quarry Trail Guide

Take a leisurely hike with your family on the mountain or in your own backyard and try one of scavenger hunts below for fun. Keep your eye on this site for more fun environmental education activities.

Teach from Home Activities:

Salamander’s World I Spy (New!) | Signs of Spring I Spy | Animal Track I Spy | Winter Tree I Spy | December Shapes and Colors I Spy | November Woods I Spy | Autumn Forest I Spy | Feathered Friends I Spy | Canalside Trail I Spy | Forest I Spy | Fairy House I Spy | Fuller’s Pasture I Spy | A Salamander’s World I Spy | Water I Spy | February Counting I Spy | Winter Wildlife I Spy | Quiet Giants I Spy | Fall I Spy | Late Fall Wildlife I Spy

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: Northfield Mountain Visitor Center will remain closed due to COVID-19. 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.

Go to TRAIL REPORT link below for updates.

FirstLight announces Northfield Mountain trails will open this winter for recreation with COVID-19 modifications:

Due to persistent COVID transmission cases in the area, indoor warming areas will be limited to the yurt.

In effort to put you in control of your winter recreational activity, we 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 when and where they find adequate snow regardless of conditions in Northfield.  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.

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.

Some changes 2022-2023 because of THE COVID-19 pandemic:

• Ski and snowshoe rentals will be available through a season rental program enrollment period (12/9/22 – 1/7/23). 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. Masks required. “Your car will continue to be your ski lodge, snacking, and warming hut.”
• Trail pass and equipment rental transactions will be purchased at the ticket window by credit card only.
• Ski Lessons available by reservation only.

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.

Trail Fees and rental equipment

View Our 2022–2023 Trail Ticket Rates (PDF)

Planning to rent ski or snowshoe equipment this season?

A season rental gives you the flexibility to get out and cross-country ski or snowshoe whenever or wherever the snow conditions and your schedule allow. Appointments for picking up season rentals are available Dec. 9, 2022, through Jan. 7, 2023. All equipment must be returned by 5:00p.m. March 19, 2023.

Seasonal Rental Information and Pricing

Lessons 2022-2023 Season

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.

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.

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.

Trail Map

Trail Report

Rose Ledge Trail Guide

Hidden Quarry Trail Guide

Always check our Trails Report above on our Facebook page which is updated regularly. When open for skiing, the trail system closed to all users Mondays and Tuesdays, except holiday openings.