Human-Powered Skiing in the Borderlands
a Chapter of the Catamount Trail Association
Not sure where to go? Come on a free guided tour, led by DHASH members.
Winter 2020 Schedule of DHASH Guided Tours in the Borderlands
We intentionally do NOT list the meeting time and place because the tour leaders need to know who plans to come So get in touch with the tour leader using the contact info listed. If not enough people sign up by the Thursday before the event, the tour might be cancelled.
Introduction to Dutch Hill Tour Series
Intermediate/Advanced
On the first and third Sundays of January, February, and March (and April if the snow holds), come see what DHASH is doing at Dutch Hill, and see the potential for the future. Join us as we skin up and ski down some of the historic ski trails of Dutch Hill in Readsboro and new glades created by DHASH. This is not a beginner tour. Tele skiers, AT-skiers and split-boarders will need climbing skins or good climbing skills and be able to control downhill speed. Typically we will have a less-than-one-hour climb, then lunch at the top and enjoy the view. Tele-turning skills are useful but not required for the descent on trails or glades. We can do laps until your legs quit! Exact route will vary and will depend on conditions and participants. If conditions are poor, we can tour to the top of Dutch Hill proper, about a two-hour loop. This requires climbing and descending skills, but has more gradual descents than the former ski area slopes.
Contact Sam Bartlett for meeting time and location: sam@bart-tech.com (Put CTA in the subject line to get past filters) or 413 834 0274.
Sunday, January 5 - cancelled due to marginal conditions
Sunday, January 19 - cancelled due to marginal conditions
Sunday, February 2 - sigh, another cancellation due to conditions
Sunday, February 16
Sunday, March 1
Sunday, March 15
Beginner/Intermediate
Want to explore Dutch Hill but aren't confident about your downhill skills? These tours are held at the same time as the Dutch Hill Intermediate/Advanced Tour Series, but without the focus on the down. Perfect for people coming with family/friends who have a wide range of abilities. The Beginner/Intermediate group will head to the top and through the woods to the summit vista, beyond the former ski area. With an easier descent route, we'll wait for everyone who falls. Waxless skis, with skins for the first climb, work best. Suitable for beginner backcountry skiers or intermediate/advanced cross country skiers.
Contact Jeff Nugent for meeting time and location: jnugent.vt@gmail.com or 802-257-1325.
Sunday, Feb 2 - cancelled - conditions too miserable, especially for beginners
Sunday, March 1 - darn, still not getting great snow Dutch Hill was famous for back in the day, too icy/crusty for beginners
Women Only - skin-up, ski-down - all ability levels
Held on the second Sundays of January, February, and March, conditions permitting, these tours are specifically for women. You should be a competent downhill skier to join this tour, but you can be new to the skinning experience. If you’re still struggling with figuring out how to best use your equipment, we’ll take the time to work out the kinks. You will definitely need skins for this climb, and AT skis, tele skis, split board, or other gear designed for downhill skiing for the descent. XC skis meant for track skiing will not cut it. If you haven't invested in backcountry gear yet, you could use your regular downhill skis/board and a pair of snowshoes for the climb. Our first ascent will likely take an hour, and we’ll stick together as a group. We’ll take the easiest way down on our first run. If the glade-like conditions with scattered trees unnerve you, you’ll be fine as long as you have a rock-solid snowplow to keep your speed in check. For our second run, we can break up into smaller groups of similar abilities, but everyone will check in again at the bottom before heading home (or heading back up for yet another run).
Contact: Diana Todd, diana.r.todd@gmail.com
Sunday, Jan 12 - cancelled due to marginal conditions
Sunday, Feb 9 - nope, not this time - conditions still too dicey
Sunday, March 8
Tours on and around the Catamount Trail
We intentionally do NOT list the meeting time and place because the tour leaders need to know who plans to come So get in touch with the tour leader using the contact info listed. If not enough people sign up by the Thursday before the event, the tour might be cancelled.
Saturday, January 4, 2020 (backup date Saturday, February 8)
Section 1: Massachusetts border to Harriman Dam (Readsboro)
Easy/Introductory Tour
A good introduction to the backcountry for novice skiers. It follows a railroad grade along the Deerfield River. A short, steep section can easily be walked. Our pace will accommodate the slowest skier. The tour leader will cancel if there are insufficient sign-ups by Thursday January 2.
Contact: Sam Bartlett, sam@bart-tech.com (Put CTA in subject line to get past filters) or 413-834-0274
Saturday, February 1, 2020 (backup Saturday, February 8)
Section 1: Harriman Dam to Route 100 (Readsboro)
Easy/Introductory Tour
A good introduction to the backcountry for novice skiers. It follows an easy 3 miles on a backcountry railroad grade along the Deerfield River. A short, steep section can easily be walked. Our pace will accommodate the slowest skier. The tour leader will cancel if there are insufficient sign-ups by Thursday January 30.
Contact: Sam Bartlett, sam@bart-tech.com (Put CTA in subject line to get past filters) or 413-834-0274
Saturday, February 8, 2020 (backup February 29)
Section 3: Route 9 (Wilmington) to Somerset Dam
Intermediate
This is a 7-mile backcountry tour along a remote section of the Deerfield River with some nice gentle downhill runs. There are several beaver ponds along the route.
Contact: Alan Binnick, anbin@myfairpoint.net or 802-464-3917
Sunday, February 9, 2020
Searsburg/Somerset
Intermediate
We will explore the trails, woods, and old railroad grades in the Searsburg/Somerset area of Southern Vermont, near Section 3 of the Catamount Trail. The terrain is easy to moderate, but expect some trail breaking and maybe bush-whacking on this 5-6 mile tour.
Contact: Jeff Nugent, jnugent.vt@gmail.com or 802-257-1325
March 1, 2020
Somerset Reservoir Circumnavigation
Intermediate/Advanced (due to distance)
Fourteen mile ski around Somerset Reservoir. Ski north on a new 7 mile trail along the west side of Somerset Reservoir returning along the CT heading south around the east side of the reservoir. Some nice views of Mt. Snow. Mostly flat with a few short moderately steep hills.
Contact – Alan Binnick 802-464-3917 or anbin@myfairpoint.net
Sometime in March
March Mystery Tour in the southern Green Mountains
Intermediate/Advanced
A skin-up, ski-down tour somewhere in the Southern Green Mountains when the snow is good. Contact the tour leader if you are interested. He will choose a suitable date and send a message a few days ahead of time.
Contact: Sam Bartlett, sam@bart-tech.com (Put CTA in subject line to get past filters) or 413-834-0274.