Winter 2022/23 Schedule of DHASH Guided Tours in the Borderlands

Tours are hosted by DHASH and the Catamount Trail Association.  Please contact the tour leader for meeting time and place.  All tours are free and open to anyone (you don’t need to be a DHASH or CTA member to participate), though you’ll want to make sure the tour is within your ability.  Questions?  Ask the tour leader.

Backcountry tours are typically skin-up, ski or ride down, on AT, telemark or splitboard equipment.  The focus is on descending steeper slopes, typically the cleared trails at the old Dutch Hill Ski Area.

Cross country tours are just that, classic cross country skiing on ungroomed trails.  Most any cross country gear will work, though lightweight skis and boots used on groomed trails are not recommended.

Cross country downhill (XCD) tours are a mix of both backcountry and cross country.  Waxless skis with skins will work best on this tour.

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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.

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Backcountry & XCD Tours

​Intermediate/Advanced

January 1 and 15, February 5 and 19, March 5 and 19, April 2 and 16 (snow permitting) 2023

Introduction to Dutch Hill Tour Series – 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 a less-than-one-hour climb, then lunch at the top to enjoy the view. Tele-turning skills are useful but not required for the descent. We can do laps until your legs quit! Exact route will vary and 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 more gradual descents. See www.dhash4vt.org for more information on the Dutch Hill Ski Area and the Dutch Hill Alliance of Skiers and Hikers. 

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.

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Saturday February 25, 2023

This will be an advanced XCD tour.  We’ll climb to the top of the old ski area and tour through the woods to the summit vista, then descend on a snowmobile trail and the easier downhill trails.  For those who have the energy we’ll then do a few more downhill laps.  Wide waxless skis with skins and stiff boots will work best on this, a true tour of Dutch Hill. Suitable for intermediate/advanced cross country skiers with good downhill skills.
Contact: Jeff Nugent, jnugent.vt@gmail.com or 802-257-1325

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Beginner/Intermediate

Sunday, Feb 5, 2023

Want to explore Dutch Hill but aren’t confident about your downhill skills? Held at the same time as the regular Dutch Hill Intermediate/Advanced Tour Series (perfect for those coming with someone having more experience), we’ll skin to the top and take a few mellow runs down the easier trails, waiting for everyone along the way.

Contact Jeff Nugent for meeting time and location:  jnugent.vt@gmail.com or 802-257-1325.

Saturday February 25, 2023

This will be an introductory XCD tour.  We’ll climb to the top of the old ski area and tour through the woods to the summit vista, then descend on a snowmobile trail and the easier downhill trails.  For those who have the energy we’ll then do a few more downhill laps.  Waxless skis with skins will work best on this, a true tour of Dutch Hill. 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.

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Snowshoe Tours

Sunday, January 15, 2023

Tour the former Dutch Hill Ski Area on snowshoes.  This tour will be at the same time and same starting/ending place as the Intermediate/Advanced Backcountry Tour.  We'll do a single loop around the perimeter of the former ski area while they run laps up and down the mountain.  We'll  take time to examine some of the historical remnants that can still be seen.  Bring lunch.  We'll eat up at the vista and take in the fabulous view to the west, and if we have the oomph, we might even take a side trek to the true summit, where we get a view to the east.  We won't be racing, but we will get a workout, since we'll be climbing and descending a former ski area.  Some sections may feel steep, especially when going downhill, so consider bringing ski/trekking poles for added stability.  Co-led by Bill Green and Diana Todd.

Contact: Diana Todd, diana.r.todd@gmail.com or 802-490-0210.

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Cross Country Tours on and around the Catamount Trail

Saturday, January 7, 2022 (backup date Saturday, January 14, 2022)

Section 2: Harriman Dam to Route 9 (Wilmington)

Easy/Intermediate

This tour is about 10 miles of fairly flat and easy skiing. We may have to modify or cancel due to logging on the northern part of the section. Our pace will accommodate the slowest skier in the group. Tour cancels if insufficient sign-up by Thursday January 5.

Contact: Sam Bartlett, sam@bart-tech.com (Put CTA in subject line to get past filters) or 413-834-0274

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Friday, January 20th to Monday January 23rd, 2023

Multi-Day Tour on Sections 1-4 of the Catamount Trail (Reasboro to Stratton)

Intermediate
Contact: for more information, https://catamounttrail.org/cta-tours/multi-day-tours/multi-day-tour-2/    

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Saturday, February 4, 2023 (backup date Saturday, February 11)

Section 1: Harriman Dam to Route 100 (Readsboro) and back
Easy/Introductory
A good introduction to the backcountry for novice skiers. It follows an easy 6 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 February 2.
Contact: Sam Bartlett, sam@bart-tech.com (Put CTA in subject line to get past filters) or 413-834-0274

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Saturday, February 11th

West Side Trail (Somerset)
Intermediate (due to distance)

This is a 12 mile mostly flat ski with 9 miles on the very scenic Somerset West Side Trail and looping back 3 miles on the Bailey Road (wide, lightly used snowmobile trail). Nice views of Mount Snow as well as many miles skiing near the west shore of Somerset Reservoir.
Contact: Alan Binnick, anbin@myfairpoint.net or 802-464-3917

Sunday, February 12, 2023

Private Trail Tour
Easy/Intermediate

Ski 6-9 miles on private trails with some scenic views of Mount Snow. Most of the skiing will be in woods with a few short moderately steep hills. After 6 miles we will loop back to the cars where skiers could depart or ski an additional 3 miles on the old Wilmington White House trails.
Contact: Alan Binnick, anbin@myfairpoint.net or 802-464-3917

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Saturday February 25, 2023

Dutch Hill XCD tour

Intermediate/advanced

This will be an intermediate/advanced XCD tour.  We’ll climb to the top of the old ski area and tour through the woods to the summit vista, then descend on a snowmobile trail and the easier downhill trails.  For those who have the energy we’ll then do a few more downhill laps.  Wide waxless skis with skins and stiff boots will work best on this, a true tour of Dutch Hill. Suitable for intermediate/advanced cross country skiers with good downhill skills.
Contact: Jeff Nugent, jnugent.vt@gmail.com or 802-257-1325

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Wednesday March 1, 2023

Après-work Tour, Wilmington area
Easy/Intermediate

Join us for a late-afternoon, mid-week, après-work tour in the Wilmington area.  After enjoying one of the local easy to intermediate XC ski trails (maybe the Catamount) for an hour or two till dark, we’ll retreat to a local establishment for some après-ski food, drink, and socializing.  Bring your headlamp!
Contact: Jeff Nugent, jnugent.vt@gmail.com or 802-257-1325

Sunday, March 12, 2023

Daylight Savings Catamount Trail Section 4 Tour (Stratton)
Intermediate

Enjoy the longer afternoon/evening on Catamount Section 4 and Grout Pond trails with après and a campfire at one of the established sites at the pond. Bring two headlamps. Intermediate pace.
Contact: Heidi Pancake heidi.pancake@gmail.com