Human-Powered Skiing in the Borderlands
a Chapter of the Catamount Trail Association
Winter 2025/26 Schedule of DHASH Guided Tours in the Borderlands
Not sure where to go? Come on a free guided tour, led by DHASH members.
Backcountry & XCD Tours
Intermediate/Advanced
January 11 and 25, February 8 and 24, March 8 and 24 (snow permitting) 2026
Come see the post-logging Dutch Hill. The skiing is pretty much unchanged but the views are wider. 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. We'll do one lap of about an hour, then back to the cars, then as many more laps as folks want. Be a one-and-done or a my-legs-are-screaming (or both!). For each lap we will keep the group together. See www.dhash4vt.org for details on Dutch Hill. The tour leader will cancel if there are insufficient sign-up by the prior Thursday.
Contact Sam Bartlett for recommended equipment and meeting time and location: sam@bart-tech.com (Put CTA in the subject line to get past filters) or 413-834-0274.
Cross Country Tours on and around the Catamount Trail
Saturday, January 3, 2026
Section 2: Harriman Dam to Route 9 (Wilmington)
Easy/Intermediate
This tour is about 10 miles of fairly flat and easy skiing. Some is snowmobile trail and some is ungroomed backcountry. We will ski through the newly improved railroad cut. Our pace will accommodate the slowest skier in the group. The tour leader will cancel if there are insufficient sign-up by the prior Thursday.
Contact: Sam Bartlett, sam@bart-tech.com (Put CTA in subject line to get past filters) or 413-834-0274
Saturday, February 7, 2026
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 abandoned 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 the prior Thursday.
Contact: Sam Bartlett, sam@bart-tech.com (Put CTA in subject line to get past filters) or 413-834-0274
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.
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.