Places to visit Windsor

Renowned for its Nordic skiing, Notchview also entices year-round adventurers for hiking and birdwatching.

What makes Notchview a special place?
With more than 3, 000 acres of rolling terrain, Notchview offers an idyllic escape for winter sport enthusiasts, especially cross-country skiers looking for a brisk outing. Seventeen kilometers of trails are groomed and track-set for classical cross-country skiing; eight kilometers are groomed for skate skiing. A separate trail system is groomed for “skijoring, ” or skiing with dogs. You can also go off track and explore the backcountry, or snowshoe alongside the ski trails.

Notchview is a part of the Hoosac Range, an extension of Vermont’s Green Mountains. Much of the reservation is above 2, 000 feet, with Judge’s Hill the highest point at 2, 297 feet – which results in snow on our trails for more than 80 days each year.

Although some fields are kept open, most of the reservation is covered with a red spruce and northern hardwood forest. Poorly drained areas support a spruce and fir forest that lends a boreal appearance. The landscape has been influenced by years of timber, fuelwood, and charcoal production. The fields and forests are home to many wild species. Look for tracks of deer, moose, and snowshoe hare as you ski along. Chickadees, barred owls, and pileated woodpeckers live in the forest year-round.

Trails
Hiking: 25 miles of trails.

Nordic Skiing: 40 kilometers (25 miles) of cross-country ski trails:

By Type:

• classic skiing groomed: 16 km
• skate skiing: 11 km
• ungroomed trails: 11 km
• dog loop: 2 km
• snowshoers: alongside any ski trails

By Skill Level:

• 7 beginner trails: 11 km
• 11 intermediate trails: 18 km
• 7 expert trails: 11 km

Notchview is adjacent to Snowmobile Association of Massachusetts (S.A.M.) Route 91 that links snowmobile trails from CT to VT.

When to Visit
Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of 3 hours. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing available early December to early April, daily, 8AM to 4:30PM.

Facilities
In winter, warm up in the Budd Visitor Center, featuring a masonry heater with toasty soapstone seats, a waxing area, rental shop with both skis and snowshoes, and a stunning view of our woods and fields. Take an energy break with soup, sandwiches, baked goods, and beverages from our café. Along the trail, two Adirondack shelters offer skiers a chance to sit and admire the landscape. Public restrooms (open year-round). Seating area.

Regulations & Advisories

2015–16 Ski Passes
Buy your Notchview Season Ski Pass online now.

New this season: Ski and snowshoe rentals!

For ski conditions, visit or telephone 413.684.0148 for the Notchview conditions daily recording. For weather conditions, view the web site.

Notchview is owned by The Trustees of Reservations and is open from dawn till dusk. Budd Visitor Center is staffed on weekends and most afternoons. Our volunteer ski patrol is certified by the National Ski Patrol. On ski race days, trails not being used by racers are open to the public. Races generally end around noon.

• Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.
• Mountain biking is allowed only on town gravel roads within the Reservation.
• Seasonal Hunting is permitted north of Bates Rd and south of Route 9.
• Notchview is large and has a complex system of trails; please carry a trail map and sign in at the Visitor Center.

Rules for Skiing at Notchview Reservation

• Classical Skiers: All trails, whether groomed with tracks or smoothed for skating, are open to classical skiers.
• Skate Skiers: Please use the trails designated and marked as skating trails. Skating over prepared tracks ruins the skiing for others.
• Snowshoers: Please keep to the side of the ski trails. Walking on the groomed ski tracks ruins the skiing.
• Dog Owners: Skiing with dogs is allowed only in the area south of Route 9.
• Everyone: Return to the Visitor Center before dusk

Winter tips

• Care for your feet. Avoid blisters and cold feet – wear well-fitting, waterproof boots. Avoid too many layers of socks, which can impede circulation.
• Watch the weather. Temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Be aware of the wind chill factor.
• Dress for winter. Wear layers that can be added or removed –a base layer to wick moisture from your body; a warm middle layer; and an outer layer that is wind and water resistant.
• Carry a daypack. Include a space blanket, first aid kit, matches, pocketknife, whistle, map, extra clothing, and water.
• Stay hydrated. Do not drink from the streams; potable water is available at the Budd Visitor Center.
• Know where you're going. Study the map and determine a route. Landmarks can be deceiving. Sign in at the Visitor Center. If you get lost, stay on the trail, if possible, or follow a stream downhill to a road. Route 9 is very noisy, so listen for trucks, and there are houses at the ends of Shaw and Bates Roads. After dark, seek shelter and stay put.
• Avoid skiing alone.

The Trustees reserves the right to photograph or video visitors and program participants for promotional use, and usage of our properties implies consent. Find the full policy here.