Home > Cross Country Skiing > Connecticut & Rhode Island

CT18

White Memorial Conservation Center

Description | Ratings

Trails: 60 km (35 miles) of ungroomed carriage roads are available for cross-country skiing throughout the 4,000-acre nature center.
Trail fees: No charge, donations accepted (2003)
Tel: 860-567-0857
Snow report:
Nearest town: Litchfield, CT
Web site: White Memorial Conservation Center
Trail map: Available at the center ($) and on their website
Equipment rentals: No
Ski lessons: No
Other winter activities:
Facilities: Nature center is open Tuesday to Sunday
Lodging on site: Group accommodations for 60 in dormitories
Lodging nearby: Litchfield region has several inns, hotels and other accommodations
Location of trails: The center is about 2.5 miles west of Litchfield on Route 202.
Tourism info: Litchfield Hills VB
Weather report: for Litchfield
Map of local region:Litchfield area

Rate this XC Area

Number of ratings: 4
Average rating: 4.12  

4        

Name of XC Area: White Memorial Conservation Center
Times that I have skied there: Several times
I last skied there in: Feb, 2004
Trails that I skied: Catlin Woods, Beaver, Cranberry, Fawn, Little and Teal Ponds
My favorite trails: Beaver Pond
Trail marking: Very good
Trail grooming: Fair
Rating: 4.5 stars
What I liked: White Memorial Foundation has excellent trails for skiing. Well marked and beautiful scenery. You can drive and park to various trailheads on the property. Free, but we donate. One of the top places to ski in Connecticut, and we've gone there almost exclusively for ten years.
What I disliked: Not groomed, but this adds to the experience as it tests your abilities. Usually somebody has already been there and blazes the trail for others. This may be problematic for children. Hikers don't always respect the trails and I don't know if signs will help. No rentals on site, but that's not what the Foundation is about.
Comments: Unfortunately, a local sports shop on Rt.202, The Wilderness Shop, has now closed. We were going to return here this past weekend but could not reach another local rental shop. Too bad. We were looking forward to the trails and a stop at Haight Vineyards!
Submitted by: MP
from: Durham, CT
Date submitted: Jan 31, 2005

3          

Name of XC Area: White Memorial Foundation
Times that I have skied there: Several times
I last skied there in: ,
Trails that I skied: All
My favorite trails: Most
Trail marking: Fair
Rating: 4.5 stars
What I liked: Possibly the best backcountry XC skiing in Western CT.
What I disliked: Foundation could afford to put up a few signs asking non-skiers to stay out of the ski tracks.
Comments: Town of Litchfield is just to the North and makes a nice visit. I understand their is a sporting goods store with XC equipment near the main entrance.
Submitted by: RUS
from: Stamford, CT
Date submitted: Dec 1, 2003

2          

Name of XC Area: White Memorial Foundation
Times that I have skied there: A few times
I last skied there in: Jan, 2003
Trails that I skied: Trail head off of route 63, Morris
My favorite trails:
Trail marking: Fair
Trail grooming: Fair
Rating: 3.5 stars
What I liked: A wonderful hidden freebie
What I disliked: Watch out for footprints in the tracks
Comments: White's woods can be accessed from several points.
maps can be bought at the museum and (hopefully) local business
Submitted by: Bill
from: Bristol, CT.
Date submitted: March 6, 2003

1      

Name of area: White Memorial Foundation
Times that I have skied there: Several times
I last skied there in: Mar, 2002
Trails that I skied: nearly all
My favorite trails:
Trail marking: Very good
Trail grooming: Fair
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: Extensive trail system. Generally good trail conditions though ungroomed.
What I disliked: Not groomed
Comments: Has a museum with rest rooms. Trail map are available for sail
Submitted by: MikeC
from: Milrford, CT
Date submitted: Dec 29, 2002

Rate this XC Area