Backcountry Skiing
In partnership with Ridgeline Outdoor Collective (ROC), New England Forestry Foundation offers backcountry skiing opportunities at Braintree Mountain Forest in Braintree, VT. Paul Kendall and Sharon Rives donated Braintree Mountain Forest to NEFF in 2013 to permanently conserve this working forest. The entire 1,547-acre property sits in the Braintree Range, and includes four peaks—Round Top, Twin Peaks, Skidoo, and Braintree Mountain. Braintree is the tallest of the peaks at 3,030 feet.
In fall 2014, ROC board member Zac Freeman and 37 volunteers teamed up with NEFF Director of Forest Stewardship Chris Pryor and forester John McLain to selectively remove saplings to open up trails and glades for backcountry skiing. Volunteers continue to help maintain trails and ski glade areas, and Braintree is open for backcountry skiing every winter.
The trailhead and parking lot are located at the intersection of Riford Brook Road and Laroque Road in Braintree, VT. Visit the ROC website at ridgelineoutdoorcollective.org/bmf for more information and maps. You can also check out a video of some of ROC’s trails.
Not a fan of skiing? Try hiking to the top of one of Braintree’s peaks to enjoy the view.
Lunch break at the top of Braintree Mountain, photo by Charlie Reinertsen