Cross-Country Skiing at Castle in the Clouds Conservation Area
Cross-country ski grooming at the Castle in the Clouds Conservation Area is provided free of charge courtesy of the Lakes Region Conservation Trust. The grooming is done by a dedicated team of volunteers as conditions allow. Updates will be posted on this page throughout the ski season.
For other groomed cross-country ski trails on LRCT lands, the Wolfeboro Cross Country Ski Association grooms trails at the Sewall Woods Conservation Area in Wolfeboro. Visit their website for updates and to purchase a pass.
What to Expect:
- Trails are groomed by volunteers periodically and as conditions allow. Please keep in mind our trails are not professionally groomed and can be a little rugged.
- All of our trails (whether groomed or not) are open to cross-country skiing. We are grooming select trails to provide free and easy access for all levels of skiers. You can find a map of the groomed trails on this page. For a map of all LRCT trails at Castle in the Clouds Conservation Area, visit our online store.
- The trails are not individually rated with a level of difficulty but are generally easy to moderate.
- Grooming may occur at any time, please be aware and step to the side to let the groomer pass.
- Due to the width and general condition of the trails the optimal skis to use are classic skis (opposed to skate skis).
- Updates will be posted to this page.
- What does a “snowmobile packed” trail mean? This means we have driven the snowmobile on the trail to pack down the snow on the trail, but have not dragged the groomer behind the snowmobile which would make the typical “corduroy.”
Groomed Ski Trail Etiquette
Be nice to the trails! It’s hard work for LRCT staff & volunteers to maintain them.
- Trails are groomed for cross-country skiers.
- Snowshoers, please be respectful of groomed trails and walk along the side.
- Dogs are allowed with their masters on LRCT-owned property provided that the dogs are under leash or verbal control at all times, with certain exceptions.
- Please, no walking in bare boots or microspikes.
- No fat biking.
Trail Updates
Feb. 26, 2026
Feb. 17, 2026
On Friday (2/13/2026), our crew groomed and tracked the Settlement Trail to Cold Spring Road, as well as the trail leading up to the Mt Roberts trail, then through the woods to the top of the field. The loop around the field was machine-packed and skiiable but was too soft to groom at the time. We should also mention that although not normally groomed, the lower loop of the Faraway Mtn Trail has been beautifully tracked, and the skiing is great!
Hope folks were able to get out there over the weekend. More updates to come!
Jan. 29, 2026
Corduroy has been laid out just in time for the weekend!
Jan. 28, 2026
The trails have been machine-packed after this past weekend’s snowfall! We are planning to lay down corduroy before the weekend.
Jan. 22, 2026
The Settlement Trail and Field Loops have been machine-packed with the snowmobile. Snow cover is pretty thin at the moment, but this weekend should bring a hefty layer of snow that will improve conditions. Stay tuned!
As a reminder: All of our trails (whether groomed or not) are open to cross-country skiing. We groom select trails to provide free and easy access for all levels of skiers.