With more than 3,000 acres of rolling terrain and 25 miles of groomed ski trails, Notchview, a part of the Hoosac Range in the Berkshire Hills, offers an idyllic escape all year round—but especially in winter. Much of Notchview sits above 2,000 feet; Judge’s Hill, the highest point, is 2,297 feet. Most of the reservation is covered with a red spruce and northern hardwood forest.

Notchview’s original acreage was a bequest, with endowment, by Lieutenant Colonel Arthur D. Budd in 1965. Additional land was given by F. Sydney and Rosamond J. Smithers in 1993, and acquired from Lisa and Kenneth Estes in 2022.

*NOTE: Normal Winter hours of operation are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Please check our report for daily weather and grooming updates.

Trails: Notchview offers over 25 miles of trails to explore. Almost half of the trails are groomed and track-set for classical cross-country skiing and 5 miles are groomed for skate skiing. A separate trail system is for “skijoring,” or skiing with dogs. You can also snowshoe alongside the ski trails or go off track and explore the backcountry.

During ski season, the Budd Visitor Center—named for Lieutenant Colonel Arthur D. Budd, who established Notch View Farm—provides a warm respite from the winter chill. During the ski season a limited amount of concessions are available for purchase at the Visitor Center, we encourage guests to BYO lunch and snacks to enjoy in the warmth of the lodge.

Follow us on social media for updated grooming information and trail conditions.

Need a place to stay for your ski getaway? Book a room at the Guest House at Field Farm in Williamstown, the Berkshires favorite authentic mid-century modern B&B and historic house museum.

The reservation is open year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Given size of reservation, allow a minimum of 3 hours.

SNOW REPORT

Plan your day: The Budd Visitor Center is open year-round, daily from 8:30 to 4:30. We are anticipating a busy ski season, so please show up early if you are planning to rent equipment.

Equipment Rentals are available on site, weekends and holidays only.

83 Old Route 9
Windsor, MA 01270
Telephone: 413.684.0148
Ski Conditions: www.xcskimass.com
Ski Rentals and Lodge E-mail notchview@thetrustees.org
Ski School & Programs E-mail NVprograms@thetrustees.org

Get directions on Google Maps.

Notchview is located is on the north side of Rt. 9 in Windsor. From the West: Follow Rt. 9 1 mi. past the Rt. 8A intersection. From the East: Follow Rt. 9 3.5 mi. beyond the Windsor–Cummington town line.

IMPORTANT- What to Expect

• Tickets are available at the center.
• Rental equipment is available on weekends and holidays during the winter. Please come early; we sell out quickly.

We highly encourage advance tickets be purchased online to help minimize lines and get you out to the trails as quickly as possible. We will have a “skip the line” option to purchase passes on-site through a QR code that you can scan with your phone.  

Weather: Be aware of the weather and check the conditions report for potential closures. Notchview gets more snow than the valley towns (an average 45″ more snow each year than neighboring Dalton). The average temperature is 10 degrees colder than the valleys, and temperatures tend to drop quickly after sunset. So, dress appropriately by bring layers of clothing in the winter months and, at minimum, a windbreaker or sweater in the summer.

What to Wear in the Winter: The key is to wear just enough to avoid getting cold without winding up overheating on the first hill. Unless you’re doing a lot of standing around, you likely don’t need more than two layers each on your top and bottom. Below are some tips:

• Base Layer: Moisture-wicking base layer that covers all skin
• Jacket: Great cross-country ski jackets are lightweight, stretchy, slightly wind blocking and moisture resistant, and have several pockets for snacks. If it’s cold, add a light vest as well. You do not need a heavy parka on top of fleecy layers.
• Pants: Good cross-country ski pants are light and breathable- typically made of a stretchy soft-shell material so that they’ll wick moisture and move with you.
• Neck gaiter, hat, and gloves. Light Lycra neck gator with no fleece are best, except on extra cold days when you might want additional insulation.
• Socks: you’ll want a pair that’s lightweight and not wooly. You’ll also want socks that rise above your ankles to keep out snow.
• Hydrate and Prepare: Bring a soft day pack to carry a lunch, water, and extra clothing while keeping your hands free.

Accessibility:

During ski season, the Budd Visitor Center—named for Lieutenant Colonel Arthur D. Budd, who established Notchview Farm—provides equipment rentals (on select days), restrooms and a warm respite from the winter chill. Outside of the ski season, the Budd Visitor Center is open for restroom access only.

The lodge will be staffed Thursday through Tuesday, unless otherwise indicated. Day passes can be purchased online or via QR codes on site. On Wednesdays, the lodge will remain open as a place to warm up and use the restrooms, but other amenities will be unavailable.

Printed trail maps are distributed free from the visitor center and bulletin board outside the visitor center. One map is for hiking (spring, summer, fall) and the other is for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing (winter). We recommend that you download a trail map before you visit.

MOBILE MAP: Download our new live Mobile Map through Avenza maps. Track where you are at any moment of your adventure at Notchview:

Apple:  Notchview Mobile Map- Apple

Google: Notchview Mobile Map- Android

Notchview is owned by The Trustees and is open from dawn till dusk. Budd Visitor Center is staffed Thursday-Tuesday during the ski season, with restrooms available every day. Notchview is large and has a complex system of trails; please carry a trail map.

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.

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 use snowshoe trails 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.

Dogs

• Dogs are not allowed north of Route 9 during ski season.
• Dogs are allowed off-leash, under voice command, south of Route 9 only.
• From April 1 – August 15 dogs must be kept on-leash in managed grassland habitat.

Biking, Hunting

• Mountain biking is allowed only on town gravel roads within the Reservation
• Hunting is permitted at this property north of Bates Rd and south of Route 9 only, subject to all state and town laws. It is recommended to wear brightly colored clothing like an orange vest or hat during the hunting season. Hunting is not allowed on Sundays. Learn more about hunting on Trustees properties, and read safety tips for non-hunters.

Photography

We ask that photographers or their clients become Contributing Level Members before conducting portrait sessions at this property.  Click here for more information, and to request permission for any portrait sessions. The Trustees of Reservations reserves the right, and may give permission to its designated photographers and videographers, or to outside media, to photograph or video visitors and program participants at all its facilities and properties.