Budd Visitor Center is now closed- THANK YOU for a wonderful ski season.

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With more than 3,000 acres of rolling terrain and 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.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, we want our valued skiers and hikers s to know that safety is our highest priority during these challenging times. Below is important information to know before you arrive:

• The Budd Visitor Center will not be open to the public
• Porta Potties are available outside the Visitor Center
• Lockers and changing areas are not available

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 along the ski trails. During ski season, the Budd Visitor Center—named for Lieutenant Colonel Arthur D. Budd, who established Notch View Farm—provides food and beverages, equipment rentals, and a warm respite from the winter chill.

Ski Notchview

Ski Notchview

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

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing available early December to March 28, daily, 8AM to 5PM.

2020-21 Season Ski Pass: A Special offer for Trustees Members Only!

With a current Trustees Membership and a Notchview Season Pass, you can ski free all day, every day –including weekends and holidays!

• The Season Pass will be $65 standard rate, with Membership.
• Youth Season Passes are available for $25 (for ages 6-17).

*Each adult in a family will need to purchase their own pass. For each youth between the ages of 6-17 in the family, parents can add the youth pass to their online purchase. (No additional membership is needed for Youth Passes and we only require a first and Last name for the youth)

Route 9
Windsor, MA 01270
Telephone: 413.684.0148
Ski Conditions: www.xcskimass.com
Ski E-mail notchview@thetrustees.org
General E-mail info@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.

The Trustees asks that visitors follow these social distancing guidelines for the health and safety of all, and to help us keep properties open in these challenging times. Thank you in advance for your patience. We look forward to seeing you soon!

IMPORTANT- What to expect this year:

• The Budd Visitor Center will NOT be open to the public
• Tickets, Lessons, Merchandise & Snacks can be purchased at WALK-UP windows during the winter
• Rental equipment is available during the winter
• Porta Potties are available outside the Visitor Center
• Lockers and changing areas are NOT available

COVID SAFETY:

• Masks: Visitors (over the age of 2) must always wear face coverings while on the property
• Distancing: Maintain at least 6 feet of separation
• Purchasing: Please have one member from your group handle all purchases
• Trails: Some trails may be one-direction – Please follow directional signs on the trails

Weather: Be aware of the weather. 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.

Restrooms: Porta Johns

Visitors center

During ski season, the Budd Visitor Center—named for Lieutenant Colonel Arthur D. Budd, who established Notchview Farm—provides food and beverages, equipment rentals, and a warm respite from the winter chill.

Due to Covid-19, the Visitor Center may have limited access. Please check our website for the most up-to-date information. Be sure to plan ahead, and be safe

Notchview is a spectacular setting for your wedding. We can accommodate outdoor wedding ceremonies and receptions for groups of up to 400 people. Please email NotchviewEventRentals@thetrustees.org for more information.

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, ski skating, and snow shoeing (winter). Please understand that supplies periodically run out. We recommend that you download a trail map before you visit.

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. Notchview is large and has a complex system of trails; please carry a trail map and sign in at the Visitor Center.

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 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
• During ski season, dogs are allowed Off-Leash, but under control, south of Route 9 only
• Leashes are not required during non-ski season, however dogs must be under control, except:
• Dogs must be kept On-Leash in managed grassland bird habitat, April 1 – August 15

Biking, Hunting

• 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.