Catamount Trail
Encyclopedia
The Catamount Trail is a Nordic ski
trail that spans the length of Vermont
, extending more than 300 miles (482.8 km) from the border with Massachusetts
from Readsboro, Vermont
to the Canadian border North Troy, Vermont
.
The trail was first skied in 1984 by its founders, Steve Bushey, Paul Jarris, and Ben Rose. It was initially conceived as Bushey's thesis project when he was a geography student at the University of Vermont
.
Since then, the Catamount Trail has been maintained by the Catamount Trail Association, initially incorporated in 1984. The Association coordinates volunteers, publishes a guidebook, and works to protect and preserve the trail.
The terrain of the trail ranges from challenging, for which climbing skins, metal edges and telemarking skills are often necessary, to gentler terrain where lightweight classic Nordic equipment is more appropriate. It interconnects several of Vermont's Nordic ski centers.
Twenty-nine skiers have reported to the Association that they have skied the entire length of the Catamount Trail.
Nordic skiing
Nordic skiing is a winter sport that encompasses all types of skiing where the heel of the boot cannot be fixed to the ski, as opposed to Alpine skiing....
trail that spans the length of Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
, extending more than 300 miles (482.8 km) from the border with Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
from Readsboro, Vermont
Readsboro, Vermont
Readsboro is a town in Bennington County, Vermont, United States. The town was named for John Reade, a landholder. The population was 809 at the 2000 census...
to the Canadian border North Troy, Vermont
North Troy, Vermont
North Troy is a village in Troy, Orleans County, Vermont, United States. The population was 593 at the 2000 census.-History:There were Winter Carnivals from 1940 to 1942. In 1942, 4,000 people attended...
.
The trail was first skied in 1984 by its founders, Steve Bushey, Paul Jarris, and Ben Rose. It was initially conceived as Bushey's thesis project when he was a geography student at the University of Vermont
University of Vermont
The University of Vermont comprises seven undergraduate schools, an honors college, a graduate college, and a college of medicine. The Honors College does not offer its own degrees; students in the Honors College concurrently enroll in one of the university's seven undergraduate colleges or...
.
Since then, the Catamount Trail has been maintained by the Catamount Trail Association, initially incorporated in 1984. The Association coordinates volunteers, publishes a guidebook, and works to protect and preserve the trail.
The terrain of the trail ranges from challenging, for which climbing skins, metal edges and telemarking skills are often necessary, to gentler terrain where lightweight classic Nordic equipment is more appropriate. It interconnects several of Vermont's Nordic ski centers.
Twenty-nine skiers have reported to the Association that they have skied the entire length of the Catamount Trail.