A Fierce Chase Cross Country Ski Trails

For a wonderful skiing experience, check out A Fierce Chase Cross-Country Ski Trails, an 8-mile Nordic trail system on private land that’s meticulously groomed by an associated nonprofit (but mostly, I believe, by the land’s owner, a former biathlete who almost made the Olympic team who likes to wear fun hats).

Friends of a Fierce Chase X-C Trails 501(c) asks for a $20 donation for adult skiers, $10 students and $5 for dogs, on an honor system. Cash or checks can be pushed into a donation box at the trailhead, or you can pay by Venmo.

Nothing will chase you at A Fierce Chase, unless you want to join one of the occasional ski races it hosts (which look great). Instead, you will likely have a pleasant, peaceful ski on trails that wind across 100 acres of land between Elliotsville Road and Greenville Road. Though the trails are popular, there’s enough space for everyone to spread out. Snowshoes and fat bikes are also welcome.

The trails are tracked for classic and skate skiing. A couple are so wide they’re like a four-lane highway, allowing friends to ski side by side. You can stick close to the trailhead (which has a little outhouse) and ski loops on a tightly-packed network of trails. Or you can head out for a bit of a journey on the narrower Craig’s Trail. To get to this loop, you’ll cross a bridge over Monson Stream to the “Otter Side,” pass through a more open area (where Meandering Moose Trail is) and head up Craig Loop’s not-too-steep hill through older coniferous forest. This was my favorite part of the trail system. (Note the directional one-way signs here to help prevent crashes.)

While the trails are mostly easy, the land is sloped, so you’ll be heading slightly uphill as you ski west, away from the trailhead. Trail intersections are marked with signs and some maps.

Directions: The ski area is served by a large parking area on the west side of Elliotsville Road, about a mile north after turning off Route 6/Greenville Road. Elliotsville Road might be a bit bumpy, so you might want to drive slowly.