Got skis? All this snow means ideal conditions for a winter adventure in the scenic northwest corner of the state.
The White Memorial Foundation and Conservation Center in Litchfield sports 35 miles of groomed trails, perfect for cross country skiing.
“It offers so much beauty. You can follow the river, follow the lake, follow pines, open fields,” says Robyn Dinda, who leads tours through the gorgeous woods. “All the years I’ve come down here, you can take the same trail every day and see something different.”
Paths weave over bridges toward Bantam Lake, where visitors can see the remnants of ice canals, which brought frozen blocks to the Shepaug Railroad in the early 1900s.
“The ice was stored in sawdust and could be stored up to two years,” says Dinda, who marvels at this piece of hidden history.
The year-round mecca for hiking, kayaking, camping and birding also features a natural history museum with exhibits for adults and children. But the chance to savor the chilly outdoors makes this spot unique.
“To come out and to be introduced to nature, I find, it opens people up and they start coming back,” says Dinda
Anyone can bring their skis to this Litchfield spot and utilize the trails for free. For information about guided tours, click here to contact the White Memorial Conservation Center or click here for the Litchfield Hills Audubon Society.