I recently found a little treasure in my mailbox. The Skimeister and I received our Catamount Trail Association membership cards and the discount booklets that come with them.
The Catamount Trail is a 300-mile cross-country and backcountry ski trail that crosses the state of Vermont from head to toe. Many private land owners and ski resorts allow the trail to pass through their properties. What a terrific gift to all of us skiers.
Our membership money helps to maintain this trail. As an added reward, we get coupons for severe discounts at 24 nordic ski centers, eight alpine ski resorts and 18 other retailers and businesses. They say there are $900 worth of rewards in this little booklet. Many two-for-one deals. Sweet!
The Catamount Trail is not groomed (unless it was tracked up by skiers who woke up earlier than you to hit the trail)! It also runs along VAST snowmobile trails in many areas. But other times, you are out in the boonies or on the edges of a cross-country ski center's trails. Lovely.
When you are out and about, look for the blue, square trail markers with a white paw mark. Check out <link http: www.catamounttrail.org external-link-new-window external link in new>www.catamounttrail.org for maps, details on the trail and membership info.
I'm taking my membership card and booklet to Southern Vermont this weekend and to the Northeast Kingdom in two weeks.
Let me know if you have recommendations for sections of the Catamount Trail that you've enjoyed the most.
