Hardwick Trails

02/17/2026

Hardwick Trails - Equipment Loans for Break!

The weather and snow conditions are still good for nordic skiing on Hardwick Trails! Thank you groomers!!

The cabin will be open one last time from 10:00 -11:00 this Saturday the 21st for equipment loans. Come and get geared up and enjoy the trails over break. All we ask is returns be made by Town Meeting Day (March 3rd).

Image courtesy Anders Beer Wilse, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

02/11/2026

Final call for Nordic Ski Lessons this season!

The frigid temperatures have limited our lesson program offerings this winter, but weather reports for this coming Saturday predict sun (really!) and temperatures in the 20tys! The weather and snow conditions will make for a perfect morning to hone your nordic skiing skills with our experienced instructors, or just head out to enjoy the trails on your own.

Nordic ski lessons will begin at 9:15 AM. The cabin will be open from 9:00 -11:00 for equipment loans.Alternately, join in multigenerational games on skis at 10:00 for a good dose of fun as you challenge your skiing abilities.

An advanced sign-up is requested to ensure that we have adequate staffing for the ski lesson or multigenerational games options. Here is the direct link to the form: https://forms.gle/pq6DMi8gE82bH7VP9. There is also a link on the Hardwick Trails web site at www.hardwicktrails.com or on our page (Hardwick Trails). This form should be completed no later than noontime on Friday.

On Saturday morning, check our website or page for lesson confirmation.

Hot cocoa and chocolate chip cookies await you at the cabin to either fuel or celebrate your ski adventures!!

Almost Game Time…on Skis! Posted on January 10, 2026 By Hardwick Trails Events, Skiing Saturday morning at 10:00 AM the Hardwick Trails folks are hosting multi-generational games for the community – on skis! This is a wonderful way to have fun together, while honing your nordic skiing skills. If...

02/04/2026

Nordic ski lessons this coming Saturday morning will begin at 10:00 AM, instead of the normal 9:15 time, to allow for the temperature to warm up a bit. Due to this shift, we will not be hosting multi-generational games or individual guided tours this weekend. The cabin will be open from 9:45 -11:00 for equipment loans.

The frigid temperatures this winter have limited our program offerings, but the ski conditions are better than ever, thanks to our volunteer groomers!

An advanced sign-up is requested to ensure that we have adequate staffing for the 10:00 AM lesson. Here is the direct link to the form: https://forms.gle/pq6DMi8gE82bH7VP9. There is also a link on the Hardwick Trails web site at www.hardwicktrails.com or on our page (Hardwick Trails). This form should be completed no later than noontime on Friday.

On Saturday morning, check our website or page for lesson confirmation.

Hot cocoa and chocolate chip cookies await you at the cabin to either fuel or celebrate your ski adventures!!

01/30/2026

UNFORTUNATELY, 😒 cold weather is forcing us to cancel the lessons and games tomorrow morning. FORTUNATELY, 😃 we still plan on grooming, the snow conditions are incredibly good, AND we will open the cabins for loans between 10 and 11 AM so you can ski when it warms up!

Send a message to learn more

01/30/2026

Ski lessons are cancelled for tomorrow... just too darn cold! The cabin will be open from 10-11 for ski loans.
Stay warm!!

01/29/2026

Hardwick Trails Ski Program: Important Advanced Sign-up Notice
Sunshine and a good covering of new fluffy snow will greet those who would like to try out, or to
improve their cross-country skiing skills at the Hardwick Trails this Saturday! Head to the cabin
behind Hazen by 9:00 AM to pick up your free equipment loan and then join in a lesson at 9:15
to hone your skiing skills. Alternately, join in multigenerational games on skis at 10:00 for a good
dose of fun as you challenge your skiing abilities. Maybe consider doing both!!
An advanced sign-up is requested to ensure that we have adequate staffing for these two
offerings. You can note on this same form if you would like to have a guide to explore the
wooded trails from 10:00-11:00.
Here is the direct link to the form: https://forms.gle/pq6DMi8gE82bH7VP9. There is also a link
on the Hardwick Trails web site at www.hardwicktrails.com or on our page (Hardwick
Trails). This form should be completed no later than noontime on Friday.
On Saturday morning, check our website or page for confirmation of our offerings,
which will be based on the sign-up responses.
As always, those who simply would like to be outfitted to explore the trails on their own can pick
up equipment between 9:00 and 11:00 AM at the Hazen Cabin. Hot cocoa and chocolate chip
cookies will greet you upon your return!

Almost Game Time…on Skis! Posted on January 10, 2026 By Hardwick Trails Events, Skiing Saturday morning at 10:00 AM the Hardwick Trails folks are hosting multi-generational games for the community – on skis! This is a wonderful way to have fun together, while honing your nordic skiing skills. If...

01/22/2026

January 22: Due to expected extreme cold this weekend, all ski loans and lessons have been canceled.

01/16/2026

What beats hot cocoa and a home made chocolate chip cookie at the end of a morning of delightful x-country skiing? Not much!! Ever wonder how nordic skiing might add to your enjoyment of winter, or become an exciting new family pursuit? Perhaps you already know how much fun nordic skiing is, but wish you could improve your skills?

Head to the cabin behind Hazen for the Hardwick Trails "Loan and Lesson" program, this Saturday, January 17. Pick up your loaner equipment at 9:00 AM, and join a 9:15 lesson with two instructors. Note: Young children must be accompanied by an adult.

Saturday morning at 10:00 AM we are hosting multi-generational games for the community - on skis! This is a wonderful way to have fun together, while honing your nordic skiing skills. If you need an equipment loan for this activity, be fully outfitted at the cabin behind Hazen. We have skis, boots and poles for the littlest of you (really!) up to tall adult sizes.

If you have mastered some skiing skills and want to try them out on the trails, email http://hardwicktrails.com by this Friday, January 16 at noon and we will recruit a volunteer guide to show you around.

In case of extreme cold, or poor snow conditions we may elect to cancel a Saturday session. For any question regarding the weather or trail conditions, please check the "Hardwick Trails" page or our web site (https://hardwicktrails.com) before heading to the cabin.

We welcome all folks from our neighboring communities, so if you can repost this notice outside of the Hardwick/Walden FPF, please consider doing so!

Almost Game Time…on Skis! Posted on January 10, 2026 By Hardwick Trails Events, Skiing Saturday morning at 10:00 AM the Hardwick Trails folks are hosting multi-generational games for the community – on skis! This is a wonderful way to have fun together, while honing your nordic skiing skills. If...

01/10/2026

Almost Game Time…on Skis!

Saturday morning at 10:00 AM the Hardwick Trails folks are hosting multi-generational games for the community - on skis! This is a wonderful way to have fun together, while honing your nordic skiing skills. If you need an equipment loan for this activity, head to the cabin behind Hazen by 9:45 to be fully outfitted. We have skis, boots and poles for the littlest of you (really!) up to tall adult sizes.

The first five people who arrive at the cabin for this event will be treated to their choice of a colorful Skida neck warmer! All participants are invited to the cabin at the end of their gaming adventure to enjoy hot cocoa and freshly made chocolate chip cookies.

Of course, if you are part of our “Loan and Lesson” offering that runs from 9:15-10:00 you are more than welcome to top that experience off by joining in the fun. Three instructors are looking forward to sharing their love of nordic skiing with you tomorrow!

Hope to see you there!

Send a message to learn more

01/05/2026

Ski Season Begins!!
The Hardwick Trails Committee has been making full use of this early ski season, regularly grooming our extensive trails network. These trails are open to all community members. We just ask that if you are walking or snowshoeing on the trails, you avoid the ski tracks which are created for classic skiers. As in the past, the blue/Shepard's trail is for skiers and snowshoers only.

Loans of snowshoes or skis (classic or skate), boots and poles are available to community members of any age on Saturday mornings, between 9:00-11:00 AM, in the cabin behind Hazen Union school starting January 10. You can head out for a morning on our trails or consider a week loan option.

We are excited to again offer free Saturday morning beginner ski lessons for Hardwick area community members (snow/weather dependent). They will start this coming Saturday, January 10, and go through to February 14. Experienced instructors will share their love of skiing with those who are new to the sport or would like to improve their skills. Beginner nordic ski lessons are from 9:15-10:00 AM, gathering at the log cabin behind Hazen Union. If you would like to borrow equipment for a lesson, arrive 15 minutes early to be fully outfitted. Young children must be accompanied by an adult. Family participation is encouraged!

This year we are excited to expand the options for furthering your skill development beyond this introductory level. We offer three options:

Option 1: We will host multi-generational games (on skis!) out in the Hazen field from 10:00-10:45. Remember playing Red Light/Green Light with your neighborhood friends? Now imagine adding some skis on your feet! Playing games is a great way to improve your skiing comfort level - and have a hoot in the process! No pre-registration is required.

Option 2: Participants will head out on our trails in small groups from 10:00-11:00AM, based on your skill level and with the help of an experienced skier. We ask that participants pre-register for this option so that we can ensure the availability of volunteer guides. Email how many in your party will be participating and your estimated skill level to [email protected] by the Wednesday preceding the Saturday offering and look for confirmation.

Option 3: For those who want to develop their skate skiing ability, we will offer several clinics in the 10:00-11:00 time slot. Look for notice of this offering and a sign-up process.

Lessons may be canceled due to adverse weather or trail conditions. Check the Hardwick Trails website (https://hardwicktrails.com/) or our page by 8:30 AM on the morning of the lesson for notice of cancellation.

The goal of the Hardwick Trails and Recreation committees is to increase the number of people using the trails during the upcoming winter months, and ensure that access to equipment is not a barrier. The Hardwick trails are one of the hidden treasures of our community - here for you to explore in all their quiet beauty.

12/27/2025

As of Friday, December 26, all Hardwick Trails are groomed and ready for a beautiful weekend of skiing and outdoor fun!

12/18/2025

Winter Nordic Ski program begins!!
The Hardwick Trails winter nordic ski program team are gearing up for our season. Once again, we will groom our beautiful network of trails on a regular basis, loan our equipment and host Saturday morning ski lessons. We are thrilled with the early start to our ski season - the earliest we have ever been able to offer groomed trails in fact!

On Saturday, December 20 from 9:00-10:30 we will be offering cross-country ski equipment two week loans to those who would like to take advantage of our early season. Area residents will be able to sign out skis, boots and poles for the school break, returning them by Friday, January 2.

The “Loan and Lesson” program will officially launch on January 10, and run each Saturday (weather dependent) through February 14. This year, introductory lessons will be offered from 9:00-10:00 and are geared for all ages. We will be adding ski skill development options for the 10:00-11:00 Saturday morning time slot, which will include honing your skills by playing some very engaging (and challenging) games or heading out on the forest trails. Stay tuned for more information.

If you would like to take advantage of the Saturday, December 20 vacation loan option, please email us so that we can appropriately staff the cabin to accommodate the demand.