Cross-country skiing north of Boston

Comfortable road biking in Massachusetts is generally from mid March to mid October. Fall is the perfect season for mountain biking, since it's drier, the bugs are gone, the forests are opening up, and there's not so much wind in the face out in the woods. November's a great month for stretching the legs with long hikes in the state forests. But December through February is for cross-country skiing, offering a similar level of aerobic workout to cycling. Even when it's well below freezing, you can work up a good sweat , and with the right equipment cross country skiing can become an art form. Snowy winters in New England can be hard to predict, but the winter of 2009 -10 is giving us plenty of reasons to head outdoors. In the Boston area, we enjoy groomed cross country skiing at Great Brook in Carlisle and Weston Ski Track. But there are also plenty of free places to get out on the skis, especially in the North Shore area. Living in Ipswich, we are surrounded with such opportunities, offering a great winter compliment to the summer cycling in the North Shore.

Willowdale State Forest

Willowdale State Forest lies between Ipswich and Topsfield MA and offers a total of 40 miles of trails in the Pineswamp and Hood Pond areas. There is no central parking, so once you've gotten a few minutes away from the roads, you'll find that ski tracks tend to be relatively undisturbed. The terrain is generally flat with some slight hills, interesting eskers along Linebrook Rd., and some modest climbs in the area of Pineswamp road. Parking is at nearby Bradley Palmer State Forest, along Topsfield-Ipswich Rd. near the footbridge over the Ipswich River, and a couple of designated areas on Linebrook Rd. west of Ipswich. On weekends there is ample parking available at Doyon School on Linebrook Rd. Due to its size, it's easy to feel lost in Willowdale, so make sure to download and print the Willowdale trail map .

Bradley Palmer State Park

Bradley Palmer State Park lies across the Ipswich River from Willowdale State Forest has a large parking lot that can be used for either area. The 1 1/2 mile park road is popular with strollers and dog walkers, so unless there is fresh snow, you will find it best to take one of the many foot trails that leave from the parking lot. Strawberry Hill in the middle of the park can offer some modest challenge, especially when heading back down, while the wide open fields between the hill and the Ipswich River are excellent when looking for some sun exposure. Trails are marked with numbers, indicated on the trail map.

Appleton Farms Grass Rides

The Trustees of Reservations own Appleton Farms and the adjoining Appleton Farms Grass Rides along the Hamilton-Ipswich town line. The farm roads are open for hiking and skiing, and the trails in the Grass Rides section are open to mountain biking as well. The terrain here is gently rolling with a slender ridge separating the two sections. Located in a beautifully forested area of Appleton Farms, the grass trails are generally clear of rocks and debris and are excellent for your early outings before the snow has a good base. Parking is on Highland St., just a short distance from the Ipswich River bridge that separates Hamilton from Ipswich, and only a quarter mile from the Hamilton parking lot for Bradley Palmer State Park. Access is free for Trustees of Reservation members. With the number of Trustees properties in Eastern Massachusetts, we highly recommend joining. Download the trail map from the Trustees site.

Crane Beach

Crane Beach is another Trustees property , located 5 miles out Argilla Rd. from downtown Ipswich. Its 2 miles of white sand beaches draw thousands of sun bathers each summer, but in the winter the marked trails through the sand dunes are an excellent place to hike, and even more invigorating Nordic skiing. You can spend a couple of hours exploring the trails and then returning to the parking lot from the tip of the beach. Even on a cold winter day it can feel comfortable in the dunes, which are open to the sun and shielded from the wind. We always check the direction of the wind before deciding whether to start out or return along the beach to keep the wind out of our faces. There is an admission fee for everyone except Ipswich residents with a sticker. Trail map

Ipswich River Sanctuary

The Ipswich River Sanctuary in Topsfield MA is Mass Audubon’s largest sanctuary, offering more than 10 miles of interconnecting trails. The scenery and terrain is spectacular, varying from forested eskers to boardwalks over wetlands and ponds. The center has a learning center for children, an office and gift shop, and modern restroom facilities, in addition to ample parking. Cross-country skiing here is and adventure, free to members and a nominal charge to non-members. Make sure to take some bird seed for the chickadees and nuthatches that will eat out of your hand. Trails head out in several directions from the Sanctuary center, and you'll find the best skiing after you cross the stone bridge for the loop around Averill Island. Download the trail map from the Mass Audubon site.

Brooksby Farm

Brooksby Farm in Peabody is an Essex National Heritage area , an 8 1/2 acre working farm located not far from busy Rt. 114 on the Danvers-Peabody town line. The farm store serves as a Nordic ski lodge in the winter, offering rental ski equipment and hot cider and baked goods. Ski trails are groomed throughout the orchards, making this winter oasis feel far removed from the nearby malls. Admission is free to the public. Trail map and rentals at farm store, Felton St. in Peabody, MA

Maudslay State Park

This former Newburyport estate offers wonderful views of the Merrimack River and pleasant trails amid mountain laurels and tall stands of pines. There is a large parking lot with modern restrooms at the park entrance, with a $2 parking fee.