The air is crisp as darkness envelops an expansive field surrounding a large barn, providing the quintessential New England tableau in winter. But, when many outdoor destinations are shutting down for the day, Great Brook Farm State Park in Carlisle, Mass., is aglow, inviting cross country skiers to embark on an old-fashioned journey.
The 1-mile Lantern Loop operated by the Great Brook Ski Touring Center is open two evenings a week, giving folks the ability to take part in this healthy activity after work. “It’s a special time to get outside. To be under the starlight, and hopefully some moonlight, too, is an experience that people seldom get,” says Stuart Johnstone of the Great Brook Ski Touring Center. “I think a lot of people are starved of nature, especially in winter, when we’re stuck inside too much. So, this is a perfect activity.” It’s a unique experience at Great Brook Farm, widely known in New England as an iconic spot for cross country skiing.
“We have 10 miles of machine-groomed cross country ski trails, all levels of ability,” Johnstone says. “It’s mostly gentle terrain, so, it leans toward the beginner trails, but we have black diamonds, as well.” The season begins when the snow flies and paths can be created. Johnstone says last year’s epic snowfall provided the ski center’s best season ever: “We had the deepest snow we’d ever had and it was also amazingly cold, it was consistently cold. That’s equally great as having deep snow. We had nice powder conditions right through the time we were open.”
Rental skis and boots are available at the Ski Touring Center, a converted farm building, open seven days a week when conditions permit through late March.
Great Brook Farm is a 1,000-acre state park full of rural charm, often called “a jewel in northern Massachusetts.” It is home to a host of Holstein cows and a robotic milking system, as well as a popular ice cream stand in the summer. “It is a working farm. It’s a protected piece of land,” says Johnstone. “Many people have come to love it.” The park attracts visitors from Rhode Island, Connecticut, even New Hampshire, looking for groomed cross country trails, which are not easy to find.
“People are driving south from southern New Hampshire to get to us, which is kind of funny,” says Johnstone. “To be in the Boston area is unique. … We are 25 miles from the Boston Common.”
But Carlisle, once called “city of the woods” by Henry David Thoreau, feels like Small Town USA with 5,000 residents and an abundance of undeveloped land. “It’s pretty darn woodsy in a lot of places,” says Johnstone. “People who are new to Great Brook are often surprised by how pristine it is.” The town’s small center is picturesque, featuring a beloved sandwich shop and library.
“We have all different sorts of winters. It’s possible for us to have a winter like last winter and it’s also possible to contend with no snow at all,” says Johnstone, realistically, while hoping for another stellar season.
The Lantern Loop, lined with about 50 lanterns, is do-able for skiers of all ages — even children. As folks glide through two sets of tracks and a smooth skating lane, over a creek and through fields, they become immersed in the agricultural landscape, as their eyes adjust to the darkness. Many cross country skiers love the smooth aspect of the sport, which is good for joints while also providing a great cardio workout.
But, the “night experience” can also provide relaxation and serenity. “Truly, every evening is a little different. The conditions are a little different or the weather is a little different; it’s never the same night,” says Johnstone. “We present skiing in a unique way … it’s a way to slow down and look, as much as it is to get out and go.”
GREAT BROOK SKI TOURING CENTER is open every day, all day, when snow is on the ground. Lanterns are lit from sunset until 9 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday nights through late March. An adult trail pass costs $11. Rental equipment is additional. For more information, head to greatbrookski.com or call 978-369-7486.
