2023 KT Winter Operations

December 7, 2022


Winter in Vermont is magical, especially when you can get out to enjoy the beauty of the landscape and incredible recreational opportunities! Here at KT, we are passionate about our mission to provide recreation and education opportunities through our trails to foster the health of our community, environment, and economy. We seek to make the network welcoming and enjoyable for all by maintaining the trails to the highest standard through all seasons, along with providing the info you need to respectfully access this incredible resource that’s made possible by over 100 private landowners.  



Below, we have outlined our Winter Operations information. Our hope is that this info will answer questions on KT grooming capabilities, schedule, and our winter services that will help to make informed decisions on how and when you access the trails.

Winter Season Opening Policy

The winter trail network may only open for the season after a substantial stretch of below freezing temperatures to allow the ground to thoroughly freeze AND after the end of the muzzleloader hunting season (this year that date is December 12, 2022).


  • The fatbike trails will open to fatbikes (tire 3.5 inches or wider) as long as the ground is frozen and can be ridden without causing damage to the trail surface. 
  • If there is no snow, regular mtb tires are allowed on open trails.

  • The groomed ski trails will open when the ground is frozen and we have received a sufficient amount, preferably 6-8”+ of snow to groom and maintain.

  • The snowshoe and backcountry ski trails are open when the ground is frozen and snow coverage allows. 
  • If there is no snow, foot travel is allowed on open trails.


For up to the minute trail conditions and information on which trails are open or closed, visit our trail conditions page.


Winter Trail Crew

KT is proud to employ a grooming team through the winter season that grooms on a consistent basis: CJ Scott our Trail Director, Trail Crew member Tucker Tirey, and Evening Groomer Mike Halvorsen.


Grooming Equipment

The team uses a variety of snowmobiles and implements to groom the fatbike and nordic ski trails dependent upon conditions. 

  • Nordic equipment:
  • Skidoo Wide Track LX snowmobile
  • Yamaha VK snowmobile
  • 2 Tidd Tech drags with track setters
  • 2 compaction rollers
  • Fat Bike equipment:
  • 2014 Skidoo Tundra 
  • Various handbuilt drags for all conditions and commercially built drags to use in sufficient deep snowpack.


Ski Trails

The skate ski lanes are groomed and classic tracks are reset when surface conditions and snow depth is suitable. Our groomed ski trails are closed to fat bike use. However, snowshoers are allowed on the groomed ski trails, but should be mindful to avoid disrupting the classic track set. We welcome ski use on all trails throughout the winter network.


Fatbike Trails

Fatbike trails are groomed as needed. Once the surface is packed and set up (also known as hardened); tire, snowshoe, and ski traffic can be the best method for maintaining an optimum surface. We plan to groom next when there is an accumulation of 2+ inches or the previously packed surface becomes compromised and can effectively be improved with our machinery.


While the fatbike trails may remain open after a significant snow event, we encourage people to wait until the surface sets up before accessing trails by fatbike as the soft snow creates unenjoyable conditions and tires will cause ruts that are difficult for our equipment to remove. 


When temps are warm and surface conditions are soft or slushy, fatbike access is discouraged. To help riders keep track of the temperature and proceed with caution at their own discretion, there are strategically placed thermometer gauges with educational signage throughout the trail network. As a general rule, if a rider is leaving a rut or having a hard time riding in a straight line, it is best to turn around and wait for the temps to drop and the surface to set up properly before continuing.

General Grooming Policies & Procedures

During the winter season the trails will remain OPEN as long as surface conditions are safe and the ground is sufficiently frozen to accommodate ski, fatbike or snowshoe traffic without causing damage to the trail. Trail surface conditions and closures are always reported on the trail conditions page of our website.


KT utilizes customized weather forecasts provided by Nor’Easter Weather to make the most informed decisions on how and when to groom.


When there is a base and a significant amount of snowfall is forecasted, grooming begins after 2+ inches of accumulation and continues until the snowfall ends. 


If there is low, or no existing base, this can affect the frequency of grooming. Our Crew will wait for a more significant accumulation of 6+ inches before they start grooming since thin conditions can lead to damaging the trails, like digging up dirt, or even being detrimental to our equipment. There is a balance in these scenarios when less is more, and the surface, as well as the snowpack, can remain more sustainable with less manipulation. 


When grooming soft or slushy snow in warm temps, it is critical to find the window of time when the surface consistency is accessible for manipulation and our equipment is manageable, as snowmobiles are difficult to steer and drags can get bound up with heavy wet snow. 


Icy conditions are also challenging as we operate without a tiller, the machinery used to break up ice. When conditions become icy, we will make sure to communicate through all avenues, the necessity for caution and recommend proper equipment such as studded tires and snowshoes with crampons. And if safety requires it, we will close trails. 


Dogs

*Please remember, even in the winter, Dogs are only welcomed on the Village Trails.

Welcome Center Operations 

Our visitor experiences are overseen by Brooke Pierce, our Operations Director, Membership & Experience Manager Cedelle Sirjane, and Retail Supervisor Millie Wignall. The KT Welcome Center location and hours of operation are posted here

 

Parking

Parking locations to access the winter trail network are posted here.

 

Membership

Trail access is allowed for KT Members. Daily, Monthly and Annual Memberships and locally produced and sourced merchandise that supports the KT mission can be purchased at the KT Welcome Center or from our online store. Purchases made from the online store are shipped or are available for local pick-up, during regular business hours. 


Annual KT Members who purchased their membership during the Summer season and would like to receive their Winter stickers, please email info@kingdomtrails.org and we’ll gladly pop them in the mail.

Trail Maps

A digital version of our winter map is available on the Trail Map page of our website. You may also download the Ondago GPS app for navigation when on the trails. Printed versions of the map are available at our Welcome Center or from the map kiosk on the exterior of the Welcome Center. 


Ride With Gratitude

Please adhere to the Ride With Gratitude Code of Conduct.

Bear Den Partners, Owners of Burke Mountain, Make Unprecedented $100,000 Gift to Kingdom Trails, Securing Northeast Kingdom’s Recreational Future

By Jodi Flanagan • October 27, 2025
EAST BURKE, VT – October 27, 2025 – Kingdom Trails, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to the development and maintenance of recreational trails in the Northeast Kingdom, today announced it has received a monumental gift of $100,000 from Bear Den Partners, the owners of Burke Mountain, and Kingdom Trails’ single largest private landowner. This unprecedented corporate donation is the largest in Kingdom Trails’ history and signifies a powerful commitment to the economic vitality and future of recreation in the Northeast Kingdom. The $100,000 investment comes as both organizations continue to expand their collaborative efforts to enhance outdoor tourism and provide world-class experiences for visitors and local community members alike. This funding will be immediately directed toward critical trail maintenance, infrastructure improvements, and sustainable trail development projects across the network, allowing Kingdom Trails to build important new connections and keep the trails in top shape. “We are overwhelmed by the generosity and vision demonstrated by the leadership at Burke Mountain,” said Georgia Gould, Interim Executive Director of Kingdom Trails. “This is more than just a donation; it’s an unprecedented investment in the future health of our trails, our organization, and the entire Northeast Kingdom community. This investment ensures we can not only maintain the current quality of the Kingdom Trails experience but also pursue long-term sustainability and innovative projects.” The gift came during an evening of music and celebration of Kingdom Trails’ Landowners hosted by Bear Den Partners at the Burke Mountain Hotel. The event brought together the landowners, community members, and friends who make Kingdom Trails possible. The evening featured a powerful joint performance by national touring artists Adam Gardner of Guster and Stephen Kellogg, whose music captured the warmth, connection, and spirit that define the Northeast Kingdom. The relationship between Burke Mountain and Kingdom Trails has been instrumental in positioning the region as a premier mountain biking and outdoor destination. Burke Mountain’s contribution emphasizes a shared goal of drawing visitors to the region while ensuring responsible stewardship of the natural resources. “Burke Mountain is a proud neighbor and partner to Kingdom Trails,” said Jon Schaefer, CEO of Bear Den Partners. “We understand that the trails are a critical driver of our local economy and an important amenity for our guests. Making this $100,000 commitment was a clear decision—it ensures the longevity of this incredible network and helps secure the Northeast Kingdom’s reputation as a top-tier outdoor destination for generations to come.” The organizations encourage the public and corporate partners to view this as an inspiration for collective responsibility in protecting and preserving the trails that define Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom experience. Kingdom Trails extends its sincere gratitude to Bear Den Partners for their integral support of this investment and their dedication to the future of the trails. About Kingdom Trails Kingdom Trails is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development and maintenance of a 100+ mile network of non-motorized multi-use trails in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Utilizing a land-use agreement model with 106 private landowners, Kingdom Trails provides recreational access that promotes healthy lifestyles, economic vitality, and sustainable use of resources. About Burke Mountain Located in the heart of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, Burke Mountain Resort is an independent, four-season destination owned by Bear Den Partners. Burke delivers 178 acres of world-class skiing and riding in the winter, and lift-served mountain biking and hiking in the summer. Burke’s bike park is adjacent to the world-renowned Kingdom Trails network, a mecca for mountain bikers. Year-round, Burke and the Burke Mountain Hotel host events and activities that reflect the culture and community of Vermont: down-to-earth, uncorporate and driven by the spirit of the mountain and the people who ride it. For more information, visit SkiBurke.com or follow on all major social platforms including Instagram , Facebook and YouTube .

September Newsletter

By Jodi Flanagan • September 10, 2025
To view newsletter with live links, click here

Kingdom Trails Benefit Concert at Burke Mountain

By Jodi Flanagan • September 9, 2025
October 18th, 2025 from 7-10 PM
More Posts