The Burlington Free Press reports that 25 years after the first strides were taken, the Catamount Ski trail is now complete. The trail runs the length of Vermont, from Massachusetts to Canada, encompassing terrain ranging from rugged backcountry to groomed Nordic ski areas. The trail is considered the longest backcountry ski trail in North America.
The Catamount Trail website gives a brief history of the trail –
“The Catamount Trail began as an idea in the minds of three young Vermont men: Steve Bushey, Paul Jarris and Ben Rose. Steve Bushey, then a University of Vermont student in geography, researched the route and obtained access privileges from various landowners as a thesis project. Steve, with friends Paul and Ben, skied the route on the first End-to-End Tour in 1984, and the Catamount Trail was born.
The Association was incorporated in 1984 with the purpose of building, administering and maintaining the Catamount Trail as a public resource.
Since then, with the help of many volunteers, great strides have been made toward finishing the Trail as well as protecting the corridor in perpetuity so skiers can continue to enjoy it for generations to come.”
The Catamount Trail Association is a member-supported, non-profit organization.
Read the Burlington Free Press article on the trail's completion here.
Visit the www.catamounttrail.org for more information on the trail.
