Northeast Kingdom Backcountry Coalition (NEKBC) is a volunteer group dedicated to backcountry skiing and splitboarding in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Like a lot of other Vermont backcountry alliances and coalitions, NEKBC is a member of the Catamount Trail Association. NEKBC, through a large network of volunteers, goal is for responsible development and management of backcountry zones in the Northeast Kingdom. NEKBC currently maintains 3 backcountry zones, accessing a variety of glade skiing with some beginner and intermediate glade skiing but the majority of the terrain being for expert glade skiers.
Below, you will find details on East Haven, Willoughby State Forest and the Kirby Ridge backcountry zones. Also, you will find a number of resources to help you make your Vermont backcountry skiing experience go smoothly and more enjoyably. Zone difficulties vary and are for public use for all outdoor recreationists.
East Haven offers a variety of backcountry lines with several natural features for your riding pleasure. The top portion down to the middle of the zone features expert gladed terrain while the middle to the bottom has a variety of intermediate and beginner terrain.
Please be considerate of local landowners. Public access is contingent of following their wishes which include no dog allowed to encourage wildlife growth and courteous parking. Please have a plan B, if the parking lot is full head to a different zone.
Be cautious of snowmobilers as the beginning of the skin track is shared with the V.A.S.T trail system.
Directions: Near the intersection of Morrissey Pl and George's Blvd, East Haven, VT
NEKBC worked with the State of Vermont to add to their cross-country trail system by glading in the steeper sections of the state forest on the south end of Lake Willoughby. This is the cream of the crop for of NEKBC zones.
Mt. Hor offers steep expert lines, Bartlett Mountain has two mellow intermediate lines and a couple expert lines below the CCC road.
Trail Head Access: On the south end of Lake Willoughby off 5a, Willoughby State Forest, VT
Kirby Ridge is a rocky, wet zone that is located on private property and needs a significant amount of snow to be filled in properly for skiing and riding. It usually takes until late February to be filled in enough for safe travel. The zone offers two lines of expert terrain with the bottom left line on skiers left about halfway down offering some intermediate skiing that ends in a nice field to get back to your car.
Parking can be an issue as the parking resides in a field and can be tricky for vehicles with low clearance.
Trail Head Access: Off Ridge Rd near the intersection of St Peter Dr off 114 from Lyndon, VT
NEKBC is possible because of donations and volunteers. Please consider helping out if you can.
| Northeast Kingdom Backcountry Coalition | View Website |
| NEKBC zone directions/locations | View Website |
| Vermont Backcountry Ski Handbook | View Website |
| Catamount Trail Assocation Safety in the Backcountry | View Website |
| Catamount Trail Association | View Website |