Ridgeline Outdoor Collective (ROC) was the first Catamount Trail Association Chapter in Vermont. A leader in the VT backcountry, Ridgeline Outdoor Collective started in 2013 by a group of outdoor backcountry skiing enthusiasts and cut their first glades at Brandon Gap in 2016. Since then ROC, through their large volunteer turnout and donations, have gone on to glade more that 25 lines in the Rochester/Randolph area of Vermont They have also branched off a large mountain biking trail network. ROC currently has 2 backcountry areas, acessing 6 unique backcountry zones.
Below, you will find details on Brandon Gap and the Braintree Mountain Forest. 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 recreationist.
The Brandon Gap Backcountry Recreation Area is located in the Green Mountain National Forest in Rochetser and Goshen, VT. The backcountry skiing is spread out over 3 miles of the Long Trail, offering 16,000 vertical feet of terrain. Ridgeline Outdoor Collective (ROC) coordinated with the United States Forest Service (USFA) in developing this unique Vermont backcountry skiing wonderland.
Brandon Gap offers 4 different backcountry zones: Bear Brook Bowl, No-Name, Sunrise Bowl and Goshen Mountain. Below, you will find details for each zone and a number of other items to help you on your trip.
From this parking lot you can access the Bear Brook and No-Name backcountry zones.
Bear Brook: The Bear Brook backcountry zone offers 1300 feet of vertical in braided lines on challenging gladed ski runs.
No-Name: The No-Name backcountry zone offers 1100 feet of vertical in braided lines on more moderate terrain.
Trail Head Address: 8107 Brandon Mtn Rd, Rochester, VT
From this parking lot you can access the Sunrise Bowl and Goshen Mountain backcountry zones.
Sunrise Bowl: The Sunrise Bowl backcountry zone offers some of the least challnging terrain at Brandon Gap with 500 feet of vertical.
Goshen Mountain: Goshen Mountain offers wonderful views on clears days when you reach the summit. You skin through the Sunrise Bowl area in order to get to the summit of Goshen Mountain. Line difficulty varies with moderately steep on the skier/rider's right and becomes steeper, requiring a higher level of ability, as move left. While there is a way to ski directly to you car off Gishen, many lines end in having to skin out.
Trail Head Address: 3255 Gap Rd, Goshen, VT
Braintree Mountain Forest is 1547 acres of land donated by Paul Kendall and his wife Sharon Rives to the New England Forestry Foundation (NEFF). Ridgeline Outdoor Collective has been collaborating with NEFF and so, developed two backcountry zones: Twin Peaks and Skidoo backcountry areas.
This backcountry area is in a residential area. No parking on the streets. Be prepared for a plan B if the parking lots are full. Quiet zones are implemented on the trailhead/parking lot and along the lower part of the Haul Road Skin Track. Please be respectful and stay off neighboring properties.
Trail Head Access: 2576 Riford Brook Rd, Braintree, VT
Ridgeline Outdoor Collective is possible because of donations and volunteers. Please consider helping out if you can.
| Ridgeline Outdoor Collective | View Website |
| Vermont Backcountry Ski Handbook | View Website |
| Catamount Trail Assocation Safety in the Backcountry | View Website |
| Catamount Trail Association | View Website |