Commonwealth Conversations: The Great Outdoors

Accessible Winter Activities

Marcy Marchello

Universal Access Program Coordinator, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)

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The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is kicking off its Universal Access Program winter activities season!

Running through March, this program was created to make outdoor recreation in Massachusetts more accessible to everyone. Designed for people with disabilities, their families and friends, these free programs will sponsor a wide variety of adaptive cold-weather recreation opportunities at locations across the Commonwealth.

Come join in on the fun, and partake in these accessible activities including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, kick sledding, snowmobiling, and ice skating. Staff assistance and use of accessible equipment, such as sit skis and kick sleds, will be available for use at no additional cost. For additional information on the Universal Access Program, a schedule of activities, and to preregister, visit DCR's Universal Access page or call 617-626-1294 or 413-545-5353. 

If you would like to volunteer to assist in the adaptive winter programs, please call Heidi Marie-Peterson at 413-577-3840. There are two trainings scheduled for January – January 7 at Wendell State Forest and January 22 at the Weston Ski Track.

Slope-side cider outing

Anna Waclawiczek

Chief of Staff, Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR)

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Earlier this month, Agricultural Resources Commissioner Scott Soares skied down a Wachusett Mountain slope to see the recently-refurbished Bullock Lodge Cider House located on the lower mountain and accessible by advanced and intermediate skiers (or you can hike up). It was a perfect spring-like day to visit this beautiful lodge and savor the great tastes of hot and cold apple cider, hot apple dumplings, cider donuts and an assortment of other local specialty items.

Senator Stephen Brewer was on hand to present a State Senate Proclamation to the owners of Red Apple Farm of Phillipston, a multi-generational family farm now run by Al and Nancy Rose. Both Al and Nancy are on the mountain almost every day baking and serving these wonderful local specialties. Another multi-generational family to help with the Bullock Lodge initiative was the Crowley family, owners of Polar Beverages in Worcester. They worked with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to get approvals to house Red Apple in the lodge that had been unused for years.

Representative Ann Gobi, Commissioner Soares, along with DCR State Parks Director Priscilla Geigis and DCR Wachusett Mountain Park Supervisor Denise Morrissey sipped cider and talked about the site that brings agritourism and the great outdoors together.

MassGrown & Fresher agritourism destinations

Mmmm...local apple cider

Anna Waclawiczek

Chief of Staff, Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR)

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Agriculture is a 24/7 365-days-a-year kind of business and farmers are reminding snow lovers this winter season that local products are available in the colder months. School vacation week is a good opportunity to explore winter agricultural tourism (agri-tourism).

Recently DAR’s Melissa Guerrero went to visit Al Rose, owner of the Red Apple Farm of Phillipston. He and staff have been serving hot and cold apple cider, hot cider donuts and an assortment of local specialty items at the recently-refurbished Bullock Lodge Cider House at Wachusett Mountain. Here, skiers, snowboarders, and hikers are treated to the delectable aroma and taste of tangy apple cider and spice-laced apple cider doughnuts.

Re-opened in 2010, the Bullock Lodge was built in the 1930's as an economic stimulus project by the Civilian Conservation Corps and served as the original base lodge for the ski area. After 50 years of vacancy, this lodge was renovated and is now a showcase for the farm’s local products.

The Bullock Lodge is located on the lower mountain and is generally assessable by advanced and intermediate skiers stopping in during the middle of their runs. It is managed by the Rose Family, and is only accessible by foot, skis and snowboards.

For more information, or to find an Agri-tourism destination such as The Red Apple Farm near you, visit DAR's interactive agri-tourism Google map. 

Try cross country skiing with kids

Bob Greco

Chief of Staff, Department of Fish & Game (DFG)

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I have been downhill skiing with my daughter and son (ages 11 and 7) for several years but was reluctant to introduce them to cross country skiing, worrying that they would find it boring, technically difficult, or get tired too easily.

Toward the end of last February, after talking to a friend of mine who told me how much his kids enjoy cross country skiing, I decided to give it a try.

We rented the kids skis from a cross country ski center, and my wife joined us on her snow shoes. We started out at the top of a small hill at the trailhead. The kids fell down almost immediately trying to gain their balance on the long, thin skis, but they thought it was funny given that it was just a minor incline, and they were used to skiing much steeper slopes on downhill skis.

We skied on mostly flat, groomed trails through fields and woods and along a river. We stopped several times to view ducks on the river, songbirds and playful red squirrels in the forest, and for all-important snack breaks. After about two hours, my son had definitely had enough, but afterwards he said he liked it and both he and my daughter want to go again.

My favorite spots for cross country skiing in Massachusetts include Brooks Woodland Preserve in Petersham (the adjacent North Common Meadow is a great beginner area), the Northfield Mountain Cross Country Ski Area in Northfield, and Castle Hill in Ipswich. I haven’t been cross country skiing in the Berkshires or in southeastern Massachusetts, and am interested in other areas that people might recommend.

Massachusetts has several x-country ski areas where you can rent skis and enjoy groomed trails, while state forests and parks, wildlife management areas and other reservations offer many opportunities. Below are pertinent links from the Department of Conservation and Recreation and others.

Department of Conservation and Recreation cross country skiing locations.

Western Massachusetts Cross Country Ski Area Association.

Massachusetts cross country ski area listings.

Accessible winter activities

Marcy Marchello

Universal Access Program Coordinator, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)

View Marcy's Bio

DCR’s Universal Access Program (UAP) has put together a Winter 2011 schedule with many wonderful adaptive recreation opportunities for people with disabilities and their families and friends to enjoy indoors and out this season.

The activities are held on weekends and some week days in January, February, and March. They include accessible cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, kick sledding, snowmobiling, and ice skating at DCR parks and facilities. For persons with disabilities, free use of accessible equipment such as sit skis and kick sleds, as well as staff assistance, is available. In spring and summer, UAP offers cycling, kayaking, canoeing, rowing, sailing, hiking, horseback riding, letterboxing, bird watching, interpretive programs and more. Skilled instructors and volunteers provide equipment, instruction, and support.

Indoor skating programs will take place at four primary rinks: Cronin Rink in Revere, Asiaf Rink in Brockton, Buffone Rink in Worcester, and the Fitzpatrick Rink in Holyoke. There will also be a special outdoor skating program at the Kelly Rink in Jamaica Plain on Tuesday, February 15, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. In addition, many rinks statewide have seated ice skating sleds for independent use during public skating.

For accessible outdoor winter recreation, visit the Weston Ski Track for adaptive cross-country skiing on most Sundays in February. In western Massachusetts, Wendell State Forest and Mt. Tom State Reservation will host adaptive programs on alternating Saturdays, with activities including ice skating, kicksledding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobile rides. Catch it all at the Winter Festival at Dunn Park in Gardner on Saturday, February 5, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.!

For more information on any of these programs and more, contact Gigi at 617-626-1294 or Marcy at 413-545-5758 or 413-577-2200 (TTY) or visit DCR’s Universal Access Program website for more informaiton. Also, ask about volunteer opportunities. Preregistration is required.

See you other there on the snow and ice!

VIDEO: Cross country skiing in Weston

Lindsey Palatino

Multimedia intern, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs

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Check out my video about my visit to the Weston Ski Track at the Department of Conservation and Recreation's Leo J. Martin Memorial Golf Course in Weston last winter. Hear about why cross country skiing is such a fun and healthy outdoor activity.

PHOTO POST: Liftoff at Blue Hills

Lindsey Palatino

Multimedia intern, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs

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Lindsey took these photographs while attending Winterfest at the Blue Hills Ski Area in Canton on Jan. 16, 2010. Click here for more information about the Blue Hills Ski Area. Click here for more information about the Blue Hills Reservation.

_{RJ Kirby (24) of Marshfield, Massachusetts skis off a jump at the the Blue Hills Ski Area. Kirby was one of the hundreds of skiers who attended the Winterfest, which featured music, skiing and a winter barbque. "It doesn't get much better than having a warm day, soft snow and sunny skies," said Kirby.}

_{Peter Augis (left), owner and founder of the Blue Hills Brewery in Canton, talks with a coworker at the Winterfest event.}