Viking Nordic Center
Viking Nordic Center
4
10:00 AM - 4:00 AM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 AM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 AM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 AM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 AM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 AM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 AM
About
Viking Nordic Center's acclaimed trail system winds through beautiful Vermont countryside, with scenic vistas, past beaver ponds and along the West River. The trails offer something for everyone. Our 27 kilometers of ski trails are groomed for both skate skiing and classic skiing and offer terrain for all abilities. We also offer 4 kilometers of dedicated snowshoe trails. All of our trails are open to fat bikers based on snow conditions. Kids of all ages can search for cookie stations on the trails and claim a sweet reward in our cozy cafe when they've found them all. We also offer night skiing, group and individual lessons, and equipment rentals.
Duration: More than 3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
12 within 3 miles
Attractions
9 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
22 reviews
Excellent
11
Very good
8
Average
0
Poor
3
Terrible
0
bluecricket50
Trumbull, CT35 contributions
Feb 2017 • Family
We visited on a Saturday for President's Day weekend with our family for XC skiing. We rented skis for my 12 yr who is a beginner. Rentals are a good value. Price ranges in 3 categories—adult, student, and youth. It was a warm winter day and the trails were beautiful, well-marked and groomed. There are several green/easy trails with small sloping inclines that are relatively close to the warming hut. There's also a longer easy one, Boyton Run, and several blue and black trails. So, there's a trail for every skill level. We spent from 11 am to 2:30 pm skiing. If you have kids, you can get a "Cookie Card" at the cashier's and punch the card for a free cookie on the trails that you complete. We only found a couple of those punches, unfortunately.
There's also a small cafe that serves sandwiches, soup, apple cider, various drinks, and cookies. Grilled cheese with Cabot cheddar and maple ham was about $5.50. I bit pricey, but it was delicious. The staff was also terrific! If you bring lunch, there are picnic tables and a warming hut where you can eat.
Overall, a wonderful experience with lovely scenic trails that are clearly marked and maintained. Excellent place for families and friends who are learning to the more experienced skier.
There's also a small cafe that serves sandwiches, soup, apple cider, various drinks, and cookies. Grilled cheese with Cabot cheddar and maple ham was about $5.50. I bit pricey, but it was delicious. The staff was also terrific! If you bring lunch, there are picnic tables and a warming hut where you can eat.
Overall, a wonderful experience with lovely scenic trails that are clearly marked and maintained. Excellent place for families and friends who are learning to the more experienced skier.
Written February 20, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JR THE STAR
Brooklyn43 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
Beautiful trials. Patient & knowledgeable staff who are dedicated and experienced. Down-home kind of place run by people who seem to care that you have a good time.
Written January 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter A
Weston, VT152 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
We visited Viking right after 10 inches of fresh snowfall. It was PERFECT ! ! There are plenty of trails, at all skill levels, so the trails are not crowded. The do offer both classic and freestyle (skate) skiing, although some of the latter are fairly narrow.
The family that runs the place are friendly, helpful, and even offer classes or pointers for those in need.
The setting, in southern Vermont's wilderness, cannot be beat. They have 25+ kms of well groomed trails, with varying levels of climbing and descent.
The family that runs the place are friendly, helpful, and even offer classes or pointers for those in need.
The setting, in southern Vermont's wilderness, cannot be beat. They have 25+ kms of well groomed trails, with varying levels of climbing and descent.
Written January 1, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
purebliss1
Boston, MA255 contributions
Jan 2015 • Friends
We had a large group and had called ahead asking if there was a discounted rate for a large group. We were told there would be but when we arrived the discounted rate was higher then the senior rate and they refused to honor the discounted rate for the rest of the group who were not seniors. The credit card machine at the counter was not functioning properly and he insisted every one pay in cash because he didn't to go to the food counter to have to run through the credit cards. We expressed our dissatisfaction with our whole experience with management and were told to provide email addresses and they would send us some kind of compensation for our troubles. It has been 2 months and NOTHING! This business is not to be trusted. As for the trails, most of the grooming on the trails was just barely adequate.
Written March 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I’d like to more completely describe your group’s visit to our cross country ski center. In no way does bait and switch describe what happened; your group was not promised one rate and given another. In fact, your group was given our group discount even though you did not meet the requirements for it. We would have liked to have also given your group the special treatment we give the many groups that visit Viking each winter. However those groups prearrange their visit, which our website very clearly states must be done to receive the group discount.
Prearranging a group visit is the key to having a fun day. It gives us a chance to understand what would make a great visit for your group and how we can best serve you, whether it be by setting rentals aside ahead of time to speed your group through check in, offering a clubhouse to use as a your group’s base that day, or putting together a special lunch or post-ski snack for your group. Some groups rent our night ski course and have parties in our clubhouse. During the prearrangement phone call we go over procedures that apply to groups from where to park a bus to paying as a group, a single transaction for the entire group’s tickets.
Unfortunately, your group never made that key phone call to plan your visit. Instead, less than an hour before the group began arriving we received a short call asking what our group rate was. We did not recognize that the call was from a group that was not pre-arranged until after the caller had hung up. That was our mistake. In hindsight, we should have explained on the phone that we require prior arrangement for a group discount and that we’d try our best to make last second plans for your group and talked the caller through our group check-in procedure which includes making a single group payment, not paying as individuals.
When the first part of the group arrived at our center no one presented themselves as the group leader and offered to make the group purchase of trail passes. Instead, some members of the group individually approached the counter, started to buy trail passes and asked for the group discount. At that point it was not obvious to us that you all were a group, and in fact, at that point your group did not have enough members to qualify for the group discount (10 minimum). Then some members decided that they would rather take the senior discount instead of the group discount, making the group less than 10, even after the others in your group arrived.
It was a confusing situation for members of your group and for our guy handling your check-in. He tried his best to explain our policies but there were many conversations going on and questions being asked. This confusing and frustrating situation does not happen with other groups; they prearrange their visit, outline to their members what is going to happen at the center, what the rate will be, collect the payments from their members ahead and pay as a group. Because they prearrange their visit groups have a wonderful winter day, everything is handled smoothly for a large number of people.
Yes, our credit card machine at that register was not working that morning but it was not the source of the problem; it would not have been a factor had your group been making a single group ticket purchase.
Eventually someone from your group did step forward and make a group purchase of your ski passes. He was given the group discount, 25% off our daily trail pass rate. We do not know how he settled up with the individual members of the group.
The senior discount is clearly stated on our website and yes, it is greater than the group discount. I’m not sure why you feel that is a bad thing. It is certainly not bait and switch. As is typical only one discount can be applied to a purchase.
As for the trail grooming and snow conditions, your group visited before this winter’s epic string of snowstorms and the snow cover was thin, there was not much snow to groom at our center or at others in the region. We have the largest fleet of grooming equipment and the most experienced groomers in our region and our grooming is regularly cited by visitors as excellent.
Our manager did offer to do something extra for your group even though you did receive the group discount. And yes, we have not gotten back to your group yet. Quite honestly we are a bit stumped as for what we could do to make those who left with a bad taste in their mouth feel better because what made your group’s visit different from a group that has a great day is organization on your part.
However, I would like to offer this, if your group makes arrangements before visiting next year (the 2015-16 ski season) by calling us more than 3 days ahead of your visit (a new policy we are putting in place as a result of your visit) we will double the group discount for that one group visit to 50% off our full rate daily trail pass.
I hope you’ll take us up on this offer and come have a great time at Viking.
Written May 2, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
john4ns
Chester, VT94 contributions
Jan 2015 • Family
Viking is the premier XC touring center in southern Vermont. Sweet range of trails for every level of skier, well groomed interesting. Knowledgeable and friendly staff
Written March 21, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ohewett
Newton, MA42 contributions
Dec 2012 • Couples
We had our own snowshoes and embarked on a 2 hour hike. The trails were well marked and the map was helpful. Along the way, there was a warming hut and benches to rest. We were surprised at how quiet it was. We felt like we were in the middle of nowhere (which we loved!). After, we had soup, hot cocoa and an incredible grilled cheese at the little cafe.
Written January 1, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sdeforest
Hilton Head, SC13 contributions
Feb 2011
This place has been in existence for 40 years and offers some of the best cross-country skiing in Vermont. The trails are beautifully maintained, and go through some very picturesque country. The staff is professional and very friendly. They have rental equipment, instruction, a bed and breakfast inn, and cafe with the best cookies ever! I can't say enough about it!
Written June 2, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nelsap
Saratoga Springs, NY44 contributions
Dec 2017 • Solo
This was my first time visiting Viking, and I was very impressed. This is a quintessential Vermont cross country ski area. The trails were well groomed and marked with plenty of variety. Very friendly staff. Tasty homemade soup in the cafe. Look forward to returning.
Written December 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edgar H
New Haven, CT35 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
The Viking Nordic Center is our favorite cross country skiing place in Southern Vermont. It is in a nice landscape, with some trails as loops in the forest but also pieces in open landscape. The center is well-staffed and includes a cafe in which you can buy hot apple cider and other goodies. For children, they have cookie cutter punch cards, which bring the kids searching for the cookie cutters on the trail to get a cookie as a reward. All age groups are represented. We have found the conditions somewhat variable. The trails are well suited for beginning and intermediate skiers. For skating, the trails are a little to soft and curvy, lacking stretches where one can gain the speed that is so much fun.
Written April 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kath3kids
West Islip, NY48 contributions
Jan 2013 • Family
Beautifully maintained snow
helpful staff
We snowshoed but it is also a cross country ski center
Lovely
helpful staff
We snowshoed but it is also a cross country ski center
Lovely
Written June 3, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Do you need reservations to rent and ski for a group of 4?
Written February 1, 2018
PeterVNCowner
Londonderry, Vermont
Hi, thanks for your interest in coming to Viking.
No you do not need reservations for a group of 4 although it's always a good idea to call the center before coming to get the latest ski conditions, 802-824-3933.
Written February 2, 2018
Showing results 1-1 of 1
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing