Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center
Northfield Mountain is a pumped storage facility owned and operated by FirstLight. Northfield offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities as well as an extensive array of environmental and recreation programs. We are a four-season recreation facility situated along a beautiful sweep of mountainside, with satellite facilities conveniently located along a 7-mile stretch of the Connecticut River.
99 Millers Falls Road, Northfield, MA 01360 Get directions
Upcoming Events
Bats! With Wildlife Biologist, Jacques Veilleux
Thursday, April 9th 6:00 – 7:30 This is a free talk and no registration is required.
This presentation will focus on conservation issues related to our regional bats – specifically those species that hibernate in our caves and mine. White-nose Syndrome (WNS) is a wildlife disease which has resulted in a dramatic decline in the number of bats present across much of the United States and Canada. In New Hampshire, the population of hibernating bats declined by nearly 100% within two years of the introduction of the disease, and similar reductions have occurred in Massachusetts. The talk will focus on the general habitats of our local bat species, the effects of WNS, and recent research focusing on New Hampshire bats during the pre-hibernation period (September through November), and whether NH bats might be hibernating in New Hampshire, outside of the ‘typical’ hibernation sites (i.e. the historical mines that served as wintering sites for NH bats).
Jacques Veilleux is a wildlife biologist and has served as Professor of Biology and Environmental Science & Policy at Franklin Pierce University since 2003. He is a mammalogist, with a research focus on the biology of bats. He serves as the lead biologist in surveys of the hibernating population of bats in New Hampshire for the NH Fish and Game Department.
The Reptile Nook Returns with Adaptations!
Saturday, April 11th, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Learn about unique adaptations that help reptiles survive, communicate, and more, in the wild. This is a free program and no registration is required. Takes place in the Northfield Mountain Auditorium.
Northfield Mountain Monthly Hike
Thursday, April 16th from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m
Come and take a hike on the trails of Northfield Mountain. Great for retirees or adults with a flexible schedule. The hiking is moderate with elevation gains of 300 feet. Pre-registration is required at www.bookeo.com/northfield
Kid’s Nature Art with Deborah Bazer: May Baskets!
Saturday, April 18th, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Join us for a free art event for children, ages 4-10. We’ll use natural materials as well as traditional art supplies, while listening to stories and music to help inspire our art. In coordination with Northfield Recreation Commission, which offers recreational activities for the town of Northfield, MA. Pre-registration is required at www.bookeo.com/northfield
Beaver Pond Wildlife with Naturalist, David Brown
Thursday, April 23rd, 6:00 -7:30 p.m. This is a free talk and no registration is required.
Beavers often get bad press for cutting trees and flooding lowlands. However, the habitats they create with their impoundments become magnets for wildlife. This video-based program will explore many of the birds, mammals and other wild animals that benefit from the beavers’ work.
David Brown spent over a decade observing and recording while hidden on the banks of various beaver ponds in New England.
Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center maintain 26 miles of trails that offer excellent year-round activities
Cross Country Skiing
Thank you all for an amazing 2025/26 season! We are now closed for skiing and snowshoeing.
Northfield Mountain has more than 25 miles of trails designed specifically for cross-country skiing and groomed for both classical and free-style skiing. Our trails offer some of the finest Nordic skiing in the region, from beginner trails to the demanding 800-foot vertical climb of Tenth Mountain Trail. Hikers, dogs and other pets are excluded from our trails during the ski season.
Hours of Operation: The trails will be groomed and opened to skiing and snowshoeing when there is adequate snow cover, Wednesday – Sunday, 9:00 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.
Please note that our parking lot CLOSES at 4:30. Please return gear by 4:15 so we can ensure this.
Our ski shop phone number is 413-659-4458, it is available Wed-Sun from 9-4:30
What you need to know for the 2025-26 season
When snow cover is sufficient, trails at the center will be groomed as needed. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and fat biking will be allowed for all guests with a valid trail ticket. At times when snow cover is absent, too icy, thin, or inconsistent for skiing, the trails may be opened for hiking, walking, and studded fat bikes. Visitors can get information about trail conditions and allowed activities by visiting FirstLight’s Northfield Mountain Trail Report, Facebook, or the Western Mass Cross Country Ski Areas Association.
- Ski and snowshoe rentals will be available daily this season. We will not be offering seasonal rentals.
- Trail pass and equipment rental transactions will be purchased in the ski shop by credit card only.
- Dogs are allowed on Wednesdays in February as long as they are leashed!
Trail Fees and Rental Equipment
2025-26 Daily Ski and Snowshoe Rental Rates
Ski and Snowshoe Rentals
Snowshoes, and a limited number of skis, boots, and poles will be available for day rental this season when conditions permit us to open the trails for skiing.
Payment will be accepted by credit card only.
Snowshoeing
More than six miles of trails are reserved exclusively for snowshoeing. The trails meander through scenic sections of the mountain, with great views from Rose Ledges. Free snowshoe trail tickets must be picked up at the ski shop before heading out. Please see our price chart above if you need to rent snowshoes.
Fat Biking
A pass is required when we are open for skiing. Tire size must be larger than 3.5″ and tire pressure must be less than 10 psi. Exit trails if your tire creates ruts more than one inch in depth. Please do not walk on groomed trails. Always check trail report below before heading out.
Grooming
Northfield Mountain can take on the largest blizzard or the lightest dusting of snow with their fleet of grooming vehicles. The trails receive regular grooming–usually in the early morning, with tracks set for classical skiing and areas groomed flat for skating.
Maps and Guides
If you are heading out to the trails, feel free to download our trail map. We also posted the map to the Visitor Center doors if you would like to take a photo of it when you’re at the site.
Download Trail Map
Rose Ledge Guide
Hidden Quarry Guide
Hiking
Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center maintain 26 miles of trails that offer excellent hiking in warmer months, May through November. In order to preserve the integrity of the trails, hiking is not permitted once the ski season begins, or during spring mud season. The wide carriage-width trails that make up most of the trail system are designed for cross-country skiing. Additionally, there are 6.0 mi. of traditional hiking trails that wind past streams, hemlock groves, old rock quarries, and the striking Rose Ledge cliffs. Below are links to our trail map, trail report, and trail guides for the Rose Ledge Trail and the Hidden Quarry Trail.
Please enjoy the trails and respect other hikers. We also ask that you please keep your dogs on a leash and pick up after them.
The Visitor Center restrooms are always open! Just enter through our lounge on the 2nd level.
Sign up here for our monthly Enewsletter to stay up to date with events and information.
Maps and Guides
If you are heading out to the trails, feel free to download our trail map. We also posted the map to the Visitor Center doors if you would like to take a photo of it when you’re at the site.
Download Trail Map
Rose Ledge Guide
Hidden Quarry Guide
Facility Rentals
Pavilion
Fee: $300 plus a refundable $150 cleaning/damage deposit fee for exclusive use of our post and beam pavilion and adjacent lawns along the Connecticut River*.
Please note: If a large tent is to be set up and removed on the nearby grounds, the Pavilion must be rented on the days before and after the event. Contact us for three-day rental discounts and information.
To reserve, please email us at recreation@firstlight.energy or call 1-413-659-4426.
- Available Wednesday through Sunday, 8:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Memorial Day weekend through Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
- Maximum group size is 100 people. The 8 picnic tables in the Pavilion seat 64.
- Swimming and beaching or anchoring of any watercraft on the riverbank is not permitted.
- There are two 110 volt/20 amp outlets under the serving table with GFI protection. Disabled guests will find the service entrance most convenient. All others should use the Pavilion parking area directly off Pine Meadow Road.
- Disabled guests will find the service entrance most convenient. All others should use the Pavilion parking area directly off Pine Meadow Road.
*Address of the Pavilion is 156 Pine Meadow Road. From the Visitor Center at 99 Millers Falls Road in Northfield, head north on Route 63 and it is the first left onto Ferry Road. At the bottom of this short road, turn right onto Pine Meadow Road and the Pavilion parking lot is on the left. Please share the address and directions with your guests.
Yurt
Fee: $100 with a refundable $100 cleaning/damage deposit fee. Located behind the Visitor Center.
- Available between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
- Maximum group size is 30 people.
- A pellet stove keeps the yurt warm in any season. Limited electricity is provided.
Visitor Center Auditorium
Fee: $150 with a refundable $100 cleaning/damage deposit fee for large indoor meeting room in our Visitor Center.
Available between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. April through October.
Maximum group size is 60 seated in rows.
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT USE OF ALCOHOL IS NOT PERMITTED IN YURT OR AUDITORIUM.
Questions? Email us at recreation@firstlight.energy or call 413-659-4426.
With some changes to amenities and procedures, the natural beauty of the Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center trails remain a refreshing and invigorating place to visit for outdoor winter recreation.
