grafton ponds outdoor center

Now THIS is Vermont! In the summer, swim, ride your bikes, hike, stop to photograph and enjoy the beauty. In the winter, cross country ski, ice skate, snowshoe, tubing down a snowy hill, and when done sit by the fire in the main office. You can rent skis and other seasonal equipment here. All in the super Vermont town of Grafton. Fun for everyone in your group or family. Don't miss it.

Grafton Ponds offers a whole array of outdoor actives including, snow tubing, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and dog sledding. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. For a family of 5 we paid $30.00 to snow tube (U5 is free, for several of the activities). We visited on a chilly day and many of the area actives were closed, but Grafton was open. While we had a great time tubing, and stayed for about an hour, it's worth mentioning that they do NOT have a magic carpet, and you do have to walk you tubes up. This may be too strenuous for some.

This is a great place for cross-country skiing as well as snow-shoeing. It is good for beginners to the more advanced with many trails. There is even tubing.

Even though there was no one working at the place we asked at the Grafton Inn if it would be ok for my husband and son to go mountain biking on their trails. The said that would be fine. They enjoyed the ride but did find that several trails were not marked very well. I relaxed with my chair and book next to the pond and was very content. Very quiet and pleasant!

Depending on the season, this is wonderful for cross country skiing or hiking. If you stay at Grafton Inn, there is no fee unless you have to rent equipment.

We had skied out at Grafton Ponds years ago. What a joy to be back now two years in a row and enjoy the lovely trails in the hills and fields. The staff was cautious and helpful and we think those folks taking in snowshoeing and the families snow tubing were enjoying themselves also.It was great to see so many people out and having fun on a lovely winter day.

Trails are well groomed with clear grooves and flat areas. Variety of trail levels, with plenty of "blue" options. (If other sites are dry, they always have something open because they will make their own snow, if ncessary.) I'd like them to improve directional signs on trails, so you don't have to take out the trail map so often. People who work in the main house are always helpful. Food is no longer "self serve," which I preferred. But you can still bring your own, as most do. My husband and I took a cross-country lesson this time, which was definitely helpful to each of us, even though it was his first time in ten years and I have been at it every year.

The tubing hill was short and fast, but very thrilling. The path back to the top was icy and steep, and I found it a little hard to climb. We would have spent more time there if the path had been cleared a bit more. It was fun to watch the skiers making laps.

Due to the warm weather and rain preceding our trip, there wasn't enough snow on the trails for xcountry skiing. We were, however, able to ski around the front fields. It was snowing when we were there and even with the limited skiing area, there was enough space and views for everyone to enjoy the day!

We visited Grafton ponds to X country ski with our kids in Early December. Unfortunately, when we went, there was almost no natural snow base, so the trails were not open. However they do make snow here, and they had a wide track open out front for skiers. We had traveled far, it was our first time X-country skiing as a family... The man there must have taken pity on us and he gave us our rentals for free! We skied here with our two kids, 3 and 5 years old, and yes, they had very tiny boots and skis to accommodate both of our children. Although we were limited to the track out front, the scenery was beautiful and that level area turned out to be the perfect area for our kids to learn and practice on. We hope to go again some day!

In the summer, made for a great place to run and hike. Extremely close to the Grafton Inn and picturesque scenery.

I have been to Grafton Ponds several times, with the most recent being Nov. 4th, 2012. My girlfriends and I had the pleasure of a beautiful hike which ended with wine, cheese and fabulous conversation will Bill, our guide, in front of a toasty warm fire. They have hikes every Sat. changing over to snowshoe hikes come snowfall. It is a beautiful peaceful place not to be missed. Great X-country skiing and tubing for the whole family. They have ski and snowshoe rentals right in the cabin by the pond. The staff is WONDERFUL! Be sure to venture into town and check out the historic Grafton Inn, Grafton Cheese shop and Mac's Restaurant. If a great day outdoors, set in a quintessential Vermont town is what you seek, this place is for you!

With some of the nicest people, most beautiful hikes and trails, you can't beat Grafton Ponds. If ski-ing, biking or hiking isn't your thing, bring a camera. They had the best snow for x-country in all VT in '12 and the foliage in Fall '12 is looking likely to be one of the best years ever.

GREAT staff and unbelievable scenery! My husband proposed on one of the trails and it is place i will never forget!

quiet Good hiking or picnic spotA great taste of Vermont!