Winter at Borderland

Borderland State Park is open all winter, 8 am to 4 pm by DCR's winter listing, and it's a good place to cross-country ski, snowshoe or sled when there's snow. DCR's trail map shows the old unpaved roads that serve as bridle trails in summer as skiing trails in winter, and calls the 1.25-mile Northwest Trail "good for cross-country skiing." Bring your own gear; DCR publishes no grooming, rentals or snow report for Borderland. The parking fee ($5 / $20) applies in winter too.

Cross-Country Skiing

DCR lists cross-country skiing among Borderland's activities, and its trail map uses one line style for the routes that switch use with the seasons: unpaved roads and bridle trails in summer, skiing trails in winter. These are the wide carriage and farm roads, including the Pond Walk around Leach Pond. The Northwest Trail, which runs 1.25 miles from the north shore of Leach Pond to Massapoag Avenue in Sharon, is the one DCR singles out as gently sloping and good for skiing.

Leave the rocky footpaths to the snowshoers. The Ridge Trail crosses granite outcrops that DCR calls difficult walking in places, the Granite Hills Trail is rocky, and narrow trails like the Pond Edge Trail have exposed roots.

Snowshoeing and Winter Walks

DCR doesn't list snowshoeing separately, but the trails stay open to hikers all winter. A good first outing is DCR's winter Trip-Tip for Borderland, a tree-identification hunt on the roughly 3-mile Pond Walk loop. Start at the visitor center, follow the signs to the Lodge, cross the wooden bridge, pass the farmhouse and return by the Ames Mansion, looking for six winter trees: shagbark hickory, Atlantic white cedar, yellow birch, eastern white pine, gray birch and American beech. DCR says to allow at least 90 minutes. Around the mansion, look for planted ornamental trees you won't find in the woods, including a 'Blanche Ames' crabapple planted in 2020. Route details are on the hiking page.

Sledding

DCR's management plan lists sledding and tubing among Borderland's activities, and the Friends of Borderland list sledding too. Neither names an official hill, but the disc golf club gives a clue: when there's snow, it marks an out-of-bounds road on hole 17 "to ensure the safety of sledders" on hole 17. If you play winter disc golf, respect that line.

Ice

The Friends of Borderland mention ice skating among the park's activities, but DCR doesn't list skating for Borderland and publishes no ice conditions. Treat the ponds as unsafe unless you can confirm conditions yourself, and never go out alone.

Getting In After a Storm

DCR's management plan lays out the plowing order after snow: Bay Road from Massapoag Avenue to the maintenance garage and the mansion first, then the park entrance, main lot and visitor center, then the dirt road to the mansion and the stretch of Borderland Road to Bay Road. In heavy snow that last stretch may not get cleared. Give staff time after a big storm, and call (508) 238-6566 if you're unsure the lot is open. See parking.

Winter Tips

• Mind the early close. With 8 am to 4 pm hours, be heading back by mid-afternoon; the lots are locked overnight.
• Dress in layers. DCR's winter guidance is to limit your time in low temperatures.
• Bring water and a snack; there's a fountain at the visitor center but nothing on the trails.
• Carry the DCR map. Snow hides blazes, and DCR says some trails aren't well marked.
• Leashed dogs are welcome in winter too, and still must be picked up after (dogs).

Cross-Country Skiing in Massachusetts

DCR publishes no groomed tracks, rentals or ski lodge for Borderland, so expect natural snow. That makes it a good choice for touring skiers who live south of Boston and want an easy outing on wide, gently rolling carriage roads, and less of one for anyone who wants set tracks.

Good For / Maybe Skip If

• Good for touring skiers on wide carriage roads and the gently sloping Northwest Trail.
• Good for families: a winter tree hunt on the Pond Walk, and sledding.
• Maybe skip if you want groomed tracks or rentals; DCR publishes neither for Borderland.
• Maybe skip on thin, icy snow; walk the carriage roads instead of the rocky ridge trails.