High Point Cross Country Ski Center - Only about 1.5 hours' drive from NYC and located in New Jersey's High Point State Park, in the northwestern corner of the state. It's fairly high up, so catches a good amount of snow. However, like the Poconos across the Delaware River, thaw/freeze cycles are common, so conditions can be variable. Good for a day after a snowstorm when you can dash out of the city to get some skiing in. Ski shop, rentals, lessons available.
Inn at Starlight Lake (Starlight, PA) - An Inn that has snowshoe/XC ski trails. Offers ski rentals. Other activities include ice skating or ice fishing on the lake. Lodging and dining. Located just inside PA from Hancock, NY (accessible from NY-17). There's very little information on their website about the skiing there, so I'd contact them first to make sure it's to your liking.
Crystal Lake Ski & Outdoor Center (Hughesville, PA) - 30 km trail system, most of which is machine-groomed. Ski shop with rentals. Located about 50 miles west of the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre area, about 30 miles east of Williamsport.
Fahnestock Winter Park (Putnam Co., NY) - Fahnestock Winter Park is a bustling little Nordic center within Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park. The Winter Park's location only a couple hours' drive north of the city makes it extremely popular on those few weekends with both good snow and nice weather. The trail system is interesting and large enough for a day's wandering on skis. The grooming is very good. There are ski rentals, but get there early if you don't want to stand in a long line. There are many hiking trails that follow woods roads leading off the designated ski trails, which can be excellent for skiing if the snow's deep enough.
Minnewaska State Park (Shawangunk Ridge) - This state park used to be something of a secret, but that's all over now. Minnewaska has become extremely popular with skiers from the NYC metro area and Hudson Valley. The 'trails' are mostly the carriage roads on which patrons used to drive their cars to take in the scenery. That means the skiing is easy, on very wide trails with smooth surfaces. It's perfect for a full day of leisurely cross country skiing, or for skate skiers looking to do laps in a beautiful setting. The grooming keeps getting better, and is equal to commercial nordic centers. The trail network is vast and the scenery is very beautiful. Highly recommended, but on the weekends you better get there early or the parking lots will fill up on you. No equipment rentals.
Mohonk Preserve (Shawangunk Ridge) - This is a private reserve next door to Minnewaska SP up on the Shawangunk Ridge. Its trails are on wide and smooth carriage roads, which are easy to ski. There are some interesting buildings, notably Skytop, the tower that sits on the highest point on the Shawangunk Ridge. The trails are chock full of beautiful views. Has a good ski shop with rentals.
XC SKI RENTALS - Rock and Snow in New Paltz rents XC ski gear.
Mountain Trails Cross Country Ski Center (Tannersville, NY)
Bearpen Mountain (Prattsville, NY) - Bearpen Mt is up by the northern border of the Catskill Park. The area does tend to catch a good amount of snow. Bearpen Mt used to be home to a downhill ski area, but that closed years ago. It's great to see this new Nordic center opening there. I hope it does very well.
SUNY Delhi Golf Course (Delhi, NY) - The State University of New York (SUNY) at Delhi has its own golf course. The school grooms the snow to provide cross country skiing, open to the public and free of charge. Delhi is located in the northwestern Catskills, on NY-28 northwest of Margaretville.
There aren't many commercial Nordic centers in the Catskills. For the most part, the best cross country skiing is in areas in the Forest Preserve with DEC ski trails and/or mountain bike trails. You'll want classic-technique equipment or even 'backcountry' Nordic gear. However, skis with metal edges are only required if there's hardpacked or icy snow. Unfortunately, that's most of the time. It would be a rare day when conditions would be suitable for skate skis (but that does happen once in a while). See the NORDIC BACKCOUNTRY pages for gear suggestions.
Some wilderness trails suitable for moderate skiing are:
Rochester Hollow - Woods road leads gently (but somewhat relentlessly) up to a lean-to. There are mountain bike trails going off the main trail which could be good for more advanced-level skiing. Located off NY-28 not far from Belleayre.
Kelly Hollow Ski Trail - Hiking trail loop designated as a ski trail for winter use. There's a lean-to on a beaver pond a couple miles in from the trailhead.
Elm Ridge Mountain Bike Trails - These mountain bike trails are good for relaxed skiing, and this area catches a good amount of snow. The climb up and ski back down the Escarpment Trail is not for the faint of heart, but the trail makes wide switchbacks, and the ground is relatively smooth (by Catskills standards). For parking, use the Escarpment Trail northern terminus located on NY-23 east of Windham.
Dry Brook Ridge Trail from Millbrook Road - Leaving south from Millbrook Road, take a classic Catskills ski tour with an optional side trip up/down Balsam Lake Mt, which has a jeep trail leading to its summit. (The ski back down the jeep trail is advanced. The ski down from the summit on the hiking trail past the lean-to is expert terrain.) If you head north from Millbrook Road on the Dry Brook Ridge Trail you'll find more challenging backcountry skiing with rougher terrain (quite skiable with deep enough snow cover).
Phoenicia-East Branch Trail West - When there's a deep enough base to cover up the small streams that form in this eroded old woods road, this becomes a first-class Nordic backcountry ski route. If the snow cover on the main trail up Slide Mt isn't too ripped up by snowshoers and bare-booters, you can ski to Slide's summit and make turns on the way down, if you have the skills and energy.
Lapland Lake (Upper Benson, NY) - A favorite of NYC metro area skiers because it gets good snow, is located in nice Adirondack forest and has a lovely pond, and isn't too distant a destination. The trails are pretty tame, and you do feel like you're skiing around in circles, but the grooming is absolutely top-notch and the trails are interesting enough. The ski shop is excellent, rentals and lessons too.
Garnet Hill Outdoor Center (North River, NY) - Another favorite of NYC metro skiers because of its location close to the Adirondack Northway, Garnet Hill gets good snow, has a lot of tough trails, and is in pretty Adirondack woods. Ski shop with rentals. The Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area is right next door, with miles of wilderness (ungroomed) ski trails. Ski shop, rentals, lessons.
North Creek Ski Bowl (Gore Mt, North Creek, NY) - 5 km FIS-certified nordic trail network. Night skiing too. There are a handful of trails that go off into the backcountry from here.
ADK Cascade Welcome Center (Lake Placid, NY) - Nice trail system, first-rate ski shop with rentals. Lodging available there too. Run by the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK). Ski shop, rentals.
Van Hoevenberg Sports Center (Lake Placid, NY) - Now with loops featuring man-made snow, the Mt Van Hoevenberg ski trails are first-rate, including FIS certified race trails. The area often has good snow. Run by the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA). Ski shop, rentals, lessons.
Paul Smiths Visitors Interpretive Center (Paul Smiths, NY) - Run by Paul Smith's College, the "VIC" has a beautiful network of trails leading through exquisite forests and wetlands. The grooming is good, but the real attraction is the natural setting and interesting trails with views over ponds and wetlands to distant mountains. The snow is often very good too. No ski shop, but the gift shop sells ski waxes, scrapers, etc. Highly recommended.
Fern Mountain Recreation Park (Inlet, NY) - 22 km of groomed trails. Maintained by the Town of Inlet, open to the public, free of charge. Night skiing too. No ski shop.
Osceola-Tug Hill XC Ski Center (Osceola, NY) - New owners are keeping Osceola-Tug Hill alive! Full service ski shop with rentals and lessons. Highly recommended. A small operation that's worthy of your support.
Osceola Ski & Sport Resort (Osceola, NY) - Located just a few miles down the road from the Osceola-Tug Hill XC Ski Center, this new Nordic center opened for the 2020-21 season. Now there are TWO groomed trail Nordic centers to choose from in the heart of the Tug Hill region! This new center has two trail systems, one north of the road, the other south of the road.
BREIA - Black River Environmental Improvement Association (Boonville, NY) - Funded by an endowment, several trail systems around Boonville offer groomed trails that are open to the public at no charge. No rentals. Recommended.
Pineridge XC Ski Center (Petersburgh, NY) - Flying under the radar, this little Nordic center located east of Albany, NY is in an area at 1500 to 1750 ft elevation that often catches snow coming down the Mohawk Valley from Lake Ontario. 35km of groomed trails and night skiing too. Ski shop, rentals, lessons.
Canterbury Farm (Becket, MA) - 22 km of ski trails, ski shop with rentals and lessons. Bed & Breakfast lodging.
Notchview (Windsor, MA) - 25 miles of trails; about half are groomed and track-set for classic XC, about 5 miles groomed for skate skiing. Ski rentals typically sell out on weekends. Lessons available.
Maple Corner Farm (Granville, MA) - 20 km of groomed trails, ski shop with rentals and lessons.
Northfield Mountain (Northfield, MA) - 25 miles of groomed trails, including an advanced trail with 800 ft elevation gain.
Stump Sprouts (Hawley, MA) - 25 km of groomed trails in the relatively snowy NE Berkshires.
Prospect Mountain (Woodford, VT) - A favorite among skiers from the NYC metro area because it gets great snow and is within a reasonable driving distance. Low-key, no-frills skiing. The warming cabin is nice, and the ski shop is good too, rentals available. Was once a small downhill ski area, so has some pretty serious 'telemark' slopes. Faces west, though, so the big slopes are often wind-battered and/or sun-baked.
Wild Wings Ski & Yoga (Peru, VT) - Located in the Green Mts National Forest, in the general vicinity of the Bromley ski resort, north on VT-11, but still west of Londonderry, VT. Has a rental shop and warming hut. The Peru Peak Wilderness area is immediately to its west.
Viking Nordic Center (Londonderry, VT) - 26 km of groomed and track-set trails located a 5-minute drive from the Magic Mt ski area, in the village of Londonderry, VT.
Blueberry Hill Outdoor Center (Goshen, VT) - Deep in the Green Mt National Forest, north of Goshen, VT. Operates on donations. Classic low-key Vermont destination. Limited rentals, so it's best if you bring your own skis.
Rikert Nordic Center (Ripton, VT) - Located off VT-125 north of Killington, just down the road from the Middlebury College Snow Bowl. Large 55+ km trail system and full service rental shop. Lessons available.
Bolton Valley Nordic and Backcountry - The Nordic center is on the small side, but has good grooming and trails. Bolton Valley Nordic is right on the Catamount Trail leading up to the Bolton-Trapp Trail. Backcountry trails join up with off-piste runs coming off the alpine resort area. Rentals and lessons available.
Trapp Family Lodge - The grande dame of northeastern Nordic centers. Has expanded its lodging business to the point that it sometimes eclipses its famous nordic trail system, but it's still a really fine nordic center. First-class ski shop with rentals and lessons.
Stowe Cross Country Ski Center (a.k.a. "Mansfield") - Extensive trail system links up with the Trapp system as well as great backcountry trails around the lower reaches of Mount Mansfield. Rentals and lessons.
Craftsbury Outdoor Center - 20 km trail system includes a loop with man-made snow. Ski shop, rentals, lessons.
Jackson XC Ski Center - Just down the road from the Pinkham Notch Visitors Center and Joe Dodge Lodge. One of the classic Nordic centers in the Northeast.
Waterville Valley Adventure Center - 70+ km of trails.