At the Sibley Lake and Cutler Hill Nordic Trails, we encourage trail use for classic and skate skiing, snowshoeing, and fat biking. Sharing the trail and making sure the trails continue to be accessible for all these uses takes cooperation and consideration.

Respect the Tracks

First, no matter how you’re getting around on the trails, respect the tracks! Your volunteer groomers work hard to prepare the base and carefully set tracks for classic skiing. Walking, snowshoeing, skate skiing, or biking over the tracks just isn’t cool. Don’t be that guy.
Speaking of walking, while hiking on the groomed trails may not seem that much different than snowshoeing, snowshoes and skis spread out your weight and keep you from “post-holing” your way up the trails. Footprints even a few inches deep can be impossible to remove with grooming equipment and can actually present a hazard to a skier coming downhill and hitting one of these divots. Please don’t hike on the trails.

Additional Pointers

  • Keep single file on two-way trails
  • Downhill skiers have the right of way
  • Always ski in control
  • When approaching others from behind politely call “trail” or “on your left”
  • Yield to skiers who overtake you
  • If you fall, move off of the trail quickly and fill in your imprint
  • When stopped, step to the side, out of the tracks
  • Move off of the trail to allow grooming equipment to pass (and remember, groomers love cookies!)
  • Help support trail grooming at Sibley Lake and Cutler ski areas by becoming a member of Black Mountain Nordic Club!
Fat Bike Etiquette
We’re happy to welcome our fat biking cohorts to the trails, and we appreciate our friends at Sheridan Bicycle Company who encourage trail stewardship and responsible use. Here are a few pointers for making sure our trails continue to support mixed use:
  • Stay off the tracks (see above).
  • If you’re leaving a rut, turn around.
  • Use tires wide enough to keep you afloat (typically 3.8″ or wider).
  • Adjust your air pressure to the conditions.
  • Don’t ride on a freshly-groomed trail – give them time to harden up.
  • Don’t “post hole” your way (walking your bike) up the trail – see above).
  • Avoid thawing conditions.
  • Make sure fat bikes are allowed on the trail you’re riding.
Maintenance of the Sibley Lake and Cutler Hill Nordic Trails is provided by volunteer groomers with equipment purchased and maintained with your Black Mountain Nordic Club membership dues and additional donations. BMNC groomers volunteer over 500 hours each year to keep the trails ready for use. Thank you for respecting their efforts by practicing good trail etiquette!