Ski Center Status

We are OPEN for skiing and snowshoeing.  Ski service and an opportunity to purchase new and used ski equipment will be available. (Please email  <hans@xcskihighpoint.com> for more details.)

6:00 am, Monday, 15 December 2025:

The 6" of new snow that fell over night is enough for skiing on the Cedar Swamp and Scenic View trails. We will groom the Steenykill trail tomorrow. Temperatures are currently 12 F. (https://www.njweather.org/station/1030). We have a base of crusted snow and a layer of fresh packed powder on top.   

We have an overstock of new ski equipment and offer 10% off, and for demo ski equipment 20% off.  There is a mix of basic touring equipment with fish scale and skins in the grip zone, waxable basic touring, both classic and skate equipment for citizen racers, and miscellaneous back country gear. 

GOOMING FACTS:  Most of our grooming is done with a four wheeler with tracks and a drag-behind-unit with two track setters and a scarifier to break up hard packed snow.  Our large snow groomer has a tiller and track setters.  The large groomer does a better job, but needs more snow depth. Correct timing for grooming takes many variables into consideration like temperature, wind, sun exposure, new snow, old snow, ice, amount of traffic, freezing rain, etc.  Usually 12"+ of snow is needed to use the larger/heavier "grooming machines",  and 6"+ is needed to use the lighter "4-wheeler groomer".  When there is less snow cover (4-5"), but skiers are desperate to get out we will pack snow with a roller.  Check out this YouTube video from Oslo, Norway to see what we long for:  <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SnabEqcuPg>  (Set the closed captioned/subtitles in settings to "English".)

Keep in mind usually your local weather may be warmer with no snow on the ground.  High Point temperatures at higher elevations average 10 F colder than i.e. New York City, and 5 F colder than the local towns.  Click on the Rutgers' weather station link above or below to see current temperatures right by the highest point in New Jersey.    

We cannot take reservations for our services in the State park due to limited parking (about 240 cars).  On busy weekends we can run out of parking by 10 am.  All our services are "first come first serve" in the ski lodge. All credit cards are accepted with the transaction fee of 3.99% charged to the customer.  The parking lot closest to the lodge is for 80 cars, and parking for handicapped skiers ONLY (i.e. wheelchair) is right outside the lodge.  You may opt to drop off before going to the overflow p-lot you passed on your way into the park, located by the old ski lodge with room for an additional 160 cars. A good idea is to ski during the week, or on Wednesday nights with smaller crowds.

The operation is now based out of the new ski lodge, (Interpretive/Nature Center).  Park and walk up the driveway to the lodge for trail passes, rentals, lessons, cafeteria, resale and ski services. Operational floor space has increased compared to the old ski lodge we used for the first 22 years since 1995.  Please read all signs and follow directions. Bring backpacks to enjoy snacks and drinks while on the trails.

Season passes are good from last season due to lack of snow, and we will always honor those passes if the previous season  falls short of 30 days of operation.  (We were open for 46 days and 31 days two and three seasons ago on natural snow).  With new snowmaking we count on increasing our days of operation during winters to come.  We will be open for night skiing on Wednesdays again, and would be interested in working with local ski teams to host a night race. Bring your headlamp or rent one in the lodge. Ski packages with NNN or Prolink are for sale including skis, bindings, boots, and poles. Email us with interest in purchases of ski equipment:  <hans@xcskihighpoint.com>. It's a mix of Whitewoods, Salomon, Fischer, Madshus, and Swix equipment.

Thank you for making High Point Cross Country Ski Center your ski destination, and feel free to share any of your favorite photos by emailing <hans@xcskihighpoint.com>. Best, Hans

Weather Stations & SnoCams (Click on the links below)

High Point Monument (1803' elevation weather station)

Ski Lodge (SnoCam temporarily down waiting for new phone lines)