Brooklyn residents don't have to travel to Vermont to put some miles on those Nordic skis in a memorable setting. You want picturesque? Brooklyn's got picturesque. Just be prepared to take your skis to where the sights are.
There are no groomed trails. And you can't rent cross-country skis or get tips on your telemark technique, either. But for the DIY cross-country skier, here are four favorite places in Brooklyn for cross-country skiing with a view, along with ideas of where to nosh afterwards while savoring the sights.
On the other hand, if you're a beginner, try these easy, wide open, flat areas.
1. CROSS COUNTRY SKI IN RED HOOK NEAR IKEA: GREAT VISTAS BUT NEED A CAR (OR SKIS!)
There are lots of wide open spaces, not to mention spectacular vistas, in Red Hook. You can ski in huge circles in the five ball fields that belong to the Red Hook Recreation Center, and then ski over to Fairway for a hot coffee and snack.
Or, head to Brooklyn's IKEA for some cafeteria food.
You'll need a car to get to the Red Hook ballfields. Unless, or course, you ski there and back!
2. CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING IN BROOKLYN HEIGHTS: SHORT, SWEET & WINDY
The Brooklyn Heights Promenade is short, wind-swept, and offers gorgeous views of Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty and NY Harbor. It's less than a half-mile long, so you won't exactly get a huge work out. But it's pretty — and after you can treat yourself to hot chocolate on Montague Street.
3. CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING IN PROSPECT PARK: PRETTY VISTAS, PLENTY OF ROOM
It's gorgeous to cross country ski in Prospect Park. You can explore almost all of the 500-plus acre park on skis. Just make sure you know where you want to get out, as the park is large.
Enter at any point. Cut your own trail! There are always a few other cross-country skiers out (though more sledders than skiers).
Prospect Park is near to Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Windsor Terrace, Prospect Park South, and Flatbush among others. It's bounded by Prospect Park West, Flatbush Avenue, Parkside Avenue and Ocean Avenue.
There are several year-round bathrooms in Prospect Park: near the Lincoln Road and Ocean Avenue entrances, at the Picnic House and Third Street playground.
Apres-ski, head to 7th Avenue for hot chocolate.
4. CROSS-COUNTRY SKI ON CONEY ISLAND BOARDWALK OR BEACH: COLD & IFFY, BUT FUN
Adventurous souls can hop on the subway, cross country skis and all, and head toward Coney Island for a brisk Atlantic Ocean-side ski down the boardwalk. But do this at your own risk; you have to get there before the plows do!
Apres-ski: Warm up with a pizza or hot dog, or ski right down to Brighton Beach for a strudel or bowl of borscht. Then hop on the subway and head home.
