Brookhaven Winter Park will now offer Nordic ski and snowshoe rentals from a new winter shop onsite. The shop will be open from Thursday through Sunday and is located in the Pro Shop space at the clubhouse at 333 Alpine Meadows Rd. The shop will open Jan. 2.

The Brookhaven Ski Shop will be open Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays through Sundays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cross-country skis, poles and boots will cost $20 daily for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for kids. Snowshoes and poles will cost $15 for adults and $10 for kids and seniors. They are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. A limited number of Nordic skis are available to rent for the season for $100. There is no admission fee to use the park.

“We are so excited to offer rentals for the first time at our winter park,” said Recreation Director Jennifer Zeisler. “We hope this makes it possible for a lot of people to get out and try something new. We want to encourage people to spend more time outside in the beautiful fresh air. Our shop hopes to give skiers a warm place for a break and to pick up a special gift.”

Zeisler, who will manage the shop, will also sell gifts and apparel from her online website shopjenniferhaley.com, including things like mittens, beanies, sweatshirts, sweaters, and home décor items. Skiers can also get refreshments at The View Restaurant, which is open Wed. through Sunday for lunch and dinner.

Just ten miles from Saratoga’s city center, this ski park offers a day experience that includes gorgeous landscapes, quiet pine-tree lined trails and open golf-course trails, without the fuss of travel or day passes. The park features seven cross-country trails and two snowshoe loops that are each more than a mile, a total of 20 kilometers of trails. The park is open dawn to dusk and no fee is required.

“After years of requests, it was time to start offering some rentals because everyone does not own skis or snowshoes,” said Town Supervisor Kevin Veitch. “We want all of our residents to enjoy the park and also to bring in a little revenue to help make improvements each year.”

The park has multiple donation boxes to encourage visitors to make an occasional donation for park upkeep and enhancements. All park proceeds will go toward park improvements. The park is groomed and maintained largely by its group of volunteers. In recent years the town has built up its classic and skate grooming capability, with the addition of six groomers over the years and three vehicles including a Polaris utility vehicle and two snowmobiles. Guests can access a trail map by scanning a QR code, which is located on its website: greenfieldny.org/community/brookhaven-winter-park and from signs on the trails. The trails offer something for all levels of skiing, with some more difficult glade skiing, some open golf course trails, and a variety of hilled and flat intermediate to easy wooded trails.

Other Park Events Planned This Winter

• Full Moon Party: Jan. 11, 6 p.m.-10 p.m. This adults-only, annual event features a short walk, snowshoe or cross-country trek along a lighted path out on the golf course to a giant bonfire. Spirits are served by The View Restaurant. For $10 donation, ticket includes choice of drink. Party continues inside after the bonfire with live entertainment.
• TOG Winterfest: Jan. 25, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. The day will start with a 5K snowshoe race, register at skireg.com, for all ages. Register for $20 by Jan. 10 for a free tee shirt. The fun continues with a free community festival, including: free horse drawn sleigh rides, a snowman building competition, story time, music, food specials and more.
• **NEW THIS YEAR: LADIES NORDIC LESSON & LUNCH Feb. 1, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Registration coming soon on greenfieldny.org. for a one-hour lesson followed by lunch. After lunch, ski for the afternoon. This event was inspired by our very popular Ladies, Lesson & Lunch golf events.

The Town of Greenfield is home to 8,200 residents, spans more than 41,000 acres of land and includes Greenfield, Porter Corners, Middle Grove, Lake Desolation and Maple Ave. In winter, Brookhaven Park & Golf Course becomes Brookhaven Winter Park. The town’s mission since receiving it as a donation in 2011 has been to preserve the natural integrity of the 395-acres of land, while making it available to residents for recreational use.