5 great nordic touring centers
Picture yourself gliding down a gentle trail through the woods and along a river, pausing to take in a view of the mountains or decipher a set of animal tracks crossing the trail, the sounds of the world dampened by a blanket of snow.
Cross-country skiing can be a great way to enjoy nature in the winter, and the Mount Washington Valley has five great cross-country ski areas with many miles — or rather kilometers — of trails.
jackson ski touring
Jackson Ski Touring Foundation is the largest touring center in the Mount Washington Valley, with a cool 100 km of trails in the village and surrounding forests.
Jackson’s world-class trails are known nationwide for great skiing and varied terrain, and have hosted national championship races. From the open trails on the grounds of the Wentworth Golf Course to rolling hills and riverside trails, there are plenty of green circles, blue squares and black diamonds for all abilities. There's even an almost 15k expert backcountry trail connecting to the system from the summit of Wildcat Mountain.
In recent years, the foundation has begun snowmaking. The lodge is within walking distance of several restaurants in the village.
PHOTO: Skiers cross Jackson Ski Touring’s covered bridge in Jackson Village. (Photo courtesy of MWV Chamber of Commerce)
great glen trails
Located at the base of the Mount Washington Auto Road, Great Glen has 45 km of trails with a combination of ungroomed, skate- and classic-groomed trails for all abilities.
Located in Pinkham Notch above 1,500 feet, the trails provide magnificent views of Mount Washington and surrounding mountains, and the higher elevation can mean more snow that lasts longer. Great Glen, like Jackson, has snowmaking.
Great Glen has two great programs for socializing and meeting friends who also love cross-country: the Bill Koch League program for kids and Nordic Meisters racing league for adults. After a day of skiing, relax over drinks and dinner at the Glen House.
Great Glen also has a trails for snowshoeing and fat-tire biking, a tubing hill, rentals, waxing room, showers and ski shop.
PHOTO: A young skier skis through an obstacle as part of the Bill Koch League ski program for children at Great Glen Trails in Pinkham Notch. (Photo courtesy of Great Glen Trails)
mount washington valley ski touring
Mount Washington Valley Ski Touring and Snowshoe Foundation’s 45 km of trails stretch from Intervale to North Conway, with shops, restaurants and cafes nearby. Several inns have trails running through or alongside their properties, making it easy for guests to ski without ever getting in a car.
Ski from the inns or Ragged Mountain Equipment in Intervale into North Conway on trails through Whitaker Woods and enjoy the shops and cafes before heading back. Or start at Whitaker and ski to Intervale for lunch at the Local Grocer, dinner at Stonehurst or a beer at Ledge Brewing.
Perhaps the best way to experience the trails is the annual Chocolate Fest, which takes skiers to trailside businesses, restaurants and hotels to sample chocolate delights. The skiing, socializing and chocolates are all treats on this “Sweetest Day on the Trails.”
PHOTO : Skiers stop at the Starlight Lodge in North Conway during the annual Chocolate Festival. (Photo courtesy of Starlight Lodge North Conway’s Facebook Page)
king pine ski area
King Pine Ski Area has downhill and cross-country skiing on its Purity Spring Resort property in East Madison. The cross-country terrain features 20 km of quiet trails through the woods, including snowshoe trails through an Audubon sanctuary with many nature-viewing opportunities.
One unique aspect of the trails at King Pine is that a ticket gets you access not only to cross-country skiing but also skating and uphill skiing on the downhill trails.
PHOTO: The cross-country ski trails at King Pine cross Purity Lake. (Photo courtesy of King Pine/Purity Spring Resort)
bear notch
Bear Notch Ski Touring in Bartlett is a large privately owned touring center with over 65 km of trails in Bartlett that include long flat trails with beautiful views along the Saco River as well as challenging hills to climb. Some trails lead to Bartlett Village and to the Grand Summit Hotel and other amenities of the downhill ski resort of Attitash Bear Peak.
A unique feature of Bear Notch is its dog policy: Well behaved dogs (and owners) are allowed on the entire network.
PHOTO: Skiers at Bear Notch stop to take in the view along the Saco River in Bartlett. (Photo courtesy of WiseguyCreative.com and MWV Chamber of Commerce)
bonus:
bretton woods
Located next to the Omni Mount Washington Hotel about 30 miles north of North Conway, Bretton Woods Nordic Center is another large touring center, rivaling the trails at Jackson Ski Touring with 100 km of trails groomed for skate and classic skiing. Starting at about 1,600 feet elevation just north of Crawford Notch, it often gets early snow. The terrain ranges from flat open trails on the golf course near the hotel to trails climbing through forests to the Bretton Woods Alpine Ski Area with high-elevation groomed Nordic trails. Full nordic services include lodge, rentals and lessons.
Cross-country skiing is complemented by a wide array of activities a at Bretton Woods, including tubing, canopy tours, sleigh rides, indoor climbing wall, fine dining and a spa.
PHOTO: Skiers are seen on the trails of Bretton Woods Nordic Center with Mount Washington and the Presidential Range in the background. (Photo courtesy of WiseguyCreative.com and MWV Chamber of Commerce)
