Cross Country Skiing & Snowshoeing

It’s hard not to wax poetic when you talk about the cross-country skiing at the Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center. It’s the combination of the striking White Mountains vistas, the knowledgeable staff, the superior equipment available and, of course, the quality of the trails. You can rent classic or skate skis in confidence, knowing new equipment is available every season. Groomed terrain is accessible right from the comfortable base lodge, with its lockers, showers, a wax room and a fireplace. No road crossings, just, well-marked terrain for all abilities. There’s a learn-to-ski package that includes a lesson, trail pass and equipment rental. Or, take semi-private ski lessons for ages 5 and above. The center’s Outfitters Shop is known for being one of the best Nordic ski shops around.

There may be a mystery about who built America’s Stonehenge, an outdoor history museum of stone structures and astronomical alignments. But there’s no doubt about the fact that the daytime snowshoeing at the site is a great time for people of all ages and abilities. Trails wind through 105 acres of peaceful woodlands wildlife habitats. Bring your own snowshoes or rent them (first come, first served). Sleds are recommended for really young visitors unable to wear snowshoes. Candlelight snowshoeing, in January and February, is a romantic (and mysterious!) experience. Planning to visit Stonehenge’s maze of manmade chambers, walls and ceremonial meeting places while you’re there? Check out the 11-minute video on the website and download the app for a self-guided audio tour.

Six White Mountain Nordic Centers in New Hampshire offer more than 400 kilometers of exciting cross-country ski trails, winding through the 750,000-acre White Mountain National Forest and through classic New England cross-country villages. Over 280 kilometers of groomed trails are tracked for classical skiing; over 270 kilometers are groomed for skate skiing. Trails include gentle terrain perfect for beginners, and there’s unlimited back-country skiing. A friendly, knowledgeable staff is on hand to advise you on the best trails and equipment, based on your experience, and lessons and cross-country ski equipment rentals and lessons are available for everyone from novices to experienced skiers. Learn-to-ski packages are also offered. Lodging and dining options dot the trails.

Everything you need for a cross-country skiing or snowshoeing getaway is waiting for you at the Franconia Inn, which sits on 65 acres in the White Mountains. At the X-C Ski Center, there are 40 kilometers of groomed trails and ungroomed terrain for all experience levels. Glide over a loop around the airfield with a panoramic view of the Kinsman Mountain Range, or weave through the trees and over the rivers on trails behind the inn. You can rent skis, boots, and poles at the ski shop. Check the website or call for updated trail conditions. After your skiing or snowshoeing outing, enjoy a candlelit dinner in the restaurant or a beer by the fire in the pub.

It’s no wonder fans of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing think they are dreaming when they visit the bustling, beautiful region surrounding Bethlehem, NH. The picturesque region in the White Mountains is home to groomed trails and back-country treks. Many community trails and pathways convert to cross-country and snowshoeing trails in the winter, from the easier trails at Bretzfelder Park to the 65 kilometers of trails at the Franconia Village X-C Ski & Outdoor Recreation Center that wind through forests and meadows and over brooks. The Ammonoosuc River is the backdrop to the Ammonoosuc Rail Trail, 19 miles of trails that even go over an 1832 covered bridge. The Bretton Woods Nordic Center is one of the largest cross-country areas in the East, with 100 kilometers of trails.

Snow comes early and often in the Androscoggin Valley, NH region, making it ideal for cross-country skiers and snowshoeing enthusiasts. Imagine skiing or snowshoeing over groomed trails, or striking off into fresh powder, noting tracks of deer, foxes and rabbits along the way. The Bretton Woods Nordic Ski Center offers classical and skate skiing, a warming cabin and ski and snowshoe rentals. Jackson XC features fun snowshoeing and cross-country trails. And you can glide or trek over 45 kilometers of trails through riverside hayfields and mountainside spruce trees at the Mt. Washington Valley Ski Touring & Snowshoe Foundation. After a day of playing in this winter wonderland, cozy up to cocoa by a roaring fire at a restaurant, then sleep soundly in one of many welcoming lodging accommodations.

The Purity Spring XC and Snowshoe Reserve features a scenic trail network that wind through forests surrounding Purity Lake and twist through tall pines in the adjacent New Hampshire Audubon Sanctuary. 20km of trails are tracked and skate groomed allowing classic and skate skiing options. Nordic ski and snowshoe rentals are available at the King Pine Rental Shop and lessons are available. The Nordic trails interconnect with Purity Spring Resort's lodging, ice skating, fireworks, sleigh rides, and seasonal events and dining at Traditions Restaurant and Pub.

Monadnock State Park is thousands of acres of protected lands around 3,165-foot-tall Mount Monadnock. The park and mountain are famous for their extensive hiking opportunities. Cross-country skiing is done in winter. Note that pets are not allowed in the park. - XC Ski Trail Map (PDF)

The community recreational organization welcomes non-members for Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating on days passes. 12 trails, from easy to difficult. Lessons and ski clinics are conducted by professional instructors. Lessons on weekend. Equipment rentals are available, and the Ski Shop has wax and other items to meet the needs of skiers. Ice skating is free.

Pine Hill Ski Club was created to maintain cross country ski trails in New London, Sutton, and Wilmot. Skiing is on almost 20 kilometers of trails groomed for classic track Nordic skiing. Most ski trails are in rolling terrain that most beginners and intermediate skiers can do. Two trails for advanced skiers. Dogs are welcome.

This network of about 12 kilometers of challenging groomed trails is operated by a club as a non-profit. This is hilly skiing. Grooming is done by volunteers, but there is no sweep of trails at the end of each day. Prepare for wind chill at the top of the hill

The Nordic Center at Gunstock has extensive trails for skate skiing and classic track skiing as well as single-track snowshoe trail in the woods. Lots of lessons and program for beginner skiers. Mountain Magic program for beginner skiers includes a group lesson, trail pass, and rental equipment. Trails for skijoring -- hands-free skiing harnessed to your dog -- and skijoring lessons are available. Various tours include Snowshoe Tours at Gunstock Snowshoe Park, Saturday Night Ridge Tour for snowshoeing, Nature Tour walk in the woods, Adventure Tours, and custom tours. The Nordic Center is full stocked with new cross-country skiing equipment for sale or rent. Trail passes by season and by the day allow access to cross country and snowshoe trails.

This Nordic skiing and snowshoeing center is the high mountains entering the Monadnock Region. Forty kilometers of trails that accommodate all ability levels. Continuous grooming; rentals of ski and snowshoeing equipment, lessons on weekends. A base lodge offers restrooms, wood-heated lounge, healthy food or bring-your-own-lunch. The lodge and trails are open 9am to 5pm when snow conditions permit.
A Warming Hut cabin is open to all skiers during the day and may be rented overnight by up to 15 people. Overnight users ski or snowshoe in a half a mile, packing in their food and sleeping gear.

An old farmhouse is the base for cross country skiing and snowshoeing. 65 kilometers of groomed trails in the White Mountains at a location between Bretton Woods and North Conway. Ski or snowshoe among beautiful views, past waterfalls, across meadows and over tough hills. Lessons for all abilities. Lots of equipment for rent or sale, and demonstrations.

The White Mountain National Forest is the setting from 70 kilometers of trails groomed daily for classic track and ski skate styles. Trails for all skill levels depart from Nordic Center in Town Square.
The Nordic Center offer a large variety of rental and retail gear for cross country skiing and snowshoeing, child trailer sleds known as pulks, repairs, waxing, and tuning. The Village offers lots of places to eat, shop, and enjoy ice skating, fireworks, sleigh rides, and seasonal events.