Nordic (X-Country) Skiing and Snowshoeing

Nordic (X-Country) Skiing and Snowshoeing

Seacoast New Hampshire has the goods on places to go in the local Seacoast Area, check out their listing of all the places around the Seacoast NH area.Whew. My work is done. Practically all ski resorts now offer Snowshoeing or Cross Country as a sport, so beginners have no excuse for learning a new sport! Also check out the complete listing of X-Country resorts in NH and VT from the New England Cross Country Center.

The best all around place to learn and explore these sports with well marked trails and tons of options is Bear Brook State Park off NH Rte 28, Allenstown (off Rt 101). The only drawback is the occasional sound and smell of snowmobiles, but for a beginner, the sounds keep you well oriented and safe - it's a huge park so it isn't that big of a problem.
Phone: Day-Use: 603-485-9874

For those interested in a tranquil experience on well marked (and tremendously safe and beautiful) trails, spend some time at The Balsams/Wilderness up in the Whites, or hit the Pinkham Notch visitors center for up-to-date info and clearly marked, well defined and traveled Winter fun. Remember to hit the trails in Early Spring to see the lunatics skiing Tuckerman's notch off the infamous Mount Washington. For those who are truly adventurous, try the ski trail down from the Hermit Lakes hut near the Tuckermans Bowl. I've seen Snowshoers, X-countriers, hikers, and even people on plastic toboggans blasting down the trails. Pinkham also has some beginner to advanced loops that start and end at the Lodge for Cross Country folk. Check out the AMC's website for up-to-date information. Also be weary of trail and weather conditions before you go - the Mount Washington Observatory is a great resource for both trail info (especially avalanche warnings) and weather conditions.

Another Pristine place to Ski or Shoe is out and around Waitsfield VT, Home of Mad River Glen (which has great snowshoe trails right on the mountain) and Sugarbush. Waitsfield offers miles upon miles of connected Public recreation trails where one can Ski or Shoe indefinitely, entirely free of charge. There's also Bear Book State Park in Allenstown, Pawtuckaway State Park, Odiorne Point in Rye for some Ocean fitness, or find any piece of undisturbed land and break trail yourself!

A word about Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing can be summed up simply as the most user friendly winter experience one can have for little cost or investment. Its the one sport where you can spend a limited amount of money and get so much out of your investment. If you have the proper clothing (and from New England I'll assume you do) that basically consist of something warm, all you need are shoes and poles, poles being optional. You can rent a pair for 10 bucks or so, but my suggestion is to just buy a basic set of shoes for $100 and be done with it. Snowshoes provide a freedom x-country can't - the freedom to go anywhere, up hills rocks and boulders, no grooming required. You can tackle any of the White Mountain peaks (be prepared or don't do it) or take a walk with your dog. Basically its just walking on snow. So if you have yet to try it - do so. It's a great way to realize what winter is all about.