4 Fantastic Trails for Cross-Country Skiing

Try these trails to make the most out of your winter cross-country ski season

December 21, 2020

Kristen Battles-Burden,

Skiing doesn’t have to just be down a mountain. Check out the beautiful trails around the woods of NH. Photo by Irene LeMessurier

Living in New Hampshire, you probably know one (or more) of those people who can’t wait for the snow to fall. Once the temperature drops and the lifts open, they disappear into the mountains practically every weekend.

For those who never got into the downhill skiing lifestyle but still want to find a way to enjoy the winter season, cross-country skiing is a less intimidating way to join the ski fanatics.

Cross-country is a very popular winter sport in New Hampshire, and is just one type of Nordic skiing (which also includes Telemark and ski jumping). It’s also the most accessible for the casual skier. So long as there is snow and someplace you want to venture, opportunities abound. But with a little planning, you can enjoy some of the most breathtaking parts of the state amidst a winter wonderland, all while getting a great workout. And most importantly, it’s an excellent excuse to drink copious amounts of hot cocoa.

Adams Pond Trail, Londonderry

A very popular spot in southern New Hampshire is the Adams Pond Trail located at Mack’s Apples in Londonderry (macksapples.com/plan-a-visit/trails). Additionally, Mack’s has a number of other trails, known simply as the Town Center trails, which are maintained by local nonprofit Londonderry Trailways. The Adams Pond trail loops around two orchards, skirts along a picturesque pond and is well groomed for cross-country skiing. There is no fee to use the trails.

More Info:
All Trails
A list of great trails for cross-country skiing throughout New Hampshire, including directions, photos and user reviews of the trails. alltrails.com/us/new-hampshire/cross-country-skiing
Great Glen Trails
Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center in Gorham offers both excellent trails and instruction. greatglentrails.com/ski-school
Learn to Ski
Next month is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month, when discounts are offered on passes and lessons for first-timers throughout January. See skinh.com for more details and information on participating venues.

Boston Lot Lake, West Lebanon

A popular hiking area in the summer and fall, Boston Lot Lake (2.5 mile-lakeside loop trail) attracts cross-country skiers in the winter and offers scenic water views and abundant wildlife, including beaver, rabbit, moose and deer.

Bretton Woods Nordic Center, Bretton Woods

With 100 kilometers of cross-country and snowshoe trails, Bretton Woods offers some of the best, most scenic winter skiing in New Hampshire. The full-service Nordic Center offers equipment rentals, and season passes are available for purchase (brettonwoods.com). The Mountain Road Trail is a favorite, featuring 7 kilometers of snowy skiing through dense, ancient forest. There is even a warming yurt available on Porcupine Trail for thawing out frosty adventurers. brettonwoods.com

Jackson Ski Touring Foundation

Jackson is a picturesque winter town that caters to ski fans of all types, particularly cross-country skiers. At the center of it all is the Jackson Ski Touring Foundation, a nonprofit that’s dedicated to maintaining a huge network of cross-country and snowshoe trails, programs, events, rentals and more for all ages (jacksonxc.org). You must either purchase a trail pass or membership, but the prices are reasonable and it’s free for kids 10 and under.