JACKSON X-C

Big snow followed by rain and then rain followed by more snow, etc. Yes, the weather has been a little fickle this winter. Luckily there has been more snow at higher elevations and it has been cold enough for downhill resorts to make snow too. The ski conditions are good.

Charlie and I had a great ski at Jackson X-C recently. There are so many trails to enjoy. As I skied along I was already thinking about coming back soon to continue my discovery of new routes to ski.

Jackson, New Hampshire is a sweet ski village backed up against the White Mountain National Forest, with cross-country ski trails throughout its center and it is surrounded by mountains covered with more ski trails. Located just north of North Conway and Bartlett, it has some of the best cross-country skiing and snowshoeing to be found anywhere. The village is also near five downhill ski areas—Black Mountain, Wildcat, Attitash, Cranmore and Bretton Woods. In Jackson there are many fine places to stay: hotels, B&B’s and the historic Eagle Mountain House. There is something in Jackson for everyone to enjoy.

The Touring Center is right in the middle of the village. It has a nice fireplace and locker rooms (it doubles as the golf center in the summer). Of course it also contains a complete ski shop and a large rental shop that offers Nordic equipment and snowshoes. They have talented ski school instructors and even give snowshoe lessons. The gentle terrain of the golf course is wonderful for novices to take lessons right close by.

Charlie and I went where we were told the conditions were the best. We took the shuttle bus up to Prospect Farm and skied up the Wildcat Valley Trail to the Boggy Brook Trail. The trail is groomed wide with skating and double tracks set. The view of Carter Notch is gorgeous. The terrain out and back on Boggy Brook is rolly and gradual and will make experts and novices happy. We also skied the Orchard Trail past the old trees. We used up all of our time and just caught the hourly shuttle back to the center.

Every weekend there is a special treat just for kids 13 and under: a special race aptly named “Anklebiters”. The event takes place just 3 kilometers from the center, right next to the Coca Cabana (hot chocolate warming-hut). Children race against the clock, while skiing a loop with many obstacles and turns. The course is only a100 meters, about a football field’s length, Children’s times are recorded on jacksonxc.org website so they can track their results all year long. A two year old completed the course in 4 minutes and the course record is a scorching 21 seconds held by an 11 year old girl!

Charlie and I ate right in Jackson Village at Yesterday’s where they serve a great breakfast all day. Their homemade hash is delicious and the blueberry pancakes are as large as your plate!

Have Fun!