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NH Backcountry Cross country skiing

Original Post
PatCleary · · Boston, MA · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 0

My parents have wanted to try cross country skiing for a while. Around Christmas I'm going to take them out to give it a try. I'd like to take them somewhere interesting. I'm leaning toward an easy peak in the White Mountains, probably something that would be a 2nd class trail in the summer. Also, I'm looking for reasonably avalanche safe terrain, low angle trails, ridge lines, etc. I'll be on touring gear (but not looking to actually ski), so breaking trail isn't an issue. Any recommendations for a decent tour that ends up someplace cool?

Mike Soucy · · Longmont, CO · Joined May 2006 · Points: 111

Where in NH will you be?

Mark NH · · 03053 · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 0

The Mt Willard Trail in Crawford Notch has awesome views from the top. Its a probably around four miles RT and is a pretty consistent, easy grade. It sees hikers, snow-shoers and skiers in the winter so it certainly won't be a wilderness experience.

stredna · · PA · Joined Aug 2008 · Points: 135

If they have never done it, maybe let them try the groomed and ungroomed trails of Bretton Woods XC Area then go discuss a peak for the next day and warm up over a cocktail or coffee at the Mt. Washington Hotel! baller views if its not socked in.

lucander · · Stone Ridge, NY · Joined Apr 2009 · Points: 260

Jackson, NH, has an entire trail infrastructure built on xc skiing. Cost money, but it's a gentle intro.

Near Lincoln is the Wilderness Trail, a dirt road in the summer that's heavily traveled by skiiers in winter. Owl's Head and Bond Cliff are excellent summits from there, but a long day.

Hancock can be skied, but the last .5 mile is a hike to summit - way steep.

Gunkiemike · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 3,492

You're thinking of taking first-time skiers on a hiking trail UP A PEAK? You're kidding, right? That's just asking for someone to eat a tree or get otherwise busted up. Stick with a groomed area as suggested above. If that's too civilized, try some notch road that's not open in the winter. I'm no NH expert but there are a few up there.

M Mobley · · Bar Harbor, ME · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 911
Gunkiemike wrote:You're thinking of taking first-time skiers on a hiking trail UP A PEAK? You're kidding, right? That's just asking for someone to eat a tree or get otherwise busted up. Stick with a groomed area as suggested above. If that's too civilized, try some notch road that's not open in the winter. I'm no NH expert but there are a few up there.
Yeah, good call. Closed roads are a great alternative to paying for groomed trails BUT usually those roads have snowmobiles all over them
PatCleary · · Boston, MA · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 0

My parents live in Derry, but I'm open to most of NH. The Mt. Willard looks like an awesome choice, thanks for the suggestion.

I suspect it's kind of hard to "eat a tree" while touring things appropriate for new people on nordic gear.

coldatom · · Cambridge, MA · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 70

Trails in the Northeast are steep and narrow, unlike out west where trees are widely spaced.
Closed roads are not fun. Snowmobiles will have packed the snow into a corrugated icy crust.
Go to a touring center and work your way onto wooded and ungroomed trails. You will only see other people sporadically.

Waterville Valley is really nice.

Jake D. · · Northeast · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 365
lucander wrote:Jackson, NH, has an entire trail infrastructure built on xc skiing. Cost money, but it's a gentle intro. Near Lincoln is the Wilderness Trail, a dirt road in the summer that's heavily traveled by skiiers in winter. Owl's Head and Bond Cliff are excellent summits from there, but a long day. Hancock can be skied, but the last .5 mile is a hike to summit - way steep.
holy moly.. thats like sending a first time gym climber up MF or Dangler.

Wilderness trail might be enough.. Bondcliff and Owls head are 18mi round trips with difficult terrain. and would need snowshoes also.. which means separate boots. Owls head has 2-3 large river crossings also.

Hancocks are a 10mi round trip and would also require snowshoes.

============

from someone who actually hikes in NH on a regular basis.

Ethan Pond Trail out to Thoreau Falls is gradual to start and then railroad grade most of the way with views up to the bigger mountains. That far might be ambitious, even just to Ethan Pond might be ok.

Willard is probably fine too though i haven't done it.

Looks like there are some XC trails off of the Kanc too on the Eastern side.

really love this map.
amazon.com/White-Mountains-…
Mark Lynch · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2013 · Points: 5

Willard is pretty tight and narrow and gets a lot of foot traffic.

Easier trails- from Pinkham Notch: Blanchard Loop, Square Ledge Loop, Lost Pond.

Hayes Copp Ski Trail north of Pinkham.

Nanamocomuck and Oliverian Brook Trail of the Kancamagus Highway.

Wild River Trail in Jackson but gets a lot of snowmobile use.

If your folks are better than beginner:

Mount Garfield hands down - is considered moderate. Great views. 3180 elev. Gain.

Pemigewasset River Tour - Lincoln Woods Trail, Wilderness- East Side Trail. Moderate.

Zealand Notch. Also gorgeous views. - moderate.

lucander · · Stone Ridge, NY · Joined Apr 2009 · Points: 260
Jake D. wrote:from someone who actually hikes in NH on a regular basis.
ehem: 4000 footers as of 2006ish, mostly winter ascents and on skis.
Jake D. · · Northeast · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 365
lucander wrote: ehem: 4000 footers as of 2006ish, mostly winter ascents and on skis.
and you think that sending noobs on 18mi trips that are full days for many even in the summer is a good idea? especially on skis. by xmas time most of the popular trails are going to be snowshoe tracked which probably sucks to ski in.

hell they will probably have a hard enough time staying upright the first time on xc skis.
Peter Jackson · · Rumney, NH · Joined Aug 2010 · Points: 445

3 Ponds Trail, north of Rumney, past Stinson Lake. It's a loop, not too heavily traveled, though there will sometimes be snowmachines.

The trail up to Lonesome Lake is a great beginner ski too.

Bagging a peak on skis is nice, but overrated for beginners. Go for scenery over summits.

There's a book on this topic: amazon.com/Best-Backcountry…

My recommendation is to go for the Merrill Loop on Moosilauke. If your crew absolutely crushes it and you need to bag a peak (and you have heavy enough gear), you can do Carriage Road (it's not at all easy, but easier than many/most 4000 footer ski tours). hikethewhites.com//photos/m…

Harrison Harb · · Portland · Joined Aug 2008 · Points: 145

If there is decent snow, Pawtuckaway is unbeatable for xc skiing. From breaking trail to sometimes groomed trails (for snowmobiling). And it's free. It is the best.

Morgan Patterson · · NH · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 8,945

not NH but Stowe is where you u shld go has it all...

Peter Jackson · · Rumney, NH · Joined Aug 2010 · Points: 445
Morgan Patterson wrote:not NH but Stowe is where you u shld go has it all...
+1. The Whites are great for steeps, Maine is good for huts, but VT is where the best snow lives.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northeastern States
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