Inn at Ellis River
Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
(603) 383-9339; (800) 233-8309
17 Harriman Road, Jackson, NH 03846
The Inn at Ellis River in Jackson, New Hampshire is an award winning romantic bed and breakfast on the banks of the Ellis River in one of the most picturesque cross country ski and snowshoe destinations in the world. The inn's 22 rooms including a rustic cottage have individual personalities with queen or king sized beds. Some of the rooms have a 2-person jacuzzi, a fireplace and/or a balcony. Yankee Magazine editors have called the Inn at Ellis River a "great romantic retreat" and rightly so with the charming rooms, game room pub, sitting room, atrium-enclosed hot tub overlooking the river, and sunny dining room. The innkeepers can help you decide on activities in the area and on the inn's website is a "Bucket List" of 30 things to do. The inn is not appropriate for kids under 12.
Many guests return to the Inn at Ellis River for the experience of waking up to hearty country breakfast that the inn is known for. There's always tea and coffee as well as freshly baked cookies! Rates are in a multi-night package or per night per evening including breakfast and afternoon refreshments. On weekends during peak/holiday or foliage season, a two night minimum is required.
Waking up to the aroma of bacon while incredible, does not do justice to how good the maple bacon tastes when accompanying a choice of two hot entree specialties such as cinnamon pancakes stuffed with apple filling and topped with creme fraiche or pecan praline French toast. There's also fruit, yogurt, granola, and freshly baked breads, muffins and other breakfast treats. The breakfast tables are covered antique metal sewing treadle tables. Look out the windows from the dining room adorned with snowman figurines to see frolicking squirrels hopping from tree branch to tree branch.
Behind the inn and across the Ellis River is Jackson Ski Touring Center's Ellis River Trail, one of the most popular trails from the center lodge for cross country skiers and snowshoers. Jackson Ski Touring touts more than 150 km of groomed trails of varying difficulty in the area. The village of Jackson is the quintessential New England town with a covered bridge (ski through it to get to the Ellis River Trail), small and distinct stores and restaurants, and of course, a white steepled church.
The Inn at Ellis River has packages for every season such as Adventure in the Outdoors, Midweek, Romance, or Relaxation packages. To check out the variety of offers, click Inn at Ellis River Packages. This winter, the inn is offering FREE trail passes for cross country skiing or snowshoeing at nearby Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center.
The Inn at Ellis River is an Environmental Partner with the NH Sustainable Lodging & Restaurant Program, which requires efforts for energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste reduction. The inn's website outlines many of its specific efforts in the program.
There are other recreational activities in the region such as alpine skiing at Black Mountain, Wildcat Mountain, Cranmore, or Attitash. There are coaster sleds at some of the alpine ski areas, dog sledding, and in Jackson there are sleigh rides or ice skating, and don't miss the panorama site seeing at Mt. Washington (or take the SnowCoach up to 4,000 foot elevation at Great Glen).
In the summer and autumn, the Inn at Ellis River has a gazebo on the backyard lawn on the banks of the river and a heated outdoor swimming pool. There are also many other recreational activities such as bicycling, hiking, and so on.
Directions: From Boston take I-95 to Spaulding Turnpike North to NH Route 16 through North Conway and route 302. Take a right on Route 16 toward Gorham for 2.7 miles from the intersection and 1/2 mile after the Jackson, NH Covered Bridge staying on Route 16 (do not go over the bridge) the driveway to the Inn at Ellis River is on the left just beyond the Sunoco station. From the Manchester, NH Airport take Route I-93 North to I-293 North to Exit 23 and Route 104. Then Route 3 to Route 25 and take a right to Route 25 East to Route 16 in Ossipee. Take a left on Route 16 and go 17 miles through North Conway. Follow the directions above. For directions from other locations or GPS info click Inn at Ellis River Directions.