Cross-Country Skiing and
Snowshoeing at Bretton Woods
Nordic Center
210 Mt. Washington Hotel Road, Bretton Woods, NH 03575
Bretton
Woods Nordic Center (603-278-3320, www.brettonwoods.com)
part of the Omni Mount Washington Resort, has 100 km of xc ski and snowshoe
trails, and is located on the grounds of the Omni Mount Washington Hotel.
The grand hotel at the southern base of the mighty Mt. Washington with
1,700 acres of spectacular scenery is home to the world class Bretton
Woods Nordic Center. This full service ski center has its own parking
area and houses the ski school, rental equipment, warming and waxing
rooms and the award-winning Tree Top Nordic Demo Center
that offers xc ski gear, clothing, and accessories. The center has a
fireplace with couches and food service with tables and seating.
This area located off Route 302 in the Crawford
Notch area averages 200 inches of snow every year. The Mountain Road
trail may be the most fun to be had on xc skis in New England. This
7 km trail is accessible from the top of the Bethlehem Express high speed quad
at the Bretton Woods alpine ski area (5 minutes from the Nordic Center
via complimentary resort shuttle) is situated with a great groomed downhill
(which is marked and can be avoided) as well as incredible scenery and
views. There are also lift-accessible mountaintop snowshoe trails that
have stunning views of Mt. Washington.
Ski to the yurt or cabin on Mt. Stickney.
A 5 km xc ski trail south of Route 302 between Bretton Woods and the
AMC Highland Center has flatter terrain along an old railroad bed.
Trail
fees are $19 for adults (ages 1864) and $17 for teens (ages 13-17),
and $12 for juniors (ages 5-12) and seniors (ages 65 and older). Children
(4 and younger) ski free. Snowshoers can use the skate lanes of the
cross-country trails with a trail pass and there's also 11 km of dog-friendly
trails. One chairlift ride to ski the Mountain Road at the alpine ski
area is $10.
There are telemark lessons and rentals available
at the alpine area. Snowshoes are available for sale or rent. Moonlight
Tours are set for each month. High-Alpine Eco Tours are also offered early January through
mid-March, Sundays at 10 AM and 1 PM led by an Appalachian Mountain
Club Guide for $27 adults and $24 children or seniors. Other resort activities include dog sledding, sleigh rides, a year-round Canopy Tour with 10 zip lines, and a full service spa. Discounted rates for hotel guests are
offered for most activities.
To
get the full resort experience, guests who stay at either the Omni Mount
Washington Hotel or Omni Bretton Arms Inn (both with trail access out
your doorstep) can ski free at Bretton Woods Nordic Center or Alpine
Ski Area on "Stay Here- Ski Free" package starting at $89
per person per night. CCSAA member