XC skiing at Bretton Woods Nordic with the backdrop of Mt. Washington
Six cross country (XC) ski areas in the White Mountains of New Hampshire are joining forces to offer a two-day Chasing Gold Weekend Pass on February 7-8, 2026. All of these XC ski areas represent a total of more than 400 kilometers of combined trails, and they are celebrating the Winter Olympics with the Chasing Gold Weekend Pass for only $26 providing access to all six areas.
These White Mountain XC ski areas include: Bear Notch Ski Touring, Bretton Woods Nordic Ski Center, Great Glen Trails, Jackson XC, Mt. Washington Valley Ski Touring and Snowshoe Center, and Purity Spring Resort XC and Snowshoe Preserve. Each center offers its unique charm and character that collectively allow recreational enthusiasts to get outdoors and discover the natural beauty of this stunning region of the White Mountains.
The six areas, which are part of the White Mountain Nordic Association areas have 280 km of classic tracked XC skiing and 270 km of trails groomed for skate skiing. The Chasing Gold Weekend Pass includes unlimited XC skiing or snowshoeing at all of the XC ski areas. All purchasers of the Chasing Gold Weekend Pass will be entered to win a Gold Price Package of a 2-Night ski and stay at the Omni Mount Washington Resort & Spa.
To acquire the Chasing Gold Weekend Pass visit the White Mountain Nordic Association website at https://wmnordic.com/.
XC skiing In the forest at Jackson XC
Explore gentle terrain for easy outings, more challenging trails with ups and downs, or even ungroomed backcountry trails. You’ll find learn to ski packages, ski and snowshoe equipment to rent for a couple of hours, for the day or the weekend, and XC ski lessons for all abilities.
The six XC ski areas are all conveniently located within 30 minutes of one of the US’s top ski towns, North Conway, NH. Located in and around the 788,000-acre White Mountain National Forest, these trails wind through classic New England villages, providing breathtaking panoramic views along the way.
Unlike backyard skiing on local trails, White Mountain Nordic areas offer more reliable snow, trails that are purpose-built for skiing, and grooming at world-class standards to make the XC skiing experience the best it can be.
Visitors to these trails can explore on XC skis or snowshoes and there are also opportunities for travelers to experience the region's charming inns and eateries, whether for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a refreshing beverage apres ski.
Unlike planning a winter ski trip to a single resort destination, the multiple locations offered by White Mountain Nordic mean ideal snow conditions are almost guaranteed. Visitors can stay at a single inn or hotel for an entire trip, and make decisions on where to ski based on conditions and weather, which often vary from day to day, and area to area. And the White Mountain Nordic areas are an easy drive from major East Coast metropolitan areas such as Boston and New York City.
“So much has changed in XC skiing. Grooming has become more sophisticated, some centers have added snowmaking, and equipment and gear continue to improve. But what hasn’t changed is the tremendous culture of skiing that exists here in NH’s White Mountains. It’s not just the 400 km of skiing, it’s also the ability to ski from inn to inn, stopping at restaurants and taverns, and taking part in citizens' races and fun events. There’s truly nothing like it anywhere else in the U.S.,” stated JacksonXC Executive Director Ellen Chandler.
JacksonXC has more than 100 km of trails suitable for all ability levels. Country inns are spaced throughout the region. The base lodge is located in the heart of Jackson Village, a quintessential New England town with a steepled church, river running through, and a skiers’ pub. A snowmaking operation will guarantee snow to connect some of the easy trails to the base lodge.
Bear Notch Ski Touring on Route 302 has 65 km of trails in a White Mountain snow pocket with waterfalls, riverside, and mountain views. Guided tours are available for skiers. Dogs are welcome on the trails. Kids aged 16 and under can ski for free when with their parents. Purity Spring Resort has been known as a family destination for decades and they groom their 45 km of trails with part of the network in the Audubon Sanctuary. Mt Washington Valley Ski Touring (MWV) is right in North Conway and is famously known for its annual Chocolate Festival in late February, which is an inn-to-inn affair at about 12 stops to experience chocolate fantasies including moose and fondue.
Bretton Woods has 100 km of trails on the grounds of the Omni Mount Washington Resort. The grand hotel at the southern base of the mighty Mt. Washington with 1,700 acres of spectacular scenery is home to a Nordic center housing ski school, rental equipment, and a retail shop. The Mountain Road trail, which is accessible from the top of a lift at the Bretton Woods alpine area (5 minutes from the Nordic Center) is a 7 km run, which may be the most fun to be had on xc skis in New England.
Great Glen Trails has 45 km of XC skiing and snowshoeing trails at the base of Mt. Washington, which translates into jaw-dropping scenery all around you. Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center's lodge is open with rental equipment, lessons, snowtubing, and a large xc skiing retail space. One loop and the learning area have snowmaking. Great Glen visitors can take a snowcoach partly up the Mt. Washington Auto Road (to 4,000 foot elevation).
So, take advantage of the Chasing Gold Weekend Pass this February to celebrate the Olympics and discover the White Mountains!