Have you ever seen, heard or read about places and you are constantly thinking, “I need to go there.” I keep a list of places I want to visit so when we are able to I can look quickly and pick a destination. On a recent mini vacation we had goals of cross country skiing. We were staying in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire and planned to cross country ski at Gunstock. Due to recent rains that was not a possibility. We decided to take the chance and drive north to more snow.
We ended up at Jackson Cross Country Ski Center located in the center of Jackson, NH. There is a small ski shop, check in area and seating area with tables and chairs. The receptionist was hesitant to let us go out on the trails as they were icy and only wanting people with cross country skiing experience on them. Luckily we have a few years experience under our feet and were able to get out on the trails. I highly recommend brining a map as there are a lot of trails. From the center you can ski around a field, which I believe is a golf course in the summer. The field was a little icy. We were were directed to ski along the Ellis River Trail.
To get to the Ellis Brook Trail you skip through a covered bridge and through a tunnel under the road.
There is also a section where you have to take your ski’s off to cross a dirt road. Once on the trail again we had great skiing conditions in the woods. We skied up along Ellis River, which was absolutely beautiful.
There was a little loop with a storybook on it, which is a nice addition for those skiing with kids.
After the Storybook Trail there was a Coco Hut where on the weekends and vacations it is open serving hot chocolate. Due to the recent rain and decrease in skiers the hut was not open. They had some cute figurines we could take a picture behind.
We skied up to the National Forest Boundary Line, then headed back to the ski lodge. We skied about 4-5 miles, which we were happy with since we were not sure we were going to get a ski in.
If you are either new to cross country skiing or been skiing for years that is a trail for you at in Jackson.
