Cross Country Skiing

[Crankin]

I have been to Jackson 3 times; only one of the times was there enough snow to (barely) do any skiing. It looks like the trail system would be great, but I guess I just haven't hit it at the right times. We ended up driving far to find snow, although we were lucky enough to stay at the Thorn Hill Inn.
Thinking of doing an impromptu trip either next weekend or the one after. We have theatre in Boston next Friday night, so I am not sure how getting up early on Saturday would be, but there's going to be more snow up there and I am in the ski mode.
Deb, I would not be doing any overnight camping in the winter, but I we did think we could make it to the top of the mountain and back if we started early in the AM. The trails don't seem to be as well marked as the ski trails. While I haven't done a snow shoe as long as 12 miles before, I am pretty sure I can handle it.

[roadie gal]

Our local cross country area opened 2 weeks ago. I've been out striding twice and skating twice. Ugh, skating. It really kicks my butt. If I can go 45 minutes, I'm a happy camper. My partner and I also took the dogs out to a local OHV trail on Christmas day. We had a freshly groomed trail and we were out early enough that the snowmobilers weren't out yet. What a blast! I hope the rest of the season stays this good.

[BikeDutchess]

Went cross-country skiing today for the first time in decades. That sure was a lot of fun! My dad is visiting and it was his dream to ski one more time. He can't do downhill anymore, so we decided on XC. It was a gorgeous day, and while the inversion-caused pollution was creeping up to this area a little bit, the air was much clearer than in the city. Here's my dad in the front, my son skating on the left, and DH in the back. We had such a blast, we'll have to do this more often!


Fun day ski day. Go pap! by DutchRosie, on Flickr

[Crankin]

Here's a pic from the beginning of our snow shoe. This is taken by a pond, just below the main trail hill that we often climb up to the view field where you can see Mt. Monadnock. It's pretty cool, given the fact that I have been skiing here since 1993 and I had never seen this spot.

[ridebikeme]

It's always nice to see something NEW!!! It certainly leaves lasting impressions during the week when one can only dream of getting out on ski's!

Just got back from a ski myself, same course as yesterday although a bit warmer so snow was a bit softer. The kicker was that I didn't realize how hard I had skiied ( for me) yesterday until this morning HA! Needless to say, it was a much slower ski and one where I actually met others out as well. All in all, a great day...

[roadie gal]

It has been SO COLD here this week. The low yesterday was -13F and the high was about 18F. Today, since it was so pretty out, I decided to go skate ski for an hour. It was a balmy 8F when I got to the XC center. Ugh! So I had to layer up well beyond the usual for skating. Then, I had waxed my skis last week when it was a little warmer. The pink wax that was perfect last week just didn't cut it today. I had zero glide. It was so bad that I finally gave up trying to skate and got into the tracks and WALKED uphill on my skate skis. It was a tremendous amount of exercise but no fun at all.

So when I got done, I went and bought some blue wax and rewaxed my skis. Tomorrow is going to be better!

[ridebikeme]

It's interesting to hear your weather report roadie girl, as here in Maine it is just the opposite! Last week was warm, with temps finally hitting 50 yesterday!! Most of the snow in nearby towns is gone, luckily we were in a belt with some of the most snow in the northeast... so we survived. I did get out yesteday for about an hour, and definietly planned to ski BEFORE the temps hit 50. At any rate, I was surprised at how good the snow actually was!!! I can't wait to get out again... perhaps Wednesday.

[Crankin]

Booked a weekend in Franconia on the 25th-27th. Very excited. Since I've only skied twice this year, I am thinking it might not be such a good idea to do the ski from our inn to the Franconia Inn and back thing. Those trails were definitely the hardest I've done, more like back country, including one that is a black diamond downhill trial at Cannon. I went UP it. Probably the most falling i've ever done on the downhills, as the trails were tracked, but the area outside the tracks weren't groomed wide enough for me to snowplow down. Hopefully, we'll start at Bretton Woods and then see.

[ridebikeme]

Sounds like a lot of fun Crankin! I hope that the weather changes here soon and gives us some more snow. It's a bit strange as a cyclist 'wanting' more snow, BUT the reality is that although some roads are rideable, most still have icey spots and TONS of sand. So, I say let's ski and truly be ready to ride outside. LOL

Let us know how your trip goes.... that's a beautiful area!

[ridebikeme]

Well, the snow gods answered some prayers here in New England today... YIPEE!! Got in a short ski with about 3" of new snow and it's continuing to snow as I type this. Hopefully we'll receive about 6" or more.... here's hoping that all of you are able to get back on your skis as well!!

[Crankin]

We had about 5 inches here in the NW burbs, but it looks kind of like wet snow. Both of my clients cancelled, bah, I could have at least gone skiing in the woods by my house this afternoon.

[ridebikeme]

Ahhh that's too bad that you weren't able to get out! Like you, we received 5-6 inches of snow, but it's dry. Although underneath all of it it's a bit crunchy.... but at least we have more snow and we can get out. I'm hoping to spend some time on my ski's this weekend.. hope all of you are as well!

[Crankin]

Not a ski, but a snow shoe. Went to Northfield Mountain in Northfield, MA, which is a great place to ski, when there is more than a 0-3 inch base! The thing about this place, is that you are either going up or down, unless you are on the true beginner trails. It is a "hill" after, all (1100 ft.). There are dedicated snow shoe trails and we went up the hardest one. 900 feet of elevation in about 2 miles. Quite a bit of suffering involved, but you are rewarded with a beautiful view of local mountains and the Green Mountains of Vermont (Sugarbush and Mount Snow). We went down a different way and ate our lunch at the hot chocolate hut (I didn't have any). On the way home, we stopped at this place I love, a funky antique store with a cafe, in Erving. DH and I shared a slice of apple pie and ice cream and I had coffee. We only saw 2 skiers near the top of the mountain, but there were a few near the base when we got back. Lots of rocks on the downhills, glad I didn't ski. We snow shoed about 4.2 miles.

[ridebikeme]

Sounds like a beautiful day!! I hope that you receive snow soon so that you can get back out on your ski's.

Got out for a short ski today after running errands, but it was a great day and beautiful with snow still hanging on the trees.... not sure why I can't remember to bring my camera. LOL

Enjoy tomorrow everyone!!

[DebW]

Just back from 2 days of skiing in VT at Groton State Forest. Stayed at Seyon Lodge with a small group of women and had some excellent skiing. A bit of snow falling on Saturday with temps starting above freezing. Today was cold, 3F in the morning, maybe 17 by afternoon, so skied on green wax with a nice snow base and 3-4 inches of powder. Heavenly!