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Cross Country Skiing

A great way to enjoy winter

With varied, well-marked terrain, we are the perfect location for all skiing abilities

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO CROSS COUNTRY SKI

TRAIL PASSES

Visiting once? A day pass for the trails will suit you just fine. Purchase Day Passes at the Base Lodge when you come in, no reservations necessary.

Visiting for a few days, or more than once? Consider a season pass. Incredible deals if you purchase early in the season or if you are a first time season pass holder. Plus, when a parent/guardian purchases a season pass, ALL their kids, 17 and under, get a FREE pass too! Ready to get a season pass? Book online now!

RENTALS

SKIS: We rent both classic and skate skis from Salomon. We buy new equipment every season and offer it for sale at the end of the season so you are always using the best gear. We do not take reservations for ski rentals, just come into the base lodge and our experts will get you set up.

SNOWSHOES: With one of the largest snowshoe rental fleets around, we can accommodate large groups. We also carry youth snowshoes for smaller adventurers. Pro tip: come in the morning for the best availability. We do not take reservations for snowshoe rentals.

FATBIKES: Biking in the winter, why not? Big fat tires help cruise through the snow. Fatbiking is condition dependent, please always check the Snow Report or give us a call. You can make a Fatbike reservation: Book online now!

FACILITIES

    • Full rental fleet for classic and skate techniques
    • Groomed terrain right from the base lodge
    • One trail head, no road crossings
    • Wax room
    • Lockers
    • Showers ($1.25 for 5 minutes)
    • Brown-bag lunch tables and BYOB
    • 90% of all groomed terrain is 2-way traffic, tracked on both sides
    • Trailside lodging at the Glen House Hotel
    • Expert ski shop 

CLASSIC AND SKATE TECHNIQUES

There are two different techniques of cross country skiing, classic and skate. Classic skiing is primarily with the skier’s skis oriented straight ahead, skis running parallel. A specific type of wax or some kind of mechanical gripping design exists on the bottom of the ski’s midsection, to keep the skis from sliding backward. If trails are groomed with “Tracks”, parallel grooves are set in the snow to make the experience easier.

Skate skiing uses skis designed solely for gliding, without a midsection gripping design, making use of lateral movements to move forward. A flat and firm surface created by grooming helps to make skate skiing easier. Typically newcomers to the sport start with classic technique as it’s generally more stable and straightforward.

SKI SCHOOL: LESSONS FOR ALL ABILITIES

Includes rentals and a daily trail pass! In a group setting with no more than 6 people, we make it easy and fun to learn how to cross country ski. With one short lesson, you’ll be able to enjoy your day out on the trails.

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From $65

Let our expert ski school instructors take your skills to the next level. Either classic or skate technique, we can help you hone your skills to be more efficient and achieve more glide.

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From $65

Together with your friend / partner / colleague, come out with our expert instructors to dial in your strengths and find out where you need improvement.

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From $49
  • Free and open to the public

Glen House Speaker Series

Topics of interest from local speakers

A Friday night series of speakers throughout the winter on a variety of topics from local speakers.

6:30-7:30 pm

Jan 14: Howie Wemyss
Feb 17: Douglas Arion
Feb 24: Rick Wilcox
Mar 3: Chris Lewey

  • Free to attend
  • Challenge yourself

Ski, Shoe, Fatbike to the Clouds

North America’s Toughest 10K

Pick a discipline! Nordic ski, snowshoe, or fatbike on this challenging race course that uses 4k of the Great Glen Trails system, and then 6k on the snow covered Mt. Washington Auto Road, gaining 2,200 feet of elevation!

  • Sunday, February 26, 2023
  • 10:00 am
  • Adventure Race

Tuckerman Inferno

Race solo or with a team

A fundraiser for the Friends of Tuckerman Ravine, this pentathlon uses Great Glen Trails and the Mt. Washington Auto Road for the ski, fatbike, and snowshoe legs before traversing to Pinkham Notch and up into the infamous bowl for the backcountry ski or snowboard finish.

  • Saturday, March 18, 2023
  • 8:00 am Race Start
  • Organized by the Friends of Tuckerman Ravine
  • 24 Hour bike race

Moat Mountain 24 Hours of Great Glen

24 or 12 Hour Mountain bike race

Join us for the best bike race and party of the summer. Register as a solo competitor or a team of two, four, or five on the 8.8 mile course throughout the Wonderland of Great Glen Trails.

  • August 5-6, 2023
  • Sponsored by Moat Mountain Smokehouse and Brewery
  • Families and friends welcome