As the hours creep toward the longest night of the year, my nocturnal clock has me yawning by dinnertime and burrowing under the blankets. Living on the 44th parallel, the long night lasts over fifteen hours. Why in the world would anyone want to live where it’s dark for more than fifteen hours in a frosty, hibernal climate? Fortunately, the days will soon grow longer, and winter in the White Mountains is simply magical! The sunrises are the most spectacular during this season. Emblazoned by the climbing sun, fiery layers of ruffled clouds dwarf the purple mountains. At night the heavens are brilliant and clear as Gemini, Orion, and Taurus march across the sky. Moonlight illuminates the fields casting inky patterns that dance across the landscape. On a clear day, jeweled reflections from millions of ice crystals glitter and sparkle in the sun. “Okay,” you might yawn,” but what is there to DO besides look at the scenery? Winter is great if you own a snowmobile or are an Alpine skier, but what else is there?” Continue reading for five things to experience in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
1. Remember the stories of Balto and Togo who transported life-saving antitoxin to Nome, Alaska? You may never need to save people from diphtheria, but you can help beat the winter doldrums by trying dogsledding at Muddy Paw and Raft in Jefferson, NH. Take an exhilarating dogsled ride and even try your hand at mushing. We know that Huskies LOVE to run, because our oldest daughter raised them when she was in high school. During the summer, her team practiced by pulling a cart down rough dirt roads and in winter they dashed over the snowy fields. Sometimes they raced, but we discovered this was a fairly expensive hobby. Muddy Paws also offers summer and winter rides, but winter is definitely better and much less bumpy! The swoosh of the sled on the trail, joyful barks from the team, the snowy spruce-lined paths, and the connection to an age-old mode of transportation is unforgettable. Another fun opportunity is to watch a dogsled race. Depending on conditions, the Pond of Safety Sled Dog Race hosted by North Country Mushers is scheduled for January 11-12, 2025. This event is also in Jefferson. The Great North Woods Sled Dog Challenge occurs later in the season (also weather permitting), and in past years has even been hosted by our inn. Be transported to another era this winter by riding on a sled or cheering on the sidelines!
2. Ski Jumping is a thrilling sport to observe! Four miles south of The Inn at Oxbow Acres is the historic Nansen Ski Jump. For five decades, this monstrous 171- foot steel tower hosted both domestic and international competitions. Former guests told us stories of fathers and uncles who jumped off this imposing structure with primitive skis! (Umm… no, thank you!) After it closed in 1988, the “Sleeping Giant” deteriorated and all but disappeared beneath brush and trees. But The Friends of Nansen Ski Jump remembered those glory years and with considerable efforts began the needed repairs. The restoration is now funded by several grants, yet before work really started, former World Champion Sarah Hendrickson make a daring leap in 2017. During the summer of 2021, we watched the daily progress as bulldozers and excavators cleared and groomed the steep hillside. It was somewhat terrifying – from below they looked like little matchbox vehicles perilously perched atop the hill that could flip over… and over… and over down the steep grade. I watched those fearless machine operators with a knot in my stomach hoping I wouldn’t have to be the one to call 911! Three times they carefully seeded the jump with grass, but each time a rainstorm would wash the precious grains down to the base. Finally, they built little berms of earth to control the erosion, and the rocky hill became smooth and green. It’s an intimidating view from the base of the jump - imagine what it’s like 171 feet higher! Route 16 lies directly below conjuring up Flat Stanley nightmares.
Alongside the looming jump, a K39 jump was constructed. In ski-jump lingo, the "K" is German for "Kritical". It’s the point where the slope flattens out on the hill. About half the size of the Big Nansen, this K39 is also impressive. Young competitors from all over the Northeast began jumping off the “Little Nansen” in 2022 on the 100th anniversary of the first Nansen Winter Carnival, We’ve attended this event each year, bundling up and joining spectators and vendors for hot drinks, snacks, and excitement. The fun starts on Saturday with an “Art Sled Rally” where local children and adults decorate sleds and test their engineering as they coast down the giant hill. Our favorite last year was a “chicken sled” complete with a white balloon egg!
Competitions run on Sunday. January 26. 2025 is the Junior National Qualifier where top regional jumpers from the Northeast will contend for placement on the US Team. The NHIAA High School Jumping Competition is scheduled for Wednesday, January 29, 2025. If this sport interests you, there’s a free "Introduction to Ski Jumping" Clinic at noon on January 18, 2025.
3. Cross-country skiing is another way to enjoy the winter season. The oldest continuous ski club in the United States is right here in Milan. Founded as "Skiklubben”, then later "Skiklubben Fridtjof Nansen," it’s now simply known as the Nansen Ski Club. Fridtjof was a Norwegian scientist/ explorer who trekked across Greenland on cross-country skis, and that club title was a bit of a mouthful, but now you know why it's called Nansen. Based out of Milan Hill State Park, there’s Beginner, Easy, Moderate, and Difficult paths developed by an Olympic cross-country trail designer. Why take up this activity? Well, cross-country skiing helps pull you out of the winter blahs and provides a full body workout that strengthens both heart and bones. The gliding motion is gentle on joints, plus it’s a great way to burn those excess holiday calories. If you’ve never done this activity, you can use our discount passes with Great Glen Trails to take cross-country ski lessons and explore their fantastic trail system. And if you ARE experienced, you can take your skills to another level by joining them for “North America’s Toughest 10K” on Sunday, February 23, 2025. Originally known as “Ski to the Clouds”, this Nordic race grew to include snowshoes and fatbikes – truly a winter triathlon. A trail system also runs behind our inn – but it’s not groomed as nicely as the ones on Milan Hill or Great Glen. It’s ideal for snowshoeing though - another way to enjoy Old Man Winter!
4. Speaking of Great Glen Trails, they offer an alpine adventure on the Mount Washington Snow Coach. Mounted on tracks, the toasty Snowcoach will securely transport you to Mount Washington’s tree line. (With its extreme weather, public access to the very top of Mount Washington is limited by mid-October.) On your coach ride, witty guides will explain the natural history and provide updates from the Mount Washington Weather Observatory. It’s fascinating to learn how plants, animals, and humans adapt to this arctic-like tundra. Did you know that in 2023, Mount Washington was colder than Mars with a -108-degree wind chill??? Winter athletes can take the Snow Coach up to the 4,200-tree line elevation and then snowshoe down. Who knows – this trek might inspire you to try the “Toughest 10K” someday!
5. Considering something a little more low-key? How about attending the New Hampshire Sanctioned & Jackson Invitational Snow Sculpting Competition? Artistic teams gather from all over the Northeast to the base lodge of Great Glen Trails and create incredible sculptures. I think of it as Snowmen on Steroids! Participants are provided with a compacted 8-foot-high cylinder of snow and in 48 hours they draw out a personality. It’s like watching Michelangelo on fast forward. Stop by on Friday or Saturday as competitors chisel away, then browse the Great Glen Gear Shop for winter clothing, accessories, and gifts. The finished pieces will be ready by Sunday afternoon and are illuminated at night. The 2025 competition begins at noon on Friday, January 31st, and the creative clock stops at 12pm on Sunday, February 2nd. Weather permitting, the sculptures may last for another two weeks, but Mother Nature might use that fierce wind to modify or melt the figures. For longer lasting creations, go to North Woodstock, New Hampshire and tour Ice Castles. You won’t see the sculpting process, but you’ll experience gorgeous frozen caverns, mazes, ice slides, and sleigh rides. Be aware that tickets sell out quickly, and as temperatures warm, this experience can suddenly cancel. We experienced this twice because of unseasonal conditions, but we were finally able to enjoy it! Sign up for their newsletter for the latest updates and rates. Note that the sculpting competition at Great Glen Trails is free.
I hope these suggestions will help you to embrace the winter instead of hibernating until spring. Take the opportunity to try something new during this magical season. Marvel at a captivating sunrise, stargaze without mosquitos, ride a dogsled or Snow coach, observe ski-jumpers, Nordic ski, snowshoe, or take in an ice-sculpting competition. Winter might entice you so much that you’ll consider Alpine ski lessons next year!