Sports and the Outdoors
All trails to Mt. Washington's peak are rough and take considerable time. Perhaps the most famous is the Tuckerman Ravine Trail, the path used by extreme skiers who risk life and limb to fly down the face of the steep ravine. The hike to the top can easily take five–nine hours round-trip. Because the weather here is so erratic, it's critical to check weather conditions, to be prepared, and to keep in mind that Mt. Washington's summit is much colder than its base. The average year-round temperature is below freezing, and the average wind velocity is 35 mph.
Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center. Featuring a dramatic 28-mile network of both mild and wild cross-country ski and mountain-biking trails at the foot of Mt. Washington, Great Glen provides access to more than 1,100 acres of backcountry. You can also book to the summit via SnowCoach, a nine-passenger van refitted with triangular snowmobile-like treads. You have the option of skiing or snowshoeing down or just enjoying the magnificent winter view. There's also a huge ski and sports shop, a food court, and a climbing wall. In summer you can also rent kayaks and book excellent paddling, rafting, and float trips along the Androscoggin River. 1 Mt. Washington Auto Rd., at Rte. 16, Gorham, New Hampshire, 03581. 603/466–3988; www.greatglentrails.com. SnowCoach tours $55.
Pinkham Notch. On Mt. Washington's eastern slopes, scenic Pinkham Notch encompasses several ravines, including famous Tuckerman. The Appalachian Mountain Club operates a visitor center that provides trail information. Guided hikes leave from here, and outdoor skills workshops are offered. On-site are an outdoors shop, a lodge with basic overnight accommodations, and a dining hall. Not all the trails ascend Mt. Washington or are necessarily strenuous. Good bets for shorter, moderate hikes include Glen Ellis Falls and Crystal Cascade, which both lead to scenic waterfalls. AMC Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, 361 Rte. 16, Gorham, New Hampshire, 03581. 603/466–2721; www.outdoors.org. Daily 6:30 am–9 pm.
Wildcat Mountain. Glade skiers love Wildcat's 80 acres of tree skiing. Runs include some stunning double–black diamond trails; experts can really zip down the Lynx. Beginners, as long as they can hold a wedge, should check out the 2½-mile-long Polecat, which offers excellent views of the Presidential Range. The trails are classic New England—narrow and winding—and the vistas are stunning. For an adrenaline rush, there's a terrain park. In summer you can dart to the top on the four-passenger gondola, hike the many trails, and fish in the crystal clear streams. Facilities: 48 trails; 225 acres; 2,112-foot vertical drop; 5 lifts. Rte. 16, Gorham, New Hampshire, 03846. 603/466–3326; 888/754–9453; www.skiwildcat.com. $92.
