Kicking and Gliding at Jackson XC & A Ski Day at Loon Mountain

by Amy Patenaude
Outdoor/Ski Writer

January had lots of snow and cold but the January thaws were no fun for winter lovers. Ice fishing and hockey enthusiasts had to stay off the ice for a few days due to the unwelcomed warm-up. But happily skiers and riders flocked to the mountains and enjoyed Spring like conditions on the trails and slopes.
After a crazy night that delivered as much rain as it did snow, Charlie and I headed to Jackson, NH to cross-country ski in JacksonXC’s Freeman Frost White Mountain Classic. The weather forecast called for sunny skies and temperatures to be in the 40’s! This seemed extra crazy, since the temperature the previous weekend was just 10 at the Bretton Woods’ race. Instead of trying to figure out what to wear this time I had to figure what not to wear–long underwear and covering my face would be too hot at 40+ degrees. I wore a headband but most wore nothing on their heads.

Jackson XC delayed the race an hour to permit the grooming crew to set tracks in the early morning hours between the gap in the weather patterns.
Grooming machines set tracks at an average of about 3 miles per hour and there is a lot more work to do to host a race. Volunteers shoveled snow for the Carter Notch Road crossing and they shoveled more snow on the trail where it was needed.
The race started across from the Nordic Center and we skied a big loop around the open Wentworth Golf Course so skiers would spread out before heading up the narrow Yodel Trail. I lost sight of Charlie before I entered the woods. My skis glided well and the klister wax under my skis provided a good kick to carry me up the hills.
After climbing up and crossing the road, I enjoyed the downhill to the Eagle Mountain House Golf Course where we did another loop before heading into the woods. The trail was double tracked and the tracks were good. The first loop I was ahead of a friend and then the second loop he passed me by and stayed in front all the way to the finish.
The fastest skier completed the course in less than 50 minutes and the skier that enjoyed skiing the longest was under two hours. Smiles on skiers and volunteers faces proved it was a good day to ski.

The race lunch at the community center was served by the local 5th graders and the delicious soups and pasta were donated by local restaurants. The lunch was a fundraiser for their class trip. Awards were given out and stories of races within the race were shared between us.
Afterwards we walked over to the Jackson Historical Society to see the large painting, The Northern Presidentials from the Glen, by Erik Koeppel. This lovely painting shouldn’t be missed, the painting was commissioned by the Historical Society. Admission is free and you’ll see more White Mountain art and interesting history are on display.
Last Thursday Danielle, Bria and I went downhill skiing at Loon. Brrr it was cold just 12 degrees when we arrived but the sun came up and by noon it was in the mid 20s. We parked by the Governor Adams Lodge (we didn’t ride the John Henry steam engine train but it was running). I think the cold might have kept some people away in the morning but not us.
We booted up in the Lodge and Bria helped Danielle get a discounted lift ticket by giving her one of her IKON buddy passes. I ran into “adult racing” friends and I was easily persuaded to race on their team for Loonatics. Loonatics is held every Thursday at Noon and teams of six racers in men’s and women’s divisions vie for points–hint: women are more valuable. That is what they say, I didn’t say it!

The three of us did a loop on the Kanc quad, which is planned to be replaced with an 8-pack next summer. Then we skied over to the gondola, no lift line, and over to the North Peak. We could see forever all the way to Mountain Washington and the nearby Franconia Ridge peaks.
The snow conditions were excellent, the groomed loose granular lasted the whole day. We skied our way across the resort and made our way to the South Peak. We skied Ripsaw and Cruiser together before I needed to head over to Loonatics. Danielle and Bria elected to ski a few more runs at South Peak. The views of Cannon Mountain and the Cannonballs from South Peak were bright and wonderfully rugged.
I put on my race number and I was told if everyone doesn’t return their race bib your team is disqualified and scores no points. I said I would be sure to return it, you bet I did.
The race was held on Coolidge Street (named in honor of Big Coolidge Mountain that is directly north of the ski trail). Loonatics attracts racers of all abilities and ages (the oldest is 90). Everyone cheers for one another and after the lifts close they meet for après ski at one of the local sponsoring establishments.
After the race we met up at the Kanc lift and again skied our way over to the North Peak. Of course we took a run down the middle of the superpipe in the terrain park, being a weekday the park was not busy and we felt safe being silly.
On top of North Peak, we marveled at the clear mountain views and how there was just a breath of wind. It was a super day to ski. Danielle was tracking our progress and told us we only had to do one more run to make it an even 20! Our last lift ride up was on the gondola and we took Bearclaw to Rumrunner to complete our lumberjack ski adventure.
On our way home we stopped by Black Mountain Burger where the Loonatics would be gathering for après ski later.
Have Fun.

Amy Patenaude is an avid skier/outdoor enthusiast from Henniker, N.H. Readers are welcome to send comments or suggestions to her at: amy@weirs.com.