Skiing in the Great North Woods
The BALSAMS is currently closed for renovations...We recommend staying tuned about their progress by following them on Facebook.
Encouraging plans were shared by Les Otten, new development partner for the Balsams property, at the Chamber's May 22nd, 2014 Annual Dinner meeting: http://www.unionleader.com/article/20140522/NEWS02/140529540
Cross Country Skiing is allowed on the many snowmobile trails and corridors in the North Country.
Please remember: Snowmobilers have the 'right-of-way' (you can hear them but they can't hear you!).
THE BALSAMS Wilderness Ski Area offers 16 beautiful tree-lined trails, five gladed areas, a Terrain Park, a slope for beginners and a ski-play area for the children. Snowmaking is available on 80% of the trails and we operate two triple-chairs and a double chair lift. Snowboarders are welcome on all of the trails, the glades and the Terrain Park. PSIA-certified instructors are available to offer coaching and group classes in alpine and telemark skiing as well as snowboarding.
Nordic
Listed as one of the top cross-country ski resorts in North America by Snow Country Magazine, The BALSAMS Wilderness Ski Area offers 95 kilometers of Nordic trails, 85 of which are tracked and groomed. With only a few exceptions, the trails are groomed 14 feet wide with two diagonal lanes and a wide skate lane down the middle.
One third of their trail system is marked green for those just learning, Half are marked blue for intermediate skiers, with the remaining trails devoted to experts. The system traverses the resorts 15,000-acre private estate, and features an abundance of well-situated heated shelters.
Directions from Boston & Manchester: North on Interstate 93 past Franconia Notch to Exit 35, then Route 3 to Colebrook and East onto Route 26 for 11 miles to Dixville Notch.
Directions From Portland: Maine Turnpike North to Exit 63 (formerly Exit 11) onto Route 26 West to Dixville Notch.
Encouraging plans were shared by Les Otten, new development partner for the Balsams property, at the Chamber's May 22nd, 2014 Annual Dinner meeting: http://www.unionleader.com/article/20140522/NEWS02/140529540
Cross Country Skiing is allowed on the many snowmobile trails and corridors in the North Country.
Please remember: Snowmobilers have the 'right-of-way' (you can hear them but they can't hear you!).
THE BALSAMS Wilderness Ski Area offers 16 beautiful tree-lined trails, five gladed areas, a Terrain Park, a slope for beginners and a ski-play area for the children. Snowmaking is available on 80% of the trails and we operate two triple-chairs and a double chair lift. Snowboarders are welcome on all of the trails, the glades and the Terrain Park. PSIA-certified instructors are available to offer coaching and group classes in alpine and telemark skiing as well as snowboarding.
Nordic
Listed as one of the top cross-country ski resorts in North America by Snow Country Magazine, The BALSAMS Wilderness Ski Area offers 95 kilometers of Nordic trails, 85 of which are tracked and groomed. With only a few exceptions, the trails are groomed 14 feet wide with two diagonal lanes and a wide skate lane down the middle.
One third of their trail system is marked green for those just learning, Half are marked blue for intermediate skiers, with the remaining trails devoted to experts. The system traverses the resorts 15,000-acre private estate, and features an abundance of well-situated heated shelters.
Directions from Boston & Manchester: North on Interstate 93 past Franconia Notch to Exit 35, then Route 3 to Colebrook and East onto Route 26 for 11 miles to Dixville Notch.
Directions From Portland: Maine Turnpike North to Exit 63 (formerly Exit 11) onto Route 26 West to Dixville Notch.
The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel when it was still in operation a few years ago. It has recently changed hands, now owned by two local businessmen- Danny Hebert and Danny Dagesse. The resort and accompanying ski area in Dixville Notch were a huge employer and tourist draw for the area for years. The community and guests eagerly await the fate and hopeful future of the sleeping giant. Photo Courtesy- Britni White Photography.
