by Mitch Kaplan

I’m perusing the January, 2006, Conde Nast Traveler - the issue with their annual "Gold List" of the earth’s best lodging properties - and one item veritably pops off the page at me. The Inn at Thorn Hill of Jackson, N.H., is rated number one for location in the United States. Hey! I’ve been there.

Vacation getaways aren’t a whole lot different from real estate. The primary ingredient is location, location, location. And this ranking illustrates something many people already know. Jackson, New Hampshire, with its storybook New England buildings, covered bridge entryway, and mountain-surrounded setting, is one fine location.

Of course, the right getaway spot must have more than a prime location and pretty buildings. Winter holidays demand excellent snow, accessability, outdoor recreation, food and a welcoming ambience.

You know what? Jackson has all that.

Indeed, few winter recreational destinations match what Jackson offers - an entire town dedicated to Nordic skiing (not to worry, downhillers, excellent alpine is found here, too), with a truly friendly, small-town atmosphere in which guests are treated like locals.

Indeed, little Jackson (permanent population 800) reigns as a world Nordic Mecca.

A Strong Foundation

What force can create such a cross-country ski paradise? Start with the Jackson Ski Touring Foundation, a community-based, non-profit organization.

The Foundation oversees 154 kilometers of Nordic ski trails encompassing 60 square miles. The groomed and track-set Nordic trails start in a golf course meadow and wander into the woods, follow rivers, ascend and descend steep hills and pass through a classic New England covered bridge.

But, it's one thing to offer trails. It's quite another to maintain them. So, these days, ask "What's new?" of Thom Perkins, the Foundation's long time executive director, and instead of the usual marketing rap, he waxes ecstatic over a new grooming machine and maintenance building.

The machine is a state-of-the-art Kassbohrer PB 100, and its purchase makes keeping the northeast's most wide-ranging trail system in top shape easier. "This machine has enhanced our capabilities to provide excellent skiing on our extensive trail system for the public," Thom says. "It can blade snow better through proportional control, has a steerable tiller for more precise tracking, and has different tracks for climbing ability so that deep snow grooming should go better."

He's no less enthused that new maintenance building. The $100,000 facility provides a base for all grooming operations, plus a warm working environment for maintaining and storing the Foundation's entire grooming fleet and other maintenance equipment. It yields, says Perkins, "a direct benefit for our skiers. Grooming is only as good as the people and equipment that do the work. This new facility allows our operators to keep the machines in top shape and on the trails."

It Ain’t All Work

Even though the Foundation is community-based, it’s chartered to provide winter recreation for everyone. Well, is there a winter sport that's more egalitarian that snowshoeing? I don't think so. Which is why the other "what's new?" news in Jackson is exciting for so many.

A new snowshoe trail.

Called Eskergo, the trail travels from the base lodge, along Ellis River Trail, out to a riverside warming hut, a distance of about three kilometers over forested knolls, up and down dips, and along terrain highlighted by the picturesque river. Narrow and rustic, it was designed and completed this past summer by the Foundation trail crew and volunteers.

"For years, folks have wanted a snowshoe route along the Ellis River," comments Perkins. "With this new trail, we’ve created the opportunity for snowshoers and skiers to meet at the Ellis River Warming Hut." Once there, Perkins points out, snowshoers can meet with cross-country skiing friends and family, and enjoy hot chocolate, water and refreshments before heading back to the village.

It’s an Event

Of course, no community-based organization would operate without a full schedule of events. And, the weekly happenings here help to set this destination apart. Among the offerings:

• Waxing Demos; Mondays 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
A Jackson tradition, Thom imparts info from getting started to fine tuning for races, and how to work with waxes for different conditions and skiing abilities. Free.

• Ski with a Ranger; Mondays 10:30 a.m.
A U.S. Forest Service ranger leads a two-hour interpretive tour into the White Mountain National Forest on easy trails for viewing and interpreting flora and fauna. Free with trail pass purchase.

• Friday Gliders Classic Social Ski; Fridays 1 p.m.
A fun, social tour for all skiing abilities, with instructional tips and apres-ski stretching, followed by refreshments in the base lodge. $22 including trail pass purchase.

• Snowshoe Instructional Nature Tour; Saturdays 10 a.m.
A two-hour, guided snowshoe outing, featuring snowshoe technique tips good for first-timers to experts. An excellent introduction to snowshoeing and the winter woods. $10, plus trail pass purchase.

Two major annual events highlight the busy event calendar.

• The Jackson Classic Race Weekend.
Scheduled this year for January 21-22, 2006, it’s described by Laurie Ferris as "An event with racing and touring for all ages and abilities."

Saturday: the Second Annual White Mountain Classic 30-K, a major fund raiser for Mt. Washington Valley junior Nordic ski programs open to racers and tourers of all ages. The one-loop course affords excellent viewing for spectators. More than $8,000 in prizes and awards - many awarded by drawing, plus a raffle for a valley-wide Nordic ski pass.

Sunday: the 30th Annual Jackson Jaunt, a 10-K citizen’s race that utilizes Jackson’s historic World Championship course, with a separate Bill Koch League free race for kids.

• Hearts of Jackson Inn Tour, Sunday, Feb 12.; 12 noon - 4 p.m.
Participants ski, snowshoe or drive among ten village inns, stopping at each for a surprise heart-themed treat or gift and inn tours. Maps are provided. For children: Mountainside Farm B&B hosts a Make-a-Valentine-Get-Together; the Wentworth offers a Decorate-Your-Own-Valentine-Cookie-Workshop. Some proceeds benefit the American Heart Assn. Sign up limited to 150 - reservations recommended. Call 603-383-9355 or email info@jacksonxc.org. Cost: $20 per person, including a ski trail pass. Special lodging packages are listed at www.jacksonxc.org.