Bear Notch Ski Touring Center

My husband and I made our first foray into cross country skiing here this past weekend and LOVED it! We did a lesson with Clifton which was VERY worth the time and money. Apparently a lot of the other trail systems weren’t open due to the lack of snow, but Bear Notch had plenty of beautiful, well-​groomed trails to play on. The best part: COMPLETELY dog friendly! We could have taken our dog out on any of their 65 km plus trails, not just a mile or two like other sites.
We loved the cross country skiing, so we went back to Bear Notch to rent snowshoes today for a hike up Mt Crawford. Again, super friendly staff and really affordable prices. This is the only place we’ll bring our business to the next time we’re in the area.

This is one of my favorite places in the world! My husband and I spend a lot of time in the Bartlett area in the winter. We’re downhill skiiers generally, but after having my first child in the fall of 2013, I found that downhill skiing isn’t the most newborn friendly activity — so I started spending more and more time on x-​country skis, pulling the baby in a sled behind me. The trails at Bear Notch are beautifully maintained and the scenery is some of the best the Mt. Washington Valley has to offer. I spent hours at Bear Notch, pulling a baby in a sled with a dog running alongside me last year. This year, the baby is a toddler and here’s hoping he still enjoys the sled, because I’m looking forward to another winter season!

I am a local and have been skiing at Bear Notch for over 15 years. In fact, I ski here every day I possibly can during ski season. Bear Notch often has skiing when other areas are closed as they are in a snow belt that gets more accumulation than other areas, including Jackson.
There are beginner and more advanced trails, with wonderful views down by the river and on the hills. Much less crowded than Jackson and Bretton Woods. The biggest bonus for me is that I can bring my dog (this is my third dog who has «skied» at Bear Notch), who bounds joyfully up and down the trails and frolics in the snow. Its a dog lover’s paradise. For those of you who do not love dogs, I have never seen a dog on the trails who was not well behaved and respectful of the folks skiing. A nice, family run business, good to support the locals.

I cannot say enough good things about this place. I love supporting quality local businesses and this is a prime example. The staff goes above and beyond to make you feel comfortable and welcome. Even with a beginner like me, they were patient and helpful. I found the trails to be very well marked, not at all crowded, and in great condition, even after it snowed all night prior to my visit. The price for an all-​day pass and rentals was very reasonable at $ 25 (on a weekday). I love that they allow dogs on the trails, too! From what I hear, they’re one of the few places in the area that do. The lodge is basic, but the homemade bread is some of the best I’ve ever had! I think it’s great that they use the honor system and that people actually respect it! I liked Bear Notch so much that I visited two days in a row. The second day, I got to chatting with a local Conway couple in the lodge and they confirmed everything I’d been thinking about the ski center – friendly staff, great trails, exceptional value. I will definitely be coming back to Bear Notch. In fact, I don’t see any reason to try any of the other cross country area as long as this one is operational.
One important note – they only accept cash, no credit cards.

I don’t understand how a place this awesome can exist. We went there because they allow dogs off leash on all the trails. So they had me at hello. But then the rental center and warming hut turned out to be as homey as your grandmother’s and just as cozy. The rental equipment was great quality and the trails well groomed. We took a lesson with one of the brothers from the family who owns the place, and he turned us from sorry beginners to pretty adequate beginners. And then, as others have commented, there’s the free home-​made bread for lunch and soup that’s just 3 dollars. It’s cash only, but if you only have plastic, they’ll let you mail them the payment. Really, how can any place be so cool? They make a big deal out of the nearby Jackson ski center, but from what I’ve seen, these trails are just as nice and the scenery even better. And it’s way more relaxed.

Do not pass this place up for the higher priced more crowded cross country areas in North Conway. Skiing in some of the areas (such as one beginning with a J) is like skiing in Manhattan with the crowds.
Not the case at Bear Notch.
1. Fabulous conditions even when other areas are suffering. The crew here moves snow either by equipment or the old fashion way using a shovel to ensure top flight conditions. They actually tell the truth about their conditions on their web site.
2. Trails are varied with everything from easy greens to more challenging trails. The trails across 302 are fairly easy but very beautiful. The trails up behind the warming hut are more challenging, varied and long.
3. The warming hut is unpretentious but cozy. Great hot fresh bread and soup is available daily for $ 3.00.
Equipment rental is quick and efficient. Love this place.

I visited here on a gorgeous day in January and was so pleased with my decision.
First of all, I’m a downhill skiier, so going to a cross-​country place was a bit of a compromise. However, it was only a few miles down the street from Attitash, so it wasn’t a big deal to drive to.
Second, it turned out to be a great decision.
The main reception area is actually a little cozy house. A very nice lady helped outfit us with cross-​country skis for an affordable price ($ 15 for the equipment, $ 15 for the ski ticket) and then helped me decipher the trail map.
She then informed me that there was soup and freshly baked bread in the warming hut out back. Soup and bread! SCORE! So we headed back there and lo and behold, there was awesome soup and delicious bread as well as lots of hot water and tea and cocoa.
We then spent the rest of the day trekking along the beautiful and well groomed trails. The views were spectacular and there was a ton of terrain to cover.
Meanwhile, the trails were rated green, blue and black just like in downhill skiing, but I had no idea what this meant for cross country. Turns out that the black trails are narrower and steeper and the green trails are wider and flatter. Pretty universal for skiing, I guess.
All in all, this was a really great day. This place was a great, cozy small business in a convenient location run by great people. They even had the largest boot size ever made for my big-​footed boyfriend!
I highly recommend taking a break from the downhill for a cross-​country adventure!