Trails: 40 km (25 miles) of trails are groomed for cross-country skiing with some skating trails and a 1 km lighted trail for night skiing. Trail fees: Adults $14 (winter 2002/2003) Tel: 603-878-2869
Snow report: Posted on their website Nearest town: New Ipswich, NH Web site:Windblown XC Ski Center Trail map: Available at the center and on their website Equipment rentals: Skis & snowshoes Ski lessons: Yes Other winter activities: Snowshoeing, telemarking Facilities: Day lodge, waxing room, cafeteria, warming hut, three shelters on the trails Lodging on site: Warming hut can be rented Lodging nearby: Several inns are located nearby Location of trails: The center is about 4 miles west of New Ipswich on Highway 124 (about 1.5 hours from Boston) Tourism info:Jaffrey Chamber Weather report:New Ipswich Map of local region:New Ipswich
Name of XC Area: Windblown Cross Country Ski Center Times that I have skied there: Weekly I last skied there in: Dec, 2005 Trails that I skied: All of the trails My favorite trails: All for different kinds of skiing experiences Trail marking: Very good Trail grooming: Very good Rating: 4.5 stars What I liked: I agree with an earlier reviewer that there is a sufficient variety of terrain that any skier can find trails that will suit their ability and interest. From the owner Al Jenks, the new trail he has put in coming off Barrett Mtn is the steepest x-c trail in New England. Try it. It is a real challenge, especially near the bottom as it drops down to the Valley trail. A recent addition is an honor-system based Ski-Orienteering course that is set by Aims Coney and changed every week or so, usually on Tuesdays. One can access the map that list the current course at http://geocities.com/glidexc/ They are fun to do! What I disliked: My x-c skiing ability is challenged by the several trails coming off Barrett Mtn! Comments: Since I live but six miles from the area, I have skiied there many, many times and have an understandible bias. The trail ratings mean what they say. Their soups and sandwiches are super as well. Submitted by: NWA from: Ashby, MA Date submitted: Dec 29, 2005
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Name of XC Area: Windblown Cross Country Ski Center Times that I have skied there: Once I last skied there in: Dec, 2005 Trails that I skied: Pond Loop My favorite trails: The ones labelled "expert" Trail marking: Very good Trail grooming: Very good Rating: 5 stars What I liked: I loved the scenery! Very picturesque. The trails can be challenging to a beginner, but are easily mastered in short time. What I disliked: Nothing! Comments: Submitted by: Monica from: Oxford, MA Date submitted: Dec 19, 2005
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Name of XC Area: Windblown Cross Country Ski Center Times that I have skied there: Once I last skied there in: Jan, 2005 Trails that I skied: various intermediate My favorite trails: open slope Trail marking: Fair Trail grooming: Very good Rating: 5 stars What I liked: Wonderful variety - from easy to quite challenging; the scenery was beautiful What I disliked: Crowded. The parking lot is very steep & it was almost more challenging to get to/from the car than it was to ski Comments: Submitted by: CS from: Cambridge, MA Date submitted: Jan 31, 2005
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Name of XC Area: Windblown Cross Country Ski Center Times that I have skied there: Weekly I last skied there in: Mar, 2000 Trails that I skied: all My favorite trails: side hill slide and the old wild willy Trail marking: Very good Trail grooming: Very good Rating: 5 stars What I liked: The grooming and maintenance is always top notch. Whether you're in the mood for easy gliding or a more strenous workout or doing intervals or exploring or telemarking there are trails for all. Most trails offer variety of scenery and terrain without ever getting too far from the main lodge. What I disliked: Comments: Those who are used to skiing at golf courses or at the resorts whose trails are more like "highways" through the woods should be cautious. At least the first time on any of the trails. The terrain does not remain the same for long and some of the trails don't have long run-outs to coast to a stop. Submitted by: B. C. from: New Ipswich Date submitted: Dec 22, 2004
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Name of XC Area: Windblown Cross Country Ski Center Times that I have skied there: Weekly I last skied there in: Mar, 2003 Trails that I skied: Most, if not all My favorite trails: The black diamonds Trail marking: Very good Trail grooming: Very good Rating: 5 stars What I liked: This place is great What I disliked: None Comments: Do not try to go beyond your ability level, there are trails that will seriously hurt insufficiently proficient skiers. Submitted by: MRM from: Chelmsford, MA 01824 Date submitted: March 21, 2003
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Name of XC Area: Windblown Cross Country Ski Center Times that I have skied there: A few times I last skied there in: Mar, 2001 Trails that I skied: All types offered - None the name of which I remember specifically My favorite trails: Steep, steeper, steepest!! Yahoo!! Trail marking: Fair Trail grooming: Very good Rating: 4.5 stars What I liked: A great variety of terrain. Difficult trails are *difficult*, while beginners' trails are numerous. The new center can be crowded, but it attempts to be comfortable. Owners show respect for customers, are friendly and without a doubt some of the hardest working folks I've seen. My wife likes the bathrooms. What I disliked: Signage, orientation with the trail map requires map-reading beyond most folks. The complex system can confuse. Comments: This place is a blast!! Last year's huge snowfall opened up an old ski area to off piste, backcountry telemarking. If you climb 20 - 30 mins, you earn some great turns. Not great vertical, but challenging to this newby freeheeler. A couple of times up and down, and you're ready for the easier trails. Lots of green and blue terrain offer skating, and classic terrain for a workout or an pleasant encounter with southern N.H. forests. The X-C equivalent to Cannon or Wildcat! Submitted by: Joe Smith from: Reading, MA Date submitted: Jan 25, 2002
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Name of XC Area: Windblown Cross Country Ski Center Times that I have skied there: Several times I last skied there in: Feb, 1999 Trails that I skied: Many My favorite trails: Beaver Pond Drop Trail marking: Fair Trail grooming: Very good Rating: 4 stars What I liked: Place is well laid out. The trails are challenging if that is what you are looking for. There are many easier trails for the less experiienced. Love the warming hut at the center of the area. Try to get there as often as possible. What I disliked: Comments: Trails can be on the narrow side. Submitted by: R. E. Lomas from: Princeton, MA Date submitted: Jan 10, 2002
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Name of XC Area: Windblown Cross Country Ski Center Date of rating: Jan 14, 2001 I have skied there: Once I last skied there in: Feb, 1998 Trails skied: Do not remember My favorite trails: Do not remember Trail marking: Fair Trail grooming: Fair Rating: 1 star Likes and dislikes: Regular gravel roads through the woods are used for xc skiing at Windblown, as in many other xc ski areas. These roads usually need adjustment for safe xc skiing. In particular, sharp turns should be smoothed out, especially on the downgrade. SIGNS SHOULD WARN OF POTENTIAL HAZARDS.
I am an experienced skier, and I usually control my skies very good, but I had a bad fall at Windblown. I was skiing down rather fast through the woods, and suddenly I saw the opening and I found myself riding towards a stone fence. I tried to make a sharp turn, but there was not enough room for a decent turn. The ground was icy, and I fell with my elbow hitting the hard ice. I immediately felt sharp pain in my shoulder. The elbow was of course scratched too, though it didn't hurt as bad as the shoulder. I slowly got up and went to my car, hoping that the pain would soon stop. I drove home with one hand, the other hand was heplessly hanging down. It became the end of the ski season for me, because the pain in the shoulder was so bad. Eventually it took almost a year for the shoulder to heal.
I consider that a happy end for both myself and the Windblown xc ski center.
Comments: Other than the bad accident, I remember the place as very charming. Submitted by: Alex Stern from: Brookline, MA
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