Check out the following story ideas for inspiration or read AMC's winter press releases and winter multi-activity itineraries.
- Lodge-to-lodge skiing in the Maine Woods: AMC Maine Wilderness Lodges
- Snowshoeing by moonlight: winter from a different perspective
- Classic snowshoe trails in the White Mountains and Maine Woods
- Rediscovering a historic backcountry ski lodge
- 50 classic ski tours in the Northeast
- Mt. Washington in winter: 10 ways to explore the Northeast's highest peak
- Hiking the Appalachian Trail in winter: short loop trips in the Delaware Water Gap
- Winter Presidential Traverse: tackling New Hampshire's 4,000 footers
1. Lodge-to-lodge skiing in the Maine Woods: AMC Maine Wilderness Lodges
When AMC's newest Maine Woods destination,
Gorman Chairback Lodge & Cabins, opened this past year, it added a fourth stop for lodge-to-lodge cross-country skiing. This winter AMC is further expanding its backcountry ski trail network for even more opportunities to explore 66,500 acres of conservation land in the heart of Maine's Moosehead Lake region. Skiers have their choice of
self-guided 2-to-5-night lodge-to-lodge itineraries, or they can join an expert for
guided 2-to-3-night trips planned during February. Gear shuttling is included, along with all meals and private cabin accommodations.
2. Snowshoeing by moonlight: winter from a different perspective
Snowshoeing by moonlight is a sensory-rich experience that challenges you to rely not only on sight when navigating trails. You can also listen for owl calls and other distinctive sounds of the nocturnal natural world. Join an AMC naturalist this winter for family-friendly full moon snowshoe tours offered at Great Glen Trails on 1/7, 2/4, and 3/9.
3. Classic snowshoe trails in the White Mountains & Maine Woods
Learning to snowshoe comes as naturally as learning to walk, so why not hit the trails this winter with some AMC Outdoors recommendations for 11 classic trails -- including three at the doorsteps of AMC's White Mountain and Maine Woods lodges. If you're new to snowshoeing or other winter sports like cross-country skiing, ice climbing, and winter mountaineering, check out AMC's guided programs and outdoor winter skills trips.
4. Rediscovering a historic backcountry ski lodge
Ski back in time this winter on historic backcountry runs. Some of the first ski trails cut in the Northeast are on the slopes of Mt. Cardigan and Firescrew, only a two-hour drive from Boston in New Hampshire's Lakes Region. AMC's Cardigan Lodge at the base of the mountain is a convenient jumping off point for these famous trails. And with the lodge serving up freshly prepared meals on weekends, snow conditions are all skiers will have to worry about.
For families, the sledding hill is a favorite, and easy to moderate snowshoe hikes in the lower valleys will round out the days.
5. 50 classic ski tours in the Northeast
New England and New York boast their share of classic backcountry ski tours, ranging from day trips to hut-based adventures. AMC's completely updated guide, Best Backcountry Skiing in the Northeast, is a comprehensive resource for 50 classics -- whether you're a seasoned cross-country ski or telemark skier looking for a new challenge or a downhill skier or snowboarder ready to explore the backcountry.
AMC lodges and winter huts are ideal basecamps and backcountry overnight destinations for many of these tours.
6. Mt. Washington in winter: 10 ways to explore the Northeast's highest peak
Enjoy the giant of the Northeast in winter, whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or expert in the outdoors. Here are ten ways to explore Mt. Washington in winter, as recommended by AMC's member magazine, AMC Outdoors:
- Beginner: Snowshoe Glen Boulder Trail, explore Great Glen Trails, cross-country ski Old Jackson Road, hike the Tuckerman Ravine Trail
- Intermediate: Stay overnight at the Mt. Washington Observatory, hike/snowshoe 19-Mile Brook Trail to AMC Carter Notch Hut, ski/snowboard John Sherburne Trail
- Expert: Ice climb Pinnacle Gully, climb Mt. Washington, winter camp at Hermit Lake
Read the full story and details of all recommended activities.
7. Hiking the Appalachian Trail in winter: short loop trips in the Delaware Water Gap
The Appalachian Trail is well traveled by a mix of thru-hikers, section-hikers, and day-hikers during the warmer months, but with winter comes solitude on this famous trail. AMC Mohican Outdoor Center in the Delaware Water Gap area of New Jersey is an ideal jumping off point for a number of shorter Appalachian Trail loop hikes or snowshoe excursions when the snow is flying.
- Easier, family friendly: Hike or snowshoe past local waterfalls down to the Delaware River, where your family can see the remains of abandoned mines that date back to the 18th century. The trek is four miles round-trip.
- Moderate to more difficult: Stay on the AT going south along the Kittatinny Ridge until you get to the famed Raccoon Ridge, a peak in the Kittatinny Mountains with outstanding views of the New Jersey Highlands to the east and the Delaware River and Pocono Mountains to the west. The round-trip is 5.8 miles.
- Moderate to more difficult: Hike north on the AT, taking the 5.8-mile loop trail out past Catfish Fire Tower and making the trip back to Mohican on the Rattlesnake Swamp Trail, passing by Catfish Pond. Or, if you've got less time, take the shorter 2.9-mile loop.
8. Winter Presidential Traverse: tackling New Hampshire's 4,000 footers
Peak-bagging lists like New Hampshire's 48 4,000-Footers are great motivators that drive people to new heights...literally. But there's the added twist of tackling these lists in winter for those ready to conquer a new hiking milestone, and the allure of the Winter Presidential Traverse is the possibility of bagging a few of the Presidents on this list in a single push for these summits.
The AMC Four Thousand Footer Club formed in the 1950s to recognize hikers who have climbed all 48 peaks of the White Mountain Four Thousand Footers.
