Speak with AMC experts for the "411" on snow sports and winter safety, or plan a visit to an AMC lodging destination in northern New England and the Mid-Atlantic to try out new activities - explore snowshoe trails and historic backcountry skiing routes, learn to track winter wildlife with a naturalist, learn how to ice climb, and more.
Also, check out AMC's winter multi-activity itineraries and the following winter story ideas for inspiration.
- New this winter - "Camp" for adults: AMC 50+ Adventure Camp adds snow sports weeks
- New this winter - Guided Lodge-to-Hut snowshoe for families: naturalist-led, backcountry adventure in the White Mountains
- Free, guided AMC Outdoor Explorations: "walk-on" snowshoe and cross-country ski tours, winter skills training, and naturalist activities
- Maine Woods backcountry adventure: camp-to-camp skiing and dog sledding
- Outdoors for the holidays: Thanksgiving Harvest package, Family Gingerbread Weekend, December & February Adventure Weeks
- Teaching the kids to love winter: trying out new outdoor adventures and learning winter skills
- Navigating New England's winter wonderland: Classic snowshoe, ski, and snowboard tours in New England
- Mt. Washington in winter: ten ways to explore the northeast's highest peak
- Hiking the Appalachian Trail in winter: AT hiking or snowshoeing loops in the Delaware Water Gap of New Jersey
- Take peak bagging to the next level: tackling New Hampshire's 4,000 footers in winter
1. New this winter - "Camp" for adults: AMC 50+ Adventure Camp adds snow sports weeks
AMC is expanding its 50+ Adventure Camp at the Highland Center to a year-round program with the addition of two winter camps. The camp, offered exclusively for outdoor enthusiasts ages 50 and older, brings together a likeminded group for a mix of active outdoor pursuits, cultural and historical tours and talks, and social activities. AMC will offer a total of five 50+ Adventure Camp weeks in 2008, starting with the new February and March snow sports camps. The choice of group excursions will range from easy, short walks to more challenging snowshoe treks, including a day hike to AMC’s Zealand Falls Hut and a winter summit hike to one of New Hampshire’s famous 4,000-foot peaks. On a typical day, participants can join an early morning nature walk and then practice the best techniques for winter hiking, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing during longer guided tours. Indoor programs and evening presentations focused on winter sports and gear, the history of skiing, and winter safety and survival round out the daily activities.
2. New this winter - Guided Lodge-to-Hut snowshoe for families: naturalist-led, backcountry adventure in the White Mountains
AMC’s naturalist-led Lodge-to-Hut overnight trips offered this January, February, and March will blend winter ecology with a guided snowshoe or cross-country ski tour to one of AMC’s backcountry winter huts. A new addition to this year’s schedule is AMC’s Lodge-to-Hut family winter adventure, designed especially for families with kids ages 10 and older. This tour will provide an ideal opportunity to explore less-traveled, snow-covered trails under the watchful eye of an expert guide, while also practicing snowshoe techniques, following animal tracks, and learning about winter ecology in the White Mountains. Lodge-to-Hut participants spend their first night at AMC’s Highland Center or Joe Dodge Lodge before heading to an AMC White Mountain Hut, part of the oldest hut-to-hut hiking network in the U.S., for a truly unique overnight experience.
3. Free, guided AMC Outdoor Explorations: "walk-on" snowshoe and cross-country ski tours, winter skills training, and naturalist activities
Outdoor industry research points to increased competition for time, so every day throughout the winter, AMC’s experienced staff will continue offering Highland Center and Joe Dodge Lodge guests the flexibility of opting for free, "walk-on" AMC Outdoor Explorations. These family-friendly programs based at AMC's White Mountain lodges range in length from one-hour skills clinics to half-day naturalist-led cross-country ski tours. This winter, AMC Outdoor Explorations will include:
- Free, one-hour winter skills sessions, including winter gear, animal tracking, map and compass navigation, animal adaptation, winter ecology, and AMC Junior Naturalist activities. Offered daily at Highland Center and Thursday through Sunday at Joe Dodge Lodge.
- Free, one-hour cross-country ski refresher sessions and learn to snowshoe clinics. Offered every weekend at Highland Center.
- Free, half-day guided snowshoe or cross-country ski tours with an AMC naturalist. Offered daily at Highland Center, including day hikes to AMC’s winter backcountry huts, and every weekend at Joe Dodge Lodge.
4. Maine Woods backcountry adventure: camp-to-camp skiing and dog sledding
This winter, experienced backcountry adventurers can take advantage of a unique cross-country ski experience while traveling light between traditional Maine sporting camps. Modeled after AMC’s hut-to-hut hiking in New Hampshire, AMC’s camp-to-camp cross-country ski package reflects AMC’s vision to create new, multi-day recreational opportunities in Maine’s 100-Mile Wilderness region. Intermediate to advanced backcountry skiers can travel between AMC's Medawisla Wilderness Camps, West Branch Pond Camps, and AMC's Little Lyford Pond Camps.
This three-night getaway starts with a 1/4 mile ski to Medawisla Wilderness Camps, where guests can explore surrounding cross-country ski and snowshoe trails. On day two, ski south approximately eight miles to West Branch Pond Camps located below White Cap Mountain, one of the highest in Maine. Finish your tour on day three with a nine-mile ski to Little Lyford Pond Camps, where you can spend the afternoon skiing the camp trails or relaxing in the sauna. Lodging, meals, and gear shuttling are all included.
5. Outdoors for the holidays: Thanksgiving Harvest package, Family Gingerbread Weekend, December & February Adventure Weeks
AMC is playing host for the holidays - taking care of the cooking, cleaning, and making it easy for families to relax while enjoying an outdoor adventure getaway.
AMC's Thanksgiving Weekend at Highland Center and Joe Dodge Lodge is an annual tradition that gets started with a Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet. New this year, Cardigan Lodge is also getting in the holiday spirit with a big Thanksgiving feast and a long weekend full of activities to bring families and new friends together. Special activities offered free to guests at all three lodges will include a mix of guided hikes and naturalist-led programs with AMC's expert staff. During the last week of December, Joe Dodge Lodge and Highland Center will once again treat guests to a special slate of expert-led, "walk-on" programs for the December holiday vacation week. Some of the options available to guests throughout the day will include animal tracking with a naturalist, map and compass navigation, animal adaptations in winter, snowshoe walks and techniques, and more. All-inclusive, full-service packages offer the convenience of providing lodging, meals, and activities.
The 5th Annual Gingerbread Weekend at Highland Center, Dec. 7-9, kicks off with a demonstration about baking and building a gingerbread house with the lodge's executive chef, and then each family will have a chance to decorate one of their own. Later in the day, prizes will be awarded to the top three gingerbread house creations. Other family-oriented programs will include holiday crafts, gingerbread cookie decorating, and guided walks and hikes with an AMC naturalist.
February school vacation week, Feb. 18-22, Highland Center, Joe Dodge Lodge, and Cardigan Lodge will offer families their choice of many indoor and outdoor adventure activities, including walk-on snowshoe and cross-country ski workshops, winter skills sessions, and special evening presentations with expert speakers.
6. Teaching the kids to love winter: trying out new outdoor adventures and learning winter skills
Whether sledding or going for a short snowshoe hike, a fun winter's day outdoors comes to a halt when the kids start to complain about cold feet and wet hands. Winter preparedness and safety are essential to enjoying the outdoors and beating cabin fever with the kids.
If the kids have grown bored with everyday backyard pastimes, try out a new activity like snowshoeing - it's not only easy to learn, but also low cost compared to lift ticket snow sports. Plus, most families (even suburbanites) can enjoy snowshoeing close to home on local trails.
Speak with AMC experts to learn the basics about what to have on your body and in your head before going outdoors, plus hear the best techniques for winter hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing with your family.
7. Navigating New England's winter wonderland: Classic snowshoe, ski, and snowboard tours in New England
Mountainous New England terrain in combination with long, snowy winters makes for many classic snowshoe, ski, and snowboard tours - and also makes sorting out the best routes for all ages and ability levels no small task. Just a few of the classic backcountry ski tours recommended by AMC Backcountry Skiing Adventures, plus snowshoe treks, are:
- Moderate ski: Pinkham Notch, NH: Old Jackson Rd., down the Mt. Washington Auto Rd, and back on Connie's Way Ski Trail
- Moderate ski and snowboard: Mt. Cardigan, NH: Duke's Trail
- Moderate snowshoe: Crawford Notch, NH: Mt. Willard
- Moderate to more difficult snowshoe: Gulf Hagas, Maine: Rim Trail
- Most difficult ski and snowboard: Mt. Cardigan, NH: Alexandria Trail
AMC Pinkham Notch Visitor Center/Joe Dodge Lodge, Highland Center, Cardigan Lodge, and Little Lyford Pond Camps are all ideal basecamps for many classic New England ski and snowboard runs and snowshoe excursions.
For more route recommendations, see AMC Destinations multi-activity itineraries.
8. Mt. Washington in winter: ten 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 the Jan./Feb. 2005 issue of 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, learn about avalanche safety
Read the full story and details of all recommended activities.
9. Hiking the Appalachian Trail in winter: AT hiking or snowshoeing loops in the Delaware Water Gap of New Jersey
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 Appalachian Trail loop hikes or snowshoe excursions when the snow is flying.
- Easier, family friendly: For an easy, family-friendly hike past the local waterfalls down to the Delaware River, take the Coppermine Trail off of the AT. Go two miles past the Coppermine Falls and down to the river, where you can see the remains of abandoned mines that date back to the eighteenth century. The trek is four miles roundtrip with an elevation change of approximately 700 feet.
- Moderate to more difficult: For a more difficult hike, 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 with a 500-foot elevation gain.
- Moderate to more difficult: For those hiking north on the AT, take the 5.8-mile loop trail out past Catfish Fire Tower and make the trip back to Mohican on the Rattlesnake Swamp Trail, passing by Catfish Pond. Or, take the shorter 2.9-mile loop, if you’ve got less time.
10. Take peak bagging to the next level: tackling New Hampshire's 4,000 footers in winter
Peak-bagging lists e.g. New Hampshire 4,000-Footers, New England 4,000 Footers, New England Hundred Highest, Northeast 111, Highpointer's list, Adirondack 46ers list etc. are great motivators that drive people to new heights...quite literally. But there's the added twist of tackling these lists in winter for those ready to conquer a new hiking milestone. Find out what attaining this goal requires, what makes it worthwhile, and what a small group of NH 4,000-Footer members have experienced above treeline after the flood of White Mountain summer hikers desert the trails for the season.
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. To date, more than 8,000 hikers have applied for membership.
This winter, AMC will offer a multi-day Intro to Winter Mountaineering program as part of AMC Outdoor Explorations.
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