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 65km 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. read more

Bear Notch Ski Touring Center - Great trails, super staff, and completely dog friendly! - Tours Near Me - Bartlett, New Hampshire

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The cross country skiing trails were so fun! Trail 19 had amazing views, 30 went right along the river, and a bunch of them passed by/over the creek in the woods. It felt like an authentic XC ski experience and like we had the place all to ourselves. They definitely worked hard to get trails groomed again after some unfavorable conditions. The trail map and markers are a bit confusing though. Reasonable prices. Staff was attentive and helpful. We liked it so much we went back the next day! read more

Absolutely fantastic experience. I had not been cross country skiing for a few years and plan to go more often! What a blast! The owners are wonderful people and passionate about th sport. Further, they have a nice warming hut with soup and fresh baked bread (free!). This is the family-run place to go! read more

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Such a wonderful place. This was our first time cross country skiing, and we had an amazing time. The owners were very warm and inviting, and explained to us where we should go on the trail map. There are different levels of difficulty, so if you're more advanced there are lots of options. I look forward to coming back next winter! read more

Bear Notch Ski Touring Center - Tours Near Me - Bartlett, New Hampshire

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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. read more

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. read more

My wife and I did a an hour lesson of cross country skiing with Chris and it was excellent. Chris was a great teacher and guide who was very patient with us. Highly recommended for anyone who is looking to pick up this fun sport. read more

This is the best skiing touring center on the East Coast. It has all levels of trails from steep hills to Flat trails that run along the Saco River for miles. Altogether there's 65 km of great groomed trails. This place gets snow when no one else does and it keeps Snow longer than any other cross-country place in New England. Oh, I forgot to mention, this is the only dog friendly area that has unrestricted access for well behaved dogs. There is no place in New England that is a better value for a great outing! read more

Bear Notch Ski Touring Center - Tours Near Me - Bartlett, New Hampshire

We brought our dog with us yesterday and we all had a wonderful time skiing. Beautiful trails! Happy dog who ran along with us. We rented skis for our kids and the boots and skis looked new. Friendly family run business. Highly recommended! read more

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. read more

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! read more

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. read more

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! read more

Nothing but good things to say about this place!! Pristine maintained trails, wonderful ski experience, amazing owners, one of the best veggie brocolli soups of all time, absolutely looking forward to the next time I'm back. read more

3/5/2012 A local unsophisticated ski touring outfit. When Bretton Woods conditions were unsatisfactory this weekend, we turned back and chose to ski here. Snow was better, in fact, perfect. Trails were in great condition both on the easy trails along the river as well as the trails through the hills. These folks maintain their skating and classic trails which are nice and wide with some lovely scenic spots. Do not overlook this option when you are looking for a ski touring place in the Jackson/Bartlett, NH area. No fancy clubhouse, but wholesome food and sincere owners with more reasonable prices doing their part to make a buck and giving us a great outdoor experience. read more

My favorite cross-country center. Not as big as Jackson or Bretton Woods, but they have plenty of good trails. They are a little easier than other areas, but there are a few that are a real challenge (too much for me), and many are just right. They often have more snow than the other areas, and do a great job of grooming. Friendly, down to earth, and less expensive than other touring centers. And the dogs are fun (unless you really don't like dogs). A small local business that I like to support. read more

We headed to Bear Notch on a delightfully warm spring day. We found conditions to be excellent and so freshly groomed it was incredible. At this time of year, many touring centers skimp on their grooming, but not here. It was refreshing to be on such wonderful snow so late in the season. As we skied to the height of land, with bluebird skies above, we were so thankful we had chosen to come to Bartlett. We even went out for another hour after lunch, the trails were warming up, but we couldn't resist. With more snow predicted for tonight, hoping for a few more weeks of skiing up here. read more

My family and I were visiting from Florida and decided to try cross country skiing with our four and two year olds. Bear Notch was awesome! The staff was so friendly and helpful. Great customer service and the warming hut was great with toys for the kids so my husband and I could take turns on the trails when they got tired. We were able to pull the kids in a sleigh so we could enjoy the beautiful trails and they could rest and see the scenery. The trails were groomed perfectly and the scenery was so beautiful. It was serene and peaceful with beautiful waterfalls, lakes, and mountains in the distance. The trail pass and rentals were a great price and the equipment was in excellent condition. We loved it and would recommend it to anyone looking for an awesome experience. It was truly the highlight of our vacation! Thank you so much! read more

Bear Notch is great! I've been coming here for years and love their trails. There is a perfect balance of scenic trails and challenging terrain. And they allow you to bring your dogs! I love how they make complementary homemade bread, and the soup that they sell is fantastic and affordable! My only complaint is their new website for the 2013-2014 season, it's unorganized and seems a bit too simple minded. Other than that it's such a great place to bring your friends and family! read more

Spent 2 days at Bear Notch..and stayed at the Bartlett Inn! Chose both because they are dog-friendly. The staff at Bear Notch were so helpful, selecting trails and showing me some back country non-groomed trails. It was so comfortable there..honor system, bread and soup, good conversation...seemed like I was hanging out with my brothers!! A laid back atmosphere but a very well run operation..excellent, groomed trails, knowledgeable of the area, and sensitive to skill level (even in the selection of rental equipment). The trails on the opposite side of 302 were easy with little to no change in grade..so relaxing to be out there as the snow is falling, dogs running along side me without leashes(ok ahead of me), and the Saco River to my right for most of my trip. The trails were groomed and visitors are responsible (for the most part) for keeping the trails clean to not abuse the dog friendly atmosphere. The trails on the warming hut side were excellent and fast. They varied in difficulty but enough of each range for everyone! The first day I rented, the second day I snowshoed..and tried out some new hybrid xc/snowshoe skis...a great place to try new things!! I will be considering a season pass next season..I live 2 hours away but trust the condition reports and enjoy knowing my dogs think I am the best! By the way when I was on the trail I ran into about 5 people total..and 2 of those I kept seeing over and over again..they said they had gone to BW and were able to ski only one trail with their dogs....the rest of their day on the trails...the dogs stayed in the car!! Go to Bear Notch, you will be happy and satisfied! read more