Can You Say Mush!

A dog sledding adventure at Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel is an exhilarating way to experience New Hampshire’s Grand North up close and personal. The more than 100 frisky and friendly sled dogs at Muddy Paw are born to run and love nothing better than pulling a sled of happy visitors on the beautiful, snowy fields and trails around their Jefferson kennel nestled in the shadow of the majestic Mount Washington Presidential range.

Muddy Paw is a year-round business, with sled dog rides on snow during winter and rolling sled dog rides — sleds on wheels — during the warm weather months. Whitewater river rafting adventures nearby round out their summer schedule.

Many of the dogs at the kennel are rescue and second chance animals, and each has a distinct personality and place on the teams that pull the sleds. When a musher walks into the yard with a handful of harnesses, indicating a team is about to be hitched up, the dogs erupt with excitement, barking and straining on their leads, hoping to be among the lucky ones chosen to pull the team — because this is what they love to do best!

Visitors are encouraged to pet the dogs and help harness them to the sleds. Depending on the adventure you’ve chosen, you can even take a turn driving the sled. At the end of a run, it’s traditional to walk the line giving belly rubs and thanking the dogs for a job well done, and getting some doggie kisses in return! You can also “tip” your team with cookies — but don’t feed the mushers!

Trail rides range from 2-50 miles, over varied terrain, and include rides to appeal to every interest and budget. Rides can be enjoyed by individuals of any age, from toddlers to teens, and young adults to seniors. The staff welcomes visitors from all over the world who are looking for a unique and unforgettable adventure.

New this winter: The Musher for a Minute Adventure is designed for guests 12 and older who want to learn the nuts and bolts of modern dog sledding. After an educational component, guests help harness their team and hit the trails on a double driver sled with an experienced musher, learning their Gees and Haws (rights and lefts) and practicing the #1 rule of dog sledding — Never Let Go!

Learn more at www.dogslednh.com or email [email protected].

Bretton Woods Ski Area is a Winter Wonderland of Outdoor Activities

When the crisp sunny days of late winter, with their impossibly blue skies and fresh deep powder, entice you to come out and play, one of the best places to do that is the Bretton Woods Ski Area, New Hampshire’s largest ski resort and nationally recognized for its superior snow conditions.

Ranked #1 in the East for Snow Quality by Ski Magazine, Bretton Woods offers an expansive 464 acres of skiing and snowboarding on 62 trails and 35 glades across three terrain parks. The mountain is served by 10 lifts, including four high-speed quads. Snowmaking covers 92% of its trails. Ski all day and into the night, as Bretton Woods offers night skiing and riding, too!

In addition to the Hobbit Children’s Ski & Snowboard programs, the ski area’s Kids’ Snowmobile Park, for youngsters ages 4-13, provides kids with the thrill and excitement of trail riding. Other kid-friendly activities include the snow tubing carousel, a mini zip line, playground set and other interactive toys in the nearby Kinderwoods Playground.

Cross country skiers and snowshoers will want to spend the day on the Bretton Woods Nordic Ski Center’s 100 km’s of groomed trails that meander through field and forest, and — with the Mount Washington range and the Omni Mount Washington Hotel as a backdrop — boast stunning scenery! Recognized as one of the largest cross-country ski venues on the East Coast, the Bretton Woods Nordic Center grooms for both classic and skate skiing and has trails for every skill level. Visitors new to cross-country skiing or snowshoeing can rent equipment at the Nordic Center and take a lesson, too!

The three-hour Bretton Woods Canopy Tour will give you an entirely different perspective on winter activities. The tree-top zip lines traverse a series of platforms high in the hemlock forest, a breathtaking experience any time of year, but especially so in winter when the air is crisp and the snow- and ice-covered trees sparkle in the sunlight.

From its unique base lodge and its spectacular mountain-top restaurant to the uncrowded and exceptionally groomed trails, the Bretton Woods Ski Area delivers a special mountain experience.

For Alpine Snow Conditions dial (603) 278-3333; for Nordic Snow Conditions dial (603) 278-4414. To learn more about all of the activities offered at the Bretton Woods Ski Area visit www.brettonwoods.com.

A Grand Month for Ice Fishing!

A Grand Month for Ice Fishing!

During February, the frozen lakes and ponds of northern New Hampshire are an invitation to try your hand at one of the season’s most enjoyable sports – ice fishing. Tramp across the ice on a sunny winter’s day with a sled full of supplies and set up camp. Drill some holes in the ice and get ready to catch several of the wily fish that glide by unseen just under your feet.

Stop in at one of the stores that sells bait, equipment and fishing licenses and get the lowdown on the owner’s preferred pond, or check out the New Hampshire Fish and Game website for additional information.

Some favorite ice fishing spots include, Burns Pond, Whitefield; Martin Meadow Pond, Lancaster; First, Second and Third Connecticut Lakes, Lake Francis and Big Diamond Pond, Pittsburg; Pontook Reservoir, Dummer; and Cedar Pond, Milan.

Jump-Start Your Winter Activities at AMC’s Highland Center

The Appalachian Mountain Club Highland Center, an outdoor education center and four-season lodge, is headquarters for a wide variety of outdoor activities and programs for adults and children, including Daily Outdoor Exploration programs, Guided Adventures, and evening programs. Cross-country ski from the lodge to the Bretton Woods Nordic Trails or drive five minutes to the Bretton Woods Ski Area for downhill skiing. Kids will enjoy the Highland Center Playscape, an outdoor mountain playground.

Nestled into the dramatic landscape at the head of Crawford Notch in Bretton Woods, the Highland Center’s lodging options include private rooms with private baths to lodge bunkrooms with shared baths. The Highland Center serves breakfast, lunch and dinner for lodge guests, through hikers, outdoor recreationalists and members of the public.

Outstanding Winter Fun at Great Glen Trails & Mt. Washington SnowCoach

Plenty of snow, varied terrain and an outstanding array of winter activities make the Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center a favorite destination for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snow-tubing and fat biking. Or take a tour up the Mt. Washington Auto Road in the SnowCoach for a one-of-a-kind adventure.

Nestled at the base of 6,288-foot Mt. Washington, the outdoor center couples magnificent scenery with plenty of fun activities. Take a morning ski lesson with an Olympian or spend the afternoon schussing along the 45 kilometers of classic and skate-groomed trails. Bring the kids for some old-fashioned fun on the snow-tube hill. Rent a fat bike and try out the latest craze in winter sports. Need a break? Hop aboard the heated SnowCoach for an amazing trip up the Mt. Washington Auto Road to tree line at about 4,200 feet. The views are breathtaking!