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Jackson Although Jackson is known as the premier cross-country skiing center in the East, the area offers plenty of opportunities for Downhill Skiing. Wildcat, looming across Pinkham Notch from Mount Washington, is a big mountain with plenty of challenge, a 2,112-foot vertical drop from its 4,100-foot summit, top-to-bottom snowmaking, five chairlifts and a gondola. Black Mountain is half its height and far smaller in scope, but its sunny southerly exposure and low-key, self-contained nature make it particularly good for families. Nearby are Attitash in Bartlett and Mount Cranmore in North Conway. Tuckerman Ravine on Mount Washington is where the hardy ski when the snows elsewhere have long since melted, if they're up to the climb (a 1,500-foot vertical rise for a half-mile run down). Hikes and Drives. For more than a century, visitors have been “strolling the mile,” a mile-long village loop around Jackson. The “Village Mile” is one of nine walks and hikes outlined in a handy guide published by the Jackson Resort Association. A good overview is offered by the Five-Mile Circuit Drive up Route 16B into the mountains east of Jackson, a loop worth driving both directions for different perspectives. Look for spectacular glimpses of Mount Washington, and stop for a picnic, a swim or a stroll through the picturesque cascades called Jackson Falls, part of the Wildcat River just above the village. The Appalachian Mountain Club has a guide for tougher hikes in the White Mountains. Shopping. It's no surprise that Jackson’s biggest store remains the Jack Frost Shop, a landmark that's a serious ski shop as well as a fine apparel store with a few gift items. Espresso, cappuccino and deli items are among the offerings at As You Like It and the Village Bistro & Grocer. Other than a couple of small galleries and antiques shops, “downtown” Jackson consists of a post office, a town hall, the Jackson Community Church and the tiny red 1901 Jackson Library, designed by famed architect Stanford White, open Tuesdays from 10 to 4 and Thursdays from 10 to 4 and 7 to 9. For a more rigorous shopping foray, head down the valley to North Conway and its ever-expanding factory outlet centers and shopping complexes. Other Attractions. Heritage-New Hampshire and
Storyland are side-by-side destinations, of interest particularly
to families. The former lets visitors walk through stage sets in which
dioramas, costumed guides and talking figures depict 30 events in state
history. Storyland is a fairytale village with buildings, themed rides
and performances for children. Nearby is the Grand Manor, a
museum of antique automobiles. Children and non-skiers also enjoy riding
the Wildcat Gondola, a 25-minute round trip to the summit looking
across to Mount Washington. You can look down on Wildcat and the rest of
New England from the top of the Mount Washington Auto Road, a 90-minute
round-trip drive. Extra-Special
Jackson Ski Touring Foundation, Route 16A, Jackson. Jackson is considered the best place in the East and one of the four best places in the world for cross-country skiing. That's due in large part to the efforts of the non-profit Jackson Ski Touring Foundation, founded in 1972 and now offering 100 miles of well-groomed and marked trails starting in the village of Jackson and heading across public and private lands into the White Mountain National Forest. They interlace the village and link restaurants and inns, as well as connecting with 40 miles of Appalachian Mountain Club trails in Pinkham Notch. It's possible for cross-country skiers to take the gondola to the summit of Wildcat and tour downhill via a twelve-mile trail to the village of Jackson 3,200 feet below. (603) 383-9355 or (800) 927-6697.
www.jacksonxc.org. Open daily, 8 to 4:30, December-March.
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