Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center
Cross Country Skiing, Snowshoeing, and snowcoach scenic outing
1 Mount Washington Auto Road, Gorham, NH 03851
(603) 466-2333
At the base of Mount Washington in New Hampshire you'll discover the magnificent setting of Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center. With 45 kilometers of cross country skiing, snowshoeing plus an ol' fashioned tubing hill, Great Glen offers everything needed for a full day of winter fun.
Great Glen's scenic trail system offers an enjoyable combination of well-protected spruce and fir-lined trails plus wide open options offering breathtaking views into the Great Gulf Wilderness and surrounding peaks of the Northern Presidentials. Two warming huts are available throughout the network, including the scenic Great Angel Cabin, with its stunning views into the Great Gulf. No public road crossings are necessary throughout Great Glen's trail system.
With an average base elevation of 1600 feet, plus one of the few Nordic snowmaking systems in the region, elevation really does make a difference at Great Glen, often allowing earlier skiing plus a deeper snow base throughout the season.
Great Glen's 20,000 square foot base lodge features panoramic views to the Northern Presidentials and provides unique ski amenities to compliment a full day of fun on the snow. The lodge is home to Great Glen Outfitters, which offers hard and soft goods by well-known names such as Salomon, Patagonia and Outdoor Research. With over 20 years of service to locals and ski teams, Great Glen has proved itself to be THE place to shop for Nordic skiing. The base lodge also provides delicious breakfast and lunch offerings, a free tuning and wax room, full locker facilities, a complete rental shop which includes new equipment each season, large conference room and free WiFi.
Numerous seasonal programs focused on kids and adults, are offered throughout the winter season. Many of these programs are led by Ski School Director Sue Wemyss, an Olympian and former U.S. Ski Team member, with over 25 years of experience teaching and coaching skiers.
Great Glen offers group and private ski lessons focused on improving your skills or getting you out on skis for the first time. A $49 Learn-to-Ski Program is offered with a one hour and fifteen minute lesson, trail pass and an equipment rental for the day. Lessons are at 10 AM, 11:30 AM and 1 PM daily and reservations are recommended. To “Ski with an Olympian” (Sue Wemyss) a 3-lesson package starts at $169.
The best value at Great Glen Trails is the Trails Total Ticket which offers complete access to all recreational offerings at a savings of up to 40%. The "T3" ticket provides a full-day trail pass, rentals for skiing and/or snowshoeing, tubing, plus a unique winter tour on the Mt. Washington SnowCoach.
For even more adventure, guests of all ages will enjoy a comfortable winter tour on the 9-passenger Mt. Washington SnowCoach. The SnowCoach transports guests (weather permitting) to treeline (approximately 4,200 feet) on Mount Washington into a sub-arctic world for a truly unforgettable adventure. Snowshoers can enjoy walking down from anywhere along the regular SnowCoach route.
The Glen House Hotel built in classic New England vernacular, with clapboards, and painted trim is similar to the previous four Glen Houses that have stood on its site since 1852.
Great Glen Trails on the doorstep of the Glen House
There are 68 spacious guestrooms that are reflective of the simplicity of Shaker design while the lobby embraces the history of the Mt. Washington Auto Road. The Glen House has a small pool, a fitness room and is pet-friendly.
Skiers can stop and visit the warm and comfortable pub at The Notch Grille inside The Glen House, which has various seating options and a full service bar with drinks, full meals, or lighter fare, a fireplace, and breathtaking views of Mount Washington out the back windows. The restaurant offers full-service and a family-centric restaurant, featuring favorite North Country comfort foods…and it is supportive of local farms, breweries, and distilleries.
Taking a break on the deck of the Glen House with Mt Washington overlooking
The Glen House Hotel has a geothermal system that provides heating and cooling and will have offsite energy-generating projects harnessing hydro and solar power. CCSAA member.