Windblown Cross Country Ski Area

Good fun can be had here. I’m not bashing it, but I’m going to make some comparisons:
Trails: Narrow, twisty, hilly, and a bit of a maze. This is all fine, just sayin’. It’s pleasant to meander around, but if you’re fast or skating, you might not like it. Their grooming is basic but adequate. Often too soft for skating. One unique fun thing is a wide almost alpine trail that’s great fun if you’ve got metal edges.
Lodge: Very homey, not big, good real food though limited options.
Location: From Boston about the same drive time as Waterville Valley but on smaller roads. They get more snow than Boston, but no snowmaking.

This is easily the nicest place to go cross country skiing or snowshoeing that’s closest to Boston. They definitely have enough terrain variety: you can either have a breezy ride on flats or work up a serious sweat climbing up the hill they have. The views are quite worth the steep climb though. Also, their café serves some of the best beef stew I’ve ever had for just $ 7.50!
The only drawback is that they don’t take cards, but they do accept cash and checks. I actually did pay for the pass and rentals with a check as I found it hilariously old-​fashioned. Also, if you are planning to rent, you are much better off with classic skis than skating: their availability for the latter is quite sparse.

This is the one bright side to winter in New England.
Cross-​country skiing is thrilling going down — and warming going up.
And Windblown is a beautiful place to go, both for classical skiing and skating, for total novices and extreme experts.
Their trails are very well maintained and range from easy rolling greens to terrifying blacks. Their trail system is very well thought out, and takes you through beautiful woods, along ponds and streams, and if you want, up a mountain.
It’s a family-​run business (read the website for the history of it). They have a nice lodge with hot food on weekends and busy days. Their rentals are in good condition and the whole atmosphere is very friendly and down to earth.

This is one of the places that make New England winters bearable.
It is CASH only! You pass an ATM just before you get there, if you are coming from Boston.
Get enough money out to get yourself soup in the lodge. It’s good.
Really, really great place.

I’m no expert on XC skiing — this was my first time XC skiing — but I have been alpine skiing for 40 years, so I know a bit about ski areas, and I’m a PADI scuba instructor, so I know a little bit about teaching sport and about rental operations. I’ll speak about what I can:
I can tell you that the facilities are clean and comfortable, the employees in the base lodge are very pleasant, the trails are well marked, the rental gear is in good condition and the ski instruction was friendly, knowledgeable and competent.
I had a good time, paid a very fair price ($ 40) for an all day lift tic… uhm… trail fee, complete gear rental and a one hour lesson.
Roaring fire and big windows in the upstairs lodge with fruit, Cliff bars, hot chocolate, coffee and tea available on an honor system. I’m told soups and chili will be available once the season is in full swing.
Combine all that with a more friendly, sociable and laid back crowd than I’m used to seeing in Ski-​93, and I’ve found a totally invigorating new winter activity. Give it a try!