Jackson combines a long-established ski area with seasonal winter experiences and named hiking trails. You can plan your stay around a particular focus: skiing and snowboarding at Black Mountain, sleigh rides and ice skating at Nestlenook Farm, or a hike on one of the local trails. The time of year also matters for the farm activities, as sleigh rides are seasonal and ice skating is weather-dependent.
Ski History and Winter Sports at Black Mountain
Black Mountain in Jackson is the oldest continuously operating ski area in New Hampshire. Its history includes the Shovel Handle, now called the J-Bar: it was the first above-ground cable lift in the United States. Black Mountain thus brings together early lift history and today’s winter sports offerings.
Black Mountain offers skiing and snowboarding for all ages and ability levels. The area covers more than 140 acres and has five lifts and 45 trails. The historical details about the Shovel Handle and the figures for acreage, lifts and trails offer two distinct points of reference: the ski area’s history and its present-day scale.
Winter Activities at Nestlenook Farm
A sleigh ride follows a 1.5-mile route through the estate, decorated with lights and oil lanterns. The ride is in a custom-built Austrian sleigh, and the activity is seasonal. The fixed route length and the distinctive trail decorations make this a different kind of winter experience from skiing.
Ice skating is available on the 3-acre Emerald Lake. Unlike the seasonal sleigh rides, this activity is also weather-dependent. If you are planning to take part in either activity during your trip, check its current availability.
When snow conditions are suitable, more than 3 miles of trails wind through the scenic forest on Nestlenook Farm’s 65-acre estate. The sleigh route is 1.5 miles long, while the trails total more than 3 miles. The two different figures therefore correspond to their respective activities: a set-length ride and a longer trail network across the estate.
Hiking Trails and Scenery
The Jackson Falls/Historic District offers a one-mile hike rated easy to moderate. The Library/Mystery Trail is also one mile long and forms a loop within Jackson’s trail network. The shared distance makes it easy to compare the two; the Jackson Falls/Historic District hike has a stated difficulty level, while the Library/Mystery Trail’s loop format is a specific point of reference.
The Jackson Field Station brings an extensive trail network together with a distinctive aspect of regional history. The network spans 228 acres, and the site is also home to one of the earliest known tin mines in North America. Nature and mining history are thus closely connected here, while the named local trails each describe an individual hiking option.
Culture and Getting Your Bearings in Town
The Jackson Art Studio and Gallery is located at 155 Ridge Road, one mile north of Jackson Village and off Route 16. Its location offers a specific point of reference alongside Jackson’s ski, winter and hiking activities.
Discover more destinations: Center Harbor, Hart's Location, Moultonboro, Conway, Tuftonboro, Wakefield, Tamworth, Bartlett.
For the broader travel overview: Carroll.
