Cross country skiing is a wonderful way to explore the outdoors and at the same time get great exercise.

This writer spent a weekend at Jackson, New Hampshire's Cross Country Skiing Center last week, attending an Eastern Ski Writers Association (ESWA) conference. It made me realize that even though I work out almost daily, different parts of the body haven't gone through an exercise process as what 'skinny' skis put me through. I mean it's a big-time workout.

The weather couldn't have been better. Saturday was cold, but no wind and a cobalt blue sky provided enough warmth to stay comfortable. Sunday was a powder day, with about eight inches of new snow covering trees and ground, making it beautiful enough for a winter postcard.

Cross country skiing is a great family sport
Jackson's XC trail system is great for all abilities. They have 154km trails with 90km of Olympic quality for groomed skiing. Skiers and ski the loops or head off on some trails that run through forests, open fields, along picturesque streams and take in some of the beauty of New Hampshire's White Mountains.

The base lodge is located right in the middle of Jackson Village on Route 16A. There, you'll find plenty of room to warm up beside a large fireplace, have snacks and get your skis waxed. If you don't have cross country skis, there is a rental shop for boots, skis, poles and even snowshoes. Rates at Jackson are very affordable for adults and juniors. Children under the age of nine get to ski free.

Some trails cross by many of Jackson's Inns and B&Bs. The beautiful Eagle Mountain House Inn is close to the center of town, along with many other old New England lodging sites. Other activities include skating, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, and down hill skiing at nearby Black Mountain. Other alpine ski resorts nearby include Attitash, Wild Cat, Cranmore and Bretton Woods.

For additional information on cross country skiing at Jackson, NH, log onto www.jacksonxc.org

Nordic skiing in Maine
If you're looking for cross country skiing closer to home, you'll find 20 Nordic trails throughout the State.

From the northern part of the state to the southern border, there is the 10th. Mountain Ski Center in Fort Kent; Beech Hill, Wayne; Bethel Inn Ski Touring Center, Bethel; The Birches Resort, Rockwood; Black Mountain of Maine, Rumford; Carter's X-C Ski Centers, Oxford and Bethel; Coast Ski and Bike Center, Alfred; Five Fields Farm, Bridgton; Harris Farm, Dayton; Mt. Abram, Greenwood; Nordic Heritage Center, Presque Isle; Pineland Farms, New Gloucester; Rangeley Lakes Trail Center, Rangeley; Smiling Hill Farm, Westbrook; Sugarloaf Outdoor Center, Carrabassett Valley; Sunday River Cross Country Ski Center, Bethel; Titcomb Mountain, West Farmington.

Many schools and colleges have Nordic ski teams that travel throughout New England to compete.

Nordic skiers from several colleges including UNH, Bowdoin, Bates, Middlebury, and Williams were on hand for the College Invitational Criterium. The race course was held at the Eagle Mountain House at the race arena.

A Women's Free Style Race was followed by the Men's Free Style Race. The North East Passage Adaptive Race was also held.

"No other state has more college Nordic teams than Maine," said Greg Sweetser, executive director of Ski Maine. "Bates, Bowdoin, Colby and UMPI all have cross country teams."

For additional information on Maine's cross country trails, log onto: www.skimaine.com

Ski and ride safely. Use your head and don't forget to wear a helmet.