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Tag: jackson xc

  • Jackson Ski Touring & Upper Saco Valley Land Trust Announce Significant Land Preservation Easement

    (Photo: Jackson Ski Touring Foundation)
    The Jackson Ski Touring Foundation and the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust have worked to preserve 62 acres of open space in Jackson, N.H., for ski-touring and snowshoe use. (Photo: Jackson Ski Touring Foundation)

    JACKSON, NH – The Jackson Ski Touring Foundation and the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust, together with two local donors, have formed a unique partnership to permanently preserve 62 acres of open space in Jackson for use as ski touring and snowshoe trails and for other forms of passive recreation.  Sited at the junction of Valley Cross and Black Mountain Roads, the land consists of woodland and open fields with more than 500 feet of frontage on the Wildcat River.  Its rolling terrain includes the Wave, John and Henry cross-country trails and affords stunning views of Mt. Washington to the northwest.  This far-reaching, charitable partnership was made possible through the extraordinary generosity of the landowner and an anonymous local donor.

    Much of the land comprising the former Pinkham Farm (1790) was reassembled over a 40 year period.  During that time, the owners encouraged Jackson Ski Touring Foundation to establish and maintain ski trails for the public’s use and enjoyment.  The Wave, John and Henry now form a network that is one of the few cross country venues in North America certified by the International Ski Federation for competition at the highest level.  Jackson Ski Touring Foundation will host the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s cross-country ski championship on this course in 2017.

    Now, as the landowner, the Jackson Ski Touring Foundation will maintain the trail system and be responsible for stewardship of the land year-round.  The ski and snowshoe trails will continue to be open to ticket and season pass holders during the winter season.  At other times of year, the public will have access to the land for non-motorized, passive recreation.

    Kevin Killourie, President of Jackson Ski Touring Foundation, said, “The Jackson Ski Touring Foundation is touched by this incredibly generous donation, and the actions of all involved who made this transaction possible.  We are honored to become the stewards of this very special part of Jackson. This land will provide amazing recreational opportunities for generations to come.”

    A tax-exempt, nonprofit organization, Jackson Ski Touring Foundation provides recreational and competitive opportunities for cross country skiing and snowshoeing that enrich lives and promote healthy lifestyles for all ages.

    Upper Saco Valley Land Trust will hold a conservation easement to ensure that the land is preserved and that its significant natural characteristics, including woods, fields, river and stream frontage, and wetlands, are protected.

    William Abbott, Executive Director of the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust, said, “The Land Trust is honored to be a part of this charitable partnership that has preserved 62 acres in the heart of Jackson, and we are extremely grateful for the landowners’ long-term vision for this land.  The views, the extensive trail network, the wetlands and other high-value habitats onsite will now be safeguarded for future generations, forever.  We express our deep gratitude to all who helped preserve this iconic property.”

    The Jackson Ski Touring Foundation is a community based not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, chartered to maintain trails in and around the charming Village of Jackson, NH. The “Foundation” maintains 150 km of varied and breathtaking cross country ski and snowshoe trails. Foundation trails connect with A.M.C. trails in Pinkham Notch and White Mountain National Forest backcountry adventure trails. The Foundation operates under a Special-Use Permit with the White Mountain National Forest, and with the cooperation of 75 private landowners, and the Village of Jackson.  More information about the Foundation and its offerings can be found on the web at www.jacksonxc.org.

    Upper Saco Valley Land Trust preserves land for community benefit in the upper watershed of the Saco River in both Maine and New Hampshire.  This easement will be the Land Trust’s 51st project, and will bring the total amount of land conserved by the Land Trust to 7,900 acres. To learn more about local conservation, visit www.usvlt.org.

  • Thom Perkins Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from Ski NH

    Thom Perkins Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from Ski NH

    UNH Nordic Ski Team coach Cory Schwartz and Ben Wilcox present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Thom Perkins; Ski NH
    UNH Nordic Ski Team coach Cory Schwartz (r) and Ben Wilcox (c) present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Thom Perkins (l). (Photo: Ski NH)

    (Press release)

    Thom Perkins of Intervale, NH, has been given the lifetime achievement award from Ski NH. The award recognized his contributions to Nordic skiing in New Hampshire. The award was presented by Cory Schwartz, the UNH Nordic Ski Team coach, and Ben Wilcox from Cranmore Mountain Resort.

    As the Jackson Ski Touring Foundation Executive Director since 1976, Perkins was instrumental in transforming the village of Jackson, NH into one of the nation’s premier cross country skiing and snowshoeing venues. Passionate about the sport of Nordic skiing, Thom developed the trail system from a modest offering of trails to the present far-reaching network of 150 kilometers. Perkins’ retirement goals include increasing the number of great cross country ski facilities available to the public by using his extensive background to help small and midsized areas develop and grow through facilities design, business management and marketing. He has started a consulting company to do just that.

    An active member of the cross country skiing community, a 2014 nominee to the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and the 2010 winner of the Ski NH Al Merrill Award for outstanding contributions to cross country skiing, Perkins has provided training opportunities for skiers from school children, college teams, Paralympic and Junior National competitors to Olympic level athletes. During his time at Jackson, Perkins organized competitions ranging from local citizen races to World Championships. His expertise in facilities design and use was drawn on for the 2002 and 2010 Winter Olympic sites to help plan the use of the venues after the completion of their respective Olympic Games.

    Cory Schwartz in his introductory remarks at the presentation ceremony spoke about one particularly challenging NCAA National Championship event when rain had washed away the snow from the competition venue, “Within minutes, Thom was developing a plan. … Ten hours later we held a national championship {at an alternative site}….something that no one else had accomplished and I am not sure if there are many people who could have.”

    Thom Perkins is a founding member and Board Member Emeritus of the international trade association of Nordic ski areas – CCSAA. He was the recipient of the 2011 North American Ski Journalist Association Lifetime Achievement Award and was named one of 25 Nordic Heroes in the United States in a feature article in Cross Country Skier Magazine.

    Thom’s full bio and contact may be found at thomperkinsconsulting.com

    Ski NH is the statewide association representing 33 alpine and Nordic resorts and more than 200 lodging and guest service properties in New Hampshire. – See more at: http://www.skinh.com/

  • Thom Perkins Retires from Jackson Ski Touring Foundation

    (Press release)

    Jackson, NH: After leading the Jackson Ski Touring Foundation (JSTF) for 38 years, Thom Perkins has announced his retirement from the organization.

    As its Executive Director since 1976, Perkins has been instrumental in transforming the small village of Jackson, NH into one of the nation’s premier cross country skiing and snowshoeing venues.  Passionate about the sport of cross country skiing, Perkins developed the existing trail system from a modest number of trails to the present far-reaching network of 150 kilometers, all the while setting the standard for grooming of cross country ski trails.

    An active member of the cross country skiing community and the 2010 winner of SkiNH’s Al Merrill Award for outstanding contributions to cross country skiing, Perkins provided training opportunities to skiers ranging from school children, college teams, Paralympic and Junior National competitors to Olympic level athletes.

    Perkins is a Board Member Emeritus of the international trade association of cross country ski areas – CCSAA.  He was the recipient of the North American Ski Journalist Association Lifetime Achievement Award and was named one of 25 Nordic Heroes in the United States in a feature article in Cross Country Skier Magazine.  Perkins represented New Hampshire’s cross country ski industry as a member of the Board of SkiNH, the trade association for the state’s Alpine and Nordic areas.

    During his tenure, Perkins nourished the unique circumstances under which JSTF was founded. With almost all Foundation trails located on private, government or town owned land, Perkins was a steward for private land owners and a hero to cross country ski enthusiasts, working tirelessly to provide skiing and economic benefits to the region.  He proposed legislation enacted in 2013, which increases protection from liability for landowners who permit use of their land for recreational purposes.

    “We as a community recognize the tremendous strides Thom has made over the decades to position the Jackson Ski Touring Foundation as one of the most recognized cross country skiing and snowshoeing facilities in the United States. Thom’s name is synonymous with the Foundation and cross country skiing in New England,” said Kevin Killourie, President of JSTF.

    The Foundation is pleased to announce that Breanne Torrey, Director of Operations, has been promoted to Acting Director of the JSTF. Torrey has worked at the Foundation for the past 5 seasons in many capacities including Director of Ski Patrol.  She received her BS from the University of Maine in National Parks, Outdoor Recreation, and Tourism.

    “Brea’s education, 5 years of experience at Jackson Ski Touring and her background make her well-poised to step into the role of Acting Director,” noted Sam Harding, Vice President of JSTF.

    As part of the transition, respected local businessman and avid outdoor enthusiast Dave Kinsman has been named Transition Coordinator to assist Brea. A resident of Fryeburg, Maine, Dave has been an active and contributing member of the JSTF community for many years and is a past rental shop manager.

    The Jackson Ski Touring Foundation is a community based not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, chartered to maintain trails in and around the charming village of Jackson, NH. The Foundation maintains 150 km of varied and breathtaking cross country ski and snowshoe trails. The Foundation operates under a Special-Use Permit with the White Mountain National Forest, and with the cooperation of 82 private landowners, and the village of Jackson. More information about the Foundation and its offerings can be found on the web at www.jacksonxc.org.

  • Jackson Ski Touring Opens for the Season with Miles of Trails & Plenty of Snow

    The Jackson Ski Touring Center is open!
    The Jackson Ski Touring Center is open!

    (Press release)

    JACKSON, NH – Snow has fallen and the town with the most cross country ski trails in the Eastern United States awaits skiers and snowshoers of all abilities at Jackson Ski Touring Center. As an added treat this year, hot chocolate drizzled waffles will be available at the Ellis River Waffle Cabin on the famous Ellis River Trail.

    Jackson has already received a foot and a half of snow in December. Equipped with a brand new Piston Bully and other top of the line equipment, the staff has been hard at work grooming the trails to perfection. For the latest snow conditions and information, guests can call 1-800-XC-SNOWS or visit www.jacksonxc.org.

    On Saturdays, Sundays and holiday periods starting in January, hot waffles drizzled with chocolate will be offered in the Ellis River Waffle Hut. Starting December 26, hot chocolate, cold beverages and other refreshments will be available. This is also where children can enjoy the Anklebiter course and receive a chocolate medal coin for their efforts.

    Spending a day at the Jackson Ski Touring Center is affordable for families, couples and groups. Children under 10 always ski free at Jackson and pulk rentals are available so young children can be towed behind a skier. Day passes start at $21 for adults, $10 for juniors (10-17) and $17 for adults over 65. Snowshoe tickets are just $10. The Rental Shop is open daily with packages starting at $16 for adults and $12 for children. Snowshoe tours are available at the center as well.

    Jackson Ski Touring also has a first class ski school with lessons for children and adults. Lesson packages are also available. Visit www.jacksonxc.org/lessons for more information.  Day-care is available for cross country and snowshoe families at nearby Black Mountain.

    The Jackson Ski Touring Foundation is a community based not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, chartered to maintain trails in and around the charming Village of Jackson, NH.  The “Foundation” maintains 150 km of varied and breathtaking cross country ski and snowshoe trails 2 hours north of Boston.  Foundation trails connect with A.M.C. trails in Pinkham Notch and White Mountain National Forest backcountry adventure trails.  The Foundation operates under a Special-Use Permit with the White Mountain National Forest, and with the cooperation of 75 private landowners, and the Village of Jackson.  More information about the Foundation and its offerings can be found on the web at www.jacksonxc.org.