Winter is here, which means many people are participating in their favorite winter sport or recreational activity. For cross-country ski lovers, here’s a list of four places to check out this season.

Oak Hill Outdoor Center

The Oak Hill Outdoor Center offers a one-of-a-kind experience complete with beautiful trails. In addition to trails, the center offers a range of programs to help beginners get comfortable on their skis, including the after-school Bill Koch Leagues and year-round training.

“Our community is a tight-knit group of Nordic skiing enthusiasts who come together to celebrate the rich history of skiing in the Upper Valley. And, as stewards of the land, we are committed to promoting sustainable ecosystems within the area,” the center says on its website.

For season tickets or more information, visit the center’s website.

Green Woodlands

For a free option, try Green Woodlands. It features 50-plus kilometers of groomed cross-country skiing trails designed by John Morton, a former Olympian and ski coach. There are also four warming huts to visit along the way for skiers to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate.

Dogs are permitted on the trails, assuming they are well behaved with other dogs and skiers. “If a dog does interfere with others, a skier may ask you to leash your dog. It is extremely difficult for a skier to avoid a dog while skiing down a high-elevation ski trail, so we would recommend not bringing dogs on the upper section of Smarts Mountain Trail or the upper section of Mudgett Trail,” the website says.

Norwich Nature Area

The Norwich Nature Area offers short trails for walking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. The Nature Area has historical markers, interpretive signs, and several marked orienteering locations with a map locating them at the trailhead.

Cross-country skiing and off-trail wandering are allowed. Visitors are asked to be respectful of the natural features. Dogs are also welcome.

Webb Forest at Harding Hill Farm

Originally owned by the Webb family—Van Webb, his wife Robin, their four children, and Van's father Richard (Dick)—Webb Forest is now open to the public with trails for hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.

Parking is available on Harding Hill Road. A trail map from the Town of Sunapee's website can be found here.