The Adventure begins at the Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center, on the east side of Mt. Washington, the Northeast’s highest peak. From the rolling trails at Great Glen, the course enters the White Mountain National Forest, utilizing a combination of trails and multi-use forest roads. The 25 km event finishes in Randolph. The 50 km skiers continue, taking on the mighty climb up Jefferson Notch. A long descent brings participants to the final kilometers on the Bretton Woods Nordic system, at the western base of Mt. Washington. The day concludes with food, awards and plenty of randomly drawn prizes for participants in the Mt. Washington Hotel’s Grand Ballroom.

2007 will mark the sixth year of the Nordic Adventure. Since its inaugural running in 2002, the TD Banknorth Great Glen to Bretton Woods Nordic Adventure has been a part of the New England Nordic Ski Association’s (NENSA) Marathon Series. For the second year, the GG to BW is part of the prestigious American Ski Marathon Series, the premier long distance ski event series in the United States.

The Nordic Adventure is a classic technique only event. Skiers may choose the half (25 kilometers) or full (50 kilometers) length option and participate in timed or non-timed categories. Shuttle buses supply transportation between the 25 km finish, Great Glen and Bretton Woods.

The Nordic Adventure is truly a unique cross country skiing event. Each year it attracts 400 to 600 skiers who come to:

• take on one of the most challenging 50 km courses in the country,
  And/Or
• push themselves to new achievements on skis, be it over 25 or 50 km,
• make a first foray into an organized, supported long distance ski event
• enjoy the diversity of trails and the beauty the course presents as it makes its way through the northern White Mountains of New Hampshire,
• experience the camaraderie of skiing with hundreds of other like-minded folks
• compete against some of the top caliber skiers in the nation
• share in the spirit of the Adventure created by the dozens of volunteers and the staffs of Great Glen and Bretton Woods
• celebrate with others the day’s personal successes and joys at the Awards Party in the Grand Ballroom of the Mt. Washington Hotel.

The Course: adventure, challenge, and some very fine skiing
The course begins in the flat, open fields of Great Glen, shadowed by the northern Presidential peaks of Mounts Washington, Jefferson, Adams and Madison. As the wide and well-groomed track turns into the woods, the course begins to rise and fall, winding through the mixed forest of hard and softwoods of the Great Glen trail system. The pack of skiers begins to spread out over these initial six kilometers, before reaching the first of the more adventurous trail sections.

Here the route drops down a more primitive connector trail with one big downhill turn; numerous little dips, rises and flats to the river. This section is snowmobile rather than Piston Bully groomed. At the river, staff and volunteers greet skiers, encourage and facilitate (if necessary) the quick pass over an annually forming natural snow bridge. On the other side, participants wiggle their way on skis between the trees, joining up with one of the White Mountain National Forest’s summer hiking trails. For some, this is a gleeful return to memories of ski trails long ago, before bulldozers and piston bullies created modern-day skiing highways. For others, it is a kilometer to be tolerated, before the track widens out and is again machine groomable.

Skiers are now on a ski trail of the U.S. Forest Service’s Dolly Copp system. The course generally loses elevation with some short ascents, down to the first aid station at 12 kilometers. Track preparation with a Piston Bully resumes at the first aid station.

Beyond the first aid station, the route climbs steadily for 2 kilometers. This section is located on the Pinkham B Road, (closed in winter). From the high point, the road descends over four kilometers of varying grades and few turns, bringing skiers to the second aid station at 18.5 km.

Aid Station #2 is located along the Presidential Range Rail Trail, in Randolph, NH. After refueling, skiers head into the woods on a privately owned wooded road, rising gently before a short descent on to the power line right of way.

The power line can present a new challenge to the hardy skiers of the Nordic Adventure. Here it is likely that skiers will face a headwind, and crafty competitors who think to draft others save themselves some energy. The course gains elevation gradually, testing the mental toughness of Nordic Adventure skiers. In the 2 kilometers leading to the 50 K halfway mark, the course loses some elevation, leaves the power line, and flattens out to the 25 km finish line.

Twenty-five kilometer skiers have completed their efforts. They have access to some food and drink, their personal bags shuttled from the start, and a bus ride back to either Great Glen or Bretton Woods.

Fifty km skiers continue on the mostly flat grade of the rail trail, to the third aid station at the bottom of Jefferson Notch (29 km). A collection of enthusiastic volunteers hand off food, drinks and warm soup, cheering the skiers as they prepare to start up Jefferson Notch.

The climb to the top of Jefferson Notch gains 1600 feet of vertical over nine kilometers. The ascent begins gradually and steepens as one nears the top. For most, this section of course provides the greatest challenge (and makes for the most stories at the awards party!) The aid station workers at the top of the Notch (38 km) appear like angels to weary skiers, supplying food, drink and the encouragement to continue.

The reward for all that elevation gain follows: a six-kilometer downhill into the Bretton Woods area. After a few turns near the top, the course straightens out, and runs alongside the very scenic Jefferson Brook. The terrain flattens out as skiers approach the Base and Mt. Clinton Roads. From here to the finish, one’s double pole is tested. The route turns off the Mt. Clinton Road after a kilometer, and the beautifully groomed nordic trails of Bretton Woods are a welcome experience. Finally, the red roof of the grand Mt. Washington Hotel comes into view. The finish line for the Nordic Adventure is just ahead.

Welcome amenities at the Bretton Woods Nordic Center include changing rooms, hot showers, personal bags shuttled from the start, food, drink, and warm soup. The story-telling amongst proud finishers starts almost immediately, as the well deserved feelings of accomplishment sink in.

The Pinkham B Road, the Jefferson Notch Road, the Mt. Clinton Road and the Presidential Range Rail Trail are designated multi-use by the State of NH and the U.S. Forest Service. Working in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service, the NH Department of Transportation, the NH Bureau of Trails, NH Fish & Game, and the local snowmobile clubs, the GG2BW organizers have gained permission every year to use these routes. At this point in time, it is not possible to close the entire Nordic Adventure route to snowmobiles or other users. Every effort is made to safely share these multi-use corridors on the day of the event.

Over the four years the event has been run, the number of snowmobiles on course has decreased every year. In 2005, the NH Bureau of Trails agreed to limit snowmobile traffic to one way on Jefferson Notch, to reduce their numbers and impact. This was a helpful change that the event organizers will again pursue for the 2007 event.

From past participants:

“I really enjoy the entire experience, particularly the chance to ski in areas not normally open to skiing. Everything about the event from start to finish is first class. I’m most impressed by the fact that everyone associated with the event is so upbeat, friendly and supportive, from the folks at registration to the bus drivers, and the aid stations. I appreciate the fact that the event encourages participation by those who do not have a racing pedigree.”
- Second year participant, 25 km nontimed

“Love the course – it’s my main reason for skiing this race. I have yet to make it to the top of Jefferson Notch with any juice left, but I keep hoping one year I will.…I appreciate the slightly “rougher” nature of the whole race – it’s not just beautifully tracked trails at a touring center – We’re actually going somewhere, and having to deal with the conditions as they occur. It gives the race a distinct feel that I enjoy.” - Third year participant, 50 km timed

“The Great Glen to Bretton Woods race was amazing. I had so much fun. And I finished. Even though I was untimed I skied with a friend and we held our own races but still skied together. Thanks.” - High school skier, first year, 25 km nontimed

“Planning to participate again? Most definitely. When can I sign up? I plan to make it a family weekend at Bretton Woods with alpine skiing on Saturday with the family, then the Adventure on Sunday. With the family around I can stay for awards instead of scurrying home. I’d like to try to do the 50K if I can find the time to train.” - First time participant, 25 km nontimed

“ the best awards ceremony all season” - Marathon team member, second year, 25 km timed

“I finished in just under 6 hours last year. This year, I finished in just under 5 hours. In the past decade of racing in XC ski events, running events, and triathlons, I can’t remember a more euphoric, wonderful feeling than finishing this race this year. This is what this race is all about for me. I’m shooting for sub 4 hours in the coming years.” - Third year participant, 50 km timed

“This year I talked a friend into trying it. We trained together all winter. I’m sure that we will be sharing the memories of this race for years to come.” - Second year participant, 50 km timed

And from a fourth year participant in answer to the survey question, “Do you plan to participate in the GG to BW Nordic Adventure in the future?”

“I DON’T PLAN ON MISSING IT EVER.”