Windblown Cross Country Skiing

11/18/2022

11/18/2022

Last Ski Sale: Saturday November 26 and December 3 from 9-11. New Rossignol XC skis, boots, and poles for $350. Some used gear especially boots. Bindings mounted. It is time to say goodbye and close the door on 48 years of great skiing experiences.

12/22/2021

To: XC skiers and snowshoers. Windblown XC ski area closed in 2020 after 48 years of operation. Thanks for your support. Go to SkiNH for groomed areas in NH.
Al Jenks

12/03/2021

After outfitting two schools, I have fifteen sets of brand new Rossignol Evo 60 skis, Rossignol X-2 boots, and poles to sell. Package price is $315. The ski shop will be open from 10-12 on Saturday, December 11. Masks required inside and one group at a time, please.

01/18/2021

The Warming Hut, Clear View Camp and the shelters are now open for rent to one group over a weekend. See www.windblowncamping.com for details.

12/20/2020

Passing along a message from a skier that may help you find places to cross-country ski this winter

"Hi Windblown. So sad I won't be skiing with you guys this year. I have partnered with an app developer in the Midwest to list all of the ski trails in the Northeast on https://skiwise-app.com/, which might help people find their new favorite trails once the snow flies. If you want to post about it, please feel free."

Connect with Cross Country Skiers in your area. Share trail conditions, news, events, races and more! Skiwise available on iOS, Android and Web. Try it for free.

12/18/2020

Dear Skiers and Snowshoers,

Many of you have been asking: What are you going to do now? What will happen to the property now that the ski area has closed? And where do we ski?

My plans: live here, enjoy a slower pace of life, maintain a few trails, manage the forest, provide shelters and the Warming Hut April to November for hikers, raise a garden, swim/sail in the summer, ski/hike seasonally, enjoy friends and family year round, and travel when it is safe to do so.

To encourage young people to forego their screens, to get outside, and find joy in winter; I will be offering cross country ski equipment to local schools to use on their campuses at wholesale prices. A group of volunteer instructors will be available to work with students and their teachers.

The Monadnock Region has numerous opportunities for backcountry skiing/snowshoeing on old logging roads, hiking trails, state parks, local conservation areas, etc. There are two groomed possibilities: Dublin School in Dublin, NH has built an impressive array of trails on their land. Their focus is racing, especially on their snowmaking trails. Check for availability and conditions before you go. Shattuck Golf Course in Jaffrey, NH will be "dipping their toes" in the cross country world this winter. They can offer skiing on very limited snow. The terrain is rolling with fantastic views of Mt. Monadnock. A full service restaurant is waiting to serve you.

For fifty years the focus of my life has been to build and maintain a cross country ski and snowshoe area where people could find a unique place to gather by themselves, with family and friends, and to engage with others. This I have done, I thank you for your support, your appreciation, and your love for a place in these hills called Windblown.

And a special thanks to family, friends and staff to make it all happen. I could not have done it without you!

Let it snow,

Al Jenks

PS I have a few NNN, Pilot, and Profil boots to sell along with an assortment of poles. Skis are all gone. [email protected]

12/04/2020

Dear Skiers and Snowshoers,

You surprised us. We were expecting 50-60 people last Saturday and Sunday; over 300 hundred arrived seeking good used gear at wholesale prices. Sad to say that some of you left disappointed; we just ran out of equipment. Enthusiasm for the sport has been driven by our desire to be outside, to be distant from others, and to maintain a healthy body during this pandemic.

Most wholesalers have been out of skis for months. I was able to find seven adult skis to go with our NNN boots and Rossignol poles. Pilot skate boots, profil classic boots, tall skate poles, and a few trail signs to give away are what we have left. Send an email if you have specific needs, such as bindings mounted for your boots or ours.

If you find yourself with more than one trail sign please find a neighbor, a Windblown fan, and give them a gift which will bring joyful memories for many seasons.

We will be open from 9-11 this coming Saturday, December 5. Face coverings will be required. There are no indoor bathrooms, an outhouse is available. Only one group inside at a time. There will be a fire in the Waxing Shed.

Let it snow,
Al Jenks

PS: Shelters are available for camping from April to November (cost is $20/person/night with a $100 maximum); please e-mail [email protected] for reservations. Mail checks to 1180 Turnpike Road, New Ipswich, NH 03071

11/22/2020

Ski Sale next weekend!
We will be open from 9 am to 11 am this coming Saturday and Sunday, November 28 and 29.
Face coverings will be required.
You will be given a number which will allow us to control the number of people in the shop at one time.
There are no indoor bathrooms, an outhouse is available.
You can keep warm at a wood stove in the Picnic Shed.
Trail signs are available for free.
Tables and chairs are for sale.
If you have gear that you wish to sell, trade, or gift: you can do so outside with other customers.
If you have left any gear, now is the time to claim it.

Complete sets: adults $230-$260; children $70-$140; skate boots $95; snowshoes $100. NNN bindings mounted on Rossignol or Fischer skis might need to be adjusted for boot length. Fischer has a YouTube video which will show you how. Bring CASH or a CHECK; there is no ATM or credit card available.

If there is any gear left or you need bindings mounted, I will be open on Saturday, December 5 from 9-11 and will inform you next week.

The Wapack Trail remains open for hiking.
Shelters are available for camping from April to November (cost is $20/person/night with a $100 maximum); please e-mail [email protected] for reservations. Mail checks to 1180 Turnpike Road, New Ipswich, NH 03071

Let it snow,

Al Jenks

10/16/2020

Dear Skiers and Snowshoers,

Six months ago our ski season came to an abrupt end. The governor ordered all non-essential businesses to close on March 13. I have always felt that skiing was essential to life, but we had to close. We were in the process of selling rental gear and after 48 years, saying farewell to all of you. What a journey our world has been on since then.

Starting the Saturday after Thanksgiving and every Saturday from 9-11 until the shelves are bare, we will be open to sell the remaining ski, snowshoe, kitchen, and dining room equipment. Cross country skiing in the time of Covid can improve your mental and physical health while staying safe. Complete sets: adults $230-$270; children $70-$150; skate boots $95; snowshoes $100. Bring cash or a check; there is no ATM or credit card available.

Masks will be required inside and only six people at a time. There will be a fire in the Picnic Shed stove for those waiting outside. Trail signs have been removed and are available free of charge as a memento. The Wapack Trail remains open for hiking, Shelters and the Warming Hut are available for overnight use until the end of November or the first major snowfall.

For fifty years I have lived my youthful dream of building and running a ski area. Thank you for being part of that dream. I wish you health, happiness, exercise, good food, and that your connection with Windblown Cross Country Ski Area has brought joy to your life and those you love.

Let it snow,
Al Jenks

PS: Shelters are available for camping from April to November (cost is $20/person/night with a $100 maximum); please e-mail [email protected] for reservations. Mail checks to 1180 Turnpike Road, New Ipswich, NH 03071

02/21/2020

Dear Skiers and Snowshoers,

Fifty years ago, I came to these hills to build a cross country ski area, recover from the war, and live a life close to the land. This I have done. For forty-eight years people have come here to ski, snowshoe, hike, stay overnight, connect with the natural world, and with each other.

It is time to fold the tent, to look ahead to other adventures, to prepare for the rest of this journey, and to say goodbye to this experience. Windblown Cross Country Ski Area will be closing at the end of this season. All public activities will cease except camping at shelters from April to November. My son, Andrew, and his wife, Julie, have decided that their future does not include running a ski area.

Many relationships over many years have blossomed and grown through our wintertime connection. Hopefully, the benefits we have received will last beyond the passing of this business. For me, I cherish long standing friendships and connections that pass through several generations. I thank you for your support, your love, and your joy at finding a place in these hills called, "Windblown".

Rental equipment is for sale, buildings will become year round residences, the land will be reclaimed by trees, wildlife will appreciate the solitude, and I will be the resident forester. Access to the Wapack Trail with parking on the east side of Route 124 will remain; access to other trails will not be available. There are still six weeks of winter left. Each week we will set aside 10-20 sets of ski equipment and 2-4 pairs of snowshoes to sell at wholesale prices. We will be open in the shop on Saturdays in March from 10-2 for sales even if the trails are not open.

I want to thank the staff, especially "groomer man" Andy, for many years of dedication to make the "wheel go round" and produce a unique experience for all of us.

Perhaps we will meet on our next adventure,

Let it snow,
Al Jenks

PS. We accept cash or checks and have an ATM in the ski shop