After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar desk in the lobby to pick up your arrival packet containing your name tag, updated schedule, and other important information we'll review during orientation.
WELCOME RECEPTION: 5:00-6:00pm in our private meeting room with fresh fruit platter, mix of cheeses & crackers, ice water and lemonade; beer and wine available for purchase.Dinner: Dinner begins at 6:00pm and typically includes fresh-baked bread, soup, salad, a delicious entrée (vegetarian option available with advance request), and homemade dessert.Evening: ORIENTATION: After dinner, we will have an informative overview of the program including a review of the updated daily schedule, responsibilities, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, your gear, and answer any questions you may have.
Please be aware that program activities and scheduled times could change due to weather and other local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible.
You are about to embark on a new Road Scholar learning adventure in association with the Appalachian Mountain Club designed for Beginner-to-Intermediate levels of Nordic skiing ability. Led by an AMC expert, you will have daily ski instruction on different techniques to help develop Nordic (cross country) skills, and go cross country skiing with an AMC naturalist to learn first hand about the winter ecology and natural history of Crawford Notch.Lodging: Appalachian Mountain Club--Highland Center LodgeMeals Included: Dinner
After breakfast, pick up your packed lunch for the trail (according to the form you submitted last night). These lunches include sandwiches (ham, turkey, vegetarian, and tuna) using only the finest ingredients, fruits, vegetables, cheese, trail mix and health bar. Morning: SKI CLINIC: At 8:00am, we will gather in the Living Room of the Highland Center Lodge and head outside for instruction by expert AMC staff. Learn different techniques to develop Nordic (cross country) skills.
FIELD TRIP: After the clinic, we will depart for a field trip along Nordic trails of the Bretton Woods to put your skills into practice and learn about the natural history Crawford Notch and its winter environment. Our study will focus on the world of winter ecology by examining birds, plants, trees, mammals, and their response to low light, low temperatures, and blankets of snow.Lunch: Lunch will be on the trail where we will continue our discussions on winter flora and fauna in the White Mountain National Forest with AMC Naturalists.Afternoon: FIELD TRIP CONTINUES: In addition to our study of winter ecology and natural history, you will gain some knowledge of local human history at various stages during the program. Crawford Notch is full of history including a Grand Hotel that served guests at the turn of the century -- where the Highland Center stands today -- home and painting studio for a White Mountain School painter, and numerous other fascinating people.
At around 3:30-4:00pm, we will ski back to Highland Center Lodge for some "down" time before dinner.Dinner: Dinner, served family style, begins at 6:00pm and typically includes fresh-baked bread, soup, salad, two delicious entrées (vegetarian and non), and homemade dessert.Evening: EVENING PROGRAM: Learn about ski waxing and tuning in a hands-on demonstration for a thorough understanding of cross country ski maintenance from the representative of a leading manufacturer of ski maintenance equipment.Lodging: Appalachian Mountain Club--Highland Center LodgeMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
FIELD TRIP: After the clinic, we will explore the Bretton Woods trail system on skis and learn from the AMC naturalist about animals and plants participants you may encounter on the trails. As you know by now, this is not an ordinary cross country skiing program. It is enriched by the knowledge of AMC experts combined with a wonderful opportunity to experience winter life outdoors in the White Mountains.Lunch: Lunch will be in the Highland Center Lodge "Greenery" where you may choose any two of these three selections: soup, salad, sandwich and chips. You’ll also have a hot beverage and your choice of a cookie or fruit.Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: We will depart the Highland Center at 2:00pm via AMC vans for a field trip to New England Ski Museum, next to Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway, Franconia Notch State Park. Museum staff will take you through this special facility that collects, conserves, and exhibits elements of ski history such as ski equipment, clothing, art, and ephemera; photographic records, films, and historic documents of skiing; a reference library of ski literature including books and periodicals; memorabilia of the 10th Mountain Division; an oral history library of notable skiers; and exhibitions about the history of skiing and its importance to social and economic development.Dinner: Dinner begins at 6:00pm and typically includes fresh-baked bread, soup, salad, two delicious entrées (vegetarian and non), and homemade dessert. Chef Matt's preferred cooking style is to slow roast meats and prepare tasty and nutritious vegetarian meals that provide a perfect end to a day on the trails.Evening: EVENING ACTIVITY: Get a different view of nature as we explore the landscape of Crawford Notch -- lit by moonlight or aided by headlamps -- on snowshoes or skis with AMC Naturalists. (Snowshoes from the Highland Center L.L. Bean Gear Room are available for your complimentary use.)Lodging: Appalachian Mountain Club--Highland Center LodgeMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, pick up your packed lunch for the trail (according to the form you submitted last night).Morning: SKI CLINIC: At 8:00am, we will gather in the Living Room of the Highland Center Lodge and head outside for instruction by expert AMC staff. Learn and further develop techniques for Nordic (cross country) skiing.
FIELD TRIP: After the clinic, we will continue our exploration on skis along the local trail system, gaining knowledge from the AMC naturalist and marveling at the peacefulness of snowy woods in winter.Lunch: Have lunch on the trail, continuing the conversations and learning with the AMC Naturalists.Afternoon: FIELD TRIP CONTINUES: In addition to our study of winter ecology and natural history or flora and fauna, you will gain some knowledge of local human history at various stages during the program.
At around 3:30-4:00pm, we will ski back to Highland Center Lodge for some "down" time before dinner.Dinner: Dinner begins at 6:00pm and typically includes fresh-baked bread, soup, salad, a delicious entrée (vegetarian option available with advance request), and homemade dessert.Evening: EVENING PROGRAM: Learn more about winter ecology with a local biologist.Lodging: Appalachian Mountain Club--Highland Center LodgeMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, pick up your packed lunch for the trail (according to the form you submitted last night).Morning: SKI CLINIC: At 8:00am, we will gather in the living room and head outside for instruction by expert AMC staff, this morning with a focus on back-country ski techniques.
FIELD TRIP: After the clinic, we will explore along White Mountain National Forest Ski Trails led by the AMC naturalist. The 100-kilometer (62 mile) trail network crosses open fields, meanders through woods of spruce and fir, passes beaver ponds and mountain streams, and traverses open hardwood stands.Lunch: Lunch will be at a convenient location along the trail where we be able to comfortably eat and enjoy the surroundings.Afternoon: FREE AFTERNOON: Take advantage of the L.L. Bean Gear Room with complimentary use of snow shoes and winter hiking gear to do some exploring on your own. Or simply relax and feel your connection with this beautiful area.Dinner: Dinner begins at 6:00pm and typically includes fresh-baked bread, soup, salad, two delicious entrées (vegetarian and non), and homemade dessert. Served family style, the meal is a wonderful way to round out a peaceful evening.Evening: EVENING PROGRAM: Meet and hear from a local U.S. Nordic Ski Team Olympian. Learn about this elite sport; the experience of competing in the Olympics; and how these athletes achieve their dreams.Lodging: Appalachian Mountain Club--Highland Center LodgeMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The program concludes with lunch. We hope you have enjoyed this exciting new program and will return for other rewarding Road Scholar learning adventures in the future. Best wishes for all your journeys!Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch