TRAVEL Top 5 picks for a Nordic ski getaway in New England

We’re talking pristine landscapes, with miles of groomed and backcountry trails at your doorstep, and a comfy place to relax and re-fuel at the end of the day.

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There are plenty of places to strap on skinny long boards and hit the trail for a few hours of fresh air and exercise, including nearby parks, preserves, golf courses, fields, and forests. But why not dial the fun up a notch this winter with a full weekend getaway to a destination that knows how to cater to Nordic skiers? We’re talking pristine landscapes, with miles of groomed and backcountry trails at your doorstep, and a comfy place to relax and re-fuel at the end of the day.

Here are five of our favorite must-ski cross-country resorts in New England.

Waterville Valley

The White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire and western Maine covers nearly 800,000 acres, a protected landscape of dense woods and mountain peaks, spider-webbed with ponds and streaked with rushing rivers and meandering creeks. It’s a beautiful place to skinny ski, and the Waterville Valley Resort in New Hampshire, has access to a lovely patch of it. You’ll find about 70 kilometers of Nordic trails, groomed for both skate and classic skiing, with woods and snow-capped mountain views. Rentals, lessons and free shuttles to trail access points are available at the resort’s Adventure Center.

At the end of the day, head back to the village Town Square, with a cluster of shops and restaurants. There’s also a variety of accommodations, all within walking distance to the village. Town Square Condominiums have three-bedrooms, two baths, full kitchens and separate dining and living areas, sleeping up to eight. There are also smaller, one-bedroom suites at the Black Bear Lodge. If skiing isn’t enough, there’s ice skating, indoor tennis, fat tire biking, swimming pools, bonfires and fireworks, set off in the Town Square on select nights throughout the winter season. 800-468-2553, www.waterville.com