Snowshoe Rental

NavGirl316 · 12-23-2007, 01:49 PM

Hi, we're looking for a place that rents snowshoes (preferably in the Meredith area). Any suggestions?

Also, any recommendations on good places around the lake for snowshoeing?

Thanks much for any info.

fatlazyless · 12-23-2007, 06:40 PM

Located about one hour north of Lake Winnipesaukee, the Waterville Valley nordic center rents snow shoes but they are no bargain price, plus you got to pay to use the WV nordic trails and it's all x-c machine highly groomed.. Possibly, Gunstock Ski Mountain in Gilford does too.

Gilford and Plymouth Wal-Mart both carry four sizes of Yukon Charlie snowshoes, from about $45-88, and they were almost all sold out on Saturday.

With a down hill Christmas time, ski ticket costing $61., I purchased a $75 dollar set of Yukon Charlies, capacity 275lbs,, and went on a snoe-shoe hike up Mt Welch in Thornton with a group of six. Wal-Marts largest size, plenty in stock, was rated for up to 350lbs! The little parking lot for the Mt Welch trail had about eight cars, and the recent heavy snow was so packed down by snow-shoers that probably it could have been hiked with just hiking boots.

The Smart's Brook Trail in the WMNF directly on Rt 49, Thornton, has a slowly ascending well graded trail that follows Smart's Brook. It starts out as a very small brook and gradually turns into a huge gorge with vertical rock walls of about 100' height, on both sides, and the trail outlines the edge of the brook. Except for a WMNF parking pass, $25/year/2 vehicles or $3./day, it's all free hiking trails.

Maybe I'm wrong on this, but it could be that all the crowds and big expense of down hill skiing are helping to build interest in snow-shoeing.

In Meredith, there's a town forest or park or something with walking trails, and a parking lot located on the Parade Rd, Rt 106. It's very easy to drive past and miss it. Never been there myself.

12-23-2007, 01:49 PM	#1
NavGirl316 Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 32 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Snowshoe Rental Hi, we're looking for a place that rents snowshoes (preferably in the Meredith area). Any suggestions? Also, any recommendations on good places around the lake for snowshoeing? Thanks much for any info.

12-23-2007, 06:40 PM	#2
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,527 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 296 Thanked 957 Times in 698 Posts	Located about one hour north of Lake Winnipesaukee, the Waterville Valley nordic center rents snow shoes but they are no bargain price, plus you got to pay to use the WV nordic trails and it's all x-c machine highly groomed.. Possibly, Gunstock Ski Mountain in Gilford does too. Gilford and Plymouth Wal-Mart both carry four sizes of Yukon Charlie snowshoes, from about $45-88, and they were almost all sold out on Saturday. With a down hill Christmas time, ski ticket costing $61., I purchased a $75 dollar set of Yukon Charlies, capacity 275lbs,, and went on a snoe-shoe hike up Mt Welch in Thornton with a group of six. Wal-Marts largest size, plenty in stock, was rated for up to 350lbs! The little parking lot for the Mt Welch trail had about eight cars, and the recent heavy snow was so packed down by snow-shoers that probably it could have been hiked with just hiking boots. The Smart's Brook Trail in the WMNF directly on Rt 49, Thornton, has a slowly ascending well graded trail that follows Smart's Brook. It starts out as a very small brook and gradually turns into a huge gorge with vertical rock walls of about 100' height, on both sides, and the trail outlines the edge of the brook. Except for a WMNF parking pass, $25/year/2 vehicles or $3./day, it's all free hiking trails. Maybe I'm wrong on this, but it could be that all the crowds and big expense of down hill skiing are helping to build interest in snow-shoeing. In Meredith, there's a town forest or park or something with walking trails, and a parking lot located on the Parade Rd, Rt 106. It's very easy to drive past and miss it. Never been there myself. __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!