Fall Conference 2025 Recap – Jackson XC, NH
2025 CCSAA Fall Conference Wrap-Up: Two Days of Learning, Connection & Mountain Inspiration in Jackson, NH
This year’s CCSAA Fall Conference found an ideal home at Jackson XC in Jackson, New Hampshire. Under warm, sunny skies, Nordic ski area professionals from across North America gathered for two days of hands-on learning, collaborative discussion, and time well spent with peers who share the same commitment to great skiing experiences.
From shop tours and snowmaking demonstrations to thoughtful panel discussions and energizing breakout groups, the event offered a fresh look at the ideas, tools, and techniques shaping the future of cross country skiing.
A Perfect Setting in the White Mountains
Jackson XC’s terrain, facilities, and hospitality created a seamless backdrop for the entire conference. Attendees enjoyed the convenience of staying at the nearby Christmas Farm Inn & Spa, making it easy to transition between sessions, socialize, and explore the village.
The warm weather added an unexpected bonus—ideal conditions for outdoor grooming and snowmaking workshops, plus plenty of time to explore vendor snowcats displayed on the grounds.
Day 1: Shop Tours, Snowmaking & Grooming in the Field
The conference opened with a behind-the-scenes look at Jackson XC’s maintenance shop, where their grooming team broke down the strategy and logistics behind maintaining more than 80 kilometers of trails each day. Attendees asked great questions and walked away with insights on machine care, daily routines, and operational planning.
From there, the group moved to the Nordic Center for an in-depth snowmaking workshop. Jackson showcased their snowmaking setup—including two fan guns, hoses, and manifolds—while Ian Jarrett of HKD explained equipment design and decision-making from Jackson’s early snowmaking efforts. Ellen and Silas also discussed the challenges of pulling water from the river and moving it across the golf course for optimal snow production.
The afternoon concluded with a grooming workshop on newly cut terrain across the golf course. The Jackson team walked attendees through the physical layout, grooming considerations, and snow-measurement systems now available to ski areas. The session sparked thoughtful discussion around data-driven grooming and efficient trail maintenance.
Day 2: Weather Insights, Panels & Peer Learning
Day 2 began with breakfast, networking, followe by Session #1, a compelling weather presentation from Jay Broccolo, Director of Weather Operations at the Mount Washington Observatory.
Jay’s three-part talk covered:
- An overview of the Mesonet, a network of autonomous weather stations that provide real-time data to both the station host and the Observatory
- The science of snow, including the atmospheric conditions that create different snow types
- His outlook for the upcoming winter, with trends and indicators to watch
Session #2 – Community Outreach & Training Panels
Two panel discussions sparked lively conversation:
- Community Outreach
Panelists shared how ski areas can strengthen relationships with local communities—engaging volunteers, collaborating with clubs, working with nearby businesses, and harnessing the power of word-of-mouth - Staff Training Programs
This session tackled everything from onboarding procedures to more complex emergency planning. Many attendees walked away with fresh ideas and improvements for their own training programs.
Session #3 – Discussion Groups – Focused Conversations & Peer Solutions
Group #1 – Working with the Forest Service – Discussion delved into best practices of working with the Forest Service and included discussion on the sharing of bridge design plans. Attending from the Forest Service was Justin Preisendorfer – Eastern Region Winter Sports Team Leader
Facilitator – Ellen Chandler, Jackson XC, NH
Group #2 – Operating as a Non-profit – This was a vibrant conversation with the following outcomes:
- Make sure your actions align with your mission!
- The level of success depends on your community connection to get and keep your volunteers, board members and any staff.
- There are high demands on resources and you need to be able to scale your organization and your people to not become too reliant on too few.
- There is a lot of competition for people’s recreation time and money. Thousands of competing requests for money or time in community and sport.
- Don’t forget that we do this out of passion as much as anything. Keep the message alive to keep your volunteers and supporters coming back.
Facilitator – Richard Hodges, White Pine Touring, UT
Group #3 – Landowner Relations, Summer and Winter – Techniques and tactics dealing with the many landowners a ski area is presented with was discussed. The conversation also went to easements and other legal situations needed for a smooth landowner interface.
Facilitator – Matt Sabasteanski, Pineland Farms, ME
Group #4 – Pet Friendly Skiing, Grooming, signage and more – This was an operational discussion on how best to deal with many of the pet and signage issues facing ski areas daily. The group shared thoughts and discussed best practices of pet friendly trails and the appropriate signage. One of the bit take aways was the variance in what ski areas are doing .
Facilitator – Nate Harvey, Great Glen Trails, NH
Each Discussion Group produced practical takeaways and new ideas to bring home.
Outdoor Sessions: Real Trails, Real Challenges
The afternoon moved outside for two hands-on sessions:
Groomer Modifications
Attendees shared equipment upgrades and clever machine solutions for upgrades to make grooming easier for the operator and leave a better product.
Christmas Farm Trail Walk
The Jackson XC operations team led a walk through of a short but notably complex trail. Participants examined its challenges firsthand and talked through possible grooming and operational solutions.
A Strong Start to the Season Ahead
The 2025 CCSAA Fall Conference delivered exactly what makes this community so strong: shared experience, practical learning, and genuine collaboration. With new insights, strengthened relationships, and ideas ready to be put into action, attendees left Jackson energized for the winter season ahead.
Thank you to our Supplier Expo Attendees!!
- PistenBully
- Prinoth
- HKD Snowmakers
- Ski Cat Snowcat Rentals
- Mountain States Snowcats – Snow Rabbit
- Mountain Grooming