Each winter morning at 4 a.m., Steve Flagg mounts his iron horse and braves the cold. No, it’s not a train that he drives through the Wolfeboro, New Hampshire woods, it’s his snow grooming machine that winds its way through 30 kilometers of scenic cross country ski trails.

Wolfeboro’s Abenaki Ski Area is a tiny vintage community winter recreation park and ski hill that dates back to 1936. The charm of that bygone era is still very much alive, along with the modern advancement of snowmaking which keeps the downhill trails and the terrain park open all winter long.

The Abenaki Ski Area is community owned and operated. Although a mere mogul of a hill, it is open to the public and offers five trails, from novice to expert, with some glades, night skiing, a terrain park, a rope tow and a minuscule lodge with a wood stove and a grill that serves up burgers and dogs and steaming mugs of hot cocoa.    

Yet despite its size, Abenaki does have a full-size groomer and a mini snow-making system garnered from the castoffs of the bigger nearby ski resorts.

Old School rules, and a true vintage ski experience is to be had at Abenaki.   Abenaki is a survivor. In Maine’s ski history alone, over 50 community ski areas have closed over the years. Most were small Mom and Pop operations that catered to the neighborhood kids and beginners.

But tiny can be fun.

Tim Bayha lives in Kennebunk and has two teenage sons, ages 13 and 15. The boys are competitive freestyle skiers and every week after school they head up to Abenaki to practice their jumps, pirouettes and bone-bending tricks that only teenagers can attempt. As there are virtually no lift lines, the boys can get in as many runs in an hour that would take all day at the bigger mountains.

You don’t need a lot of elevation to create a terrific terrain park. The Bayha boys relish their Abenaki nights that are very affordable.

A day pass at Abenaki is only $5 for residents and $17 for non-residents. A season pass for resident adults is only $45, less than a one day lift ticket at Sunday River.

Ski rentals are available and a nice alternative for first-timers. Skis, boots and poles are $12 on weekdays and $17 on weekends. For complete information on the Abenaki Hill call 603-569-5639.

Cross country ski rentals can be had at Nordic Skier Sports on 47 North Main St. just off the trail. The shop is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Classic ski rental with boots, poles and skis is $15 a day, and skate skis are $20 a day. The XC trail pass is $12. A complete line of all XC accessories is available at the shop, including snowshoes, which are also available for rent. For more info on XC rentals and skiing call 603-569-3151.

The cross country trails wind through scenic farms and woods and skiers enjoy great views of Lake Winnipesaukee that stretch out in grand open vistas right from the trail.

Mother Nature has not been favoring the skier thus far this season. As soon as the snow falls it melts, as the temperatures see-saw up and down the scale. The hope for deep snows in February and March are in the minds and hearts of all skiers.

The Wolfeboro Inn, a grand old inn serving food and drink since 1875, is just off the XC trails and offers a nice XC ski package for couples. For a total fee of $149, you can stay overnight in one of their cozy rooms, have breakfast for two in the morning and then hit the trails with your complimentary trail passes. The tavern at the inn serves 100 different beers; sample them all and be rewarded with your own pewter mug. A night at the inn is a pleasant way to spend a mid-winter mini vacation. You can call the inn at 603-569-3016; ask for Lucy.  

— Greg Morell can be reached at Morell.Gregory@gmail.com.