Bonus! The Most-Viewed Video in 2011

We had so much fun counting down the top 5 articles of 2011 that we thought we'd throw in a bonus! Check out this year's most popular video, "Meet the 2011 AMC Hut Croo"

Happy New Year!

Drumroll, Please...the Most-Read AMC Outdoors Article in 2011 is...

#1 - Great Bike Paths: Ride the former rails on seven multiuse trails (from the September/October issue)

#2 - Take a Dip
#3 - Go The Distance
#4 - Balancing Act
#5 - Haunted Hikes Offer Legends and History

* Most-read = most viewed on Outdoors.org in 2011

The Countdown Marches On With #2

We keep counting them down! Today's reveal is the #2 most-read* article from AMC Outdoors, a July/August Get Out feature:

Take a Dip
Seven spots to cool off this summer

Check back tomorrow for our most-read article of 2011!

#3 - Go The Distance
#4 - Balancing Act
#5 - Haunted Hikes Offer Legends and History

* Most-read = most viewed on Outdoors.org in 2011

The #3 Most-Read AMC Outdoors Articles in 2011 Is....

...Go The Distance: Conditioning for Long Hikes, an Out + Fit article from the January/February 2011 issue! Stay tuned - we have two more articles to reveal...

#4 - Balancing Act
#5 - Haunted Hikes Offer Legends and History

AMC Outdoors Countdown Continues with #4

Our year-end countdown of most-popular AMC Outdoors articles from 2011 continues with today's reveal of the Out + Fit feature from the March/April issue that's taking the #4 spot:

Balancing Act
Get coordinated before you hike

#5 - Haunted Hikes Offer Legends and History


* Most-read = most viewed on Outdoors.org in 2011

Counting Down the Most-Read AMC Outdoors Articles of 2011!

Once again this year we'll be counting down our top 5 most-read* articles from AMC Outdoors!

Today we begin with #5, a web feature from October; the fifth most-read article from AMC Outdoors this year is...

Haunted Hikes Offer Legends and History
These hikes to areas known for tragic histories and spooky legends will put a spring in your step—and perhaps a chill up your spine.

* Most-read = most viewed on Outdoors.org in 2011

This Winter at Joe Dodge Lodge: International Dinners and More!

Winter has arrived in the Notch and we have a full schedule of upcoming events at Joe Dodge Lodge/Pinkham Notch Visitor Center!

For starters, check out our annual, popular International Dinner Series, which kicks off Wednesday, January 4th with a presentation and cuisine of Romania. The series continues on Wednesday nights through the winter. See a full schedule of International Dinners >>

Every Sunday this winter, check out our "Ski with an AMC Naturalist" program, which allows guests to explore Great Glen's cross-country ski trails with one of AMC's expert naturalists. View schedule >>

Check out our full schedule of upcoming events, which includes family programs, guided winter ascents of Mt. Washington, and more!

We’re also offering our best midweek ski deal ever! Stay at Joe Dodge Lodge or the Highland Center for at least two nights, Sunday through Thursday, and save 30% off our member and non-member rates! With this deal, you’ll also get a free trail lunch, in addition to a daily buffet breakfast and family-style dinner.

In addition, Joe Dodge Lodge guests will get a free trail pass to Great Glen’s cross-country trail network all winter! Free weekend programs are also offered, including moonlight snowshoe walks and beginner cross-country ski clinics. Check availability at Joe Dodge Lodge >>

Upcoming Programs at Highland Lodge

Join us this winter at Highland Lodge! Here's what's on tap for January and February...

50+ New Member Weekend (Jan. 6-8)

Ice Climbing 101 (Jan. 27 - Jan. 29)

Winter Family Adventure (Jan. 27 - Jan. 29)

50+ Winter Sports Adventure Camp (Feb. 5-10)

Ice Climbing 101 (Feb. 10-12)

Winter Digital Photography Weekend with Jerry Monkman (Feb. 10 - Feb. 12)

And, ongoing, is our 30% savings on midweek stays! Save 30% off member and non-member rates with a two-night stay at Highland Lodge and receive a free trail lunch (up to %13.50 value) or XC ski ticket to Bretton Woods (up to $19 value). Valid January 2-March 29, 2012 (excluding January 16 and February 19-23, 2012), Sunday-Thursday, new reservations only. Must mention promotion code WMW12 when booking.

As always, Highland Lodge guests enjoy:
• Free guided activities and outdoor skills programs daily
• Evening programs and social hours
• Free use of equipment from the L.L. Bean gear room
• All lodging, meals, activities, and equipment included in room and program rates – with private room/private bath option available.

Down East Names Gorman Chairback as a "Gift of Maine"

More holiday gift ideas, this time from DownEast magazine with some top picks for Maine experiences. One pick...AMC's Gorman Chairback Lodge & Cabins, named as a "Glittering Getaway!" Read the full article >>

Dreaming of a White Christmas? Come to Pinkham Notch!

Cornell University's climate experts have declared Pinkham Notch, N.H., as having a 95 percent probability of having an inch or more of snow on the ground on Dec. 25.

Join us in Pinkham Notch for the holidays! Call AMC Reservations at (603) 466-2727 (9am - 5pm, Mon. - Sat.) for more information and to reserve space.

AMC's Maine Woods Ski Network is Largest in New England for Lodge-Served, Groomed BackcountryTrails

The AMC has added 20 new kilometers (12 miles) of trail to its Maine Wilderness Lodges cross-country ski trail network, making it the largest dedicated network of lodge-served, groomed backcountry ski trails in New England. AMC now offers over 130 km (80 miles) of groomed ski trails across its 66,000-acre conservation and recreation property in Maine’s Moosehead Lake region, connecting three AMC-owned lodges and a partner sporting camp. Also for this winter, AMC has added four new private cabins with private baths to its newest lodging destination, Gorman Chairback Lodge & Cabins, including an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-accessible cabin with private bath, propane heat, and electric power. The new cabins are key components of AMC’s renovation of this traditional Maine sporting camp.

Read full press release >>

Hike Safe: It's Your Responsibility

Check out this new video from the New Hampshire Outdoor Council, highlighting hikeSafe and responsible, safe hiking practices:

Free Shipping is Back - One Day Only!

Still have holiday shopping to do? Free shipping on AMC Online Store orders of $50 or more is back for 24 hours – until noon EST tomorrow, Dec. 15!

Don't know what to buy them? Check out our 25 Gifts Under $25 for great, budget-friendly ideas! Shop now >>

Free shipping offers ends Thursday, 12/15 at noon ET. Christmas delivery guaranteed for orders placed by December 19th.

NH Residents: Tell Congress to Support the Androscoggin Headwaters

Congress is currently making decisions on the 2012 budget for national conservation programs, which includes funding for the Androscoggin Headwaters protection project in and around Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge in northern New Hampshire.

The 31,300-acre Androscoggin Headwaters property is one of the largest unprotected ownerships remaining in New Hampshire. Funding this year will help the US Fish & Wildlife Service purchase 4,532 acres within the Refuge, and permit the State of New Hampshire to acquire a permanent working forest conservation easement over an adjacent 12,627 acres of commercial timberland.

Protection of this property will help to diversify and balance northern New Hampshire’s tourism and timber economies, which are based on the enjoyment and careful management of our abundant natural resources.

The project will also ensure permanent public access for hiking, birding, fishing, and other traditional recreation activities.

Take Action
NH Residents: write a letter to Senators Shaheen and Ayotte and Representative Bass. It’s simple and easy, and your voice counts to support New Hampshire’s outdoor heritage.

Vote for the AMC Photo Contest's "People's Choice" Award

Vote now in our first-ever AMC Photo Contest "People’s Choice" Award! To vote, visit our People's Choice album on Facebook and “Like” your favorite images; then share them with friends—if you've got a photo in the contest, their votes could help you win! The winner walks away with a Deuter ACT Zero 50+15 Backpack!

Vote now >>

Photos: Waking Up to Snow

The White Mountains are looking a little whiter after last night's snow in Crawford Notch and Pinkham Notch, NH! See a full album of photos taken around Highland Lodge and Pinkham Notch Visitor Center/Joe Dodge Lodge on our Facebook page >>

Victory in the New York Highlands!

The Appalachian Mountain Club joined Highlands Coalition partners on December 6th, 2011 to celebrate the recent conservation of North Hollow, a 261-acre property in the NY Highlands. The acquisition was made possible with $653,500 in federal Highlands Conservation Act funds, provided through the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

The family of the late Gerald Blumberg, a long time resident of the Hudson River Valley, generously donated land value as a match for the public funds, working closely with the Trust for Public Land and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation.

Read press release >>

Read more about the event in AMC's Hike the Highlands blog >>

Read more about AMC's work in the Mid-Atlantic Highlands >>

Join us for the 9th Annual Gingerbread Weekend!

Join us at the Highland Center this coming weekend for a dose of holiday cheer! Our 9th Annual Gingerbread Weekend is designed for families and features a gingerbread house decorating competition with prizes, cookie decorating, crafts, family hikes and nature walks, and a Saturday fireside social with trivia and games.

Check availability & reserve online or contact AMC Reservations at (603) 466-2727, 9am - 5pm, Monday - Saturday. amclodging@outdoors.org

Zealand Road is Closed for Winter 2011-12

Hikers and Zealand Hut guests: Please note that, as always, the Zealand Road will be closed for the winter by the U.S. Forest Service, and no private vehicles will be allowed. This year, the road is closed as of Monday, December 5; please note, whether there is snow on the ground or not, the road is closed (as is the gate). Parking will again be at the large winter parking lot on the north side of Route 302. No WMNF parking pass is required to park in the lot.

The Zealand Road will remain unplowed for the entire season; no logging activities will take place this winter.

The road will reopen in spring 2012 based on weather and conditions.

Early Season Savings at Gorman Chairback: Save 30%

Have you been to AMC's newest destination yet?

Save 30% off member and non-member rates with a three-night stay at Gorman Chairback Lodge & Cabins between December 29th and January 12th.

Package includes private cabin, dinner, lunch, breakfast, hot showers and sauna. Enjoy miles of ski and snowshoe trails around the lodge!

Check availability and reserve now >>