9 Best Destinations for a Winter Vacation in New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a premiere winter destination in New England, especially for snow sports enthusiasts. The Granite State boasts 19 ski areas with different difficulty levels, so skiers and snowboarders of all levels will find plenty of adventure. Plus, there is one of the most extensive cross-country ski trails in the US.
It comes as no surprise that there are beautiful ski resorts, mountains, and frozen lakes. Romantic sleigh rides, luxurious accommodations, and charming towns await snow-bound visitors. New Hampshire is among the top winter locations in the country, and these nine destinations are the best for a winter vacation.
White Mountains
New Hampshire is home to 48 mountains that reach over 4,000 feet. One of the more popular ranges is the White Mountain Range, which includes Mount Washington. At 6,288 feet, Mount Washington is the highest peak in North America and is ideal for winter adventure. Mount Washington State Park's summit includes the Mount Washington Museum, which focuses on human and natural history.
The White Mountains offer many attractions, aerial rides, panoramic scenery, and five theme parks. There are also beautiful lodges like The Wentworth. The 61-room lodge provides luxurious accommodations, including main rooms, spa rooms, and cottages. This breathtaking mountain range is one of the prettiest in the state and one of the best winter destinations.
North Conway
Picturesque North Conway is a gateway to Mount Washington and a well-known hiking destination during Spring and Fall. The charming town offers several top resorts, like the Eastern Slope and Cranmore Inns, and tremendous skiing options near the inns. Many people visit for the Nordic skiing in Whittaker Woods and to take a ride on the snow train.
The snow train departs North Conway Village station in streamlined passenger cars from the 1950s and travels through the valleys with stunning views. After a day on the slopes, North Conway is the premier village for dining. From coffeehouses like The Met to American cuisine at Chef's Bistro, North Conway has something for every appetite.
Meredith
Meridith is in the Lakes Region, offering many winter activities and indoor attractions. In addition to optimum skiing conditions, it is home to the New England Pond Hockey Classic. Ice fishing on Meredith Bay is another reason Meredith is a top winter destination in New Hampshire. There are also many indoor entertainment activities.
Meredith is also known for its indoor entertainment at family-friendly places like Fun Spot, the world's largest arcade, and luxurious spas. Cascade Spa provides a tranquil respite from the cold temperatures and offers full-body massages and steam rooms. Meredith is a popular winter vacation spot whether you are hitting the slopes, ice fishing, or looking for indoor entertainment.
Franconia
In the famed White Mountains, Franconia is a popular winter destination because of its outdoor adventures, especially at Franconia Notch National Park. The park is a gorgeous mountain pass with a parkway from Flume Gorge to Echo Lake. There is an aerial tramway at Cannon Mountian and the New England Ski Museum.
The Franconia Inn is a premier lodging option with a 25-mile cross-country ski trail system. It is only a short distance from the North Country Climbing Center, which provides indoor rock climbing and guided ice climbing tours. This center is ideal for making the most of outdoor activities. Traditional Bobhouses for ice fishing dot the frozen lakes, another reason Franconia is so famous for winter visitors.
Bretton Woods
The Bretton Woods ski area is famous for Nordic skiing, tubing, and other winter sports. It is the largest ski area in New Hampshire, with 63 trails, 35 meadows, and ten lifts. Another popular sport is snowshoeing through the White Mountains and checking out the scenery via the gondola.
The Bretton Woods Skyway Gondola offers sweeping views of Mount Washington and the Presidential Range. It stops at the luxurious Rosebrook Lodge, which has sophisticated dining options. The Omni Mount Washington Resort hosts an annual Winter Carnival. The family-friendly festival offers games, yoga, and a historic hotel walking tour.
Lake Sunapee
A view of Mt Sunapee in New Hampshire from a frozen lake during winter.
The scenic Lake Sunapee region is a winter wonderland with tubing, skiing, ice fishing, and more. Several scenic hiking trails are nearby, like Monadock-Sunapee Greenway and Andrew Brook Trail. Snow-draped trees surround both trails, providing charming photo opportunities. Snow tubing is another popular sport, especially in Pat's Peak.
Pat's Peak provides oversized tubes, several tubing lanes, and hot cocoa and cookies at the end of the adventure. No trip to Lake Sunapee is complete without a short drive to Lincoln to view the ice castles. The magnificent sculptures are decorated with lights that give them a magical ambiance that cannot be beaten. Lake Sunapee is full of fun things to see and do, and it is always at the top of the vacation list for winter enthusiasts.
Gunstock Mountain
Gunstock Mountain is a winter paradise and the second-tallest peak in the Belknap Mountains. It is also home to Gunstock Mountain Resort, a winter enthusiast's paradise. The resort has 227 skiable acres and 49 trails and is considered one of New Hampshire's premiere ski lodges.
Skiing, snowboarding, and Nordic skiing draw people to Gunstock. The resort also offers night skiing sessions with 22 lighted trails, making for a memorable trip. Blundersmoke is the signature park, with small, medium, and large features suitable for all skill levels.
Bethlehem
Bethlehem is a small, hilly town that attracts winter visitors because of its proximity to ski resorts and cross-country skiing trails. Snowboarding is a favorite pastime, and Bretton Woods and Cannon Mountain are just a short ride away. Bretzfelder Park is popular for skiers because of its easily accessible trail loops, which make for easy and scenic exploration.
The Profile Recreational Rail Trail is noteworthy for its miles of trails that are open year-round. The charming town has many accommodations and is home to two Christmas tree farms and several dining options like Cold Mountain Cafe. The eatery specializes in farm-to-table cuisine and is popular among visitors and residents.
Loon Mountain
Loon Mountain is a mountain peak in Livermore and has a vibrant skiing culture. Nestled in the White Mountain National Forest, the 3,065-foot mountain is home to Loon Mountain Ski Resort. The winter playground is one of the most popular in New Hampshire because of the outdoor activities and the gondola rides.
The gondola sky rides travel 1,738 feet to the summit of Loon Peak, where you can enjoy unparalleled views of the majestic mountains. The ride also leads to Summit Cafe, a dining experience with views that cannot be beaten. The cafe is perched 2,733 feet above sea level at the top of the summit, with spectacular views of White Mountain and Mount Moosilauke.
New Hampshire is a winter playground with some of the tallest mountains in the United States and ample winter sports opportunities. It is also home to luxurious ski resorts like Gunstock and The Franconia Inn. The charming lodges are a short distance from many trails and slopes, and the towns have much to offer.
Summit Cafe is perched on top of Mount Loon and provides an experience unlike any other. The panoramic views of the mountain ranges are simply stunning. These nine towns are top winter destinations for their accessibility to some of the country's best skiing and welcoming and elegant lodges.
