During the winter months, the western White Mountains becomes a mecca for skiers and snowboarders looking for affordable, world-class skiing. Both Loon Mountain Resort and Cannon Mountain are family-friendly ski resorts offering exceptional skiing, but not everyone skis or snowboards, and that’s okay. There’s plenty of winter activities for non-skiers and skiers alike in the western White Mountains. Just bundle up and enjoy!
Fly High on the Winter Zipline
Winter is a great time to go ziplining! Alpine Adventures, New England’s original zipline company, offers winter zipline tours on two of their courses – the SkyRider Tour and the Treetop Tour. Start your tour with an off-road ride up to the top of the course and finish in the custom-built treehouse offering incredible views of the White Mountains while sipping hot cocoa.
Break a Sweat on a Snowshoe Tour
The White Mountains are home to some of the best hiking in New England, but snow can make it challenging to access some of your favorite trails. Strap on a pair of snowshoes and hit the trails for some exercise. The Loon Mountain Adventure Center offers a variety of snowshoe tours ranging in difficulty and length from the beginner-friendly trails that follow along the Pemigewasset River. Or explore high-alpine trails with incredible views from Loon Peak summit and North Peak. Alternatively, you can rent snowshoes and hit the snowshoe trails for your own scenic tour. Alpine Adventures also offers guided backcountry snowshoe tours on their private mountain in North Woodstock, Barron Mountain.
Bundle Up and Get Frozen at the Ice Castles
Visit Ice Castles to make all of your frozen dreams come true. Whether you visit during the day or at night when the castle is lit up, its an experience you won’t want to miss. Don’t forget the camera! The New Hampshire location also offers sleigh rides and a winter walk through an enchanted forest lined with elaborate ice sculptures. For the little ones, there will be plenty of opportunities to meet real-life princesses at Ice Castles.
Kick Back and Relax at the Spa
Maybe your favorite thing about winter is being nice and warm inside, taking some time for yourself and treating yourself. Put your feet up, grab a tea or glass or wine and enjoy some pampering and relaxation at Balanced Rock Bodyworks, Viaggio Spa or Solstice North Day Spa. Whether you want to melt away your stress with a massage or facial or get a manicure and pedicure, these Western White Mountain spas have a long list of services for you to choose from.
Hit Up Happy Hour
After a day outside enjoying the many winter activities in the western White Mountains, head to one of the many wineries and breweries in the area for a drink. Seven Birches Winery makes delicious wine inside the RiverWalk Resort. With a brand new tasting room experience, you can sip on tasty red and white wine varieties. Twin Barns Brewing Co. North Taproom joined the Main Street Woodstock community making it a great two-for one stop with the Woodstock Inn Brewery, which is one of New Hampshire’s oldest and largest craft breweries in the state.
Take a Hike
Looking to slow down and take it all in? Strap on a pair of snowshoes, microspikes or crampons and head the for the trails. While expertise is needed for most winter hiking in the Western White Mountains, there are numerous short, flat, or low-elevation trails that are suitable for all to enjoy. Visit the White Mountain National Forest’s recreation page to start planning your adventure, and get ready to enjoy the forests and trails of the Western White Mountains as they seemingly melt away your stresses, step by step.
You don’t need to be a skier or snowboarder to enjoy all the incredible and fun winter activities in the western White Mountains. Come see what you’ve been missing!
For state-wide information, head to VisitNH.gov
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