Winter Activities In The White Mountains of New Hampshire

Winter in the White Mountains of New Hampshire brings snow-covered peaks, quiet forests, and some of the best cold-weather adventures in New England. You can enjoy skiing, snowshoeing, scenic winter drives, and super cute mountain towns. Winter is a great time to visit because a lot of the areas that are usually packed are much more peaceful (except the ski resorts, of course).

Loon Mountain Resort

Boasting the biggest vert in New Hampshire, Loon Mountain Resort is a must hit for some good riding. If you are looking for a comfortable ride, be sure to take the Kancamagus 8 seater. Close the bubble to keep the heat in on those blustery days! The Gondola also makes for a comfortable ride up to Loon Peak to get a summit meal or hit some high slope trails.
Discover more ski resorts: Northeast Ski Resorts You Shouldn’t Skip This Winter

Visit Flume Gorge

Did you know that you can visit Flume Gorge in the winter? While you can’t access the actual gorge because the boardwalk is removed, you can access most of the trails. Winter is a great time to go to avoid the crowds you’ll find during the warmer months. Plus, in the winter, you won’t have to pay admission to access the trails, which I think is a bonus. Be sure to have appropriate winter hiking gear.
Learn more about visiting: Explore The Natural Wonder Of Flume Gorge In New Hampshire

Ice Castles of New hampshire

The Ice Castles of New Hampshire is a great family-friendly spot to check out in North Woodstock. The castle is manmade and quite the marvel. Inside the caste, you’ll find ice slides, tunnels, and even some ice sculptures. In addition to the castle, there’s light displays and tubing. Even if you don’t have children, I think this spot is worth checking out at least once.
Learn more about visiting: Are The Ice Castles In New Hampshire Worth Visiting?

Drive The Kancamagus Highway

If you’re looking for some great views without a hike, the scenic Kancamagus Highway is a great option. You really don’t have to get out of the car to enjoy the views. However, there are definitely pull-offs if you’re looking to make quick stops for photos! Just note that not every scenic area’s parking area will be plowed.
Discover some stops off of the Kanc: Family-Friendly Stops Along The Kancamagus Highway

Check Out The Albany Covered Bridge

If you’re interested in covered bridges, the White Mountains has you covered. An easy one to visit is the Saco River Covered Bridge in Conway. There’s street parking right by the bridge, which makes it very easy to visit. It’s also close to the center of town, so there’s plenty to do nearby.
Discover more covered bridges: Covered Bridges To Check Out In New Hampshire

Hike Artist’s Bluff

If you visit the White Mountains in the fall, this popular spot is extremely hard to enjoy because of the hoards of people. I once made the mistake of attempting to do this hike in the fall, and it was so crowded, I immediately left without doing the hike. When I hiked here in the winter, I didn’t see another soul. It’s a short hike that’s quick and easy, given you have the right equipment (like micro spikes or snow shoes, depending on the conditions). Be sure to also check out Echo Lake Beach nearby for more scenic views.

Cannon Mountain Resort

This is the highest ski mountain in New Hampshire and one of the biggest verticals in New England. This resort has terrain for all skill levels and is super family friendly. Whether you’re tucked away in the glades or cruising down groomed piste, you will want to spend multiple days to explore this mountain. Cannonball Pub also has a great après vibe at the base of the mountain to unwind after a long day. Plus, beautiful views of the surrounding White Mountains. What’s not to like?

Mount Washington resort

Whether you actually visit the hotel or not, it’s worth at least taking a peek at this historic hotel situated by Mount Washington. There’s a viewing area on Route 302 with a historical marker that gives you some information about the history of the hotel. If you’re not staying here, you can still dine at some of the restaurants, but you might need a reservation as a non-guest. Also worth checking out in this area is the Mount Washington Cog Railway, which does run in the winter. The Cog just won’t take you all the way to the summit of Mount Washington during the winter.

The Pemi Arcade

Whenever I’m in North Woodstock, I always grab a bite to eat at Pemi Public House. Recently, I was able to check out their arcade next door. It was such a cool space and it made me feel super nostalgic. I went right for the pinball machines, but there’s a little something for everyone inside. I recommend having cash on you, but there is an ATM inside the arcade so you can get cash for the coin machine.

Intervale Scenic Vista

The Intervale Scenic Vista offers some great views without a hike. In addition to great views, there is a visitor center that gives you a lot of information about the area from things to do to information about the landscape of the area.

Take A Drive Through Crawford notch State Park

Another great drive to do for scenic views is through Crawford Notch State Park. There are some quick stops you can make along the way like the historic Crawford Depot train station or the Wiley House area for some nice mountain views. I did this on winter weekend getaway to the White Mountains last year. If you’re feeling adventurous, there are plenty of hikes to check out in the area as well. The only hike I’ve personally done here is Ripley Falls and that was during the fall.