Winter sports are where New Hampshire really shines. The state’s combination of plenty of snow and some of the tallest and most majestic mountains on the East Coast mean it’s no surprise that Alpine skiing is readily available and quite popular. At the Waterville Valley Resort, for example, skiers can take advantage of 50 trails, 11 lifts, and the latest in snow-making technology—for those rare occasions when Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate.
Those who prefer cross country skiing won’t be left out of the fun either. In Jackson, New Hampshire, there are 56 expertly tended cross country trails, and the entire gamut is lined with cafes, pubs, and eateries.
If neither of those options is appealing, winter enthusiasts can strap on a pair of snowshoes and explore miles and miles or trails, mainly in the northern part of the state. Or they can even witness the winter wonderland from the comfort of a snow coach tour. Northern New Hampshire also offers some of the best and most extensive snowmobile trails—over 200 miles of them that connect the Granite State to Vermont, Maine, and Canada.
Check out the beautiful Seacoast region of New Hampshire not just for shopping and dining, but for an afternoon of ice skating on Puddle Dock Pond at Strawberry Banke Museum in Portsmouth. Â
If you’re thinking outside the box in terms of winter entertainment, New Hampshire has places where you can take a ride on a dog sled, go ziplining 165 feet over Mount Washington and Bretton Woods, or check out Gunstock Mountain’s winter Mountain Coaster, where a cart will take you through the winter landscape at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour! You can even bike through Mount Washington Valley on a bike with specialized winter tires. If you want a snow tubing experience that’s out of the ordinary, try Cosmic Snow Tubing at Granite Gorge in Keene—complete with lights, disco balls, glow sticks, and a DJ!
Of course, just walking through the magical New Hampshire winter landscape is a thrilling experience on its own—don’t miss the ice castles of North Woodstock—and afterwards, the state has plenty of cozy lodges, rustic pubs, and unique restaurants where you can grab a hot drink, something to eat, and warm up beside a roaring open fire.
New Hampshire residents have fought hard to protect the natural environment, and it shows in the pristine lakes, rivers, creeks, and streams throughout the state, as well as the miles of unspoiled forests and trails. Anyone who loves the outdoors can benefits from their efforts to preserve these natural treasures. Whether your idea of heaven is boating on a crystal blue lake on a hot summer day or skiing or snowboarding at breakneck speeds down some of the best mountains in the area, New Hampshire will satisfy your craving for outdoor adventure.
Ray Montie and his family love living in New Hampshire and having the opportunity to take advantage of all the outdoor activities around them in this beautiful state. New Hampshire represents all the things that make New England so synonymous with outdoor adventure, and it’s full of fun things do in any season.
