Family-Friendly Activities for Winter
Perhaps, you have heard the old saying: There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. That couldn’t be more true here in the White Mountains. When temperatures dip down, resist the urge to retreat inside and instead bundle up and head out as the snow starts to fall—you will find adventures abound. Starting with ski mountains, here are a number of ways to take advantage of nature’s frozen playground with your family this winter.
Cranmore Mountain Resort
Cranmore Mountain Resort
239 Skimobile Road
North Conway, NH
1-800-786-6754
cranmore.com
Cranmore Mountain Resort in North Conway has over 170 skiable acres and 60 trails. About half of the trails are marked as intermediate and there are 18 for beginners. In the winter, the trails are open every day, with night skiing on Saturdays, Wednesdays, and holidays. They also have uphill travel tickets.
If you have some beginners in your crew, the ski school, KidsRule, offers ski and snowboard lessons to children from ages 4 to 14. The camps include full and half-day options, and are available on the weekends and during holidays and vacation weeks. After your family has enjoyed time on the mountain, you can get together for some après ski fun. There are a variety of options from Zip’s Pub and Koessler’s Bar to Meister Hut located at the summit. Cranmore has events throughout the season, including Cranapalooza, a party in February with music, games, and fireworks.
In addition to the ski and snowboard trails, Cranmore has snowtubing. They have 10 lanes that are groomed and accessed via a lift. You can book in two-hour time slots. Make sure to book ahead because tickets sell out frequently. If you need a break from the winter temps, the Cranmore Sports Center and Fun Zone has indoor tennis, swimming pool, climbing wall, and bouncy house.
Attitash Mountain Resort
Attitash Mountain Resort
775 US-302
Bartlett, NH
603-374-2600
attitash.com
Attitash Mountain Resort has two mountain peaks, over 300 acres, and 68 trails. The trails are fairly evenly split between beginner, intermediate, and advanced. The Progression Quad takes you up to the beginner trails and the Mountaineer and the Flying Bear take skiers and snowboarders up to the summit where you can choose between black and blue trail options.
If kids need a lesson or a refresher, consider the ski and snowboard school. There are programs for children ages 3-6 and another for ages 7 and up. If everyone needs a refresher, Attitash offers private lessons for families too.
When it is time to refuel, there are quick grab-n-go options in all three base lodges. For a full lunch, stop by Ptarmigans Pub or The Den, where there’s live music every Saturday. If your group wants to stay outside and enjoy the mountain air, the Cantina and Brats and Brews let you do just that.
Bretton Woods
99 Ski Area Road
Bretton Woods, NH
603-278-3320
brettonwoods.com
Bretton Woods is the state’s largest ski resort with 98 trails and glades and 464 skiable acres. Oftentimes (along with Wildcat) it is one of the first mountains to open with its ski season running from early November to mid-April, weather depending. Bretton Woods has lessons and a ski school for kids. In addition to alpine skiing, the Nordic Ski Center offers nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and fat-tire biking. The trails are groomed daily. On the Porcupine Trail, there is a warming cabin and the Mountain Road, which is accessed via a lift, has the Mount Stickney Cabin.
They also have tubing on site. Kids will love the thrill as they zoom down the groomed hill, and adults will enjoy taking in the view of the Presidential Mountain Range. For those looking for a slower pace, Bretton Woods Stables has scenic carriage rides.
Wildcat Mountain
Wildcat Mountain
542 Route 16
Pinkham Notch, NH
603-466-3326
skiwildcat.com
Wildcat is considered one of the most scenic ski resorts because of its location in Pinkham Notch giving skiers stunning views of Mount Washington and the Presidential Range. The mountain has rentals and lessons. The Polecat Beginner Trail is 2.75 miles long, the longest novice ski trail in the state. The mountain has events throughout the season, and a fun après ski environment with live music every Friday and Saturday. Since Vail Resorts purchased Wildcat, it is part of the Epic Pass along with Attitash.
Black Mountain
373 Black Mountain Road
Jackson, NH
603-383-4490
blackmt.com
Located in Jackson, Black Mountain is an independently owned ski mountain with 140 skiable acres, 5 lifts, and 45 trails. The mountain was opened in 1933 and was the first in the country to install a cable lift. While it is loved and known for its retro vibe, locals also come back year after year because of its affordable pricing. It is a great spot for families because of long, winding trails, sunny southern exposure, and protection from cold winds. After skiing the trails, you can have a drink and pub-style food at the Lostbo Pub.
Great Glen Trails
Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center
1 Mount Washington Auto Road
Gorham, NH
603-466-2333
greatglentrails.com
Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center understands how to make the most of winter in the White Mountains. One of our favorite offerings is the SnowCoach, which is a van on four tracks that climbs its way up Mount Washington’s Auto Road in winter. During the ride, a tour guide tells passengers about the history of the mountain and some other fun facts about the area. At the top, guests can hop out for photos and, if they choose, can snowshoe down or ride back in the warmth of the SnowCoach. Tours are about an hour and a half and ascend 4,200 feet.
Also at the center are groomed trails for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and fat-tire biking. There are rentals available as well as lessons. If you have kids in your group, try the Tubing Hill. This walk-up hill is fun for all ages, and they have a fire pit with s’mores and hot chocolate. Call ahead with questions and for reservations.
Nestlenook
Nestlenook Farm
66 Dinsmore Road
Jackson, NH
603-383-7101
nestlenookfarmsleighrides.com
Sleigh rides through the snow are the stuff winter dreams are made of. Stop by Nestlenook Farm for a 1.5-mile ride through a snowy trail that sparkles with lights and kerosene lanterns. The horses pull an Australian sleigh and it’s an experience that’s fun for any age. In addition to the picturesque sleigh rides, Nestlenook has more to offer such as ice skating on their 3-acre Emerald Lake as well as snowshoeing through 3 miles of trails. After all the action, your family can cozy up by a fire pit with s’mores.
Snowmobiling
Did you know that our pocket of the White Mountains, near Bartlett, has the longest snowmobile season in the state? Take advantage of it by exploring the snow-covered trails on your sled. There are over 6,000 miles of trails throughout New Hampshire.
If you don’t have a snowmobile, no problem. There are rental companies nearby such as Northern Extremes Snowmobiling. Northern Extremes offers snowmobile tours too: One, which is meant for beginners, takes you on a two-hour scenic ride through Bear Notch. You will stop at four scenic overlooks to take in the views of Mount Washington and the Presidential Range. They also have tours near Bretton Woods, such as the two-hour Cherry Mountain Loop and the three-hour Presidential Traverse. Trails are rarely crowded and every night the dedicated White Mountain Trail Club grooms them.
Dog Sled Rides
Dog lovers will enjoy Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel in Jefferson, where there are over 80 sled dogs who are trained canine athletes. The organization cares for and trains the dogs, and they work with northern breed dogs as well as rescue pups. Adults and children ages 2 and up can ride in the tradition sleds led by mushers. The rides will take you through snow-covered trails, and mushers let guests be as hands-on as they want during the experience.
In addition to dog sled rides, the owners run a nonprofit, NH Sled Dog Rescue, History, and Education Center, which takes in rescue and second chance dogs, educates the public about northern breed dogs and the history of dog sledding, and finds forever homes for dogs in the adoption program. Be sure to call ahead for reservations.
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All of our White Mountain rentals are close to ski areas and have great storage options for your gear. Mountain View Lodge, Mountain Vista Retreat, White Mountain Retreat, and Sunset Over Stanton are all less than a mile to Attitash. Pear Mountain Lodge and Bluebird North Conway are centrally located and close to Black Mountain, Cranmore, Attitash, and Wildcat.
While many of the mountains promise fun après ski experiences, there’s a good chance you’ll want to retreat back to your rental and cozy up by the fireplace or unwind in the hot tub. Whatever adventure you choose, we have the launching pad you need to shake up winter and get outside and enjoy the snow!