Best New Hampshire Winter Getaways & Ski Resorts
Powdery white ski slopes, roaring fires, unique shopping experiences, and fun adventures like snow tubing. These are all things you can experience when you head to New Hampshire in the winter!
Winter is a magical time of year to visit the Granite State, with frosty air and plenty of snow on the ground, if you are lucky. Whether you are an avid outdoors person, or you’d rather spend time cozied up inside, New Hampshire has a winter getaway for you.
Best of all, many destinations work for a wide variety of personalities and interests, allowing a group or family to travel together with ease. Whether you’re renting a car or driving your own, here are some of the best winter getaways in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire Winter Getaways Ideas
1. North Conway, New Hampshire
North Conway is a top-notch winter getaway in New Hampshire. If you are into skiing, this area can’t be beaten. In fact, it was voted the #1 Ski Town in the United States by USA Today. With several ski slopes to choose from in the immediate area, you are sure to find one that suits your style.
With North Conway as your base, you can explore the popular Attitash Mountain Resort. It offers both group and private ski lessons, both of which can be geared toward first-timers.
You can reserve your gear online ahead of time, to save both money and time. You can always purchase your own ski gear later once you know what suits you better.
There is even lodging provided at the base of the resort, in Attitash Mountain Village, if you want easy access to all of the fun.
If you aren’t into downhill skiing, you’ll still have tons of outdoor fun to choose from in the North Conway area. Check out the offerings at Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center. They offer cross-country ski trails, snow tubing sessions, and guided snowshoe tours where you might hear owls and spot animal tracks.
Kids ages five and up are welcome to join the tours as well. The truly adventurous can even rent a fat bike here. The wide tires make it possible to traverse the snow. It’s a bike ride you will never forget, and a fun way to enjoy the winter scenery.
If playing in the snow isn’t your thing, you might work on a visit to the famous 6,000-foot Mount Washington. It’s accessible in wintertime, thanks to Great Glen Trails. The center runs the Mount Washington SnowCoach, which will bring you and your family up to the tree line for incredible views over the surrounding landscape.
This tour is extremely popular, so it’s recommended that you book well in advance. If you choose this tour, do pay attention to weather conditions. The weather on top of Mount Washington is extremely unpredictable and often very different from the weather below.
It has been known to snow at the summit, even in the middle of summer! If you want to exit the SnowCoach to take photos, you will want plenty of layers, including warm gloves and a hat.
North Conway offers plenty of events to choose from, even in the winter. If you visit in December with children, you might wish to check out Journey to the North Pole, a two-hour train ride that culminates in a visit with Santa and his elves (along with a sing-along and a special gift for each child). Tickets cost $58 for Coach, $68 for First Class, or $78 for Upper Dome / First Class Plus.
An especially fun event for foodies is the Annual Chocolate Festival. This typically occurs in late February, and has been going on for over thirty years.
On the chosen day, you can follow the trail map (provided online before the event) to participating locations to enjoy chocolate treats of all kinds.
Typical offerings include hot chocolate, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and of course, chocolate-chip cookies, but part of the fun is seeing what each participant comes up with. You can get to the locations (usually inns or candy shops) by driving, or by skiing if you are feeling up to it!
When it’s time to warm up from your outdoor fun, there is plenty of indoor fun to be had. North Conway is home to dozens of outlet shops, selling everything from clothes to housewares to candy.
Settler’s Green is one of the most popular shopping destinations to check out, and it is open every day during the winter months.
If you need a place to stay in the area, home rentals are a popular option for families but if you are up for a splurge, check out Adventure Suites. (It’s honestly worth driving by just to see the neat façade).
You can choose from rooms like “The Jungle,” which includes a hot tub and a bar with animal-shaped stools, or the “Haunted Castle” which comes with a Ouija board and a drawbridge, plus fun extras like a skull-shaped chandelier. Teens will love it!
Looking for something more intimate? The Cranmore Inn has been in operation since 1863. Its location makes walking to shops and restaurants easy. Some rooms have kitchenettes and fireplaces, and there is even a family suite with separate bedrooms.
North Conway offers tons of great food options when it’s time for dinner. If you have a hankering for a burger, Wicked Fresh Craft Burgers is the way to go. They offer beef, turkey, and vegetarian burgers, plus tons of fry sauces (the Wicked Truffle Sauce is a particular favorite). Seating is available inside, though it is a bit limited.
The Muddy Moose Restaurant offers standard pub fare, such as steak, fish and chips, and sandwiches. Its large size, log cabin vibe, and boisterous atmosphere make it great for families (do call ahead for a reservation though—you might even be able to get seated near the fireplace!).
Perfect Stays in North Conway:
Adventure Suites
Cranmore Inn & Suites
Stonehurst Manor Including Breakfast and Dinner
Starlight Lodge North Conway with Ski to Door Access
2. Ice Castles and North Woodstock, New Hampshire
Want some extra magic this winter? Head to the Ice Castles in North Woodstock. The Ice Castles are typically open January through February, and make a perfect central activity for a North Woodstock getaway.
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