New Hampshire is a little state with big opportunities, and winter is the perfect time of year to enjoy it all. There are聽19 ski resorts with varying terrain, but there鈥檚 plenty to do outside of skiing and riding. From the hardcore hikes and beginner ice-climbing routes to sampling the state鈥檚 best beer and driving country roads, New Hampshire has something for everyone in your crew.
Float on Deep Powder
Snowshoeing is the ideal group activity鈥攁nyone can do it, and just about everyone will enjoy it. One of the state鈥檚 best places to try it out is , where you can rent snowshoes for only $12 a day and wander among the snow-covered trees on their 25+ miles of trails built specifically for snowshoers. Our favorite: the Betty Whitney Trail, which winds through the woods to , a post-and-beam pub where you can relax and recharge with comfort food and live music.
Take a Winter Hike
One of our favorite shorter hikes ascends Mount Major, which offers panoramic views of Lake聽Winnipesaukee, the largest lake in the state. You can reach the summit multiple ways, but we鈥檇 suggest the Mount Major Main Trail and Brook Trail Loop, which comes in at a little under four miles round trip. Experienced hikers can try one of the state鈥檚 48 4,000-foot peaks. We鈥檇 recommend Madison, Adams, or Jefferson, which are all part of the Presidential Range (the highest points in the state) and offer incredible views of the stark and snow-covered neighboring peaks.
Visit Manchester
Whether you鈥檙e looking for a little culture or adventure, the largest city in the state has something for everyone in your crew. If you need to burn off some energy, check out , which boasts a 70-foot wall, or play detective at , where you and eight friends get locked in a room and have to solve puzzles and clues in order to get out. If you鈥檙e looking for something more artsy, stop by the internationally renowned or catch a show at the , where you can see live music, comedy shows, or plays. Cap it all off with a meal at , a contemporary fusion restaurant that specializes in cocktails, tapas, and sushi, including their Monarchs Maki made with cilantro, salmon, and chili sauce.
Sample the State鈥檚 Best Beers
With throughout the state, there鈥檚 no shortage of craft beer in New Hampshire. If you only have time to hit three, start at , in the coastal town of Hampton. Brewery tours are free, and you can get four 4-ounce samples for $4. Next, head north to 鈥攏amed after nearby Tuckerman Ravine, the state鈥檚 fabled backcountry bowl鈥攆or some indoor cornhole and their deep-colored 6288 Stout. Wind up the mini-tour at the , a rustic restaurant and brewery near Cannon and Loon聽Mountain. Tip: There鈥檚 live music on weekend nights, and the crowd can be surprisingly lively鈥攊ncluding revelers still in their hiking boots or skiing layers.
Splurge at the State鈥檚 Most Iconic Resort
As far as location goes, you can鈥檛 beat the . Nestled into the middle of the White Mountains just two and a half hours from Boston, this luxury resort is one of a kind. Built in 1902, this 200-room, red and white Spanish Renaissance-style hotel has been a favorite among presidents and celebrities. Although there鈥檚 plenty to do nearby, you don鈥檛 have to leave the grounds in search of entertainment. The resort has an on-site award-winning Nordic ski center, snowmobiling tours, snowshoeing, an outdoor pool with views of the mountains, and nightly fires on their wrap-around porch. And a killer bar: The Cave, a hotel bar with granite and stone walls that was a speakeasy during prohibition.
Drive the Country Roads
Sometimes good friends, a good playlist, and a leisurely drive through the countryside is the perfect way to spend a relaxing down day. New Hampshire is home to , including the Cornish鈥揥indsor Bridge, the longest wooden covered bridge in the U.S. Take a day to tour some of the most photogenic of the bunch, including the Stark Covered Bridge, which is flanked by a small white church; the Swiftwater Covered Bridge, which runs over small waterfalls; and the covered bridge on the Jackson Ski Touring Foundation property (see first tip), which is painted bright red and pops against the white snow.
Scale Frozen Waterfalls
Ice climbing is as thrilling and challenging as it sounds. North Conway鈥檚 offers eight different ice-climbing courses, from introductory classes to the hardest routes in the Northeast and, thanks to its location in New Hampshire鈥檚 favorite mountain town, has access to some of the state鈥檚 best terrain. Another option is , which offers a two-day course that almost guarantees you鈥檒l be scaling multipitch climbs on day two. No gear? No problem. Both outfitters can set you up with everything you鈥檒l need to get out there.
Go Skating
From lakes and ponds to man-made rinks, there are plenty of places to learn or show off your skills. in Jackson has a three-acre, groomed rink where you can rent skates ($12) for the day and warm up by a fire pit with some hot chocolate. Those looking for some competitive fun can join a pickup pond hockey game in Hanover at Occom Pond, which rents skates and sticks ($17).
Whether you’re looking to carve your way down fresh trails at one of our聽19 ski resorts, ride thousands of miles of epic trails on a snowmobile, or take a winter hike through our picture-perfect White Mountains, New Hampshire has your winter covered. Plan your winter adventure today! Learn more at聽.听