Top New Hampshire Winter Getaways

From TravelChannel.com

By Terry Ward

Not every winter-weather lover can be a pro on powder, and non-skiers in search of wintry pursuits will happily find a whole lot to love on the right coast, in New Hampshire.

The Granite State is as close as you’ll get to the Wild West, back East. Moose munch grass by the side of the road, and the streams teem with trout. And come winter, the state turns into an all-out snow-white wonderland, with smoke curling from nearly every chimney and snowmobiles criss-crossing abandoned country roads like ice-bound water bugs.

Herewith, our 10 favorite ways for diving into winter in New Hampshire: lift tickets largely optional.

Snowmobiling –Thousands of miles of snowmobiling trails navigate New Hampshire’s backcountry.

Ice Harvesting Demonstrations — During the 1800s in New England, the harvesting of natural ice from lakes and ponds was big business - ice was shipped and sold to hospitals, dairies, meatpacking factories and other establishments, primarily as a means for keeping food cold (it wasn’t usually consumed).

Snowshoeing — If you can walk, they say, you can snowshoe (take it from someone who’s utterly uncoordinated - this sport really is a cinch). Most of New Hampshire’s alpine resorts and cross-country skiing areas allow snowshoeing and offer equipment rentals and guided tours.

Sleighing — Dashing through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh is as romantic as it sounds - especially when you can dash back to a beautiful hotel with an open fireplace and schnapps or hot chocolate at the ready.

Ice Fishing — New Hampshire’s summertime fly-fishing frenzy takes a turn for the arctic come winter, when ice fishing takes over as the state’s reel pastime. In the Great North Woods, bitterly cold temperatures in the dead of winter leave most lakes and ponds topped with a foot or more of ice.

Dog Sledding — Iditarod on the brain, but a trip to Alaska not exactly on the radar? No worries. You can get your mush on - and get eye level with Alaskan huskies out in the snow - during a New Hampshire dog-sledding tour.

Snow Tubing — Most of New Hampshire’s alpine ski resorts offer snow tubing for those who want the thrill of a downhill descent - sans the skis or snowboard.

The Mount Washington Cog Railway — Skis aren’t necessary for a near-peak experience on New Hampshire’s highest mountain, Mount Washington. 

Winter Festivals — Talk about higher education - Dartmouth University kicked off what would turn into a statewide winter tradition when it held New Hampshire’s first Winter Carnival in 1911. The university stills holds its bash every February, with bonfires, human dog-sled races, polar bear swims and lots of co-ed revelry.

On New Hampshire’s Foodie Trail — Fireside with a filling feed is a good place to find oneself after a hard day on the hill. And New Hampshire, with its rural roots and affinity for farmers markets, wants not when it comes to gastronomical highlights.

For more details, including photos, links and booking information, visit TravelChannel.com.