5 Amazing Winter Activities You Can Only Do in New Hampshire!

I love the experiences you only get certain places. Whether it’s because of the history, climate, weather, or some other reason, knowing I am doing something not available anywhere else is exciting! NH is home to some awesome unique experiences.

Here are a few of my favorites- some I have tried, others are on my bucket list. But if you are looking for something cool and unique to do any one of these will fit the bill!

1. Skating at Puddledock Pond

Where else can you skate amidst original houses from the 1600’s, 1700’s and 1800’s surrounded by twinkly lights, warming fires, and the scent of seawater wafting through the air? Strawberry Banke’s Puddle Dock Pond is surely one of New Hampshire’s unique experiences!

Set amidst the historic houses of Strawberry Banke, the rink at Puddle Dock pond is a gem of a unique-to-Portsmouth tradition. From pond hockey and skating lessons to open and adaptive skate sessions, there are many opportunities to utilize this unique skating rink.

Rentals are available onsite and the Puddle Dock Facebook page keeps an up to date schedule of hours, ticket availability and how weather might effect skate times.

2. NH Ice Castles

Click here for a more in depth post about the NH Ice Castles but the short version is go!

The Castles are made from icicles that are both grown and carved by hand. This is such a unique thing to see! The Ice Castles are adorned with LED lights and accompanied by an ice slide (yes, a real slide that you can slide down on a provided mat), sleigh rides, traditional tubing, and a magical forest walk.

The Ice Castles are available for a limited time and are currently scheduled to be open from January 24th through February 25th. Click here for details.

3. Snowmobiling!

I see the pictures flood my Facebook feed. I hear the stories of the elaborate trail systems, community, and events that happen way up north. I see trucks pulling trailers up 93 carrying snowmobiles. And every time my husband and I pass one on the highway we say “oh my gosh does that look like fun!”

Sure, a lot of people have their own snowmobiles and spend whole weekends in their cabin up north, but did you know you can also get a guided tour -complete with equipment- for as little as an hour? That’s right! With 4.5 stars and 267 reviews, Northern Extreme Snowboarding has your first-time-snowmobiling back.

Northern Extremes Snowmobiling operates locations in both Bartlett and Bretton Woods. Bear Notch (Bretton Woods) offers over 50 miles of trails groomed nightly by the White Mountain Trail Club. Don’t worry though, like I said, Northern Exposure’s got your first-timer back! You can sign up for a 1, 2, or 3 hour relaxed guided tour and not have to worry about learning a trail system. Not only is the Bear Notch trail network one of the “most unique in the White Mountains and New England”, it also offers great views, photo ops and a guided tour perfect for beginners and those looking for a chill snowmobiling experience. Click here for more.

4. Alton Bay Ice Runway

This is something you cannot do anywhere else in the continental United States. Everyone who attends knows firsthand how special that is. I am talking about the only FAA approved ice runway in the contiguous US and it is right here in Alton Bay!

I have been to some super unique places; Dia de Los Meuertos celebrations in both Tucson and atop a mountain in Chiapas Mexico, an old KGB prison in Lithuania, Flamenco dancing in Buenos Aires, Salsa dancing in a cave in Santo Domingo, DR… and this event right here in my own backyard is right up there with my most memorable.

Where else can you walk out onto ice, stand right next to planes as they are landing and taking off , be surrounded by trucks, snowmobiles and ice fishing-all right there ON THE ICE?! Nowhere else in the continental US, that’s where!

Around mid-January the Facebook posts start feeling more excited as measurable ice depth can be reported. Everyday thereafter volunteers walk onto the ice, measure it, and report the findings to the public. When the ice depth reaches 12 inches thick, the runway can open.

This runway has been operating since the 1960’s and I don’t think it is any less exciting now than it was then. This is an experience I recommend highly. Dress warmly (including good boots) and get ready to be awed by how cool this is! Click here to access the Facebook page with up to date information.

5.Winter Zip Lining

If you are feeling especially adventurous you can bundle up and make your way to Bretton Woods. Here, you can hook up to a zipline and get a literal birds eye view of Mt Washington’s winter canopy.

Imagine sailing atop the trees that are covered in that sparkling white snow- just you, the crisp winter mountain air, and a breathtaking ride along a zip line. There are 9 zip lines at Bretton Woods and you can hit speeds of 30 MPH. With 2 guides per group of 8 you are sure to get an in-depth tour of what you are seeing. Click here for pricing, hours of operation and other important things to know before making your way to zip line over Mount Washington!

I know there are lots and lots of other cool and unique things to do in our beautiful state of NH. Whether you are visiting for a weekend, considering moving here, or have lived here your whole life, I hope this list gives you some good ideas about unique things to do in NH in the winter!

What would you add to the list?