Winter Adventure Travel in New Hampshire

When you think of New Hampshire, chances are your brain conjures up images of quaint hamlets, autumn foliage and snowy winters. But this is just one side of The Granite State. New Hampshire is a state packed with adventure, and for travelers in search of adrenaline-pumping attractions, this place is a one stop shop. Here's a selection of top-rated adventure activities for winter travelers. Ice Climbing New Hampshire's mountains are famous for their snowy peaks and craggy good looks, but how often have you thought about climbing one? How about while it's covered in ice? From late November to early March, New Hampshire is prime for climbers looking to take on some the state's gnarliest ice formations. Just a few miles from the Glynn House Inn in Ashland, you'll find a number of certified climbing instructors all harnessed up and ready to take you out on the ice — Mooney Mountain Guides in New Hampton, NH has been leading expeditions since 1990. Whether you're a seasoned climber or you don't know a crampon from a crevasse, you're in for a fun and memorable adventure. Zip Line Canopy Tour Maybe you'd prefer working with gravity rather than against it. For you, we have just the thing: flying high on the Bretton Woods Canopy Tour. Suspended high above the tree tops, this is the longest zipline tour in New England. Navigate two sky bridges and three rappelling courses while you descend more than 1,000 feet during this two-hour tour, all the while taking in incredible scenery from what is truly a birds-eye view. Once your feet are safely back on the ground, head across the street to the Omni Mount Washington Resort to warm up with a cup of cocoa or take in a relaxing meal while enjoying expansive views of Mount Washington — the state's (and Northeast's) highest peak at 6,288 ft. Inquire about a special Canopy Tour rate for guests of the resort. Dog Sledding While it may sound like a scene straight out of the Iditarod, dog-sledding is popular in many regions beyond Alaska's frozen tundra. In fact, New Hampshire has a handful of dogsledding expedition companies dotted throughout the state. Just north of the White Mountain National Forest, Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel in Jefferson offers two-hour adventure sled rides to half- or full-day clinic experiences where you can learn to be a musher. If you're a guest at the Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa in Whitefield, Muddy Paw will even bring their team to you for a chance to explore the resort grounds from a dogs-eye-view. After charging around the snowy woods, you'll be able to hop right into a hot soak in the jacuzzi, rejuvenate with a massage or just to rest up for another exciting day on the snow. Snowshoeing Some might argue that snowshoeing is too slow to be considered a real adventure, but they've probably never snowshoed in the great state of New Hampshire. With expansive National Forests and preserved tracts of land, there's endless adventure to be had, you just have to know where to look. The Snowvillage Inn in Eaton offers snowshoe rentals and guided tours for guests looking to explore without the need for a compass. And if the physical activity alone doesn't move you, the serene beauty of the snow-covered trees and alpine landscape certainly will. Skiing & Snowboarding We would be remiss while talking about winter adventure travel in New Hampshire if we didn't mention the world-class downhill and cross-country skiing and snowboarding. Problem is, there is just too much of it to properly list here. One of the biggest perks of New Hampshire ski resorts is that they can accommodate a bigger crew than say dogsledding, and with a wide range of age- and skill-appropriate terrain. We've picked out some of the best family-friendly ski resorts that will keep the novices as well as the adrenaline junkies happy on the slopes. Start there and if you still need more adventure ideas, rely on the trusty advice of New Hampshire inns & resorts to find the perfect activity near your dream destination.