Off the Trail Adventures You Won’t Want to Miss This Winter in Mt Washington Valley, NH

Beyond the 13 ski resorts and XC Centers awaits a myriad of fabulous winter fun for the whole family in “weather-proof” Mt Washington Valley.

North Conway, NH – It takes amazing skiing to be named among the top ski towns in the USA by USA Today’s 10Best for four years in a row. Yet it also takes more than the amazing skiing to be nominated to the list. Beyond Mt Washington Valley’s 13 ski resorts and XC Centers, there is a myriad of family fun to be had inside and out. Enjoy unsurpassed off-the-slopes outdoor recreation. Then when the weather is frightful, bring the whole family indoors for a wide variety of entertainment too. It’s all available throughout the winter in Mt Washington Valley, and a great reason to visit New England’s best “weather-proof” ski town. Here’s your comprehensive guide to off-the-slopes entertainment in Mt Washington Valley, NH.

Off the ski trails outdoor fun

Bretton Woods Canopy Tour:A unique zip line high above the canopy of the trees in the heart of the White Mountains, this thrilling adventure will give you a bird’s eye view of scenic Rosebrook Canyon via nine cable zip lines and two adventure sky bridges suspended above the forest floor. Each zip line varies in length, with a maximum span of 830 feet and 165 feet above the ground. Click here for more.

Cranmore Tubing & Adventure Park:When the lifts close, the fun doesn’t end at Cranmore. Cranmore’s Snow Tubing Park offers 0 lanes of lift serviced sliding. Then it’s on to the Mountain Coaster, an easygoing ride or screaming good fun. You control your speed- up to 25mph! Or choose the Giant Swing and glide up to the treetops with up to 3 friends. Top it all off with the Soaring Eagle Zip Line, a 700-foot, seated zip line thrill ride, with side by side seats. (Note: You’ll also find tubing hills at King Pine Ski Area and Great Glen Trails).

Northern Extremes Snowmobiling: Offers rentals and guided snowmobile tours from two locations in Bartlett and Bretton Woods. Check here for up to date snowmobile conditions too.

Northeast Snowmobile & ATV Rentals: Offering 120 new Polaris Adventure 600 rentals from locations in Fryeburg, Maine and Gorham, NH for self-guided snowmobile tours.

SnowCoach Tours: Explore the mountain from the comfort of a heated van specially fitted with four tracks to climb Mt Washington. Book a guided winter tour on the SnowCoach, New England’s only mountain winter sightseeing adventure.

Muddy Paw Dogsled Kennel: Dog sledding tours here range from introductory experiences to interactive clinics and trips are offered for participants ages 2+. While the dog sledding adventures vary in duration, guests are encouraged to be hands on to their comfort level and are given the opportunity to meet and greet sled dogs (Currently just over 80, some of which are rescue and second chance) and help their musher prepare the team for the trail!

Shopping

Shopping at Settlers Green & Settlers Crossing: It’s not only tax-free shopping at 70 national brand name outlets and boutiques, it’s also spas and locally owned restaurants here at the region’s largest outlet complex. Look forward to shoptainment all day long.

Shopping with White Mountain Independents: Shop small and shop local. Enjoy your tax-free shopping at eclectic, independently owned and operated retail shops and boutiques identified by the blue and White Mountain Independents flags.

Museums

Remick Country Doctor Museum: Feel as though you’ve stepped back in time as the past is blended with the present to share the rich history of two country doctors and their village homestead. The only country doctor museum in New England, this museum & farm provides year-round opportunities for you to engage with rural New England history including events and workshops throughout the winter.

New England Ski Museum: The permanent exhibition is From the First Tracks to the Fall Line: eight thousand years of skiing. It presents a timeline of the development of skiing from its prehistoric roots up until the advent of the shaped ski in the 1990s, and includes local aspects of ski history with national implications such as several important ‘firsts’ at Cannon Mountain, and the career of area native Bode Miller. Enjoy workshops and events and take a trip through the history of skiing in the birthplace of American skiing, Mt Washington Valley, NH.

Mt Washington Valley Weather Discovery Center: It’s an interactive science museum featuring awesome, hands-on exhibits for kids of all ages and the only museum in the country totally dedicated to weather. Explore the wonders of the atmosphere through a giant air cannon, a life-size, touchable tornado, a boat pond that lets you control the wind, real weather instruments, a replica of the Observatory’s original weather station, where the famous 231 MPH wind was recorded and much more. Don’t miss the retail store filled with unique weather-inspired gifts and books too.

Tin Mountain Conservation Center: More than a museum, this is a nature-learning facility plus land stewardship preserve. Enjoy year-round nature programs, explore miles of self-guided nature trails, tour the hand-crafted Nature Learning Center that is heated and powered by solar energy, check out the comprehensive natural history/science library equipped with internet, and tour the historical Allard Barn, ca. 1800.

Conway Historical Society:In 1962 Robert Raymond (Bowser) Lord donated his historic familyhome to the Conway Historical Society. The Lord property now holds the Eastman Lord House Museum, CHS Office, and Gift Shop. The museum features period rooms representing 1818 through 1945.

Guiding services & Ice climbing schools

Outdoor Escapes: Join Outdoor Escapes New Hampshire for day trips, backcountry camping, inn-to-inn tours, and more. You’ll be immersed in New Hampshire’s nature and heritage while developing memories and life skills.

Redline Guiding: An independent guiding agency offering short-duration, low-key, completely customized outdoor adventures, wilderness educational opportunities, and mountain-top weddings. (Yes, weddings – their senior guide is a NH Justice of the Peace).

Northeast Mountaineering: Specializing in rock climbing, waterfall rappelling, ice climbing and mountaineering adventures, professional mountain guides are here to guide you safely up and more importantly, back down. The company is founded on the ethics of safe and responsible travel in the backcountry.

Climbing Schools – Mt Washington Valley offers up some of the best ice climbing terrain in the East Coast. Add in renowned retailers and climbing schools, and it’s no wonder ice climbers come here to learn and hone their skills. From equipment to guides to educational workshops, you’ll find everything you need for the ideal ice climbing experience. Visit REI Co-op’s brand new outdoor adventure location, or Eastern Mountain Sports and its 30-year old Outdoor School or International Mountain Climbing School, all in North Conway.

Indoor Fun and games

Saco Valley Sports Center: Located in Fryeburg, here’s a great place for family fun for all. You’ll find 16 lanes of candlepin bowling with computerized scoring and bumpers for the little pros. There are three golf simulators, pool tables and an arcade too, plus a snack bar because you’ll work up an appetite here.

Ham Arena: This year-round, non-profit ice-skating facility in Conway, offers one of the largest sheets of ice in New Hampshire with a seating capacity of 450. Enjoy public skating hours, participate in hockey leagues, broomball, stick and puck plus more. Learn to curl here too. Skate rentals and snack bar available.

Mystery NH: Mystery NH is a fun and exciting, real-life escape room experience. In under 60 minutes, you and your team must find clues, open locks, solve puzzles, and decrypt messages in order to unravel the mystery and "escape" the room.

Jackson Art Studio & Gallery: Jackson Art Studio & Gallery is a working studio with artists at work every weekend. The gallery features over 20 local artists work including painting, prints, photography, jewelry, glass, pottery, home furnishings, mixed media and more. In addition, there’s a full listing of art classes: After School Art, Adult Painting workshops and don’t miss the popular Sip and Paint series.

White Lake Speedway: Located in Ossipee, White Lake Speedway offers a year-round indoor laser tag arena. Two or more people can play. It’s fun for the whole family. In the summer, the entertainment expands outside to include go-carts, mini-golf and more.

Knockerball North Conway: Knockerball North Conway kicks other ball sports to the curb and provides non-stop fun for kids, adults and families. Utilizing a giant bubble, take part in activities like “Knocker Soccer", "King of the Ring", Full contact "Musical Chairs" and more! Perfect for groups of friends or parties too.

Kahuna Laguna: Zoom through one of four high-speed tubes before splashing into the landing pool below. Body surf in the swirling wave pool. Square off against your friends in an exciting game of water basketball at this 40,000 square foot water park at Red Jacket Mountain View Resort.

For more information about planning a winter trip to Mt Washington Valley’s famous ski towns and XC Centers, visit www.mtwashingtonvalley.org or call 1-800-DO-SEE-NH (800-367-3364). To learn more about skiing and visiting New Hampshire, go to www.VisitNH.gov.