There are plenty of options for alpine skiing in the Whites, and all with a mix of daring downhill runs and beginner-friendly bunny slopes. Many also offer kid-friendly programming, including lessons and rentals. Take your pick of the below peaks depending on the location of your trip!

Places to Alpine Ski in the White Mountains

• Attitash Mountain Resort (Bartlett, NH)
• Bretton Woods (Bretton Woods, NH)
• Cannon Mountain (Franconia, NH)
• Cranmore Mountain Resort (North Conway, NH)
• Loon Mountain Resort (Lincoln, NH)
• Wildcat Mountain (Jackson, NH)
• Gunstock Mountain (Gilford, NH)

Is your crew new to winter sports? Get out on the trail and away from daunting terrain and build up your snow legs with a bit of cross-country skiing!

Many cross-country ski outfitters in the White Mountains offer rentals and special equipment such as pulks (small sleds pulled via hip belt) to encourage adventurous parents to bring their little ones along. Some also offer in-depth family and youth lessons to help develop independent skiers of all ages.

Trip Tip: Dress for cold weather, but plan to get warm! Cross-country skiing can be quite a workout. Wear multiple layers and bring a small backpack in case you need to stow excess clothes.

Places to Cross-Country Ski in the White Mountains

• Bretton Woods (Bretton Woods, NH)
• Franconia Inn Activities Center (Franconia, NH)
• Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center (Gorham, NH)
• Jackson Ski Touring Foundation (Jackson, NH)
• Mt. Washington Valley Ski Touring & Snowshoe Center (Intervale, NH)
• Waterville Valley Adventure Center (Waterville Valley, NH)

Courtesy Jackson Ski Touring Foundation

Some kids love wheels, no matter the season…

If this sounds like your family, it's time to try out of the most unexpected winter activities: fat biking in the White Mountains. Many outdoor centers in the region offer picturesque views and endless miles of snowy trails, as well as youth and adult rentals for fat bikes and helmets (based on trail conditions).  

Trip Tip: Be sure to review each attraction’s fatbiking best practices (typically available on their website) prior to arriving. There’s no time like the present to start teaching your kids the importance of trail stewardship!

Places to Fat Bike in the White Mountains

• Bretton Woods (Bretton Woods, NH)
• Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center (Gorham, NH)
• Waterville Valley Adventure Center (Waterville Valley, NH)

If you lean towards classic winter activities, nothing beats snow tubing. Where else can you laugh as your loved ones spin wildly down well-groomed slopes, and then cap it off with a warm cocoa? There are several spots to try out this time-honored sport, including Cranmore Mountain Resort in North Conway, NH.

Cranmore offers up to 10 lanes of lift serviced sliding, and even riders under 42” can try out tubing (as long as they ride with a paying adult). 

Trip Tip: Snow tubing parks are extremely popular, especially on holiday weekends. Make sure your trip is a success. Do your research on which slope is the best fit for your family and book your tubing tickets ahead of time!

Other Places to Go Tubing in the White Mountains

• Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center (Gorham, NH)
• Gunstock Mountain Resort (Gilford, NH)

SNOWSHOEING (PLUS ZIPLINING!)

Alpine Adventures in Lincoln, NH is the perfect stop if your family is torn between taking to the skies or staying true to terra firma. This all-season outpost offers many ways to play, including ziplining, guided snowshoe walks, off-road adventures, and more. For adventurous kids, nothing beats zipping along through wintry treetops. Looking for a more sedate option? Cautious children will love taking a guided snowshoe walk through a classic, quiet White Mountains forest.

Trip Tip: Bring lots of warm, waterproof layers for your outside adventures. Also? Be sure to review Alpine Attractions height, weight, and age restrictions prior to purchasing your tickets online.

Additional Places to Go Ziplining in the White Mountains

• Bretton Woods Canopy Tour (Bretton Woods, NH)

Additional Places to Go Snowshoeing in the White Mountains

• Bretton Woods (Bretton Woods, NH)
• Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center (Gorham, NH)
• Gunstock Mountain Resort (Gilford, NH)
• Franconia Inn (Franconia, NH)
• Mt. Washington Valley Ski Touring & Snowshoe Center (Intervale, NH)
• Waterville Valley Adventure Center (Waterville Valley, NH)

Blame it on too many viewings of Balto in our youth, but there is something so inimitably exciting about taking a sled dog tour. Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel in Jefferson, NH offers several different dog sledding experiences, but we’re partial to the family-friendly Mini Mush sessions. Spend some time meeting the pups, hop aboard for a quick, scenic tour, and wrap up your adventure with some belly rubs and hearty scratches.  

Trip Tip: Weather conditions for dog sledding in the White Mountains can be unpredictable. Some years, Muddy Paws conducts its tours via rolling cart instead of sled. We love both, so be ready for fun either which way!

There’s plenty of adventure north of the notches, including some fabulous ice skating at the Franconia Inn Activities Center. Head to the cross-country ski shop on the grounds of the Franconia Inn to secure your rental skates and take a few spins around their frozen pond. 

Trip Tip: Looking to try out a few different skating locations in the northern White Mountains? Bring your own skates and visit the local rink in Franconia proper, as well as one in nearby Littleton. 

Other Places to Ice Skate in the White Mountains

• Waterville Valley Ice Arena (Waterville Valley, NH)

Talk about a classic! Ice Castles in Woodstock, NH is renowned throughout the region as one of the most magical spots to visit when the temperatures drop. In addition to a mesmerizing ice castle built for kid-friendly exploring, Ice Castles also boasts an illuminated mystic forest walk, sleigh rides, and tubing. Purchase your tickets online ahead of time for the best chance at snagging a spot.

Trip Tip: If you really want to wow the kiddos, read up on our Ice Castles blog before making the trek to Woodstock. You’re guaranteed at least one incredulous “how did they make this?!” per stroll at this gorgeous stop.

Courtesy Ice Castles

Read and walk as you explore the Believe in Books Literacy Foundation's utterly enchanting Storybook Trail. This half-mile romp in Glen, NH is great for shorter legs, and keeps kids entertained from start to finish as they search for book pages stationed along the trail . Featured stories change periodically, meaning every walk yields a fresh adventure.

Trip Tip: Don’t forget to bring some smaller bills with you. The Foundation charges a nominal day use fee ($10/car or $5/person for walk ins). If you find yourself coming back quite often, look into getting a membership!

Courtesy Believe in Books Literacy Foundation

Some might view the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center as solely a summer destination, but we find that half the wonder of NH’s wildlife is understanding how they live during the harsh wintertime. Head over to the Science Center in Holderness, NH to take part in one of their guided Wild Winter Walks through the live animal exhibit trail. Learn how these native animals stay warm during winter months, and see if you can spot any bounding through the snow!

Trip Tip:  Is it extra snowy out? Families are encouraged to bring their own snowshoes or borrow a free pair from the SLNSC for their tour (based on availability). “Wild Winter Walk: Guided Tour of the Live Animal Exhibit Trail” requires advanced reservations. $12/member; $15/non-member. 

Please note, the Science Center is closed for the winter season barring these special guided tours.

Ready to explore Mount Washington during its legendary winter season? You have two ways to ride partway up the mountain and into a subarctic wonderland! Book a guided SnowCoach tour on the Mt. Washington Auto Road and stay cozy warm as you ascend to the turnaround point of 4,200', or get your ticket for the Mount Washington Cog Railway, where a winter station just above 4,000' offers firepits, s'mores, cocoa, and hot dogs. 

Living Shores Aquarium in Glen, NH is a mecca for kids looking to get out of the winter cold and into a whole other world. From this one fantastic facility, families can spend hours exploring 32,000 square feet of underwater magic. Dip your hand in tide pool and touch a stingray, observe all kinds of reptiles, or listen to a daily animal talk. There is so much to discover at Living Shores Aquarium,

Trip Tip: Does your child have a favorite aquarium animal? Visit the “Educational Talks” page on Living Shores’ website to plan your visit around some in-depth learning.

Are your kids inspired by high spaces and feats of strength? North Country Climbing Center (NC3) in Lisbon, NH has it all: climbing walls for a range of ages and abilities, lessons for children just starting out, and a welcoming community of climbing professionals. Learn a bit about ice versus rock climbing, sample the skill of bouldering, and marvel at the innate ability that powers all kids up these indoor walls.

Trip Tip: Parents, never fear: if you don’t know how to belay, N3C offers auto belayed climbing. Also? Rock climbing shoes aren’t a requirement. If your child is just starting out, clean athletic shoes or socks will suffice.  

Information regarding waivers, open climbing sessions, and climbing lessons can be found on N3C’s website.

Funspot, located in Weirs Beach, NH, is one of those places where the name truly says it all. This iconic arcade, known for its staggering selection of traditional and modern games, has been a mainstay in the Lakes Region for decades. It’s also toasty warm, and open every day, year-round. With over 600 games to choose from, as well as bowling lanes, bingo, mini golf, a restaurant, and more, this spot is a hit for the whole family.

Trip Tip: Does you trip coincide with a birthday party or anniversary? Look into booking one of Funspot’s free designated party areas!