The post-holiday slump is real. After plates of cookies, piles of presents, and hosting parties, there’s nothing we crave more than a reset in the New Year. Think snowy, quiet paths, charming small towns, and plenty of ski-themed events to spice up your itinerary as need be. Doesn’t it all just sound delightful?
If so, get planning for your next White Mountains escape. The weekend leading up to Martin Luther King Jr. Day is coming up fast, and we’re ready to impress!
Keep scrolling for some of the best things to do in NH in January.
FAMILY FUN NIGHT WITH FIREWORKS @ CANNON MOUNTAIN (Franconia, NH)
Did you miss seeing fireworks on New Year’s Eve? No worries! Head to Cannon Mountain on Saturday, 1/13 to get your fill of exploding, colorful displays high up in the sky. Family Fun Night at this Franconia Notch fixture includes après entertainment at the Cannonball Pub (ages 21+, 3 to 6pm) and lots of runs down Huckerbook (conditions permitting, 4:30 to 6:30pm). Stick around until the end for the main event: a glimmering Torchlight Parade followed up by the aforementioned fireworks.
- Date: Saturday, 1/13
- Time: 3pm – 7:00pm
- Price: Annual pass or same day ticket required for entry.
CRANAPALOOZA @ CRANMORE MOUNTAIN RESORT (North Conway, NH)
Mount Washington Valley is the perfect place to stage your weekend escape. After a morning spent skiing or exploring the amenities at Cranmore Mountain Resort’s Adventure Park, Cranapalooza is a must visit. S’mores, music, games, and a C-more the Penguin spotting are all on the agenda at this family friendly event!
- Date(s): Saturday, 1/13 & Sunday, 1/14
- Time: 2:30pm – 4:30pm
PARK SERIES #1 @ CRANMORE MOUNTAIN RESORT (North Conway, NH)
Calling all skiers and riders looking to flex their freestyle skills! Cranmore Mountain Resort in North Conway, NH is hosting their first Park Series of the season, and all ages and abilities are invited to participate. Other on-mountain activities scheduled for Saturday, 1/13 include Early Lift Load (passholders with a valid season pass can begin loading at the Skimobile Express Quad at 8am), Cranapalooza (a family-friendly gathering at the base of the mountain), and live music at Koessler's Bar at the Fairbanks Lodge (4 – 7pm).
For additional Park Series dates and full event descriptions (including start times, price, and more), visit Cranmore Mountain Resort’s Events Calendar.
- Date: Saturday: 1/13
TORCHLIGHT PARADE @ LOON MOUNTAIN RESORT (Lincoln, NH)
Head just south of Franconia Notch for another Torchlight Parade! This time, Loon Mountain Resort in Lincoln, NH is hosting, and all the fanfare is dedicated the mountain’s snowmakers. Spend you day skiing Loon's slopes and see if you can catch a snowcat ride at 4:30pm (open to the first 250 people in line) or get your face painted. After that, it's time to hoot and holler in celebration as the torchlight parade and fireworks commence from 6:45pm onwards.
- Date: Saturday, 1/13
- Time: 4:30pm – 6:45pm
- Price: Free, but donations to benefit the Loon Mountain Area Community Fund are accepted.
IGNITE THE NIGHT @ LOON MOUNTAIN RESORT (Lincoln, NH)
Celebrate the magic of winter with Ignite the Night, an evening filled with dazzling fire acts. Loon Mountain Resort is hosting this free outdoor event, so bundle up and enjoy the sights of fire performers dancing, twirling, and manipulating flames across Loon's base area.
- Date: Sunday, 1/14
- Time: 6 – 8pm
- Price: Free
WOMEN’S WINTER ESCAPE @ GREAT GLEN TRAILS OUTDOOR CENTER (Gorham, NH)
Gather your gals and hit the road for Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center! On Saturday and Sunday of MLK weekend, Great Glen’s expert instructors will be on hand to guide small groups looking to get out and explore. Topics covered during this two-day event include classic ski and skate ski clinics for all abilities and snowshoeing with a naturalist, as well as a chance try out snow tubing, discounted shopping at the Great Glen Outfitters Shop, and equipment demos from Atomic, Fischer, Rossignol, and more.
Participants in the Women’s Winter Escape can also enjoy lunch at The Glen House, après ski wine & cheese, and a commemorative SKIDA alpine hat as part of this all-encompassing, amazing outdoor experience.
Interested in attending? Book now! This event is limited to 20 participants. We’d also recommend reserving a room at the nearby Glen House to optimize your experience.
- Dates: Saturday, 1/13 & Sunday, 1/14
- Price: $159 per individual registration
GUIDED SNOWSHOE TOURS @ GREAT GLEN TRAILS OUTDOOR CENTER (Gorham, NH)
Get exploring with a guide by your side! Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center is hosting a series of guided snowshoe tours on winter Saturdays. You'll have an hour and fifteen minutes to soak in the feeling of fresh mountain air and walking through a snowy, woodsy landscape.
- Date: Saturday, 1/13
- Time: 1pm
- Price: $15
For additional dates and to make a reservation, visit Great Glen Trails' website.
NORDIC DEMO DAY @ GREAT GLEN TRAILS OUTDOOR CENTER (Gorham, NH)
Start the new year with some fresh gear! In conjunction with their Women’s Winter Escape, Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center will be hosting a Nordic Demo Day on Saturday, 1/14. Take the latest skis, boots, poles, and more out for a spin with your purchase of a Great Glen Trails pass and celebrate your love for winter adventures with 10% off at the Outfitters Shop.
- Date: Sunday, 1/14
- Time: 9am – 3pm
- Price: Demo gear is included in the price of a Great Glen Trails pass. For winter pass rates, visit the Great Glen Trails website.
MUSIC EVENTS @ WOODSTOCK INN BREWERY (North Woodstock, NH)
Wouldn’t it be nice to dance the weekend away? Boogie to your heart’s content while also enjoying some local brews at the Woodstock Inn Brewery! Every Friday and Saturday night (including 1/12 and 1/13), North Woodstock, NH is the spot to gather and listen to live music. Sunday, it's open mic night for the musically inclined, while you can cap off the weekend with some friendly competition thanks to music bingo on Monday night. See you there?
- Live Music: Friday, 1/12 & Saturday, 1/13, 8:30 - 11:30pm
- Open Mic: Sunday, 1/14, 8 - 11:30pm
- Music Bingo: Monday, 1/15, 7 - 9pm
- Price: Free
Other Fun Ideas for the Holiday Weekend
SIP & SNACK
Have an après bonanza! Pick your ski mountain for the weekend, and plan to hit our local watering holes after you put in a few good runs. Here is a selection of the best places for après ski in the White Mountains to get you started.
WALK TO A WATERFALL
Our waterfalls are scenic year-round, but a winter excursion offers a fresh perspective. Anyone up for towering walls of ice and frozen, natural sculptures at the river’s edge? We’d recommend these lower elevation family friendly waterfall hikes. Remember to review our Winter Hiking page for a packing list, helpful tips, and more.
SAMPLE A NEW WINTER SPORT
Get active during your great escape! Here a few fresh ideas for fun ways to play outside during winter in the White Mountains if you’d rather not ski but still crave the feel of fresh snow underfoot.
If you would like to go hiking during your visit, review our Winter Hiking page for important alerts and more.
ATTEND AN ART OPENING & GET INSPIRED BY NATURE
The White Mountains region is marvelous for many reasons, including its breathtaking natural landscapes. Why not appreciate in a new light, and attend at art opening at the Gallery at WREN? "Out of the Forest", featuring the works of painter Stephanie Potter and furniture maker Ron Ramback, premieres in the Gallery on Friday, 1/12 and you're invited! In addition to meeting the artists and connecting with fellow art enthusiasts, you can also enjoy the painted vintage saws, roofing slates, and wood-meets-rock furniture pieces that help bring the beauty of the outside world inside. Don't worry if you can't make it to opening night – "Out of the Forest" will be on display through 2/25.
- Date: Friday, 1/12
- Time: 5 – 7pm
- Price: Free
SCOPE OUT SPOTS FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP
A little bit of planning ahead can help elevate your next trip to the White Mountains. As you drive around, make a mini checklist of restaurants, hotels, and activities that you’d love to incorporate into future itineraries. What about the next big holiday? If all things “love” make your heart go pitter patter, consider these 3 different ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day for trip inspo.
Might we also suggest perusing winter itinerary or two? Our one-day adventures are perfect to mix and match if you’d like to explore every notch, nook, and cranny of this spectacular region.