Where to go snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, tubing, & dog-sledding in New Hampshire

From snowshoeing to dogsledding, check out these snowy weather activities and where to find them in New Hampshire

When it comes to fun in the snow, New Hampshire is hard to beat. Sure, we have tons of downhill skiing, but there’s so much more to do outside in the white fluffy stuff.

The groundhog says we still have lots of winter to go, so bundle up and enjoy activities from dog sledding to snowshoeing and so more in between. 

Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in New Hampshire

According to the New Hampshire State Parks website, while many trails in state parks, forests, and rail trails, including groomed snowmobile trails, are assigned for other uses, all New Hampshire trails are available for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, unless otherwise indicated.

The majority of the parks are open off-season, but most are not staffed. There are no fees for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, but some locations do have donation boxes.

Battery Point via the Massabesic Audubon Center

26 Audubon Way, Auburn

This 3.7-mile out-and-back loop has an awesome view of Lake Massabesic with the occasional bench for resting.

Bear Brook State Park

61 Deerfield Road, Allenstown 

There are about 40 miles of cross-country ski trails starting from the skiers’ parking lot off Podunk Road. Intermediate to advanced terrain.   

Franconia Notch State Park

260 Tramway Drive, Franconia

The multi-use “Franconia Recreational Path” provides easy terrain for Nordic skiing or snowshoeing, especially the Flume Gorge.

Coleman State Park and Coleman Lodges

1166 Diamond Pond Road, Stewartstown

Coleman State Park and Lodges are situated on the shore of Little Diamond Pond. This location is ideal for snowmobiling and snowshoeing. Snowshoe rentals are available in the park’s office store.

Crawford Notch State Park

1464 US Route 302, Harts Location

The short trails up to Arethusa Falls (1.4 mi) or Ripley Falls (.5 mi) are ideal for beginner and intermediate snowshoers. Other trails in Crawford are available for more technical climbing. There are also several good places for Nordic ski trips in the Notch and surrounding area. 

Heald Pond Trail

260 Kimball Hill Road, Wilton

This is a somewhat easy 2-mile loop trail that takes about 45 minutes to complete. Bring your pooch if you’d like, as long as it stays on a leash.

Milan Hill State Park

72 Fire Tower Road, Milan

The Nansen Ski Club (America’s oldest ski club) operates a network of groomed trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, for users of all ages and all abilities. There are 5.3 miles of premier Nordic and snowshoeing trails at the park. 

Monadnock State Park

169 Poole Road, Jaffrey

This site has approximately 12 miles of trail on the lower slopes with a variety of ungroomed, rocky, and intermediate terrain which requires 16 inches of natural snow. Call 532-8862 for up-to-date weather conditions. The park store is open on weekends and holidays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for basic supplies and hot drinks. No pets. 

Odiorne Point State Park

570 Ocean Boulevard Road, Rye

This 135-acre seaside park is the only one in the state with ocean views for cross-country skiers. The ungroomed trails wind through forests and fields, past World War II artifacts, military bunkers, and historic monuments. 

Old Bridle Path

Route 113, Holderness

This 1.7-mile out-and-back trail is considered a moderately challenging route and takes an average of 55 minutes to complete. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas.

Pawtuckaway State Park

128 Mountain Road, Nottingham

These trails offer a variety of terrains and the chance to see winter wildlife. It is also heavily used by snowmobiles. 

Pillsbury State Park

100 Pillsbury State Park Road, Washington

This park has nearly 8,200 wooded acres with intermediate to advanced trails to nearby mountains and frozen ponds. Winter wildlife, including moose and otters, may be spotted.

Whittaker Woods

North Conway Village

This public trail network in the downtown of North Conway has groomed trails open to cross-country skiers and snowshoers. A trail pass can be purchased at Ragged Mountain Equipment Touring Center.

Snow tubing in New Hampshire

Pats Peak

686 Flanders Road, Henniker

Cost: $32 for a two-hour session. Click here for tickets.

Pats Peak has a 600-foot, lift-serviced tubing park with several lanes. Tubes provided. 

McIntyre Ski Area

50 Chalet Way, Manchester 

Cost: $35 for a two-hour session.

McIntyre has eight tubing lanes, designated attendants, its own snowmaking and grooming machines, and a conveyor carpet lift service. Tubes provided.

King Pine Ski Area

1251 Eaton Road, Madison

Cost: $22 for a one-hour session

The Pine Meadows Snow Tubing Park has groomed snow chutes, and lift service. Tubes are provided.

Gunstock Mountain Resort

719 Cherry Valley Road, Gilford

Cost: $38 for a two-hour session

Gunstock has a groomed, multi-lane tubing hill and a conveyor surface lift. Tubes are provided.

Bretton Woods

99 Ski Area Road, Bretton Woods

Cost: $15 for one-hour session, and tube rental

The Presidential Mountain Range is the backdrop to snow tubing at Bretton Woods. No lift service is available so be prepared for a little hike to the top.

Cranmore Mountain Resort

239 Skimobile Road, North Conway

Cost: $49 for a two-hour session. Children under 42 inches, ride on an adult’s lap for $5.

Cranmore’s Tubing Park has a 10-lane hill with a lift service. Tubes are provided.

Franconia Inn

1172 Easton Road, Franconia

Cost: $10.

This is an old-fashioned tubing experience. No lifts, hike up and tube down the hill and no time limit. You can tube from 9:30 a.m. until dusk.

Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center

1 Mount Washington Auto Road, Gorham

Cost: $25 for a two-hour session. Children ages 3 and under are free.

This is an old-fashioned tubing hill with no lift. Tubes are provided. 

Tube your way through Granite State snow. (Kostiantyn Li/Unsplash)

Dog sledding in New Hampshire

Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel

32 Valley Road, Jefferson

Cost: Ranges from $525 to $750 for 1.5-hour to 3-hour sessions. Reservations are required.

Muddy Paw offers family-friendly, hands-on dog sledding adventures using traditional dog sleds. No experience is necessary and proceeds help cover the expenses for the care of the kennel’s 80-plus rescue and second-chance dogs. Before sledding visitors can meet the dogs and help prepare the team for the trail.

If you prefer being a spectator of the sport, the Lakes Region Sled Dog Club’s Championship Sled Dog Derby Championship Sled Dog Derby runs from Feb. 21 through 23 at Opechee State Forest, Laconia.

Learn the art of dogsledding in New Hampshire. (Alain Bonnardeaux/Unsplash)

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.