Looking for some outdoor fun on a winter vacation? You’ll find enough New Hampshire winter activities in the Granite State’s lakes and mountains to keep you busy during your visit!
From Lake Winnipesaukee ice fishing to skiing in New Hampshire, there’s simply no shortage of fun things to do near Lake Winnipesaukee as well as other Lakes Region landmarks such as Lake Winnisquam and Gunstock Mountain Resort. Grab your boots, scarves, and mittens, and get ready to have a blast in the New Hampshire snow and ice.
Snow Skiing
Beginners and seasoned skiers alike will find Gunstock Mountain a great place to engage in their favorite winter activity. A total of 48 ski trails covers nearly 230 acres, and the summit of the mountain offers panoramic views of Lake Winnipesaukee, the state’s largest lake. You can also get these views from our New Hampshire ski rentals!
This mountain resort has a wonderful learning program, where beginners and novices can ski on separate slopes and take separate lifts. Lessons are given for first timers, children, and even groups. With 90% snowmaking coverage, there are plenty of challenging trails that traverse down the peak’s 1,400-foot drop. If you want to go skiing, Gunstock is a wonderful New Hampshire ski area for the family!
Gunstock Mountain also has night skiing on 22 well-lit trails. Night skiing hours are 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and until 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Snow Tubing
For those who do not wish to race down a mountainside on two sticks, there’s always snow tubing! Like sledding…except better! This fun-for-all-ages activity can be also be found at Gunstock Mountain.
Gunstock’s nine-lane tubing hill offers two-hour sessions, where you’ll glide smoothly and quickly through the snow over and over. There’s even a handle-tow lift, so there’s no walking back up the hill after the thrilling ride down—just stay in the tube and get lifted back up to the top.
Snow tubing is typically available from Christmas through mid-March. As with skiing, night tubing is available on Tuesday – Friday nights.
Ice Fishing
From January 1st – March 31st, enthusiasts can head to Lake Winnipesaukee or other lakes in the region to do some ice fishing. If you’re Lake Winnipesaukee ice fishing, some types of fish you can take through the ice include white perch, black crappie, pickerel, bass, or even ten-plus pound cusk if you’re ice fishing at night. You could also catch lake or rainbow trout or salmon, though some lakes do not allow salmon to be taken through the ice.
Lakes where you can ice fish include, in addition to Lake Winnipesaukee, Newfound Lake, Big Squam Lake, Little Squam Lake, Lake Winnisquam, Great East Lake, and Merrymeeting Lake.
It is highly recommended to check ice conditions before heading out and consistently while you’re out.
Ice Racing
Ice skating is fun…but have you ever been ice skating in a car?
The Lakes Region Ice Racing Club in Moultonborough is a spectacular event you’ll want to list among your things to do near Lake Winnipesaukee. The club oversees this auto racing on ice activity, with six classes of cars, raced on frozen Berry Pond and Lee Pond every Sunday at noon from January through March (ice conditions permitting, of course—ice needs to be at least one foot thick for the races to happen).
The six classes are: Sprint Cars, Modifieds, V-8 Stocks, 4-Cylinder Front Wheel Drive, 4-Cylinder Rear Wheel Drive, and a Juniors class (13-15 year-olds in 4-Cylinder cars).
The club’s website has a printable membership form should you wish to be in the driver’s seat and not merely a spectator to what may be one of the more thrilling New Hampshire winter activities you’ll find in the Lakes Region. Membership fees apply. Stay close to the ice by staying in one of our Lake Winnipesaukee rentals near water!
Book Your Stay
Do you want to come experience these incredible New Hampshire winter activities for yourself? Come stay with us here at Break Away! Contact us today to learn more.
