Your Guide to Winter Holiday Fun in North Woodstock and the White Mountains

There's something magical about the White Mountains when winter settles in. Snow blankets the peaks, wood smoke curls from chimneys, and the small towns of North Woodstock and Lincoln come alive with holiday spirit. If you're planning a winter getaway to New Hampshire, here's everything you need to know about making the most of the season.

World-Class Skiing Minutes Away

The Lincoln-Woodstock area sits at the gateway to some of New England's best skiing. Loon Mountain Resort, just a few miles up the road, offers 2,100 vertical feet and 61 trails spread across three mountains. The resort recently invested in new snowmaking technology and added the Kancamagus 8, an eight-passenger chairlift that's a first for New England. Whether you're teaching the kids to pizza and french fry or hunting powder stashes in the tree zones, Loon has terrain for everyone.

Cannon Mountain is about seven miles away in Franconia Notch and offers a more old-school New England experience with challenging terrain and stunning views. On New Year's Eve, Cannon hosts a torchlight parade and fireworks at 6:30pm, a spectacular way to ring in the new year.

Ice Castles: A Winter Fairy Tale

North Woodstock is home to one of only five Ice Castles locations in the country, and it's an experience unlike anything else. Opening January 10th and running through late February, the attraction features over 20 million pounds of hand-sculpted ice formed into caverns, tunnels, thrones, and archways dripping with icicles. Race down ice slides, explore crawl spaces, and wander through an illuminated frozen forest. Evening visits are especially magical when the ice glows with embedded LED lights. Add a sleigh ride through the woods for the full winter wonderland experience.

Holiday Events and Festivals

The 14th Annual Woodstock Winter Festival runs December 12-14 this year, featuring ice carving demonstrations, s'mores by the fire, an ugly sweater party, Christmas tree lighting, and PJ's and Pancakes with Santa. It's a quintessential small-town New England celebration.

Jean's Playhouse in Lincoln presents their musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol December 12-14 and 19-21, complete with original music and an imaginative retelling of the Dickens classic.

The Woodstock Inn Brewery, voted the White Mountains' favorite restaurant eight years running, hosts live music on Friday and Saturday nights and open mic on Sundays throughout the season. For New Year's Eve, they throw a party with a DJ, dancing, and a champagne toast at midnight.

Family Adventures Beyond the Slopes

Not everyone in the family wants to ski, and that's fine. The area offers plenty of alternatives.

Snow tubing at Loon Mountain is a blast for all ages and doesn't require any special skills. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails wind through the surrounding forests. Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel offers dog sled rides ranging from short jaunts to all-day adventures through the White Mountains with their team of rescue sled dogs.

For something with a little more adrenaline, Alpine Adventures runs winter zip line tours that combine six runs of varying heights and lengths through the snowy landscape.

Cozy Indoor Escapes

When the temperature drops and you want to warm up, head to Seven Birches Winery at the RiverWalk Resort for wine flights and locally produced Rhythm Cider. The tasting room makes a perfect afternoon stop.

The Notch Hostel in North Woodstock hosts free Winter Fireside Chats on select weekends, outdoor-themed talks by a cozy fire that you can attend in person or via Zoom.

And of course, there's nothing quite like settling into a booth at the Woodstock Inn Brewery after a day in the cold, sampling their house-brewed beers while snow falls outside.

The Scenic Route

Even in winter, the Kancamagus Highway remains one of New Hampshire's most beautiful drives. This 34-mile stretch connects Lincoln to Conway, winding through the White Mountain National Forest. On a clear day after fresh snowfall, the views are postcard-perfect. Just check road conditions before heading out, as the "Kanc" is a mountain pass and weather can change quickly.

Plan Your Stay

North Woodstock puts you right in the middle of all this winter activity. The village itself is walkable and charming, with local shops and restaurants just steps from wherever you're staying. You'll wake up to mountain views, spend your days exploring, and fall asleep to the sound of the Pemigewasset River.

The holiday season fills up fast in the White Mountains, so if you're thinking about a winter escape, now's the time to book your room.