1. Snowmobiling:
With over 6,800 miles of interconnecting snowmobile trails statewide, New Hampshire offers visitors some of the best opportunities in the region to enjoy one of winter’s fastest growing sports. Over 120 local clubs maintain the well-groomed trails and offer a calendar of club rides, potluck suppers and other social events. Snowmobiling is a family sport, and the state offers numerous places to rent machines and outer gear. Tours, from a one-hour jaunt to a three-hour cruise, are suitable for the first time snowmobiler, with experienced guides to take you through the White Mountains on less traveled trails. The North Country tends to be one of the state’s most popular snowmobiling areas.

For trail information and snow conditions, contact the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association, Inc., at www.nhsa.com or 603-224-8906. Additional information is available from the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation Trails Bureau at http://www.nhtrails.org/Trailspages/SnomoPages/SnomoHome.html or 603-271-3254. North Country information and snowmobile trail maps ($3.50) are available from the Northern White Mountain Chamber of Commerce in Berlin, www.northernwhitemtnchamber.org or 800-992-7480.

2. Snow tubes and other snow toys:
And you thought tubes were meant to be left at the lake! Giant soft snow tubes are great family fun -- the thrill of a downhill sledding run with no skills required, and a lift back to the top. There’s no equipment to buy, nothing to learn, and you’ll find tubing areas at most alpine ski resorts. Many resorts offer lighted runs for nighttime fun. Instead of tubes try snowbikes, snowdecks, snowblades and other snow toys at Cranmore.

Gunstock in Laconia, www.gunstock.com, has a whole park for tubers called the Thrill Hill Tubing Park. The Cranmore Mountain Resort in North Conway, www.cranmore.com, boasts the Grand Prix Tubing Center with seven lanes and radar guns to tell your speed. Cranmore also offers Snowbikes, Snowdecks, Snowblades and Snowscoots. In the Dartmouth/Lake Sunapee region, both Ragged Mountain in Danbury, www.ragged-mt.com, and Pat’s Peak in Henniker, www.patspeak.com offer tubing. Right next to the Mt. Washington Auto Road in Gorham is the Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center, www.greatglentrails.com Its specially groomed tubing hill offers great fun and spectacular views –- and an all-day pass is an economical $5. Loon Mountain, www.loonmtn.com, offers tubing nightly beginning in December. And, Cannon Mountain, www.cannonmt.com, offers day-tubing on weekends and during holiday periods.

3. Snowshoeing:
They say that if you can walk, you can snowshoe; and the sport is a great way to burn off calories, get out into the winter woods and enjoy the solitude and joys of snowshoeing on groomed and uncrowded trails. Most cross-country ski areas and many alpine resorts offer snowshoe rentals and lessons. These are not your grandfather's snowshoes -- new, lightweight, smaller snowshoes make it easy.

In the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee Region, snowshoe throughout more than 60 kilometers of trails at the Norsk Cross-Country Center in New London, www.skinorsk.com

Mt. Washington Valley Ski Touring & Snowshoe Center in Intervale. Touring on over 60 km of trails through riverside hayfields, mountainside spruce and hemlock forests with a diverse selection of terrain. Weekly Guided Snowshoe Walks including use of equipment during walk -- a great introduction to an activity that is easy to learn. Events planned for the season include guided Moonlight and Stargazing tours; skate clinics; guided snowshoe tours; and an Animal Tracking guided tour. For more information: 603-356-9920 or www.crosscountryskinh.com.

The Nordic Center at Waterville Valley offers snowshoe tours with experienced guides. The 1.5-hour trips are designed to access destinations with outstanding scenic views and include informative content on fitness, clothing and equipment while exploring New Hampshire's natural history. Yale professor emeritus Bill Smith's Snowshoe Ecology Trek will take you into the woods to learn about New Hampshire ecology, forest history and native wildlife. Tours $25 per person ($35 with snowshoe rentals.) For more information, call The Nordic Center at 603-236-4666.

Moonlight Cross Country Ski/Snowshoe Tour at the Nordic Center in Franconia is Popular skiing and snowshoeing tour that includes cider and hot chocolate. Horse drawn sleigh rides also available. For information, call 603-278-3322.

4. Ice harvesting
Annual Ice Day at Musterfield Farm in Sutton. This annual winter demonstration, usually in January, provides a source for viewing and actually participating in cutting ice, much the same way as it was done each winter when ice was "farmed" for use in the "iceboxes" that served as the refrigerators of the day. Musterfield Farm Museum, 603-927-4276.

Winter Carnival and Ice Harvest at Remick Country Doctor Museum and Farm, Tamworth. Early in February, weather permitting. Dogsled rides, horse-drawn sleigh rides, a snowball throwing contest and the snowshoe obstacle course are all part of a day filled with winter fun on the farm. Visitors can try cutting blocks of ice from the farm pond, using historic ice cutting tools from the museum's collection. Harvested ice is loaded in the farm ice house. Call 800-686-6117 or visit www.remickmuseum.org/spevents

5. Sleighing:
For families who appreciate more traditional pastimes, winter means the sound of sleigh bells and the old-fashioned romance of a sleigh ride. A number of New Hampshire inns and farms offer sleigh rides in season.

In the Monadnock Region, try the Silver Ranch in Jaffrey, 603-532-7363, the Inn at East Hill Farm in Troy, 603-242-6495, or the Stonewall Farm in Keene, 603-357-7278. In the White Mountains, travel by horse-drawn Austrian sleigh through the woods and along the Ellis River at the Nestlenook Farm, Jackson, 603-383-0845. Also in the White Mountains, the Bretton Woods Mountain Resort, 800-258-0330 or www.brettonwoods.com, offers horse-drawn sleigh rides along with many other winter activities. Sleigh Rides are also available at the Franconia Inn, 603-823-5542 or www.franconiainn.com Find links to 42 New Hampshire inns offering sleigh rides with the “Property Finder” on the New England Inns and Resorts website, www.newenglandinns.com

6. Attend a winter carnival:
Winter Carnival at Dartmouth College in Hanover in February is the oldest collegiate winter festival in America (www.dartmouth.edu/carnival/), and features snow sculptures, a polar bear swim and other collegiate winter fun. Certainly New Hampshire celebrates winter with fun and creativity, from ice festivals and create-your-own sled competitions, to a snow golf tournament. Here are a few of the state’s festive cold-weather events (For a complete listing of festivals and contact information, go to www.visitnh.gov.):

2nd Annual Mt. Washington Valley Winter Carnival, North Conway (February 25 - March 6, 2005) offers 10-days of unique festivities combining food, music, entertainment, fun for all ages, and great outdoor winter sports and games, dining, dancing, ice carving and snow sculpture, and winter games. More than 30 events, located throughout the greater Mt. Washington Valley. Second Annual Chilly Chili Cook-off, Snow sculpture, Ice Carving, Concert Series, Nature exhibits, Downhill and X-Country Ski events, Snowmobile event, Ice Skating, Dinners, Lectures, Workshops, Fireworks, and Shopping and Dining Specials. Buttons are $5.00 per person providing admittance to all entertainment venues. For more information, email: info@mwvevents.com

Frostbite Follies Winter Carnival (February 4, 5, 6, 2005) encompasses the communities of Bethlehem, Bretton Woods, Franconia, Lisbon, Littleton, Sugar Hill and Whitefield, plus the unique facilities of the Mount Washington Hotel and Resort and the Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa. Events over this exciting weekend will include all winter sports plus races with prizes, games, dances, rides, tours, entertainment, bonfires, snow sculptures, parade and fireworks. Something for all ages and interests including the 5th annual Mickey Dude Foundation’s CASA Winter Golf on-Snow in Lincoln pitting foursomes in a wacky nine-hole on-snow golf event to support CASA, an organization that raises funds and acts as an advocate for children in the court system. "Bentley," the Frostbite Follies snowman mascot appears at Carnival activities promoting fun and folly and passing out goodies to kids. Information from Littleton Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information, call 603-444-6561 or email: info@frostbitefollies.com

In the Northern White Mountains, there's Winterfest in late February (Details on the 2005 events coming soon to www.winterfest.org) Community Torch Lighting, Torch Fun Run, Snow-shoe Trek, Ice skating, snowflake making, gourmet dinners and Old-Fashioned Fun on the Gorham Town Common: fun for the whole family including snowshoe demonstrations, sleigh rides, bonfire with hot chocolate and sugar-on-snow plus Wilburr, the official WinterFest mascot. All events are free, except the sleigh rides which are $2 per person.

Loon Mountain in Lincoln celebrates Independence Day Weekend (January 15-17, 2005) as “the designated long weekend to celebrate Loon's independence from Mother Nature.” Enjoy a variety of special events, including snowcat rides, torchlight parade, and a massive fireworks show. Also, a ten-foot-tall Uncle Sam character skis with the kids. For more information, call 800-229-LOON or visit www.loonmtn.com

Over in the Monadock region, try Keene’s Annual Ice and Snow Fest (February 12, 2005) Downtown Keene becomes a winter wonderland of frosty fun and festivities, including professional and amateur ice carving, a one-mile “go-at-your-own-pace” snowshoe race open to people of all ages (snowshoes will be available for use), snow sculpting, sidewalk vendors and much more. www.keenechamber.com Phone: (603)352-1303

7. Get cooking:
Expand your cooking horizons and enjoy winter in the warmth of a cozy inn while sampling gastronomic delights straight from the kitchens of skilled chefs. You not only learn great recipes, you get to taste the results!

A Taste of The Mountains Cooking School at the Bernerhof Inn in the midst of the Mount Washington Valley in Glen, www.bernerhofinn.com, is designed for lovers of fine food who also want to learn to cook creative and healthy cuisine. The school offers instruction, hands-on experience and relaxation, and includes lodging, homemade breakfast and five-course gourmet luncheons and dinners each day, complemented by suitable wines. A wine-tasting seminar is included in the program. www.bernerhofinn.com Phone: 800-548-8007

Tastes of The BALSAMS Cooking Classes (January 11-13, February 1-3 and March 1-3, 2005) incorporate a 3 day/2 night cooking class package presented by The Balsams Culinary Brigade. This "hands-on" 10-hour seminar features instruction, professional guidance and experience in the art of cooking. Each participant assists in the preparation of a four-course luncheon on both Wednesday and Thursday. Each participant may invite one guest for each of the luncheons. Cooking school is $300 per participant; overnight accommodations available at an additional charge. Phone 800-255-0600 or visit
www.thebalsams.com/TastesofTheBALSAMS.cfm

"Someone's in the Kitchen" Cooking Workshop and Three Inn Package offers a sample of three of Mount Washington Valley's most elegant and intimate bed and breakfast inns and the culinary delights of three local chefs. A three-night package includes one night's accommodation in each inn's deluxe fireplace or Jacuzzi room, full country breakfast each morning prepared by your innkeepers, and a two-hour cooking class each day by respected local chefs. For information visit www.notchland.com

White Mountain Cooking School Classes at the Snowvillage Inn in Snowville. All classes are limited to 8 participants. Weekend overnight packages combine the cooking school with a beautiful inn getaway, making this the ideal form fo "edutainment." Day students will be accepted on a space-available basis. Saturday and Sunday are devoted to cooking classes and enjoyment of a restful getaway, then participants finish each day with a gala dinner or lunch prepared by the students under Chef Laurel's direction. "Cook and Ski Weekends" January 29-31 and February 25-27, 2005 combine cooking and the ideal way to work them off on the inn's private trail network. Visit www.snowvillageinn.com or call 800-447-4345.

8. Peak experience without skis
The SnowCoach, a specially equipped 8-passenger tracked vehicle, travels up the Mt. Washington Auto Road to just above treeline (4600 feet) and looks down on the 5,500-acre Great Gulf Wilderness and snow covered Northern Presidential Mountains. Travel round-trip in the comfort of the SnowCoach or cross-country ski, telemark ski, or snowshoe down the Auto Road for an exciting 4-mile downhill journey. Either way, passengers have the opportunity to get outside the SnowCoach and experience the winter world on Mt. Washington. Price: $40 for adults and $25 for children 6-12. This price also includes an all-day trail pass for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and free snow tubing. The 1.25-hour tours depart from Great Glen Trails daily on a first-come, first-served basis and advance reservations are not available. Available December through March, weather permitting. For more information on SnowCoach tours, call 603-466-2333.

The Mount Washington Cog Ski Train Also makes the trip up the snowy mountain. North America’s only downhill ski train carries ski and snowboard passengers to the base of Cold Spring Hill, to access beginner terrain; or to Waumbek, the site of the track's first siding, for intermediate-level skiing and riding. The groomed trails, running parallel to, and on either side of the railway trestle, are about one mile long and offer 1,100 vertical feet of schussing. The trails are located on land owned by The Mount Washington Railway Company and National Forest boundaries are clearly marked. Non-skiers can ride the winter cog roundtrip. Price: $59 for an all-day ticket or $25 for single ride (roundtrip or one-way). For more information call 603-278-5404 or 800-922-8825; or visit www.thecog.com

More information for most of these events, attractions and destinations can also be found at www.visitnh.gov, where local dining and lodging options can be further investigated as well.