A Fantastic, Snowy Winter Getaway in the White Mountains of New Hampshire

Mike and I have been itching to take a winter trip to New Hampshire’s White Mountains. We hiked within the national forest a few times in the summer, but really wanted to come back to stay in a rustic cabin. We live in the busy Providence metro area, so we are always around a lot of congestion and tourist traffic.

This region of the state is so breathtakingly beautiful during any season, even more so during the snowy winter months. New England is truly an awesome place anytime of year, but I really love the winter season. There is so much to do if you like snow including sledding, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, skating, and skiing. Personally, I love this time of year, so I was excited to plan a trip to partake in some type of winter sport as we do not have many opportunities near our current location.

Due to the close proximity to cities like Portland, Boston and Providence, this an easy and relaxing weekend getaway option for any city dwellers. Even if it is a slow season (snow-wise) in your city, you can hit the slopes or trails as soon as you arrive.

An award winning B&B

We did a little research online for the top rated New England inns and found out about the Bear Mountain Lodge, a highly regarded bed and breakfast in Bethlehem. This quaint isolated inn has won numerous awards over the years. Frommer’s rated it as one of the top 10 romantic inns of New England. As we were seeking a romantic, rustic, secluded getaway in a snowy area, this seemed a perfect fit for us. In addition, BedandBreakfast.com has rated the inn as one of the Top 10 B&Bs in New England for both 2009-2010 and 2010-2011.

This gorgeous property is located in Bethlehem, a small village surrounded by beautiful national forests. Because of its’ proximity to major cities (80 miles from Portland, Maine and 138 miles from Boston) and potential for winter snow (over 60 inches on average from December-February), it is the perfect winter weekend getaway.

A winter wonderland!

What I found most impressive about this property was the gorgeous location in the mountains. It’s so secluded and peaceful. The great room features floor-to-ceiling windows featuring panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and forests.  I could sit there all day! We had a fun time playing Checkers and Scrabble, all while taking in the amazing winter scenery.

There is a beautiful wrap around deck located right off from the great room; I could imagine myself sitting here enjoying a coffee or tea during the beautiful summer and spring seasons.  It would be an ideal spot for reading or just relaxing when the weather is finally warm again.

As you can see in this photo, there was a lot of snow during our visit, at least compared to where we came from. The funny thing is that the innkeepers were complaining about a lack of snow that was bad for ski season. I guess this area typically sees a lot more! All I have to say is that we were were impressed. I couldn’t wait to get the snowshoes out and hit the trails!

A view of the firepit. This would be a real treat during the summer and fall months. Unfortunately, it was way too snowy during our visit to even consider a fire.

Rustic charm & luxury amenities

I love the combination of rustic country charm and luxury. It’s not something that you find too often. The lodge is festively decorated in a woodsy rustic theme. Everywhere you look, you will see amazing lodge style architecture, as well as charming rustic touches. The consistency of decor throughout the cabin is a major plus. 

I love the cozy atmosphere of the lobby which included an old-fashioned wood stove and comfortable couches for relaxing. They had relaxing music playing in the background and the views were out-of-this-world. I almost didn’t want to leave the property it was so nice and cozy. Nothing says a winter getaway in New England quite like a stay in a beautiful woodsy B&B.

Our room was decorated beautifully in an attractive moose theme. It was a bit small, however, we enjoyed the beautiful scenery of the surrounding mountains. Plus, we weren’t in the room much as the lobby was just too gorgeous. The first floor features 4 basic rooms which come with all your standard amenities. The rooms on the second floor cost a bit more but offer advanced amenities such as a steam shower, fireplace and/or jacuzzi. If we were staying more than a few days, we probably would have looked into one of these luxury rooms.

Sorry, it’s not the best photo but here is the view from our room. I loved waking up to the peaceful snow and mountain views each morning.

More attractive amenities

There are plenty of amenities at the lodge itself including a pool table, a year-round hot tub, and 24 hour drinks including hot coffee and tea (Keurig machine), as well as beer and wine. If you are brave enough to bear the cold, you can enjoy a relaxing soak in the outdoor hot tub as you watch the snow fall down. What a perfect romantic setting! The hot tub was not working on our visit, unfortunately or we would definitely have enjoyed a soak surrounded by the snowy pines.

The innkeepers brought out fresh cookies each afternoon; this was a nice perk. We loved enjoying a cup of hot cocoa or tea along with a sweet treat after a morning of snowshoeing. It’s a nice perk, especially when you just want a little pick me up rather than a full lunch. The cute little mountain themed breakfast/relaxing area offers the perfect setting for enjoying an afternoon tea break.

The inn is immaculately clean (all guests must take their shoes off at the door). The innkeepers are always around to answer questions and engage in chit chat (they were there to greet us when we arrived and offered to help us carry our luggage).

Complimentary homemade breakfast: the best perk

The breakfast in the morning was the only let down of our stay. To be honest, I expected it to be much better. Breakfast consisted of a tiny fruit cup followed by stuffed crepes with blueberry sauce and a side of sausage.  Talk to the innkeepers in advance if you have specific allergies or food requests. We made the mistake of forgetting to inform them of our specific requests, and thus, were left with a meager breakfast to start the day. The crepes were delicious although I would have preferred eggs, toast or even potatoes in place of the sausage.

Onsite snowshoe trails: so much fun!

Be sure to take advantage of the onsite snowshoe trails and complimentary snowshoes. We have always wanted to go snowshoeing, but somehow never got around to it. Having access to on-site trails without the hassle of driving through the snow was very convenient.

I’d rather spend my time enjoying myself outside then driving around through the snow to the activities. We had an absolute blast! If you have never tried it out, you must check it out while the equipment is easily available. The next morning there was an additional 4 inches of snow on the ground, which made our adventure even more exciting and challenging!

Check out this idyllic setting for snowshoeing (or any other winter activities). In addition to on-site trails, you can snowshoe in the national forest.

A quiet adult’s getaway

If you are seeking a quiet weekend getaway far away from the city, then Bear Mountain would be your ideal escape. It’s definitely not a kid friendly property, as the vibe/amenities are more suited for couples and older adults.

Quiet hours for the pool table/bar room end at around 9:30 pm and the lights in the main room are shut off around 10:00pm (this is perfect for those seeking some quality R&R). If you are looking for a more upbeat party atmosphere, you should look elsewhere. However, if you are looking for a low-key rustic themed lodge offering fabulous scenery, great amenities, and convenient access to winter activities then you are in for a real treat.

As one downside, I found the attitude of the innkeepers a bit snobby as they seemed to give certain guests preferential treatment. This is rather unfortunate, as otherwise this is a beautiful property with wonderful amenities. They were willing to assist anyone with area recommendations for dinner or activities, but seemed a bit standoffish with some guests.

Special package deals are available. Please check the website for additional details. In addition, you can sign up for special experiences such as a guided night snowshoe hike with innkeeper Michael.

Address & booking info

The inn is located at: 3249 Main St. Bethlehem, NH 02374

Call (603) 869-2189 for reservations.

What to do Nearby

The Colonial Theater, a historic Main Street theater built in 1915, features both live shows and movies.

Cold Mountain Cafe is a charming little cafe featuring a great menu and great location in downtown Bethlehem. I loved the soup and quiche. It’s located in downtown Littleton, which is home to a lot of unique shops and cafes.

Bretton Woods Nordic Center at Mount Washington Resort is one of the best places in the country to cross country ski, especially if you are a beginner. The pristine setting through the forests and streams of the White Mountain National Forest can’t be topped. We absolutely loved skiing through the pretty pines here.

Cannon Mountain is the area’s top resort for alpine skiing, featuring the largest vertical drop in New Hampshire.

The recreation park in Bethlehem is home to a free, lighted outdoor ice skating rink.

Take the scenic journey along the Mount Washington Cog Railway. The 3 hour ride travels to the highest peak in the Northeast.

You can reserve your spot for a guided snowmobile tour at Northern Extremes in Bretton Woods.

Enjoy a sleigh ride at Nestlenook Farms. This place is super charming with an old-fashioned vibe. I felt like I was taking a trip back in time. The sleigh ride travels around the beautiful property as you take in gorgeous views of the mountains and Victorian ice rink. This has been one of my favorite experiences thus far in New England.