The 50 Best U.S. Winter Vacations

Why go: Situated at the edge of New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest, Conway is within driving distance of 13 ski resorts, including Attitash Mountain Resort, Cannon Mountain, Loon Mountain, Wildcat Mountain, Bretton Woods, King Pine, and Waterville Valley. But it’s also home—just an hour’s drive from Mount Washington—to the highest point in New England and the second-coldest place on earth. In January 2018, the Mount Washington Observatory recorded a temperature of -36 degrees Fahrenheit. You can take a snowcat ride to the summit for exclusive views, then tour the famous weather station to see if you could handle working and living at 6,288 feet above sea level.

Where to stay: It may be frigid at the top of Mount Washington, but the historic Cranmore Inn (which opened in 1863) is cozy enough to make up for that. Before you venture outside, fill your belly with a cooked-to-order country breakfast. In the evening, warm up in the outdoor hot tub, in front of the fire pit, or snag a seat in front of the parlour fireplace. 

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