WINTER THRILLS

While some of the best ski resorts in the United States can be found in New England, you don’t need to be an Alpine skier or snowboarder to make this region your winter playground. When the temperature drops and the snowflakes fall, you can fill your New England getaway with a full spectrum of outdoor activities, each with its own special thrill.

There are vast snowmobile trail networks in northern New England, and—with the help of rentals and lessons from area outfitters—even those who have never ridden one of these “motorcycles on skis” can still be part of this exciting winter scene. In VERMONT, you can explore nearly 5,000 miles (8047km) of snowmobiling trails across both public and private land, revealing places you normally wouldn’t see otherwise. Another way to discover hidden landscapes: booking a Vermont dogsledding tour, and embarking on a wild ride across frozen fields behind a pack of eager huskies and malamutes.

Ice climbing, on the other hand, provides an entirely different kind of thrill. New England is home to a number of ice climbing destinations—including those in the White Mountains and the Green Mountains—but the sport isn’t limited to the region’s highest terrain. Beginner-friendly ice formations can be found in New England’s southernmost state, CONNECTICUT, and outfitters such as Connecticut-based Ascent Climbing will be happy to demonstrate that the seemingly impossible is actually quite doable, with the right tools and a confidence boost from an experienced guide.

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