Top Activities For Dogs In New Hampshire On Cold Days

Introduction

Part of the New England region of the United States, New Hampshire is a state that boasts some of the most picturesque places and tourist attractions in the country. Outdoor enthusiasts flock to the state all-year round, thanks to the long list of possible activities being offered here. Those who particularly love the cold season and winter sports will enjoy a trip to New Hampshire since the state hosts some of the biggest ski resorts in the entire East Coast. Aside from the lovely sites, New Hampshire is also known for being generally dog-friendly. Therefore, dog owners should have no problem finding activities to do during their stay in the state.

Snowshoeing

Popular

0 Votes

Cold Day

Expensive

Normal

30 - 60 min

Items needed

Snowshoes

Leash

Doggy waste bags

Activity description

Oftentimes, those who love sightseeing and going outdoors find the winter season to be a bummer, since activities may be limited by the weather. Likewise, winter presents an opportunity to try different sports that are usually impossible during all other seasons. One of these sports is snowshoeing, wherein you wear a special shoe as you hike through the snow. When you are in New Hampshire and you would like to do this activity with your dog, the best place to go to is the Bear Notch Ski Touring Center. This center boasts over 65 kilometers of dog-friendly groomed trails for you and your pooch to explore.

Step

1

Make arrangements

To start with snowshoeing, the first thing you need to do is head down to Bear Notch Ski Touring Center to make all the necessary arrangements. These include the payment for the activity, gear rental, demonstrations, briefings and all other pre-hike activities. Make sure that you learn and follow all the rules regarding snowshoeing with your pooch.

Step

2

Hike through the snow

Once you have been briefed and everything is set, you can start the activity. Snowshoeing activities can either be guided or not. Discover the impressive trails of the center with your dog alongside you. Don’t forget to stop every now and then to hydrate. You can cap off the snowshoeing activity with a bow of warm homemade soup at any of the trailside picnic tables in the area.

Skijoring

Popular

0 Votes

Cold Day

Expensive

Normal

30 - 60 min

Items needed

Skis

Poles

Harness

Activity description

Another winter sport that you can try with your dog during your stay in New Hampshire is skijoring. This sport has become more and more popular among dog owners because of how fun and exciting it can be. It also gives you a chance to exercise your dog during the cold weather. Skijoring is a sport that is very similar to that of traditional skiing, albeit with the help of dogs. In this activity, humans are pulled by dogs for a faster and more thrilling ski experience. There are several places in New Hampshire where you can bring your own dog for skijoring, the most popular of which is the New England Dog Sledding.

Step

1

Head to the ski resort

If you are looking to go skijoring, make your way to New England Dog Sledding to get started. While the facility has its own resident dogs for winter activities, they also allow patrons to bring and use their own dogs during their stay. However, you will need to bring your own skis, poles and harness. The people at the facility will provide the rest.

Step

2

Go skiing

As soon as you are all geared up and ready to go, you should first practice some basic obedience. You can run through some of the most basic commands being used in skijoring, such as “stop” and “go”, with your dog before getting on the slopes. Then, head down to the slope and ride. Stay in less populated sections of the trail as your dog learns the ropes and gets comfortable with this fun and challenging sport.

Visit Settlers Green

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Cheap

Easy

1 - 2 hrs

Items needed

Leash

Activity description

Want some downtime from all the adrenaline-filled winter sports? Want to take it easy and just explore with your pooch? If this is the case, a good place to visit while in New Hampshire would be Settlers Green. Located in the village of North Conway, this tax-free shopping center is a haven for dogs and owners who love to walk and do some shopping. The center has more than 70 outlet shops, retailers and restaurants. It is also generally dog-friendly; there are waste bag dispensers all over the center and the dog-friendly shops have indicative stickers so dog owners can easily determine where to look and shop.

Step

1

Shop until you drop

The most obvious thing to do when in Settlers Green is to shop. The center is divided into four main sections: Outlet Village (mostly outlet stores), Settlers Corner (mostly home and office supplies), Settlers Crossing (lifestyle and specialty stores) and Streetside (upscale retailers). The area you visit depends on what you are looking for. If you have time, you can go through each section one at a time. During winter, there are also some shopping specials on Friday nights.

Step

2

Explore the rest of the area

After a long day of shopping with your dog, you can go check out the rest of the area. Aside from tax-free shopping, Settlers Green also features gardens, public art, playscapes and outdoor restaurants and cafes. Let your dog enjoy the surroundings and end your day with a lovely meal for you and your pooch.

More Fun Ideas...

Kancamangus Highway

One of the country’s most popular and scenic ride, found in New Hampshire, is the Kancamangus Highway. This road takes you on a spectacular ride through rivers, vistas and mountains. You can even make some stops along the way to do some hiking or sightseeing. Just be cautious during the winter as some roads can be a bit dangerous.

Grab a Beer

Americans are known for their love of beer and New Hampshire is no different. If you are looking to just kick back, relax and enjoy some booze with your dog, visit some of the state’s dog-friendly breweries. Some good examples are the Redhook Ale Brewery and One Love Brewery.

Conclusion

Winter may be cold but don’t let that stop you from spending some fun times with your pooch. Being one of the most dog-friendly states in the country, locals and visitors of New Hampshire would surely find some fun and interesting stuff to do with their dogs while in the state.