Historical Resort Overlooking White Mountain Range

The White Mountains, a towering Appalachian range stretching across northern New Hampshire, developed into distinctive rock formations during eons of erosion. Nestled among these slopes, Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa arose through a similarly slow, organic process, evolving from an 1865 country inn known as the Mountain View House through decades of add-ons and expansions. After a complete 21st-century renovation, the colonial revivalist building stands as a worthy companion to the magnificent peaks that surround it.

Sited amid 1,700 forested acres, the resort stands out at night as a vast blaze of light against the dusky woods—a display powered entirely by green energy, much of which comes from a 121-foot wind turbine rotating out back. After a full day of alpine adventure, a visit to the award-winning spa blasts away muscle tension with a massage or immersion in the 252-jet, mountain-water–filled soaking tub. Downstairs, a heated indoor pool and redwood sauna continue to unknot muscles and loosen jammed ski boots. As the après-ski activity winds down, the tastefully appointed guest rooms beckon. In classic rooms, walk-in closets accommodate all manner of mountain gear, and Historic rooms offer mountain vistas that pair perfectly with the included bottle of wine.

Eclectic dining options include the Main Dining Room, an elegant venue with views of the Presidential Range and a menu of French specialties such as duck à l'orange. Alternatively, the Tavern serves up pub fare and local draft beers.

The White Mountains: Family Fun in Picturesque Outdoors

Guests can take advantage of the winter season with broom hockey, ice-skating, and the resort’s famous chicken bowling or milk-jug curling. Just down the road, Cannon Mountain hosts skiers and boarders on its 60 slopes.

The 800,000-acre White Mountain National Forest, less than 10 miles south of the resort, typifies much of precolonial New England. Dozens of 4,000 foot crests soar above six designated Federal Wilderness Areas and a hundred miles of meandering Appalachian Trail. The forest shelters several endangered denizens, such as the White Mountain butterfly, Canada lynx, and Isolationist poet.