White Mountains in February

Summer brings perfect hiking weather but also crowds that turn popular trails into conga lines. July and August see temperatures in the 70s at lower elevations, though Mount Washington can still hit freezing at the summit. Thunderstorms roll in fast—start early and watch the sky. Fall foliage peaks between late September and mid-October, depending on elevation. The colors are genuinely spectacular, but hotel rates double and traffic moves at glacier speed. Book accommodations six months ahead or forget about it. Winter transforms the region into a Nordic wonderland. Bretton Woods and Cannon Mountain offer solid downhill skiing, while Jackson has the East Coast's most extensive cross-country trail network. Temperatures drop to -20°F on bad nights, but clear days serve up views that make the cold worthwhile. Spring arrives late and muddy. Snow lingers on higher peaks through May, creating treacherous trail conditions. But crowds disappear and waterfalls run at full power. Late May through early June offers the best compromise between decent weather and reasonable solitude.