The northern New England states are a big draw in the winter months for wonderland getaways and snow sports, but New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont also offer a variety of activities year-round, taking advantage of lakes, rivers and natural beauty of the region.
New Hampshire
In 1852, Sylvester Marsh set out to build the world’s first mountain-climbing cog railway in order to reach the summit of Mount Washington, and in 1869, “Old Peppersass” became the first cog-driven train to make the 6,288-foot climb. Nearly 150 years later, The Mount Washington Cog Railway is a National Historic Engineering Landmark.
Two vintage steam engines and replica coaches as well as five biodiesel locomotives make up the fleet, and according to Elise Thompson, group sales associate for the railway, a sixth biodiesel train will be making test runs this summer and be ready for passengers in the 2017 season. In addition to the biodiesel locomotives, solar panels regulate hydraulic switches, allowing trains to safely pass each other.
“We design and build everything here on-site, from the trains, to coaches, to improvements to the base station,” explains Thompson. “Everything is made in America.”
The standard tour is three hours roundtrip and includes a history lesson on the ride up the mountain and time to tour the state-run Mount Washington Observatory. Its Extreme Mount Washington exhibit teaches about the area’s weather, which is known as “the world’s worst” due to sub-zero temperatures, hurricane-force winds and blowing snow creating an Arctic outpost in a temperate climate zone. Groups can also tour the Tip Top House, which was built in 1853 for lodging when hiking was the only way to reach the peak.
The Cog Museum at the Marshfield Base Station offers self-guided tours and displays focused on the mountain’s natural and manmade history. Groups can gather here before or after their ride for a buffet breakfast or lunch, or box meals can be provided.
Located in the quaint town of Meredith, on Lake Winnipesaukee, is Mill Falls at the Lake resort. Four inns make up the accommodations, each offering a unique feel and experience. The Inn at Mill Falls is a restored 19th century linen mill that has 54 guest rooms. The 21-room Chase House sits across the street from Meredith Bay and is just steps from the village. Bay Point, located on the water, offers 24 rooms with private balconies, while Church Landing on the lakefront is surrounded by gardens and lawns and has beach access. There are 70 guest rooms and two private cottages.
Mill Falls features 14,000 square feet of meeting space, but it’s the outdoor space that makes the property ideal for groups that want to incorporate teambuilding, breakouts and adventure into their meetings and events. The full-service EKAL Activity Center offers kayaking, paddleboarding, canoeing and chartered boat cruises to groups. The new pontoon boat, chauffeured by experienced captains, is available for rides around the lake. A cruise down Meredith Bay, under Governor’s Island Bridge and back by the Spindle Point Lighthouse, is another option.
Maine
Based in Portland, Rippleffect is a nonprofit youth and community development organization with a focus on outdoor adventure to build confidence and self-esteem for youth and team development and camaraderie for adults.
Rippleffect owns Cow Island, a 26-acre island in Casco Bay, and runs programs from this remote eco-campus. Sustainability is important on the island with solar powered meeting spaces, an organic garden, a rainwater catchment system, compost abilities, trails and secluded open spaces. Groups can choose to use some or all of the low- or high-challenge course elements on the island as well as a 400-foot zipline, climbing tower and 70 sea kayaks.
The island is also available for corporate retreats or company events. There is a professional, solar-powered kitchen on-site along with an executive chef ready to prepare gourmet meals, like a traditional Maine lobster bake served in a tent that can seat up to 200. Cow Island can also accommodate overnight guests with four yurts that can sleep 40, as well as additional tenting space.
Established in 1936, Maine Windjammer Cruises (MWC) features coastal cargo schooners, Grace Bailey and Mercantile, that have been restored and are recognized as National Landmarks. The boats are not only painted green, they cruise in a traditional and sustainable way, relying on the wind for power, using local farmers and fishermen for food supply and holding to a strict policy of recycling.
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The fleet has been used for all kinds of events, teambuilding, fundraising trips, cocktail receptions and banquets, and provide groups a chance for an escape. Four-hour day charters with capacities of 49 passengers on the Grace Bailey or Mercantile are most common, but overnight stays for up to 29 are also available.
“The experience is an adventure in incredibly inspiring surroundings,” says Margaret Jones, executive assistant at MWC. “Our broad decks and spacious galleys provide the stage for the relaxed and creative exchange of ideas. With a full boat charter we are able to customize the experience to the needs of the group.”
Food aboard includes lobster, fish chowder and other traditional Maine fare, but menus can be customized based on group needs.
Vermont
One of Vermont’s first lodging properties, The Inns at Equinox, boasts over 200 years of history and visits by four American presidents.
Golf is what brings many to the resort, which offers accommodation across three buildings. Its golf club, known for its hilly terrain, is a challenge to golfers of all skill levels. Groups of up to 144 players can use the course for special events like shotgun golf. Golf, however, is not the only attraction the property has to offer meeting guests.
Group options include falconry demonstrations and a Land Rover driving course, according to Sean Reardon, interim director of sales and marketing at the property. “Groups have also done fly-fishing demonstrations at the pond during receptions.”
The fly-fishing is offered through the Orvis Manchester Fly-Fishing School, open April through October. Along with demonstrations, the expert instructors lead classes in the new Orvis schoolhouse across from the Orvis Flagship Store, which has fully stocked ponds, and also out on the Battenkill River. Classes cover casting, fly selection, knots, how to safely release catch, an intro to freshwater entomology and even one-day seminars, all which can be tailored for groups.
Master falconer Rob Waite has been practicing for over 30 years and managed the falconry school at the Equinox for 18 years. Now he owns and operates the Green Mountain Falconry School adjacent to The Inns at Equinox and offers a variety of experiences, ranging from introductory lessons and hawk walks to custom programs for groups. Hawk identification, training, conditioning and hunting methods of the sport are just a few things participants can lean.
The Land Rover Experience Driving School is open year-round and features off-roading driving instruction and challenges on the 80-acre course. Participants will learn techniques on ascents, descents, side tilts and rocky terrain and have access to the trails through the Green Mountains.
Founded by Chris Howell, Vermont Farm Tours offers groups workshops and private guided half-day and full-day tours. Howell is active in the state’s local food and agricultural scene and takes pride in Vermont’s bounties.
“The food we enjoy in Vermont reflects the state’s farmers, landscape and history,” Howell says. “I enjoy nothing more than introducing guests to the people, farms and flavors that make Vermont a truly unique place to live and eat.”
One thing that comes to mind when talking about Vermont, is, of course, cheese. During the on-farm cheese-making classes, groups tour the farm and learn hands-on how to make whole-milk mozzarella. Classes are two hours long and include an apron and snacks like local bread produced from the farm to go along with the cheese. These classes can be structured as a leadership or teambuilding activity.
In addition to making cheese, groups can learn about Vermont’s product. The artisan cheese tour focuses on the farmers, herds, landscapes and cheesemakers that go into making cheese in the region. During the tour, which can range from three-and-a-half hours to eight hours, groups of up to 50 stop at different locations to talk with the cheesemakers and taste some cheese.
One thing that does not come to mind when thinking of Vermont is wine. However, with all that cheese, it shouldn’t be a surprise that there are over 20 wineries in the state. The local vineyard tour takes groups by the vineyards along the shores of Lake Champlain to meet the growers and vintners and taste their creations. There are half- and full-day tour options and a lunch at the vineyard is included in the full-day option.
