 It's
the best six or seven months of the year, that is, unless you have
to do the shoveling. Winter in the Lakes Region can be be
described as extremely variable, and for those who try to forecast
the weather, it's their worst nightmare.
In 2008, there was so much
snow that dozens of roof collapses plagued the area. More than 140
inches fell that year. In 2001, so much snow fell that it
insulated the ice on the lake so effectively that it
pushed  ice-out
all the way into May, which has only happened twelve other times
in the past 114 years. "Skier burnout"
was another unexpected effect of having so much snow. Come May, the
weather was very warm and there was still plenty of snow on the slopes, but
nobody took advantage of it. Everyone was just plain snowed
out.
In contrast, the
winter of 2002 was so mild that Lake Winnipesaukee never even
fully froze. During the month of
January, there were twenty-one days in which the temperature rose
above freezing.
So what should an old fashioned
Lakes Region winter be like? Well, from December through mid
March, you can expect daytime highs to range on average between
fifteen and thirty-five degrees. Nighttime lows can be very
low, but average between zero and twenty degrees. Periods of
below zero weather do occur, but only last a few days. Major snowstorms
occur about every seven to fourteen
days, with smaller events in between. A mid winter thaw is
common, but does not occur every year.
Between sixty and eighty-five inches of snow will fall in a
typical season.
So what is there to do in
the winter? Skiing is perhaps the biggest of
the winter Lakes Region recreational draws. Gunstock offers
downhill skiing and snowboarding trails for the thrill seekers as
well as miles of cross country trails for those who would rather
not risk every bone in their body. If you've got kids,
chances are that they will insist on taking a few runs down
Gunstocks tubing park. More on skiing.
One of the best ways to get
around to spots you otherwise wouldn't be able to find is by way
of snowmobile. There are several trails around, but most
seem to prefer taking their sleds out onto the frozen lake.
It's often a smooth ride and you've got 72 square miles to
explore. More on snowmobiling.
On usually the first weekend in
February, the Lakes Region hosts is biggest annual winter event:
The Great Rotary Fishing Derby. Derby headquarters and much
of the action is located in Meredith, but effects from the event
ripple through the entire Lakes Region. Thousands of people
swarm in from all over the country to fish for their chance to win
a share of the $50,000 in prizes. More the Meredith
Fishing Derby.
Also held in February are the
World Championship sled dog races. Next years running of the
races will mark the 74th time that sled dog teams have descended
on the Lakes Region to tackle a scenic yet challenging
course. At eighteen miles in length, the course will take
them over Lake Opechee and alongside Parade Road before taking
them through the woods and back. Its a fun event to watch
and children love it!
The above are a few of the major
happenings and things to do in the Lakes Region, for the full
experience, you'll just have to visit! |
