The Best time

Season

The first thing to consider when you plan an elopement in the White Mountains is what you want your day to look like. Do you want a crisp fall day in the mountains surrounded by crimson and coral colors? After a day hiking, perhaps you want to spend that late summer evening fishing on the banks of the Ammonoosuc River before returning to your campsite. Or maybe your ideal wedding day is skiing some NH backcountry with your significant other.

Each season is represented so brilliantly in the White Mountains. 

Arguably the most brilliant, and most famous season in the White Mountains is fall. The green forest canopy lights up like a blazing fire for a few weeks each year at the beginning of October. This time of year in the mountains is truly amazing and is a favorite for many. Because of this, the White Mountains can become very busy from the end of September through the end of October. Fall colors for the White Mountains usually peak around the second week in October. Live fall color tracking can be viewed here.

Winter is a long season where the mercury dips well below zero quite often. The White Mountains are known for having some of the strongest recorded winds on earth. In 1934 the Mount Washington Observatory staff recorded winds gusting at 231 miles per hour. This was the world record for the strongest winds until 1996. The winds can be strong and the temperatures can be low. The mountains are high and will be covered in snow for most of the winter.  New Hampshire is one of the best places to “ski the east!” Any type of adventure or elopement during the winter will require you to dress in warm layers. Most tourist traffic in the Whites during the winter months is centered around ski resorts and ski towns. Spending the day at a ski resort or exploring the New Hampshire backcountry could be an awesome elopement experience.

In April as the temperatures rise and the snow begins to melt, hiking becomes very enjoyable. Trails are packed hard with snow, making hiking with microspikes very enjoyable. The spring winds are not as harsh as the winter winds but will require you to hike with a light mid-layer and a good windbreaker. A rain jacket is always the best option for a windbreaker, especially in spring when rain is quite common. Spring is the quietest season in the Whites. Folks from out of state have gotten their skiing fix for the year and students are finishing up with the school year. This leaves the locals to spring skiing and hiking.

During the summer the White Mountains are a hiker's paradise and provide trails for all levels of hiking experience. The trails and peaks through the  summer become heavily trafficked with happy hikers as they seek beautiful views and good memories. Thankfully, due to the number of mountains and trails, there are quieter locations that are more secluded. Some of these locations require you to hike further than you normally would, but the views and moments you will remember are always worth it! The rivers and ponds through the Forest are filled with trout and are a fly fisherman's dream. With long days and warm evenings, summer is the perfect time for a picnic dinner and sunset elopement