There are few places more iconic to New Hampshire than Mount Washington. Known for having some of the most volatile weather in the world, the stories told by scientists from up here are riveting and incredible. With the Auto Road, it’s fairly easy to spend a few hours exploring the summit and enjoying the views. But, in the winter the road shuts down which means waiting a few months for the spring thaw. The only exception? This incredible opportunity to stay overnight in the observatory!
The conditions at the top of Mount Washington are always changing, making a trip up to the top something risky.
Greg M / TripAdvisor
Especially in the winter.
mtwashington / Flickr
But those who love a thrill and who, most importantly, have a love of science will be thrilled to know that they can actually spend the night here!
mtwashington / Flickr
The Mount Washington Observatory Summit Overnights allows visitors to spend the night in the weather station at 6,288 feet above sea level.
mouser-nerdbot / Flickr
The experience begins with a day of exploring through an alpine adventure. After a fun day, you’ll join the scientists for dinner in the (heated!) weather station.
mtwashington / Flickr
There are various themes you can explore on each overnight, including geology, landscape photography and mountaineering. We love that each trip includes one-on-one instruction using Mount Washington as the classroom.
mtwashington / Flickr
Each trip includes round-trip transportation to and from the base in a snowcat, a dedicated Observatory trip leader, an expert instructor focused on the field of your trip’s topic, drinks and snacks, lunch and dinner, followed by breakfast and lunch the next day, rooms in the bunk house, and a tour of the weather station.
mouser-nerdbot / Flickr
All this adventure doesn’t come cheap. Each trip is about $999 for supporting members of the nonprofit Mount Washington Observatory. For those who are not members, the cost is about $1099. For more information check out the website. Or, if a day trip is more your thing, click here.
Greg M / TripAdvisor
mtwashington / Flickr
mouser-nerdbot / Flickr
Another way to see Mount Washington in the winter is with this special vehicle tour. It doesn’t go all the way to the top, but take a journey to the tree line for something incredible!
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