Although our New Hampshire bed and breakfast is not “smack dab” in the middle of ski country, there’s still plenty of great reasons to visit our Walpole farm during the winter months. Winter activities in southwest New Hampshire’s Monadnock Region abound – listed below are just a few of our favorites. And to make a winter visit even more appealing, we’re offering a 20% discount off our regular cottage rates now through March 31st!
SNOW! Let’s just say that being located in the country we’re a little closer to the stuff to start with. You can literally walk out our door and snowshoe for miles. We’ve got great sledding hills here on the property with sleds and snow tubes for your use as well as areas for cross country skiing. If snowmobiling is more your style go ahead and bring your sled as we have plenty of parking and easy access to NH Corridor 5 – a snowmobile trail which runs from Massachusetts to the Canadian border!
2011 Keene Ice and Snow Festival
WINTER FAIRS AND FESTIVALS abound in this area so come help celebrate the almighty white stuff! Stonewall Farm’s Frozen Farm Festival kicks off the winter festival season in the Monadnock Region on 1/28, the 101st Dartmouth Winter Carnival is held February 9th – 12th, 56th Brattleboro Winter Carnival being held February 17th – 26th, the Keene Ice and Snow Fest is slated for February 18th, the Harris Hill Ski Jump Competition scheduled for February 18th and 19th with the season being rounded out with Stonewall Farms ever popular 13th Annual Sap Gathering Contest March 24th, 2012.
DOWNHILL SKIING – There are numerous larger ski mountains within a 45 minute drive from our Inn, but with Granite Gorge Ski Area in our own backyard offering 2-for-1 ski passes for our guests why would you go anywhere else?? Coupon good for skiing or tubing.
ICE SKATING – If you have your own skates many local ponds and recreation areas offer ice skating during the colder months but of course this is weather dependent. Indoor skating with heated viewing room and skate rentals is available at the Cheshire Ice Arena, in Keene, NH or Living Memorial Park in Brattleboro, VT.
Orchard Hill Pizzas – Yumm…!
FARMERS’ MARKETS – Think farmers’ markets are just for the summer season?? Think again! Although the supply of fresh produce at this time of year is a bit limited, our region has numerous farmers’ to keep us supplied with fresh, healthy, local foods like grass-fed beef, pork, chicken, lamb, fresh raw milk, maple syrup, honey, artisan cheese, jams and jellies, organic artisan breads, and local wine all year long. Most local markets offer other necessities like soap and woolen goods, as well as food and garden related demonstrations/talks and live music – a fun time for all for sure! Plan ahead, bring a cooler and bring a bit of local home with you today! Walpole’s Winter Market is held on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 11-2 at the Walpole Town Hall, Keene’s Winter Market is being held on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month from 10-2 at 25 Roxbury Street, Keene and Brattleboro, VT Winter Market is held every Saturday from 10-2 at the River Garden, 153 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT.
PEACE AND TRANQUILITY – Of course one of the main reasons you visit our New Hampshire bed and breakfast is to rest and recuperate from the stress of the daily grind. This season brings on a special quality of tranquility allowing for true rejuvenation. Snuggle up and get caught up on your reading or that knitting project you’ve been meaning to finish since…???? The Toadstool Bookshop and Village Square Booksellers are two great locally owned independent bookstores or for that knitting project visit any of these local knitting shops for an amazing selection of fibers: the Knitting Knook, Knit or Dye or the Green Mountain Spinnery.
Our 20% discount on cottage rates offers you the same great amenities including a homemade breakfast basket complete with fresh baked goods, locally made organic artisan breads and our own farm fresh eggs brought to your doorstep each morning. And of course a tour of our sustainable farm is always available as well as many area year-round activities like tasting some of the world’s best hot chocolate from Burdick Chocolates, fine dining, visiting other local farms, museums, antique stores and more. Check out our attractions page to help you further plan your New England family vacation. We hope to see you in Walpole soon!
Innkeeper The Inn at Valley Farms