Winter EduTrips

Mount Washington Observatory EduTrips offer the exclusive opportunity to experience Mount Washington in winter without a technical mountaineering ascent. Travel to and from the summit is made possible by snow tractor transportation, and cozy overnight accommodations are provided at the summit weather station. The educational value of the visit is enhanced by expert instruction in a variety of subjects, ranging from mountain photography to meteorology, climate change to cooking. Visit our schedule page for a complete listing of trip dates and descriptions.

Single-day adventures are also available. Visit our DayTrips page to learn more.

Explore a Place of Extremes

Extremely severe weather: With temperatures well below zero, winds gusting over 100 miles per hour, dense fog, heavy icing, and air filled with blowing snow.

Extreme beauty: On those rare days when the fog lifts, the skies clear, and the entire White Mountain range is laid out before you, glistening white in its winter raiment.

Extremely challenging conditions: To safely visit such a place in winter, you need to be in good physical condition, properly clothed and equipped, and aware of the vagaries of the often uncooperative weather.

Extremely satisfying experiences: The trip of a lifetime.

Trip Format
EduTrips leave from the base of the Mount Washington Auto Road at 8:30 A.M. on the first day of the trip, spend the night at the Observatory on the summit, and then return to the valley on the following afternoon (weather permitting). The trip includes transportation to and from the summit via snow tractor, several classroom sessions and/or outdoor field trips, tours of the Observatory and the summit area, meals, overnight lodging in bunkrooms, and a certificate of course participation.

Reservations
Reservations are accepted both online and offline, and are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. In the event that the selected EduTrip is sold out, your purchase may be refunded or applied to a different event date.

All physically fit adults are welcome, as are fit individuals between the ages of 16 and 18 who are accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or qualified adult leader. A maximum of nine participants are allowed on each trip, and we maintain waiting lists for trips that are full.

Cost
The cost is $459 for members of the nonprofit Mount Washington Observatory and $499 for non-members.

Cancellations
Trip fees will be refunded for all cancellations made at least 30 days in advance of the EduTrip departure date, less a $50 administrative fee. If a reservation is cancelled less than 30 days but more than 14 days in advance of the departure date, 50% of the trip fee will be refunded. Cancellations made within 14 days of the trip date will result in forfeiture of the entire trip fee.

A minimum of six participants is required for an EduTrip to run. If we do not reach that minimum by one week before the trip, the trip may be cancelled. All registrants will be offered the option of a refund or a re-booking on another trip.

The safety of our guests and employees is of utmost importance, so trips may be canceled due to extremely inclement weather. We will do our best to notify all participants of the cancellation in advance, but local weather can be unpredictable, so we cannot guarantee advance notice. The decision to cancel a trip could be made at the last moment or even during the ascent. For any trips that depart for the summit and are forced to turn around due to dangerous conditions, participants will receive a 50% credit.

Health & Safety Requirements
The Mount Washington Auto Road, which we use to access the summit, is about eight miles long. Approximately half of the road is above timberline. Weather above timberline is often severe, and can turn deadly if you are unprepared, ill-equipped, or unable to hike to safety in the event of a vehicular breakdown. While there have been few vehicular breakdowns over the years, you absolutely MUST be prepared for that possibility. All participants must be ready, willing, and able to hike to safety (which is sometimes several miles away) in severe conditions. These conditions may include drifted snow, glare ice, sub-zero temperatures, hurricane force winds, and near zero visibility.

Note: Trips will not be made far above timberline if the weather is judged to be extraordinarily severe, but even normal winter weather on Mount Washington can prove lethal to those who are unfit or poorly prepared.

An average mid-winter day on Mount Washington finds the summit in rime-ice producing fog, with visibility limited to 100 feet, a temperature of about 5 degrees Fahrenheit and a wind speed near 50 miles per hour. Gusts of 70 miles per hour or greater are likely. A typical "wind chill equivalent" would approach 25 degrees below zero. It is not uncommon to experiences temperatures as low as 45 degrees below zero, with winds gusting over 100 miles per hour. Bitter winter conditions can set in as early as October, and persist through the end of April.

Due to these extreme conditions, all participants must be in excellent physical condition and have all the required clothing and equipment. All participants are required to submit a health form attesting to their physical condition, and must sign a release form absolving the Observatory of responsibility in the instance of illness, injury, or death. All clothing and equipment will be checked before departure, and those who are inadequately prepared will not be allowed on the trip.

For more information about these requirements, see our health form, sample release form (PDF) and equipment list.

Travel Considerations
Extreme weather may occur at any time, and may delay a trip's descent. For this reason, we recommend that you remain flexible with your travel plans for the day or two after your trip. At least once per EduTrip season, a trip must remain on the summit one or even two additional days due to severe weather.

Alcohol Policy
In addition to the educational component of the trip, a major goal is for everyone to have a safe, enjoyable experience. For this reason, alcohol is prohibited.

Logistical assistance is generously provided by Mount Washington State Park. Transportation arrangements are assisted by the cooperation of the Mount Washington Auto Road and Great Glen Trails. Some EduTrips may include excursions onto land managed by the U.S. Forest Service -- White Mountain National Forest.