A Winter Escape to Hermit Lake: Your Guide to Cozy Cabin Life in New Hampshire

There's something magical about winter in New Hampshire's Lakes Region. The snow blankets everything in white, the lakes ice over, and the mountains offer some of the best skiing in New England. Our Hermit Lake property in Sanbornton sits right in the middle of it all—a cozy retreat where you can spend your days on the slopes or out in the snow, and your evenings by the fireplace. New to the lake? Start with our complete Hermit Lake guide.

The Property: Your Winter Basecamp

Our lakefront home on Hermit Lake transforms in winter. In a cold winter the 220-acre lake freezes over, and the house sits right on the water with its own beach and dock, so the lake is right outside your door.

Inside, the cabin is designed for winter comfort. The living room centers on a fireplace—just the thing after a day in the cold. The open main level keeps everyone together, and the large windows let you watch the snow fall while you're cozy inside.

The basement game room gives everyone something to do on those snowy evenings: shuffleboard, a Pac-Man arcade and foosball. It's the kind of place where you'll want to stay in as much as go out.

Ice Fishing on Hermit Lake

Hermit Lake is a hidden gem for ice fishing. The 220-acre lake supports healthy populations of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, and various panfish. Because it's smaller and more intimate than the larger lakes in the region, it's a quiet place to fish through the ice. For a broader look at fishing this lake beyond just the ice season, see our Hermit Lake fishing guide.

Ice Fishing Basics

If you've never ice fished before, Hermit Lake is a great place to learn. The basics are simple:

Equipment You'll Need:

• Ice auger (hand-powered is fine for a few holes)
• Tip-ups or jigging rods
• Bait (shiners work well for pickerel, worms for panfish)
• A bucket to sit on
• Warm layers—lots of them

Safety First: Ice is never guaranteed safe. Thickness varies across the lake and from week to week, and some winters it never gets thick enough at all. Check the ice yourself before every outing, never go out alone, stay off the ice when in doubt, and follow New Hampshire Fish and Game's ice-safety guidance. Please don't drive on Hermit Lake.

What You Might Catch:

• Chain Pickerel: The most common catch through the ice. They're aggressive and fun to catch.
• Yellow Perch: Great eating and often found in schools.
• Largemouth Bass: Less active in winter but still catchable.
• Sunfish: Good for beginners—they bite readily.

Season dates, limits and license rules change, so check New Hampshire Fish and Game's current rules before you go.

Skiing at Gunstock Mountain

Gunstock Mountain Resort is within a drive of the house, which makes the lake an easy home base for a ski trip. The resort offers 227 skiable acres across 49 trails, with terrain for everyone from first-timers to experts.

What Makes Gunstock Special

Gunstock isn't the biggest mountain in New Hampshire, but it has something the larger resorts don't: views of Lake Winnipesaukee from the summit. On a clear day, you can see the entire lake spread out below you, with the White Mountains in the distance. It's genuinely stunning. For a deeper dive into ski-trip planning—other mountains, when to go, what to pack—see our NH ski vacation guide.

The mountain also offers night skiing until 9 PM, which means you can ski after dinner or get in extra runs after a late start. The trails are well-lit and groomed, and the crowds thin out significantly after dark.

Trail Breakdown

Difficulty	Trails	Best For
Beginner (Green)	13 trails	Learning, families with kids
Intermediate (Blue)	24 trails	Most skiers, cruising
Advanced (Black)	12 trails	Experienced skiers, challenge

Current Conditions

Gunstock typically opens in early December and runs through late March or early April, depending on conditions. The resort has extensive snowmaking capabilities covering most of the mountain, so even in lean snow years, conditions are usually good.

Lift tickets: prices change by season and by day, so check Gunstock's own site for current rates before you go.

Beyond Downhill

Gunstock also has a Nordic Center with groomed cross-country ski trails. If you prefer a quieter experience in the woods, this is a great option. The trails wind through the forest with views of the surrounding mountains.

More Winter Activities

Snowshoeing

You don't need to go far to snowshoe: the woods around Hermit Lake are right there, so bring or rent a pair. For more structured trails, try:

• Castle in the Clouds: The Brook Walk features seven waterfalls along a half-mile trail. In winter, the frozen waterfalls are spectacular.
• Gunstock Nordic Center: Offers snowshoe rentals and trails.
• Profile Falls: A short drive away in Bristol, this waterfall is beautiful when partially frozen.

Ice Skating

In a cold, snow-free spell, a frozen lake can offer natural ice skating. The same rule applies as for ice fishing: only once you've checked that the ice is safe.

Snowmobiling

The Lakes Region has an extensive network of snowmobile trails. The Belknap Range Trail Riders maintain trails in the area, connecting to the statewide Corridor trail system. You can rent snowmobiles in Laconia or Meredith.

Winter Hiking

For those who want to stay active, winter hiking offers a different perspective on familiar trails. The nearby Belknap Range has several peaks accessible in winter with proper gear (microspikes or snowshoes, depending on conditions).

Warming Up: Indoor Activities

Hermit Woods Winery

About 15 minutes away in Meredith, Hermit Woods Winery offers tastings. They specialize in fruit wines and meads made from local ingredients. The tasting room has a fireplace and a relaxed atmosphere, a good place to spend a winter afternoon.

Funspot

The world's largest arcade is 20 minutes away in Weirs Beach. With over 600 games spanning from classic pinball to modern video games, it's a great rainy (or snowy) day activity for families.

Local Dining

After a day in the cold, you'll want a hearty meal. Some favorites:

• Hart's Turkey Farm (Meredith): A Lakes Region institution serving turkey dinners year-round.
• Giuseppe's Pizzeria (Meredith): Excellent Italian food in a casual setting.
• The Common Man (Ashland): Upscale comfort food in a historic building.
• Lago (Meredith): Italian cuisine with lake views.

What to Pack for a Winter Visit

Winter in New Hampshire requires preparation. Here's what we recommend:

Clothing:

• Insulated, waterproof boots
• Multiple layers (base layer, insulating layer, outer shell)
• Warm hat, gloves, and neck gaiter
• Hand and toe warmers
• Sunglasses (the snow glare is real)

For Ice Fishing:

• Ice cleats for walking on slippery ice
• A sled to haul your gear
• A portable shelter if you plan to fish for hours
• Hot drinks in a thermos

For Skiing:

• Ski gear (or rent at Gunstock)
• Helmet
• Goggles
• Sunscreen (yes, even in winter)

The Magic of Winter

There's a reason people keep coming back to New Hampshire in winter. The pace slows down. The crowds disappear. The landscape transforms into something out of a snow globe.

At our Hermit Lake property, you can spend the day outdoors and the night warm inside. Ski Gunstock in the morning, snowshoe the woods in the afternoon, and end the day by the fireplace with a glass of wine from Hermit Woods. Wake up to snow-covered trees and a frozen lake, make breakfast in the kitchen, and do it all again.

Winter here isn't something to endure—it's something to embrace.

What Our Guests Say

Don't just take our word for it. Here's what guests have written about staying at our Hermit Lake property:

"Beautiful to be there in the wintertime. It will be a trip we remember forever."

— Laura

"Maxwell's beautiful home was the perfect spot to slow down and relax with our family and friends. The swim dock, kayaks, canoe, and paddle boat were perfect on the quiet lake. A great patio to watch the sun set and a fire to gather in the evenings. The interior was clean and cozy, with plenty of space to wind down."

— Anna

"The house and the lake were beautiful. My family had a great time. It was so quiet and peaceful. Was equipped with everything you would need. Kids loved fishing from the kayaks. Maxwell responded quickly to all our needs. Hope to book again someday."

— Jon

"Wonderful cabin on a serene lake loaded with fish. Exactly as good as it looks in the photos. Would definitely come back."

— Robert

"Loved our weekend stay. Nice, new dishes, pots & pans with all good quality accessories and recently remodeled. Loved the game room and homey atmosphere!! We would definitely go back!!"

— Nancy

"Maxwell was an exceptional host, and their place was spotless, cozy & stylish. The house and the view was exactly as described, plus the ultra-comfy beds made our stay extra special. We'd love to return and highly recommend this place to anyone visiting Hermit Lake."

— Musab O.

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Ready for your winter escape? See the Hermit Lake Retreat and plan a New Hampshire winter on the lake.