Major city · United States
Waterville Valley
Go for 2 nights if you ski, hike or want a car-free resort village; skip it as a base for the whole White Mountains.
Waterville Valley is a small resort town inside the White Mountains, built around one pedestrian village and one ski mountain. Almost everything sits within a 10-minute walk of Town Square, so you park once and move on foot, by bike or on the free trolley. Two nights covers the resort; add nights only if you use it as a hiking base.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jan–Mar for skiing; Jun–Sep for hiking, golf and boating
- avoid Apr–May and Nov (mud season and between-season closures)
- Airports
- MHT · BOS
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Waterville Valley911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- New Hampshire State Police*77
- Poison Control (24 h)1-800-222-1222
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Waterville Valley, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyA small resort town with low street crime; the practical risks are winter road ice, fast-changing mountain weather and unmarked trail junctions.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · *77 New Hampshire State Police · 1-800-222-1222 Poison Control (24 h)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMHT Manchester-Boston Regional (About 1 h 45 min by car via I-93 north to Exit 28, then Route 49 east.).
- Getting aroundThe village is walkable and bike-friendly, and a resort trolley loops the valley in season.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner, mainAdd 18–22% tip and 8.5% meals tax.$20–35
- Street or quick mealDeli sandwich$10–16
- BeerDraught beer$7–10
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$15–30
- Budget bedHostel or shared bunk, a night, per personUS$55
- Mid-range bedInn or lodge double room, a night, per roomUS$220
- High-end bedInn or lodge double room, a night, per roomUS$400
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$170 · High US$320
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MHT Manchester-Boston Regional (About 1 h 45 min by car via I-93 north to Exit 28, then Route 49 east.) · BOS Boston Logan International (More flights than MHT; about 2 h 30 min by car, 210 km (130 mi).)MHT Manchester-Boston Regional (About 1 h 45 min by car via I-93 north to Exit 28, then Route 49 east.) · BOS Boston Logan International (More flights than MHT; about 2 h 30 min by car, 130 mi (210 km).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Feb
Best
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Mar
Best
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Apr
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Dec
not flagged
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Best: Jan–Mar, Jun–Sep. Avoid: Apr–May, Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Waterville Valley: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
11 rd
Feb
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
9 rd
Mar
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
11 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
11 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Nov
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
11 rd
Dec
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The village is walkable and bike-friendly, and a resort trolley loops the valley in season. A car is needed for the I-93 corridor, trailheads outside the valley and any grocery run beyond Town Square.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30 min
Drive Route 49 west to I-93, then Exit 32
Closest town for groceries, gas and the Flume and Lost River gorges.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
Drive Route 49 to I-93, then Route 302 east
Outlet shopping and the Mount Washington Valley; a full day.
Franconia Notch
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Drive Route 49 to I-93 north
Basin, Cannon Mountain and the Flume; go early in summer.
Bretton Woods
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Drive Route 49 to I-93 north, then Route 302
Worth it for the Cog Railway or a second ski day, not a quick stop.
Jackson
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 20 min
Drive Route 49 to I-93, then Route 16 north
Waterfalls and covered bridges; combine with North Conway.
Littleton
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Drive Route 49 to I-93 north, then Route 302 west
Main-street shops and food on a wet day.
Glen
skipDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Drive Route 49 to I-93, then Route 302 and Route 16
No reason to drive past North Conway to reach it.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town Square and Village Road
Condos, inns and lodges around the square; walk to lifts, shops and restaurants.
Packard's Road and Ski Area Road
Larger lodges near the athletic club and the base area; still a short walk from the square.
Route 49 approach
Fewer beds, more parking and lower rates; you will drive to the village each day.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $90–150 excl. bed
- Mid
- $150–260 excl. bed
- High
- $260+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Inn or lodge double room1 × 2 nights × US$220 | US$440 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$170 | US$680 |
| Full-day lift ticket, one person2 × US$110 | US$220 |
| Car hire, one day1 × US$70 | US$70 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$145 |
| Trip total≈ US$399 per person per day, bed included | US$1,595 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; lift tickets, flights and car hire excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Deli sandwich | $10–16 |
| Pizza, one person | $15–25 |
| Sit-down dinner, mainAdd 18–22% tip and 8.5% meals tax. | $20–35 |
| Draught beer | $7–10 |
| Full-day lift ticket | $90–130 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $15–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter driving on Route 49 and I-93 can be icy; carry winter tyres or chains and check road conditions before setting out.
- Cell coverage is patchy on trails and in parts of the valley.
- Many restaurants and shops run reduced hours in shoulder season; call ahead before you rely on them.
- Black bears are active in the White Mountains; store food in your car, not your tent.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- New Hampshire State Police
- *77
- Poison Control (24 h)
- 1-800-222-1222
Pocket card
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Waterville ValleyWaterville Valley
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- New Hampshire State Police*77
- Poison Control1-800-222-1222
Embassy
No embassies in the valley; consulates-general are in Boston. US visitors: your own embassy is in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Manchester airport → Waterville Valley, car: about 1 h 45 min, 145 km (90 mi)about 1 h 45 min, 90 mi (145 km)
- Boston Logan → Waterville Valley, car: about 2 h 30 min, 210 km (130 mi)about 2 h 30 min, 130 mi (210 km)
- Resort trolley around the valley: free in season
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
- Is this seat taken? — Is this seat taken?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the nearest gas station? — Where is the nearest petrol station?
- I need help — I need help
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, $2–5 a night for housekeeping.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Waterville Valley. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jan–Mar for skiing; Jun–Sep for hiking, golf and boating · avoid Apr–May and Nov (mud season and between-season closures) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for MHT and BOS: last sensible arrival, winter tyre advice, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Town Square, Village Road, Packard's Road, Ski Area Road.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (ski area, athletic club, ice arena, golf club, tennis centre) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter and mud-season fixtures so gates A–D can go green.