This article is featured in the 2025 Winter Carnival Edition.
As my last winter in Hanover unfolds, I’ve been feeling nostalgic. After bone-chilling winters my freshman and sophomore years — and adjusting my D-Plan to skip my junior winter — I never thought I would miss the New Hampshire cold.
Nonetheless, here I am, savoring the thick blankets of snow, winter fashion and outdoor activities Hanover has to offer. I even think I’ll miss the early darkness and the inability to feel my toes when I graduate in June. Luckily, I will be just a few hours away in Boston next year, so I won’t completely leave behind the beauty of New England winters.
Being a Type A person, I’ve crafted several bucket lists throughout my time at Dartmouth. And as a seasoned bucket list-maker, I encourage you to say “yes” to as much as possible because, soon enough, you too will find yourself a washed-up senior who will very soon have fewer opportunities to do so. With that in mind, I’ve put together a winter bucket list, consisting of the activities I’m most excited to experience during my final winter at Dartmouth, in case you find the urge to tackle a few yourself.
1. Ice skate on Lake Morey
Although I came to college a relatively bad ice skater, my weekly solo skating sessions on the Green during sophomore year — back when they had a little hut with free rentals — definitely improved my skills. While I think I prefer rollerblading, winter weather makes ice skating the obvious choice.
Lake Morey, located in my favorite small town of Fairlee, Vt., is just as beautiful frozen as it was when I took a dip during 23X. The 550-acre lake opens to the public for skating at 10 a.m. daily, provided the ice is cold and thick enough. Lake Morey Resort clears the snow to create a rink and trails that allow visitors to skate large laps of the lake. Rental skates are available in the resort clubhouse, but students can also borrow skates from Dartmouth Outdoor Rentals — located in the basement of Robinson Hall — for free on weekdays.
If you don’t have a car to make it out to Fairlee but still want to experience skating on a natural surface, I highly recommend Occom Pond. Some winters, it’s closed due to warmer weather, so take advantage while you can! And if you’re just itching to get on the ice with the added thrill of competition, I’m currently in an intramural ice hockey league, which has been a great way to combine my ice skating and field hockey skills. And, of course, as I’m still feeling nostalgic, I’ll always suggest a skate on the Green’s little rink.
2. Watch a movie at Nugget Theaters
All I want to do in the winter is curl up and watch something. While binge-watching a TV show for hours feels like a day wasted, movies have the opposite effect — hours in the theater leave me feeling cultured. I often head to the Hopkins Center for the Arts to catch the films they screen, especially during Telluride at Dartmouth and the Hop Film series. I’ve watched some great films there, like “A Real Pain,” “Saturday Night” and “Poor Things.” With the theater’s discounted rate of $5 for students, it’d be crazy not to take advantage of this resource.
However, I’ve never made it to Nugget Theaters, which is actually closer to where I live — and in this cold weather, every minute saved from being outside counts. The four-screen theater on Main Street, which is open daily except Tuesdays and Wednesdays, has more regular showings and a student discount that brings ticket prices down to just $9. From friends, I’ve heard it’s quaint and adorable — they have red seats and a buttery popcorn machine reminiscent of my hometown theater. With Oscar season approaching, you will likely spot me watching “The Brutalist” and “A Complete Unknown” there.
3. Ski on Storrs Hill Ski Area
Before college, I had only skied a few times. When I arrived at Dartmouth, I had no idea skiing was such a big deal, let alone that the College actually owns a skiway. After skiing twice at the Dartmouth Skiway during my freshman year, I somehow managed to forget my limited ski gear at home every following winter. I now realize this might be the last time I’m surrounded by so many people with gear they’re willing to lend. Plus, skiing is expensive, and the discounts offered at the Skiway for students are pretty unbeatable. Thus, I have made a concerted effort to get out to the Skiway at least a few times this term.
That said, there are only so many trails open there. Storrs Hill Ski Area in Lebanon, on the other hand, is open to the public Friday through Sunday and offers free access to lifts and ski trails. In addition to its affordability, Storrs stands out for its night skiing until 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Seeing the lights of the Upper Valley while also getting to ski provides a picturesque weekend night. The only downside is that Storrs doesn’t offer rentals, so make sure to bring your own skis. Or, if you’re like me, either beg a friend to lend you theirs or rent from Henderson’s Ski and Snowboard in Quechee. (Speaking of, if anyone has size 7 skis, I would appreciate it!)
For more expert-level slopes, I’ve heard great things about Sugarbush Resort and Killington Ski Resort, and both offer a discounted college season pass.
4. Explore Montreal
Since freshman year, when I discovered that Dartmouth is just a three-hour drive to Montreal, I’ve had an ongoing Pinterest board dedicated to the city. It reminds me of a beautiful European city that I don’t even need to get on a plane to experience. Oh, and the drinking age of 18 may also be an appeal to some college students. Now a senior and old enough to drink legally anywhere, I still haven’t visited this French-speaking haven.
Although it looks like I’ll miss out on Igloofest — an outdoor music festival happening this year from Jan. 16 to Feb. 8 — I still want to visit Montreal before I graduate. I know it may be crazy to head north when it’s this cold, but the Notre-Dame Basilica and Montreal Museum of Fine Arts just might make it worth the trip. Plus, I wouldn’t mind some good crepes and a different Friday night scene. And when else will I live this close to Montreal?
But if you’ve forgotten your passport or going out of the country seems like a hassle, try another nearby city: Burlington, Vt., and Portland, Maine, are personal favorites for a weekend escape.
5. Sculpt something at the Dartmouth Ceramics Studio
While spending my off terms in Washington, D.C., I quickly learned that the real world can be very expensive. Picking up new hobbies not only takes effort but usually also extra cash. After living with a roommate who had a passion for pottery, I tried — and failed — to find an affordable studio where I could learn ceramics. I also vowed to take advantage of all the inexpensive opportunities at Dartmouth to cultivate hobbies and skills. Thus, this winter, I plan to take a hand-building class at the ceramics studio to be able to access the facilities. Hopefully, with my new skills, I will make my own ceramic tea cup and tea bag holder, perfect for my frequent tea drinking during the winter season. Open weekdays from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., the studio only charges for the materials you use.
6. Go to the Downtown Concord Winter Farmers’ Market
After seeing an ad for a gluten-free bakery at the Downtown Concord Winter Farmers’ Market in Concord, N.H., I became infatuated with the venue. Held on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon in Eagle Square, the market features more than 20 local vendors selling produce, coffee and baked goods, along with live music. Plus, the capital city is close to a Trader Joe’s to round out your grocery haul.
If driving more than two hours round-trip on a Saturday morning is not your cup of tea, the beloved Norwich Farmers’ Market is held once at the beginning of each month inside Tracy Hall during the winter. Or, if you want something a bit more frequent, the Lebanon Farmers’ Market is held every other Thursday during the winter inside the Powerhouse Mall, with many of the same vendors.
7. Visit the Ice Castles
Forget the Winter Carnival ice sculptures — these ice castle structures put even the most intricate designs to shame. Located just a little over an hour from campus, the Ice Castles in North Woodstock, Vt., are magical and capture the epitome of winter. I’m pretty sure it’s the most Instagrammable place in the Upper Valley, with ice slides, caverns, archways and tunnels. The site also offers sleigh rides, snow tubing and even a polar pub.
You can grab tickets online in advance, with prices ranging from $31 during peak times to $21 off-peak. This winter wonderland is open every day except Monday and Tuesday until mid-March. Since the display is only available in five places across the country, definitely take advantage of being so close to one of the locations!
