Winter wonders, New England style

This classic New England town tucked in the folds of the White Mountains delivers a wintry reprieve from cold March rains. Other places may be wallowing in mud, but here snow still paints the peaks white, inviting skiers and snowboarders, skaters and snowshoers, to stretch the season. The free Mountain Explorer connects town and mountain; the free Sunday River Trolley circulates around the resort.

Stay

The full-service Bethel Inn Resort (21 Broad St., 800-654-0125, www.bethelinn.com, March room-only rates begin at $80) is a classic New England country inn, with a restaurant and pub and a fitness facility with a year-round outdoor saltwater pool. Cross-country trails start at the back door. It’s adjacent to the skating rink on the village common, and it’s just steps from Main Street shops. The architect-designed Crocker Pond House (917 North Road, 207-836-2027, www.crockerpond.com, rates begin at $125, including full breakfast) is a contemporary shingle-style bed-and-breakfast in the woods 4 miles from downtown. It has a sledding hill out front, snowshoe trails out back, and a pond for skating, weather permitting. Rooms are bathed in natural light, and children are welcome. For slopeside convenience, check into the full-service Grand Summit (1 Grand Circle, 800-543-2754, www.sundayriver.com, per person winter rates begin at $99 midweek, $140 weekend, including breakfast, lift ticket, and clinic), with restaurant, fitness facilities, and outdoor heated pool. The Inn at the Rostay (186 Mayville Road, 888-754-0072, www.rostay.com, winter rates begin at $78 midweek, $110 weekend) is an inn-style motel, with outdoor hot tub and a ski tuning room. Rooms are decorated with country touches, including homemade quilts; hot breakfast is available ($8). For clean, cheap, and convenient, check into the downtown Bethel Village Motel (88 Main St., 800-882-0293, www.bethelvillagemotel.com, rates begin at $65).