Discover the Snowiest Place in New Hampshire

Written by Jennifer Hollohan
Updated: March 10, 2023
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New Hampshire is home to the famous White Mountains, lots of rivers and lakes, and stunning wooded areas. Tourists love visiting the state year-round for the hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, and other exploration opportunities. But one of the favorite times of year for locals and visitors is the winter when the state gets blanketed with beautiful snow. However, one part of the state gets even more snow than the rest. Keep reading to learn more about the snowiest place in New Hampshire!

What Is the Snowiest Place in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire is well-known for receiving plentiful snow during the winter. But, as snowy as the state is, one location gets a little extra love from the white stuff every year. The snowiest place in New Hampshire is Pittsburg, which receives an average annual snowfall total of 111.92 inches. That is far above the runner-up, West Stewartstown, which gets an average of 109.78 inches. 

However, both got beaten out in 2022. That year, two new areas received more snow than either Pittsburg or West Stewartstown. Those places were Groveton at 108.3 inches and Berlin at 104.2 inches.

White Mountains covered in snow

Pittsburg, New Hampshire, receives well over 100 inches of snow on average every year.

©Christopher Slesarchik/Shutterstock.com

Where Is Pittsburg, New Hampshire?

Pittsburg is a township in the northernmost tip of the state. It is in Coös County, the largest county in New Hampshire. Pittsburg was incorporated in 1840 and named after William Pitt, a former Prime Minister of Great Britain. And before it officially got incorporated into New Hampshire, Pittsburg held a unique distinction.

It is the only town in America that was once known as a microstate called the Republic of Indian Stream. Since Pittsburg sits right on the border of the United States and Canada, there was originally some ambiguity about which country the area belonged to.

Although there are only 800 residents (at the last census), it is actually the largest town by size in New England! The municipality spans 291.3 square miles.

But the small township doesn’t just border Québec, Canada. It also bumps up against the state lines of Vermont and Maine. That makes it the ideal location for tourists, particularly during the winter. People flock from all over to enjoy the amazing outdoor adventures in Pittsburg and the surrounding towns.

First Connecticut Lake, Pittsbug, New Hampshire

Pittsburg, New Hampshire, is at the very northern edge of the state, bordering Canada, Vermont, and Maine.

©NEKVT/Shutterstock.com

What Is the Snowiest Place in the United States?

Thankfully for New Hampshire residents, the state does not receive as much snow as other parts of the United States, despite its excellent winter reputation. According to the most recent 30-year snowfall averages, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, blows the rest of the country away. It snows an average of 463.1 inches there every year. The area coming in a very distant second is Syracuse, New York, with 127.8 inches. 

What Is There to Do in the Winter in NH?

Anyone lucky enough to live in or near Pittsburg knows that the area is known as the “snowmobile capital of New England.” And its proximity to Canada means there is plenty of moose watching. Just use caution and don’t approach the magnificent animals too closely.

Naturally, locals and visitors can head to the ski slopes during cold New Hampshire winters. And there is plenty of space to accommodate them all at the 19 ski resorts! However, if downhill skiing or snowboarding isn’t your thing, that’s ok. New Hampshire is home to an extensive network of cross-country ski trails to challenge your endurance.

There are also plenty of other fun winter activities to partake in when the eastern state gets covered in white. Snowshoeing trails are abundant. You can find plenty of rental opportunities if you are new to the sport and don’t want to invest in a set of snowshoes just yet. Additionally, there are lots of places you can go ice skating.

But New Hampshire also has plenty of fun, unique opportunities to entice you. Head to one of eight locations in the state to snag an old-fashioned sleigh ride. Or contact one of the three dog sledding outfitters for a truly enjoyable experience.

Of course, if you have plenty of time on your hands, make sure to head to the White Mountains for a little wintertime exploring!

Snowshoeing in New Hampshire

New Hampshire has plenty of winter activities, including snowshoeing, skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and sleigh rides.

©Danita Delimont/Shutterstock.com

What Animals Live Around Pittsburg, NH?

New Hampshire has an abundant and diverse wildlife population. And Coös County, where Pittsburg is located, is no exception. The county is at the very northern tip of the state. There you will find lots of fish, mammals, birds, and insects.

Mammals

No binoculars are needed to spot some of the state’s wildlife. New Hampshire is home to 37 species of mammals, large and small. On your outdoor adventures, you may see moose, black bears, white-tailed deer, coyotes, or bobcats. But you may need to look a bit closer for the smaller critters like squirrels, chipmunks, groundhogs, beavers, American martens, porcupines, red foxes, fishers, American minks, shrews, and muskrats.

If you are an avid hunter, you may want to head up to Pittsburg during prime hunting season. It is a favorite spot for those who enjoy hunting deer, fowl, and moose.

Fish

Are you a fan of fishing? If so, New Hampshire is the place to be. With 18 species of fish in the various waterways, you will not run into any problems catching something for dinner. Keep your eyes peeled for trout, bass, perch, pumpkinseed, fallfish, trout, Atlantic salmon, smelt, burbot, slimy sculpin, white sucker, chain pickerel, northern pike, common shiner, and Eastern blacknose dace.

Thanks to the abundant fish found in numerous lakes, rivers, and streams around Pittsburg, the area is favored by anglers. The township and surrounding lands are particularly well-loved by fly fishermen, who you may see out on the water regularly.

Birds

You will want to bust your binoculars out of storage to go bird-watching in New Hampshire. The northeastern state is filled to the brim with 149 species of feathery friends. Find a local guidebook to help you identify what you see. Some fun species to look for are yellow-rumped warbler, turkey, osprey, hooded merganser, killdeer, and red-tailed hawk.

Amphibians

The few amphibians in New Hampshire will definitely be hanging out in places that make them hard to spot. But if you are lucky, you may run across one of the 16 species of frogs, toads, newts, and salamanders.

Reptiles

There are few reptile species in New Hampshire. The common garter snake, common snapping turtle, painted turtle, red-bellied snake, ring-necked snake, wood turtle, and smooth greensnake.

Other

Unlike reptiles and amphibians, arachnids and insects are plentiful. There are over 1,000 species between the two. Thirty-six of those species are various types of spiders, which especially love hanging out in wooded areas. The rest are bugs, beetles, butterflies, and more tiny creatures.

Moose close up

Pittsburg, New Hampshire, is home to a large moose population.

©Patrick Herlihy/Shutterstock.com

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Diana Nault/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Jennifer Hollohan is a writer at A-Z Animals, where her primary focus is on gardening, mammals, and travel. Jennifer has over twenty years of writing experience. She holds a Master of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Colorado at Boulder, which she earned in 2005, and is a Herbalist. Jennifer lives in Colorado with her family. She loves hiking, admiring wildflowers, gardening, and making herbal tea.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What ten states get the most snow?

Wyoming, Alaska, Minnesota, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Utah get the most snow.

What state has the fluffiest snow?

Vermont is well-known for its magnificent, fluffy snow.

Are winters harsh in New Hampshire?

Yes, they can get pretty brutal. During the coldest months of the year (December – February), the average high doesn’t get above 36 degrees. 

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