Enjoy an adventure on the Cog Railway 7 days a week, all winter long!
Shortly after the Mount Washington State Park summit facilities shut down for the winter in mid-October, our summit operations cease as well, but you can still enjoy a Cog Railway experience throughout the colder months. Weather permitting through the end of October and then again in the early spring, we may run trains up as high as Skyline, but our primary destination throughout the winter is Waumbek Station.
Waumbek Station (elevation 4000’)
Throughout the winter, our trains terminate at our newly redesigned and expanded Waumbek Station. Located in an alpine meadow at roughly 4000’, clear conditions provide spectacular panoramic vistas from the southern Presidentials to the Canadian border. Passengers leave the train for about 25 minutes to enjoy complimentary hot refreshments, warming huts and a blazing fire pit. Round trips to Waumbek are roughly 1 hour, at reduced fares. Roast-your-own hot dogs and s’mores are available for purchase at the Base Station!
Skyline (elevation 5500’)
Skyline (seen here during an October sunset) is an area above tree line where clear conditions provide unforgettable views of the Northern Presidentials, the western face of the summit cone and the Mount Washington Observatory. Trains will remain at Skyline for approximately 10 minutes. Passengers may be permitted to come out onto the front platform to take pictures, but must remain on the train while at Skyline. On the return leg passengers may disembark during a brief layover at Waumbek Station to enjoy complimentary hot refreshments, warming huts and a blazing fire pit. Round trips to Skyline are 1.5 hours, at reduced fares. Group and senior rates do not apply to Skyline trips.
Marshfield Base Station (elevation 2700’)
If you just want to get a close up look at snowy Mount Washington, Marshfield Station is the highest full service winter facility accessible by car on Mount Washington. Inside, you’ll find the Cog Railway Museum, a food court/convenience store, restroom facilities, and knowledgable, friendly Coggers happy to answer your questions. It’s also the ideal base camp for winter hiking, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing or snowboarding! Our groomed trackside service trail is available all winter, and trailheads for two of the major hiking routes to the summit of Mount Washington, the Jewell and Ammonoosuc Ravine trails, are located on our property (land use fee applies). On top of that, a popular network of hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails is easily accessible from our parking lot.
* As always, we strongly encourage anyone who ventures out into the backcountry to purchase a Hike Safe Card from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. This voluntary program is your backup plan for the great outdoors, and indemnifies the cardholder against the costs of a rescue operation should it become necessary. Every purchase supports the heroic, life-saving work of New Hampshire Fish and Game’s search and rescue teams. Also, if you plan to hike or ski anywhere on our property, please be sure to read and understand our Risks and Liability Release page.