Bretton Woods is a local resort community best known for its world class skiing, a large network of nordic ski trails, mountain biking, golf course and of course the historic Mount Washington Hotel, now an Omni property – plus the picturesque AMC Highland Center, the incredible Cog Railroad and tons of outdoor activities. While technically part of the town of Carroll, along with Twin Mountain, it is separated by the main area of town by a large stretch of National Forest. In its hay day, Twin Mountain was a mecca for snowmobiling, with many hotels, motels, restaurants and entertainment venue, even a bowling alley! Today, this sleepy town is seeing a renaissance, partly driven by a resurgence in interest in snowmobiling and the rush of new vacation home owners who find its central location, scenery and slightly more affordable prices an attractive mix.
Steeped in history, Bretton Woods origins date back to the 1700’s, when King George III granted a large area of the White Mountains to Sir Thomas Wentworth of Bretton Hall, from which the name “Bretton Woods” was retained as the name for the Southeast corner of this parcel. In 1902, after just 2 years of construction, Bretton Woods saw the opening of the Mount Washington Resort, a stunning Grand Hotel which quickly rose to fame as a symbol of luxury and elegance. A visit to Bretton Woods wouldn’t be complete without a tour of this amazing structure, which has welcome royalty, presidents, and celebrities for over a century. During the tour, you can see the electrical panel wired by Thomas Edison himself, admire a chandelier whose only other twin exists on the now sunk Titanic, and soak in many other interesting sights and facts about this world treasure, including the room where, in 1944, Bretton Woods rose to international fame as the site of the UN Monetary and Financial Conference that gave rise to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
Today, it is a thriving community, primarily composed of vacation homes spread out around Route 302, the main road, and the pristine Ammonoosuc River in a number of different developments. The area’s beauty is incomparable, with Mount Washington rising high above the river valley and providing a majestic scenery year-round. The thick forest of maples, red spruces and balsam firs add to the natural beauty, which local owners share with the abundant wildlife that calls this home – moose, bears, coyote, bald eagles, white tailed deer, beavers and many more. The outdoor recreation opportunities are endless, from skiing to snowmobiling and snowshoeing in the winter, to hiking, fishing, swimming, tubing and more in the summer. And with its location at the base of the Presidential Range, Bretton Woods offers convenient access to innumerable attractions – from Santa’s Village, Storyland and Clark’s Trading Post to the Whale’s Tale water park to the scenic beauty of Crawford Notch, Franconia Notch and many other state park within easy reach. It’s easy to spend a week here and not do the same thing twice – so don’t hesitate to spend a little more time exploring!
The Bretton Woods ski area offers some of the best ski conditions in the East, thanks to Bretton Woods’ notoriously snowy weather patterns, and a variety of terrain for all levels, including some unparalleled glade skiing opportunities for skiers of all levels. The orientation of the Presidential Mountain range is such that, on a northwesterly flow, the area receives fluffy, frequent snows which keep the conditions pristine even in the absence of major storms. And we may be biased, but the scenery is absolutely stunning! It’s no wonder that Bretton Woods has been rated at the top for both snow, grooming and scenery many, many times and continues to please generations of visitors year after year.
With over 130 properties within a short drive of Bretton Woods, and about 70 in Bretton Woods proper, Bretton Woods Vacations is your best bet for lodging. We offer a variety of home styles, from traditional log cabins to slopeside condos and even tiny homes and a yurt-home. With self check-in, impeccable cleaning, and a local staff that can be at your rental home within minutes in case you need help, Bretton Woods Vacations is the clear choice for your visit to this stunning area of the White Mountains!
Where are Our Bretton Woods Vacation Rental Properties Located?
The homes in Bretton Woods are primarily found in 3 distinct areas:
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- The slopeside developments of Presidential View, Crawford Ridge, Rivers Edge, Mountain View, Rosebrook, Forest Cottages. These are spread around the ski trails, with homes ranging from true ski-in ski-out access to being within walking distance of either the ski trails or the base area
- On the opposite side of Route 302, along Base Access Road (which leads to the Cog Rail), you will find the developments of Fairway Village, Stickney Circle, Munt Washington Place, Stone Hill, Mount Washington Homes, Dartmouth Ridge Homes and Mount Madison Homes
- Finally, on a private corner surrounded by the Ammonoosuc River and the National Forest, you will find the very special development known as the Moose Lodge and Cabins. Named after the moose that can often be seen by the mud hollow right by the entrance to the property, the Moose Lodge and Cabins was developed by the founders of Bretton Woods Vacations and includes 3 vacation homes plus the owner’s residence, also occasionally available for rent, all with private hot tubs, river access, walking trails and in the winter, an ice skating rink!
Twin Mountain, on the other hand, is a more traditional town settings, with homes spread throughout. The map on our properties page is a great place to see where they are located!
This map shows the various developments within Bretton Woods:
Shopping in Bretton Woods and Twin Mountains
Shopping options are very limited in Bretton Woods; however, there are a few places to consider:
- Irving gas station has an ATM, newspapers, a wide assortment of necessities, souvenirs, food staples, drinks, wine and beer, ice cream, breakfast and lunch items, pizzas, and more. They also sell propane; bring the empty tank and leave with a full one.
- Drummond’s Mountain Shop (phone 603-278-7547, across from Irving) provides sales and rentals for your skiing/boarding needs as well as tuning for your equipment, as well as a great assortment of clothing and souvenirs. In the summer, you can get bikes, river tubes, etc.
- The AMC Highland Center (4 miles going East on route 302 in Crawford Notch) sells outdoor gear, maps and guidebooks of the area, etc.
- The Mount Washington Hotel also has a few shops, including a pretty well stocked convenience store (Cabot’s). They have clothing, souvenirs, but also a good selection of toiletry items.
In Twin Mountain, you will find a few more options:
- Yaya’s Market and Deli
- The White Mountain General Store at the Twin Mountain Campground
- Foster’s Crossroads (currently closed, under construction!)
We have dozens of amazing homes in Bretton Woods and Twin Mountains like these: