Preseason Summit Trips & Weather Station Tours

A rare springtime look at Mount Washington before the park opens

Spring on Mount Washington is anything but ordinary. Before the State Park visitor facilities open for the season (typically around Memorial Day Weekend), we offer a limited window of experiences that showcase the mountain in its dramatic late-winter form.

Whether you’re riding to the summit or adding on a short Weather Station tour, this is a unique chance to see Mount Washington in a quieter, wilder season.

Book a Weather Tour

Preseason Summit Trips (BioDiesel Trains)

We’ve adjusted our early spring schedule to offer an exclusive glimpse of Mount Washington’s late-winter landscape — a time when snow, ice, and powerful winds still dominate the summit.

What to expect:

  • 2-hour round-trip train ride to the summit

  • Trains depart daily, approximately every 90 minutes

  • Weather permitting, trains will lay over at the summit for about 30 minutes

  • Enjoy views from the outdoor platform area or stay warm inside the heated passenger coach

  • Summit buildings and State Park facilities remain closed during this period

This experience is weather-dependent, and conditions can change quickly, making each trip a little different — and part of the adventure.

Weekend Weather Station Tours (Optional Add-On)

While at the summit, guests may have the opportunity to participate in a short Weather Station tour led by Mount Washington Observatory staff, when available and conditions allow.

These brief tours offer insight into:

  • Extreme weather monitoring on Mount Washington

  • How scientists work and live at the summit

  • Why this mountain is famous for some of the world’s harshest weather

⏱️ Tours are short in duration and designed to fit within the summit layover time.
⚠️ Availability is not guaranteed on every trip and depends on staffing and weather conditions.

What to Wear & Know Before You Go

This is still very much mid-winter at 6,288 feet.

Guests should come prepared for:

  • Strong winds and cold temperatures

  • Winter jackets, hats, gloves, and insulated layers

  • Sturdy, winter-appropriate footwear

Even on sunny days, summit conditions can be dramatically different from those at Base Station.

Why Go Preseason?

  • Fewer crowds

  • Raw, winter scenery you won’t see later in the year

  • A behind-the-scenes feel before the summer season begins

  • A rare chance to experience Mount Washington in transition

This is not a typical sightseeing trip — it’s a seasonal adventure.

Helpful Notes

  • Summit access is weather-dependent; some trips may turn back early

  • Summit buildings are closed during preseason operations. Tour groups will be the only people allowed inside.

  • Preseason Weather Station tours are subject to availability and conditions and are only available on the weekends of May 9 & 10, and May 16 & 17, 2026

  • Dress warmly — seriously, the mountain means it