Forget watching the ball drop on TV. Try ringing in 2017 from somewhere other than your couch.
ON A MOUNTAIN TOP
Head to Bretton Woods Omni Mount Washington Resort in New Hampshire, where you can downhill or cross-country ski, snowboard, ice skate, snow-shoe, snow tube, zip-line, or jump on a horse-pulled sleigh among other activities. The resort’s New Year’s Eve package includes an invite to one of their New Year’s bashes — from the family-friendly buffet in the Grand Ball Room, to an Italian dinner party or the black-tie Champagne gala. Advance reservations and room stay required. 603-278-8989. 310 Mount Washington Hotel Road, Bretton Woods, N.H. Room rates vary. www.omnihotels.com/hotels/bretton-woods-mount-washington
Hit the slopes at Sugarbush in Warren, Vt., then start your New Year’s party early with Mad River Distillers whisky samples at the Gate House Lodge’s Castlerock Pub at 3 p.m. Bring Fido for the Annual Dog Parade and Canine Couture Contest. Dig into a family-style Italian buffet dinner at the Gate House Lodge at 6 p.m., then head out to the torchlight parade and fireworks show. Rock out with a live band as the ball drops. Dinner: $35 adults, $17.50 ages 7-12, 6 and under $10. 800-537-8427. 102 Forest Dr., Warren, Vt. www.sugarbush.com
Ski, skate, and snowboard at Vermont’s Stowe Mountain, then dine at the Spruce Camp Base Lodge where fare includes cider-brined turkey breast, Alaskan king crab, grilled salmon, and crepe station. Lil’ skiers might opt for pizza, pasta, or beef sliders. After your chocolate-covered strawberries and pumpkin creme brule, head out for the mountain torchlight parade and fireworks show. Dinner: Adults $80, age 6-12 $25, under 5 free. Reservations required. 802-760-4630. 7412 Mountain Road, Stowe, Vt. www.stowe.com
IN THE OCEAN . . . OR A MANSION
The brave — and the exceptionally warm — can plunge into ’17 at the Newport Polar Bear Plunge at Easton’s Beach in Newport, R.I. Proceeds to go A Wish Come True. (Free; donations accepted. Jan. 1 at noon. 175 Memorial Blvd. 401-846-0028.) Make a weekend of it and spend New Year’s Eve at one of Newport’s mansion-hotels. The Hotel Viking, a lavish hotel built during the Jazz Age — with hot tub and heated pool — offers early New Year’s Eve dinner seatings at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. ($99) The 9 p.m. seating includes Champagne toast, party favors, table cocktail service, and live entertainment in the One Bellevue Lounge ($110). All menus include a starter, perhaps the jumbo shrimp cocktail, followed by entree — from roasted prime rib with black tie potato gratin to roast tenderloin with scallop and crab stuffed lobster tail and drawn butter — and salted vanilla caramel crunch cake. 1 Bellevue Ave., 401-847-3300, hotelviking.com.
Nearby, The Vanderbilt Grace, a circa 1909 mansion, hosts a New Year’s party with a five-course dinner, jazz band, and midnight champagne toast. You might start with Prince Edward Island oysters or the ginger-scented pan-seared scallops. Cleanse your pallet with lemon sorbet before your truffle honey-glazed seared duck breast, baked seafood-stuffed lobster or filet Napoleon with whipped purple potatoes. For dessert, try the triple chocolate mousse parfait with candied almonds, the mascarpone cheesecake with ginger ice cream and lavender ganache, or pistachio semifredo with poached pears and honey gelee. Followed by cocktail party from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Dinner 6 p.m., $185 per person. 41 Mary St. 401-846-6200. gracehotels.com/vanderbilt
ON AN ISLAND
Ring in ’17 like its ’67. Pack your bellbottoms and sail away to Nantucket to party at the island’s whimsical-yet-luxe Hotel Nantucket + Resort’s New Year’s Disco Ball. From 9 to 1 a.m., you’ll dance to live music, nosh on hors’d’oeuvres, and toast with Champagne as the ball drops. Costume optional; stay not required, but you might want to — the resort is a stunner, and you’ll wake to free breakfast. Ball: $120 per person. Rooms from $325 per night; two-night minimum stay. 77 Easton St., Nantucket, 508-310-1734, thenantuckethotel.com
You can also wake to a New Year’s Day walk on the beach. Nantucket Walkabout leads a 4-miler through Smith’s Point. Jutting out into the channel between Madaket Harbor and Tuckernuck Island, the island’s westernmost stretch of beach offers a spot to see gray seals and sea birds. Noon. Pickup and drop-off at The Handlebar Cafe, 15 Washington St. $40 per adult, $20 per child. 508-422-7466, walknantucket.com
CLOSER TO HOME
Depending on where you live, this might be a First Night Boston staycation. Boston Seaport’s “Winter On The Waterfront’’ starts at 1 p.m. with music, art, ice sculptures and rides aboard a vintage firetruck or pilot boat. Take your last meal of ’16 harbor-side at the Envoy Hotel, where fare includes scallop crudo with spicy grapefruit broth, candied orange and fleur de sel; filet mignon with seared foie gras, Japanese eggplant, pomegranate, fig and port demi-glace; roasted sea bass with grilled fennel, heirloom carrots, black lentils and carrot buerre blanc, and dessert selection. $75 per person. Reservations required. 617-530-1559.70 Sleeper St., Boston. http://theenvoyhotel.com.
Lauren Daley can be reached at ldaley33@gmail.com. She tweets @laurendaley1.
