The hotel, which is 140 years old and list on the National Register of Historic Places has a variety of rooms and can accommodate about 400 guests. There are also family suites, parlor suites and many rooms with incredible and beautiful views. The grounds have 95 km of xc ski trails of which, 77 km are groomed for classic and skate skiing and there's another 33 km of dedicated snowshoe trails. The xc ski trails are a comfortable 16 feet wide and well groomed with two sets of tracks and a skating lane. Across the road on another hill there is an alpine ski facility with 14 trails, 4 gladed runs, two triple chair lifts and a ski base lodge.

The Balsams Wilderness has a great variety of xc ski trails within 15,000 acres that includes golf course trails and more advanced trails, but many of the xc ski trails are low impact geared to guests, who have never skied. They can learn on the hotel grounds and then get onto the trail system. One third of the trails are designated for beginners with heated shelters along the way, allowing families to ski together all day. And almost half of the trail system is labeled intermediate or advanced difficulty rating. There is a full rental equipment inventory for xc skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating.The American Plan rates at The Balsams includes everything such as programs, breakfast and dinner, movies, fitness center, entertainment, and so on. The winter rates start at $139 per person per night and there are surcharges for children, additional adults, single rooms, and a 15% service charge. Rentals, lessons, and incidental purchases such as massage or spa treatments are extra.The hotel has uniformed bellmen and waiters, and the main dining room seats up to 500 people. Gentlemen are asked to wear jackets after 6 PM in the public hotel areas. The Wilderness Lounge has light food and entertainment such as live music and dancing or comedian performances. The hotel also has a game room, billiards room, and retail stores. Baby sitting and/or nursery services are available.

The xc ski center is located in the entrance lobby of the hotel. It includes the rental equipment, ski storage area, waxing room, and the xc ski staff can be found there for advice. There are special programs such as the "Hills without Fear" group, guided snowshoe tours, and the Mud Pond Luncheon Tour. Ice skating is available and broom ball is organized on the ice rink daily. Snowmobiling is an option available off the grounds of the hotel but there are 600 miles of connecting snowmobile trails in the vicinity that are separate of the xc ski trails. A staff naturalist talks natural history with the guests and offers walks, xc ski or snowshoe tours, group discussions, picnic tours, wildlife watches, and even stargazing outings.

Instruction is $28 for a 1.5 hour xc ski lesson with beginner classes at 10:15 AM and intermediate at 1:15 PM. Private lessons are $48 and additional skiers in a semi-private lesson are $25 each.

The Balsams are also has a full slate of special events and offerings such as the hands-on, 10-hour guest cooking seminar that is offered for people to learn how to prepare fine cuisine from The Balsams chefs.Historically, the hotel is known as "First in the Nation" for presidential voting at midnight the evening prior to election day and it takes place in the Ballot Room. Dixville Notch began this practice officially in 1960 and a couple of dozen locals cast their ballots. The walls of the Ballot Room are adorned with pictures and newspaper articles about famous politicians that have visited.

Directions to The Balsams Wilderness from the south - take I-91 in Vermont to St. Johnsbury and I-93 south. At Exit 1 take Route 2 East and then Route 3 North, when in New Hampshire. Upon reaching the town of Colebrook, NH go east on Route 26 for 11 miles to the hotel.