Wings Over the Ice

On a crisp winter afternoon in January, a little-known airport in New Hampshire hums with activity as ice crackles beneath the weight of skids and tailwheels. Over the course of the day, 164 planes land on the state-owned ice runway at a rough rate of one every four minutes for 10 hours. Located at Alton Bay Seaplane Base on the southeastern tip of Lake Winnipesaukee, the ice runway is the only FAA-registered ice runway in the lower 48 states, and is a hub for aviators and local residents turned flight fans alike.  

Four Robinson helicopters depart the runway in “flight of four” formation. Photos by Rob Wright Images

Lake Winnipesaukee is no stranger to ice-related fanfare. It’s seen car and snowmobile ice races for over 100 years, with Alton Bay being a seaplane base since the ’40s,  starting in the ’60s as an ice runway. The NHDOT officially recognized the runway in 1983 while the FAA gave it the certification of B18 in 1994.

It buzzed with aircraft activity for decades, but when it slowed down in the early 2000s, the town brought in 25-year Alton Bay resident, contractor and town selectman Paul LaRochelle to rev up the engines once again. LaRochelle directed operations until he retired in 2021, when he passed it on to Jason Leavitt, Aeronautics UAS planner for NHDOT, who assumed the role of B18’s manager. 

“Having Jason on board makes my job smoother, and the depth of aviation knowledge that he has is a huge asset to us,” LaRochelle says. As Leavitt transitioned into the position, he asked Paul and his team to stay on to help — they agreed. 

“He is a great advocate for the runway,” Leavitt says. “The runway wouldn’t run without him, and our incredible team of seasonal volunteer and NHDOT employees who keep us going every year.”

The nature of the ice runway attracts a variety of aircraft as distinctive as the runway, from primarily around the East Coast. From a U.S. Army Chinook CH-47 helicopter, to Skydive New England’s DHC-6 Twin Otter, to a two-seat 1940s Taylorcraft single engine plane (oldest on record to ever land on the runway), to gliders, biplanes and helicopters — all have called the runway their own form of “home.”

Jason Leavitt (second from left), Paul LaRochelle (second from right) and their team of volunteers willingly battle with winter conditions to make the ice runway happen every year. Photos by Rob Wright Images

It’s a beacon of adventure for those like Parker Montano, owner of Pine Tree Helicopters out of Sanford Airport. 

“I flew two of my helicopters with two other private Maine helicopters in a ‘flight of four’ this year,” Montano recalls. “While B18 is just another runway on paper, it holds a mythical appeal among pilots. It’s more challenging for fixed wing aircraft to land, but it’s just as exciting for helicopters to experience. We all love a good challenge.” 

The rewards for landing on the ice are paid out in memories for pilots, but they also tie in local community members, too. When pilots arrive, they can visit the bob house and pick up their “ice chip” (NHDOT poker chip) and certificate to celebrate and honor their skills used landing on the ice runway. There are also hats and other swag for spectators and pilots to purchase while they camp out in their lawn chairs to watch the activities, and the crew has the ice runway’s mascot “Chilly the Penguin” stuffed animals to pass out to young visitors. If pilots want to grab a post-flight bite, they can visit any of the four restaurants within walking distance, show their chip, and receive a discount on their meal. Many flight instructors use it as a fun opportunity to bring their student pilots in for the experience and a sandwich or a burger.

The Alton Bay Ice Runway is generally open for the season between Jan. 31 and March 31, and is weather-dependent. Photos by Rob Wright Images

LaRochelle points out that it’s the ice runway visitors who help to significantly boost the local economy during the long winters. 

“The camaraderie between the townspeople and the pilots is so important,” he says. “The locals love to see the aircraft, and the pilots love the warm local welcome they receive. People love to tell us how they grew up flying up to the ice runway with grandparents or other family members, and how fond those memories are to them today. These are the types of relationships that are so valuable in the middle of winter. Everyone looks forward to the runway.”

The Alton Bay Winter Carnival takes place near the runway and has been a fixture in the town for decades, coming back on February 15, 2026, drawing in visitors with fun, like a crazy hat contest, ice-skating, a chowder-fest, ice sculpture walking tour, a beer and chili bar, ice cream, and sleigh, seaplane or helicopter rides. Photos by Rob Wright Images

B18 Fun Facts:

• 733 landings in 2025, breaking the 2019 record of 643

• Rudy Schmitt flew his 1966 Cessna U206A Super Skywagon from San Antonio, Texas to B18 in two days, which is the farthest recorded travel distance

• The ice runway needs to be at least 2,600 feet long to operate

• In 2025, the runway was 2,800 feet by 100 feet, and 23 inches thick (to support plows more than planes), and needs to be at least 12 inches thick with no puddling

• The runway did not open in 2011, 2016, 2020, 2023, or 2024 due to lack of weather cooperation 

• Ideal conditions for the runway’s operation include cold temperatures in early December, three to five straight days with low or no winds, and an entire week in early winter where ambient temperatures stay at or below 32°

• The longest season on record was 2014, when the runway was open for 47 days between Jan. 19 and March 29.

Flying Into Love

Instagram influencers Lanie Bakeberg and Drew Reggie blog about their flights together all over the country, offering tips and lessons for other pilots on their account, @flymetothefun. They waited three years to visit the B18 because of weather, and this year, they flew in their 1968 Cessna 150H from Atlanta in two days, making stops at five different classes of airports before landing at B18. They stayed about an hour, then flew to KPSM, Portsmouth International Airport at Pease. They spent three nights in Portsmouth enjoying this “beautiful destination” culminating in their engagement downtown.

A trip back to B18 before departing New Hampshire included a 2½-hour stay when they visited with other pilots and runway operators and had lunch at the Olde Bay Diner. 

“It’s so surreal,” Reggie said. “Landing in this valley on a runway carved out of the snow — it’s so picturesque. Plus, thinking about the fact that there is water below you is crazy. It’s a crazy experience — and one that we will never forget!”