North Country Lake House - Bear

Unplug, unwind and escape the stresses of city life in this sunny and romantic, lakefront studio.

Located off a private road, you won’t be disturbed by through traffic.

Whether you want to stay in and relax, enjoy lake sports, or have a restful home base at the end of a long day of hiking, shopping, sightseeing, or winter sports - this is the perfect spot for your vacation.

YES! KAYAKS AND GRILLS AND AIR CONDITIONERS ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR THE 2022 SEASON!

YOUR RENTAL:
This is a private, studio apartment with a queen bed, full bathroom and kitchen area. No else one has access to these spaces during your stay. There are lake views from every window (except the bathroom). There are frequent sightings of eagles, geese, heron, wild turkeys, loons and beaver.

Heat: Gas Fireplace

Bathroom Amenities: 4 bath Towels, 2 hand towels, 2 face cloths, 1 bath mat, 1 hair dryer, hand soap, bar soap and shampoo. We can provide more of these items upon request.

Sleeping Amenities: The queen sized bed will be made up with 1 fitted sheet, 1 flat sheet, 1 quilt, 4 pillows (2 shams and two standard cases). Additionally, a blanket is on the love seat. All of the linens (including blanket, shams, and quilts) are laundered between each guest. We can provide additional blankets upon request. Guests booking longer stays may request replacement linens during their stay - please give us 24 hours notice.

Kitchen Amenities: 1 standard refrigerator with freezer, 1 microwave, 1 dishwasher, 1 sink, 1 stove with oven, 1 coffee pot with reusable filter, 3 pots, 2 pans, 1 colander, 1 pair of tongs, 1 spatula, several wooden cooking utensils, 1 potato masher, 3 food prep knives, 1 vegetable peeler, 1 corkscrew/bottle opener, 1 can opener, 1 pair of kitchen shears, 1 whisk, 3 mixing bowls, 1 liquid measuring cup, 1 set measuring spoons, 1 set measuring cups, 4 dinner plates, 4 salad plates, 4 bowls, 4 mugs, 4 cups, 4 forks, 4 knives, 4 spoons, 4 steak knives, 1 set of bbq tools for charcoal grill, 1 oven mit, 1 pot holder, 2 kitchen towels, dish soap, hand soap, dishwasher detergent, sponge and paper towels.

Entertainment Amenities: WiFi and Apple TV. Log into your streaming service through the Apple TV to stream all your favorite shows. You may also AirPlay anything from your phone, computer or tablet to the AppleTV. Cable television is not available to our neighborhood. Depending on your home cable provider, you may be able to use your cable log in details to access your favorite networks on the apple, tv as well. Contact your cable provider for more details.

Parking Amenities: There is parking available for one vehicle. While we do have parking options for additional vehicles or trailers, guests request this at the time of booking and understand that based on availability, not all requests can be granted.

Outdoor Amenities: 1 Charcoal Grill (seasonal), 1 outdoor table and 2 outdoor chairs, Kayaks (seasonal), Fire pit

THE FOLLOWING AMENITIES ARE SEASONAL:
Kayaks (May - Columbus/Indigenous People Day)
Charcoal Grill (May - Columbus/Indigenous People Day)
Gas Fireplace (September - May)
Air Conditioner (May - August)
Stand Fans (Memorial Day - Columbus Day)

Lake Access: Guests may access the lake from our private beach or dock (the dock is seasonal). Both the beach and the dock are shared with the other two units on our property: Moose and Loon.

Summer Lake Activities: Swimming, fishing and boating are permitted on the lake. Please ensure you have the proper licenses for boating and fishing and familiarize yourself with local regulations.

Winter Lake Activities: Ice fishing, SnowMobiling, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing are permitted on the lake. Please ensure your have the proper licenses for boating and fishing and familiarize yourself with local regulations. Lake activities are only safe January - March.

The Patio: The patio in front of Bear is your private, outdoor space during your stay. This space features a charcoal grill Labor Day Weekend through Columbus Day/Indigenous People's Day Weekend.

The Deck: While you must use the deck to access your unit, this is Moose's private, outdoor space. If you want to enjoy time outside, please use your private patio, or one of the shared outdoor spaces.

The Fire Pit: This is a shared space between all three of our units (Moose, Bear and Loon), as well and my husband and myself. You might have it all to yourselves, or you may find yourself attending an impromptu gathering by the fire. We’ve hosted guests from across the world, and have met so many interesting people by the fire!

More About Fishing: Whether fishing on a boat, on the ice, from the dock, or from shore: You must have proper fishing licences to fish. We suggest purchasing them online, in advance of your trip. If you wish to fish, you must provide your own rod, line and tackle. In the summer months you can purchase nightcrawlers along the road (people have honor system stands along the road - just put cash in the can). Guests fishing off our shoreline with nightcrawlers have had success catching bass. If perch are what you’re after, we have found catching grasshoppers in the yard is the best bait there is.

If you wish to ice fish, you may want to bring a portable bobhouse. All bobhouses must have 12” reflector squares on all sides, and must also have their name, address and telephone number affixed to the exterior. Fishing licences are required to ice fish. A maximum of 6 holes may be drilled per fisherman. Bobhouses are not permitted on the lake after March 31.

More About Boating: After signing a liability release, guests have access to kayaks at no additional charge between Memorial Day and Columbus Day. Guests may also choose to bring their non-powered water-craft (canoes, paddle boards, etc) and launch them from our private beach. Guests with pontoons or other powered boats should reach out to us. Depending on the type of boat we MAY permit you to use our dock, after using the public boat launch. Sorry we don’t have a place to launch powered water-craft on our property.

More About Snowmobiling: Snowmobiling is permitted on the lake. Additionally, there is direct access to the snowmobile trail right on our property. If you wish to bring a snowmobile, please contact us so we can discuss trailer parking options with you.

THINGS TO NOTE:

You May Want to Bring: Coffee, tea, ice, flashlight (if arriving after dark), firewood, fishing gear, food and beverages.

In Summer you May Also Want to Bring: Beach towels, insect repellent, sunscreen, swimsuit, non-powered water-craft, charcoal

In Winter you May Also Want to Bring: Snowshoes, cross country skis or ice skates (Part of King Square in Whitefield is transformed to an ice skating rink in the winter months),

FOR OUR WINTER GUESTS:

We live off an unpaved, private road in the mountains, down a large hill. The road is plowed by the road owner (we are not the road owners), regularly and reliably. Here is a helpful guide, based on the type of vehicle you will be traveling in.

AWD/4WD VEHICLES:
I drive an AWD sedan, my husband and neighbors drive AWD/4WD trucks. We use the road daily with no problems.

FWD VEHICLES:
Success for you depends on a number of factors: road conditions (hardpack snow vs ice), tires, and experience driving in snow. Generally, our FWD customers with good tires and experience driving and show, do not have trouble. If you are concerned that your vehicle won’t make it up the hill, here are some options:

Parking by Burns Lake Farm: There is a farm house at the top of the hill, about a 5-minute walk from the apartment. You may choose to park your vehicle there. If you choose this option, my husband or I will pick you and your luggage up at check-in, and drop you and your luggage off at check-out. This is a great option for hikers, skiers, and people who don’t mind a 5-minute walk in cold weather. This is also a great option for people who plan to cook in the unit, and not leave the property much during their stay. A number of guests have been very happy with this option.

RWD VEHICLES:
We don’t recommend staying with us from December through March if you have an RWD vehicle. If it is the only vehicle you have access to, and your heart is set on staying with us, the parking option mentioned above for FWD vehicles is recommended.

SNOWMOBILE TRAILERS:
We have had people successfully come up and down the hill, towing snowmobile trailers. We suggest you first unhook at the Insurance Agency and assess the road conditions. If you wish to bring a trailer you must contact us in advance.

All that being said, very few people have actually had issues, and so far we have been able to assist everyone who has run into trouble, without calling a tow truck.

THIS PROPERTY IS LAKE FRONT AND THERE IS NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY. For this reason, children 12 and under are not permitted.

Cancelations and Requests to Reschedule:
We do not make exceptions to our cancelation policies. Requests to reschedule must be made at least 14 days in advance of the current check-in date, otherwise they will be declined.

North Country Lake House - Bear offers its guests barbecue grills and a garden. The front desk is open around the clock.

This Whitefield apartment is smoke free.