The section as you approach tree line is notoriously hard in snowpack because of the side hill and deep snow. If you have a group you might be able to power through it, but solo is probably not so fun. Plus the road walk to the trailhead adds a couple miles each way.

I would strongly recommend just using the Crawford Path up Pierce as that is a very good winter introduction.

Edit: Fixed typo

Do they have children?

I’d say in general if this is your first winter hike ever don’t go alone, find someone knowledgeable who has done winter homes before to go with you and inspect your gear before you start and point out anything you’re missing.

Doesn't really sound like a good idea. Snow shoes would definitely come in handy, given that you know.. it just snowed a bunch. Winter hiking has a lot of stuff to learn, like how to keep warm but not sweat, make sure your water doesn't freeze, keep your cell phone from dying etc. Lastly, going up treeline in winter can be... very interesting. Even if there's no storm, blowing snow and cloud cover can make it like walking into pea soup.

For a newer person I'd recommend Tecumseh, Waumbek or Cannon instead.

First of all, they have to do the 2.2 mile road walk down Mount Clinton Road to even get to the trailhead because the gate is closed. If they are down for the roadwalk, Edmands Path is generally okay to about 3500 feet then it gets really steep for about 800 feet. Once you reach 4200 feet you walk along a tilted path along the back of the mountain before ascending, that section is prone to windblown snow so snowshoes will be needed. From there you take the final climb above treeline. That climb has at least 5 or 6 right angle turns that rookies can easily miss when climbing. So yeah, it's a situation for experienced hikers, forget about a newbie. If there is unbroken trail covered by snow and they dont have snowshoes they are in for a slow climb. If there is limited visibility it gets even trickier. Also - bailing out or even doing an up and down via Edmands would suck because then you still have that 2.2 mile road walk back to the car. Anyone doing this hike is generally looping back to Pierce and back to the car because it is just dumb to go back down Eisenhower because it adds more distance.

My advice would be to tell them to do Pierce instead. Good hike for newbies - head up crawford path, stay left at the split and shake down their equipment. Save Edmands Path for when they have more experience.

As an experienced winter hiker, going up Eisenhower solo without adequate gear or prep is foolhardy at best and suicidal at worst. There are many other areas to start off with (as mentioned above, Pierce is a great starter).

If dead NH mountain hikers could talk they would tell you its a bad idea..

If you are not experienced please don’t. You are putting our rescuers at risk for a dumb decision.

Not again lol. Another one of these posts in here.

Don’t do it. Avoid death

I can see it now: Solo hiker goes missing on Mt. Eisenhower, more at 11.

Prepay for your rescue before you go hiking.

Why and how could you possibly think this is a good idea?

Nope