NEW HAMPSHIRE SKIING & BOARDING
New Hampshire’s resorts are close to one another and easy to get to. Two hours from Boston’s Logan International Airport are major resorts such as Loon, Waterville Valley and Cannon Mountain, where snow is guaranteed (thanks to the latest equipment) and lines are short, especially mid-week. Enjoy the variety: cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, or snowshoeing. Want a tip? Shopping in New Hampshire is tax-free, so you can find competitively-priced ski gear in stores in Lincoln and North Conway.
The following New Hampshire ski resorts work with international tour operators and regularly host overseas school groups.
ATTITASH MOUNTAIN RESORT
Located in the beautiful White Mountain National Forest, the resort has two peaks, Attitash and Bear Peak, with 23 miles of trails and glades on 300 acres. Thad’s Choice is a boarder’s playground, with more than 1,700 feet of ramps, table tops, huge air hits and jibs. Note: lift tickets are valid for use at both Attitash Mountain Resort and Wildcat Mountain.
Lodging: The Attitash Grand Summit Hotel offers slopeside lodging.
Activities: New is the four-season thrill ride, the Nor’Easter Mountain Coaster. Head up the mountain on twin stainless steel rails, then zoom down over half a mile through dips, banked turns and straight-aways – at rider-controlled speeds of up to 25 mph.
Trails: 73 trails across two peaks; 12 lifts. The Bear Notch Pass trail serves as the gateway that links the two peaks together.
BLACK MOUNTAIN
This family-owned property is high above the quaint village of Jackson with gorgeous views of Mount Washington and the surrounding Presidential Range. Sunny southern exposure, protection from wind and an “old school” atmosphere makes it a favorite for families. The mountain prides itself on affordability, high-quality ski programs and a safe environment for children (including on-site daycare).
While Black Mountain is the perfect choice for beginners of all ages, there is plenty of challenging terrain for the advanced skiers and riders as well. Black is known for its narrow, wooded trails and glades — a refreshing reminder of how the sport was intended to be. At the end of the day, the restaurant at the mountain’s base, “The Shovel Handle Pub,” has loads of history and excellent food.
Trails and Glades: 45 trails; 4 lifts
BRETTON WOODS
Regularly voted among the best in the eastern US for snow, service, family programs and weather by SKI magazine, Bretton Woods has snowmaking on 92% of its trails with nine high-tech lifts, including four high-speed quads – and you can ski and board at night. Because it is part of the Omni Mount Washington Resort, you can also ski free at Bretton Woods when you book a “Stay Here, Ski Free” package at the renowned Mount Washington Hotel or at the Bretton Arms Inn. Bretton Woods offers numerous ski school programs and a nursery for children 1-5.
Other activities: include a year-round zip line canopy tour, a full-service spa, sleigh rides, tubing, ice skating, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on 60 miles of groomed trails. New this year is the Slopeside Climbing Wall located on the Slopeside level of the Bretton Woods Base Lodge, as well as Guided Winter Adventures including skiing, snowshoeing, ice climbing and back country excursions.
Trails: 102 trails and glades, and four terrain parks. Alpine Trail Levels: 25% Easiest, 29% More Difficult, 30% Most Difficult, 16% Experts Only
Awards: 2011 SKI magazine Reader’s Poll – #1 in NH Overall, Top 5 in the East for snow, #1 in the East for weather, Top 5 in the East and #1 in New Hampshire for Service and Family Programs
CANNON MOUNTAIN
Set in Franconia Notch State Park, Cannon Mountain has the state’s longest vertical drop (2,180 feet). Get around on 10 lifts, including the spectacular 70-passenger Aerial Tramway that takes less than 10 minutes to reach New Hampshire’s highest ski area summit: 4,080 feet. Cannon also has a highly-rated children’s center. The 4,080-foot summit, which faces north-northeast, nets snow when other mountains may get little or none – it’s called the “Cannon Effect.” This mountain is an easy drive from Boston, accessed directly off Interstate-93.
Learning Terrain: Tuckerbrook encompasses 4 lifts and 13 trails designed and built just for families, learning and for those who want a relaxed skiing or riding experience apart from the “big mountain.”
Special Activities: Cannon Mountain has partnered with the Adaptive Sports Partners of the North Country (ASPNC) to make adaptive on-snow ski/ride opportunities & instruction available to people of all abilities and ages.
Trails: 72 trails (21% novice, 47% intermediate, 32% advanced) and the Mittersill Backcountry Area, accessed via the new double chairlift
CRANMORE MOUNTAIN RESORT
Cranmore is celebrating 75 years of winter fun with a major facelift that includes the state-of-the art Arlberg Children’s Learning Center and a new quad chairlift. As for the stats: vertical drop 1,200 feet; three terrain parks; and 100% snowmaking. The action continues into the evening: skiing and boarding, tubing and riding the Mountain Coaster.
Cranmore is conveniently located at the north end of North Conway, the gateway town to the White Mountains, full of shops, shopping outlets, restaurants and more, so there’s always plenty to eat and do nearby. With 15,000 beds available in the Mount Washington Valley, guests can stay in slopeside condos at Cranmore Mountain Resort, bed & breakfasts, cottages, country inns, hostels, hotels, motels and numerous luxurious resorts in and around the area. There are even hotels offering indoor water parks including the Hampton Inn and the Red Jacket Resort, both located minutes from Cranmore.
Activities: Mountain Coaster, 10-lane snow tubing park, a Giant Swing, and the Indoor Adventure Zone with a trampoline and more. Telemark skiing and lessons.
Trails: 54 trails; 10 lifts
GUNSTOCK MOUNTAIN RESORT
Gunstock Mountain is the second highest peak in the Belknap Range of central New Hampshire and offers spectacular views of Lake Winnipesaukee, the largest lake in New Hampshire. This resort is only 90 minutes from Boston. Gunstock has a nationally recognized and award winning learn to ski or ride program – Mountain Magic. For cross-country skiing, Gunstock offers 50km of trails groomed for both nordic and skate skiing. High quality rentals are available.
Boarding: Whether you prefer Freestyle to Freeride, Gunstock has the terrain for your riding style. The Blundersmoke Park offers over 12 acres of park goodness, and is the largest night park in New Hampshire. Phelps Progression Park has 1 box, 2 jumps and a quarterpipe with a double barrel coping. Richochet Park has 4 jumps, 3 rails and 1 box. Learn more.
Special: Night skiing operations typically run from mid-December to mid-March.
Trails: 55 trails on 220 acres; 8 lifts
KING PINE SKI RESORT
Celebrating its 50 year anniversary in 2011/12, King Pine Ski Resort has become well known for its family-friendly atmosphere, affordability and consistent snow conditions. King Pine offers exciting terrain for all abilities and has been a tradition for families throughout New England since 1962!.
Free events are on offer every weekend throughout the season. King Pine is part of Purity Spring Resort which offers family-friendly lodging and home-style meals.
Activities: snow tubing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, skating, horse-drawn sleigh rides, plus an indoor pool and fitness center. Night skiing is available on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and holiday periods until 9:00pm. For cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, there are 28km of scenic trails that wind through the forests around Purity Lake, traverse through the grounds of Purity Spring Resort and twist through tall pines in the adjacent Hoyt/Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary.
Trails: 17 downhill trails (25% novice, 31% intermediate), 6 lifts
LOON MOUNTAIN RESORT
Loon’s three peaks and 2,100 feet of vertical are easy to get to – just off Route I-93. There’s plenty of choice from steep bumps, long cruisers, gentle beginner runs and tree skiing to the Superpipe and a Burton Progression Park. New this season are two more trails at South Peak and improved snowmaking. The terrain variety means a challenge for all abilities, making Loon a great choice for families or parties with skiers & riders of different ability levels. Loon also boasts a selection of award-winning terrain parks, from Burton Progression, all the way to the signature Loon Mountain – plus a superpipe and halfpipe. The local Lincoln-Woodstock area features plenty of great options for après dining, accommodations, activities and amenities.
Activities: Cross country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, indoor climbing, plus lift-served and walk-up snow tubing. Or, ride the zip line high above the Pemigewasset River.
Trails: 61 trails (20% novice, 60% intermediate, 20% expert) covering 28 miles; 12 lifts
WATERVILLE VALLEY RESORT
Waterville Valley Resort is known for its genuine New Hampshire experience with a picture-perfect village and Mount Tecumseh – 2,020 feet of vertical — to explore. With its own fast quad chair, the wide, gentle two-mile-long Valley Run is rated the best ‘learn to ski’ slope in New England. Boarders have a terrain park and superpipe; cross-country buffs can explore the 65 miles of trails.
Enjoy après ski with a stroll through the shops in Town Square and finish it off with fireworks over Corcoran Pond. Extend your stay with “Wicked Long Weekends” that offer early check-in and free afternoon skiing on Friday and an extra late checkout on Sunday.
Activities Nearby: Ice Rink, Sleigh Rides
Trails: 52 Trails; 12 lifts
WILDCAT MOUNTAIN
‘No 1 scenery in the East’: that’s how SKI magazine rates Wildcat, which is located within the White Mountain National Forest. There are close-up views of Mount Washington to the west and distant views of the Atlantic Ocean to the east. But there’s more than pretty views: regulars return for the bumps and wide open steeps of The Lynx (a local favourite) and the 2¾-mile Polecat. The Wildcat Express quad is New England’s most powerful high-speed summit quad lift, whisking skiers to the more than 4,000-foot summit in just over six minutes. The stats? A vertical drop of 2,112 feet, 50 trails and an annual natural snowfall of over 200 inches. Note: lift tickets are valid for use at both Attitash Mountain Resort and Wildcat Mountain.
The Wildcat Mountain Ski School offers ski and snowboard programs to match skills, techniques and tactics on the mountain’s varied terrain; the Lion’s Den Children’s Center ski programs are a great way to introduce a lifelong sport to your family.
Activities: The ZipRider (zip line) is a must: a half-mile zoom over ski trails and tree tops at 45 mph.
Trails: 50 alpine trails
For more information:
- View the full list of New Hampshire skiing and boarding areas (New Hampshire tourism web site)
- American Ski Vacations in New England: Find the latest ski conditions, travel tips and lodging deals for Loon Mountain, Cannon Mountain, Waterville Valley, Wildcat Mountain and Cranmore Mountain.
- With the Five Mountain Ski Passport (minimum 5-day pass purchase per person), you book 6 days and get the seventh day free.
- UK Ski Tour Operators for New England
