New England
 By Heather Burke 
My
daughter declared herself the princess of the ski castle. That was our
first visit to the Mount Washington Hotel six years ago for its
inaugural winter season. While she’s now a more skeptical t’weenager,
she still appreciates staying in grand places during our family ski
trips. Just because you are traveling with kids in tow doesn’t limit
your lodging options to condos equipped with dishwashers and DVD
players.
There are some majestic hotels in the mountains for you and your munchkins, which can make your ski trip all the more magical. Mount Washington Hotel is the fairest of them all (my daughter concurs) when it comes to grand settings in ski country. The 1901 hotel is a fairytale come to life when donned in glittering wintry decorations, surrounded by the snow-capped Presidential Range of New Hampshire. The century old hotel restores bygone traditions of high Tea in the Conservatory, dressing for dinner and dancing in the Maine Ballroom, stuff kids should experience. Our kids loved the stories of ghosts that haunt the Hotel hallways, and tales of guests arriving for months with steamer trunks full of fabulous fashions of  the 1920’s and 30’s.
Okay, they loved the turndown service too.For your family’s downhill distraction, you have the picture perfect and perfectly gentle terrain of Bretton Woods Ski Area, all part of the same resort. The Hobbit Ski School and Nursery welcomes your wee skiers, so you can carve the groomers “sans enfant.” Bretton Woods’ lifts and conditions are top shelf, well suited for families whether you’re learning or old hat at turning. 
Back to the history lesson, taking the kids for a winter ride up and
ski down Mount Washington aboard The 1869
Cog Railway ranks
above your average adventure. The Cog opened for winter skiing last
season, the chug up is a flashback and the ski down is novice but
novel. Kids love to ski faster than a locomotive. Come to think of it,
who doesn’t?
 Okemo, Vermont’s
Jackson Gore Inn, while not historical –since it was brand
spanking new last year, is designed to replicate a Vermont country inn
with all the conveniences of a slopeside resort hotel. We stayed here
in a 2-bedroom suite, so we had the option of cooking in the unit (and
the latest TV and DVD technology), but our whole family liked the
ambiance of the Inn’s cozy tavern and the fireplace lobby. Our son
enjoyed the independence of walking to the heated pool, the game room,
even to grab a slice of Pizza from the Roundhouse Food Court. And our
entire ski clan agreed Okemo’s well-buffed trails are extremely smooth
and carve-able under ski. Manchester, Vermont’s historical
Equinox
Resort is lovely in winter, set on the Village Green (white in
winter). While its not slopeside, it exudes the history of the
revolutionary Green Mountain Boys. You can dine in the authentic 1769
Marsh Tavern where their patriotic plotting occurred two centuries
ago. The rooms are very traditional, while the indoor pool and spa is
posh and prime for an après ski plunge. The 2,300-acre resort has
extensive cross-country and snowshoe trails, plus Stratton and Bromley
ski areas are a short drive for your downhill fix. 
Another outdoor
diversion, the Equinox offers a
Junior Off-Road driving experience, no
kidding - kids ages 6-12 get little Land Rovers to cruise around in –
what a gas! Our kids loved receiving official junior drivers’ licenses
at the conclusion (even though our daughter was off-course during much
of her off-roading).
Architectural wonder and historical significance aside, my kids say
that American Skiing Company's Grand Hotels are cool places to ski and
stay. Whether you are skiing at
Sugarloaf,
Sunday River,
Killington,
Attitash, or
Mount Snow –
you will find a carbon copy ASC owned Grand Hotel at each (Sunday
River actually has two book ending the resort).
 These Grand Summits
are similar, slopeside and self-contained (read: outdoor heated pool,
game room, ski lockers, kids’ movie nights, restaurant) which make
them quite ideal for skiing families. Perhaps the grand names build
expectations a bit high (don’t pack your tux or expect turndown
service). My husband chuckles at the implication of grandeur while we
lug our ski bags down the long utilitarian corridors, but we have
always enjoyed lodging at these prime locations for that reason –
location. It’s like staying at a Disney property, inside the park - so
you get on the rides first. And when you’re kids are old enough to ski
on their own, hand them a radio and they can turn till 4 while you
head back for a massage, a service now offered at most. In the
afternoon, fresh baked cookies are set out in the fireplace lobby– our
insatiable teen son gives that a crumb-covered thumbs’ up.Once you have kids, poaching a buddy’s ski condo couch on Saturday night is not an option. Condos are convenient since you can cook in and “crash by 8” after a big ski day. But the occasional stay in one of the aforementioned hotels is a special treat for your little skiers, and for Mom and Dad too. |