New Hampshire

Top Ski Trails in New Hampshire, The Bottom Line Best

This story was Published in NHToDo Magazine (accompanied by 5 photos below)

Published: February 2003

By Heather Burke

Photography By Greg Burke

In a state that declares skiing as its official sport, one understandably has lofty expectations. And New Hampshire has certainly made its mark in skiing history: home to the nation’s first ski school, the first ski club, host of the first slalom and first national downhill race, and home to the first aerial tram, to name a few.

New Hampshire is also home to some of the most scenic skiing in the country, with the White Mountains as a stunning backdrop. But its not just another pretty face. The Granite State serves up some downright challenging terrain. I have compiled a short list of what I believe to be some of the most scenic, most difficult and most kid friendly (can’t forget the kids) trails on New Hampshire’s downhill scene.

Top NH Trails; the Looking’s Good!

Flintlock at Gunstock, New Hampshire’s family mountain of the Lakes Region, is best enjoyed on a clear day. The sensation of skiing down, practically into Lake Winnipesaukee, is almost like being in Lake Tahoe (I said “almost”). All the trails at Gunstock have excellent views, but Flintlock from the summit gives the most advantageous scene of Mount Washington, the Northeast’s crowning glory, centered above the impressive Lake. The Flintlock trail is the choice location for a family photo shoot, with pleasant skiing to follow.

Range View at Bretton Woods is one of the many meticulously groomed cruisers with stunning views at New Hampshire’s largest ski area. And this particular trail has the best frame of “The Mount” and the surrounding Presidents Jefferson, Monroe, Franklin, and Eisenhower. Of course, the Top O’Quad restaurant is another perfect locale for a great lunch overlooking Washington and a bird’s eye view of the grand century-old Hotel, where winter guests are spoiled with gracious lodging, fine wining and dining after a day on Bretton Woods’ slopes.

Skiing Pole Cat at Wildcat in Pinkham Notch gives you the sensation that you can reach out and touch Mount Washington’s eastern flank. The constantly changing views across the notch are nothing shy of amazing as you meander past magnificent birch groves along this 2-¾ mile trail. In fact, the view into Tuckerman’s Ravine is unlike any other. A sunny day at Wildcat will bring out the shutterbug in you.

Vista Way is appropriately named at Cannon Mountain. This is the highest lift serviced elevation in New Hampshire at 4,180’. From this splendid trail the view across Franconia Notch of towering Lafayette and Lincoln Peaks is definitely worth the price of admission. Before embarking on your epic run, secure a window in the back of the Aerial Tram ascent for the best panorama.

Sunapee’s Wing Ding trail is the most sensational of their many scenic offerings. From the 2,743’ summit you have a 360-degree panorama. But don’t end there; as you head down Upper Wing Ding and Lake Sunapee comes into focus, it just keeps getting better. You have hit the best view spot when you see the sharpshooter photographers. Since they lay out the corduroy at this family ski resort, you can savor the sprawling peaks of New Hampshire and Vermont without concern for hitting the mildest ripple in the snow. You can even catch a glimpse of sister resort Okemo across the Connecticut River.

Granite State’s Most Difficult Trails: “Live, Ski or Die!” You Decide Whether To Try!

Cannon’s Tramline is a steep, narrow, gnarly trail below the Tram cable that has been tempting locals for years, and then there are those who just poached it and took their chances on getting caught. This year’s addition to Cannon’s official trail map catapults Tramline to toughest trail status in the Granite State. Board the front of the tram to plan your line down this precipitous terrain, and summon your nerve. If the view doesn’t scare you, then perhaps the warning sign posted at the entrance from Vista Way will. Not for the timid. Perhaps they should name it Bode’s Silver Streak for locally raised Olympian.

Tuckerman’s Ravine, though not lift accessed, must be experienced if you wish to join the ranks of truly hard-core New England skiers. First you must climb the two-mile approach to Mount Washington lugging your equipment, which adds to the degree of difficulty and provides a natural weaning of the big dogs from the puppies. And if you are going to do “Tucks,” do it right, over the Lip or Center Chimney. Please consult your physician before attempting this activity.

Loon’s Triple Trouble and Double Dipper both warrant their double black status. These intersecting trails are located on Loon’s East Basin, an area Dartmouth skier and famed trail developer Sel Hannah had originally deemed "too steep to ski." These two trails both possess admirable pitch and are rarely groomed – giving you big bumps to bash or to catch you as you slide, depending on your method of descent.

Waterville Valley has their own dangerous duo in neighboring trails True Grit and Lower Bobbie’s Run on Mount Tecumseh. True Grit is open more frequently thanks to a more concerted snowmaking effort. This long, wide super trail makes for an intimidating venue come spring when the moguls are monstrous and the sun soaked chairlift riders are watching your every turn. But Lower Bobbie’s, named for the famous Kennedy who frequented Waterville with his family, is steeper and very unpredictable. You can slide into the woods to test the newly opened seven acres of glades on Lower Bobbie’s for a little variation.

Attitash’s Ptarmigan has a gutsy fall line and a real classic New England feel to it, which makes you wonder as you wander- what’s around the next corner. The groomers often leave this one untouched, giving the trail a natural bite. Some Attitash skiers and riders believe Bear Peak’s double black Lift Line under the Abenaki Quad is more challenging. It’s steep and also unaltered, plus you can pop into the neighboring Fever Trees, the formidable glades, for added adrenaline. You decide.

New Hampshire’s Top Trails for Tots, or for not so nimble neophytes:

Bretton Wood’s comes to mind if you are looking for a place to play on skis with kids, or a place for “big kids” just learning to turn. This ski resort truly caters to all sizes looking for gentle, perfectly buffed terrain. Here’s the bonus, Bretton Woods is giving free tickets all season long on the new Learning Center Quad, in an effort to bring new inductees into the State’s official sport.

The Balsams completely re-designed their beginner area with its own new triple chair this season, big doings for this northernmost Dixville Notch resort. Bungy is the name and perfectly pitched is the game; the learning trail was re-graded to a technically ideal 12-15% slope for beginners. From here, kids and newbies can also venture into Bungy Glades for a well-spaced, easy paced introduction to the joys of tree skiing. The Balsams main mountain also gained a new trail, and a new triple chair for intermediates and beyond this season.

Loon’s new “Pocket Park” located on aptly named Little Sister trail is a scaled-down version of all the elements found in today’s rather daunting terrain parks and pipes. This new kid-friendly zone will give youngsters, or never-grow ups, a place to play on miniaturized hits, spines and rolls before they even think about taking their talents to Loon’s in-ground Super (big air!) pipe and park. The Gravity Zone is located here too; kids can sample tubing and sliding on innovative snowcycles and snowscoots.

Waterville Valley has a similar pint-sized park called Little Slammer Mini Park. While you’re at Waterville Valley, your kids will want to ride Quadzilla – the cleverly capped and so-named chairlift, an amusement unto itself. It’s a high-speed lift with a menacing title, but it accesses the very tame, very wide, perfectly pitched, beginner haven Valley Run.

Attitash takes a cue from Disney, or in this case Storyland. The Family Fun Zone is a mini terrain park with colorful props from the nearby amusement park. Fairy tale icons tend to inspire young shredders and schussers to maneuver in and out and around their favorite characters, not to mention they provide an outdoor studio scene for those keepsake “look at me I’m learning to ski” pictures.

These are just a sampling of New Hampshire’s many exciting trail options. This winter, explore your favorite ski areas and make your own list of most stunningly beautiful, best in the morning, best saved for last run, and perhaps a few best skied when no one’s watching. The key is to experience as much of New Hampshire’s 17 alpine ski areas as you can.
 

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All Photography by Greg Burke

 

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