New Hampshire  By Heather Burke Magazine Cover Shot by Greg Burke Route 302, Bartlett  603-374-2368, Lodging 1-800-223-SNOW Vertical Drop: 1,750’ Skiable Terrain: 280 acres 12 Lifts, 70 Trails 98% snowmaking www.attitash.com With two big interconnected mountains for skiing and riding, Attitash Bear Peak offers terrain diversity from long winding trails to exciting glades, and wide-open cruisers. The views of the Presidential Range are spectacular. Attitash is also home to NH’s longest superpipe, at 500’. The full service resort has an impressive Learning Center, plus an on mountain Attitash Grand Summit Resort Hotel. The Attitash Bear Peak experience is typified by a variety of well-covered manicured slopes serviced by a modern lift system and NH's most powerful snowmaking.  Balsams/Wilderness
Route 26, Dixville Notch 603-255-3400, Lodging 800-255-0600 Vertical Drop: 1,000’ Skiable Terrain: 87 acres 4 Lifts, 15 Trails and 4 glades 80% snowmaking www.thebalsams.com The Balsam has been an historic 4 star destination resort, providing guests with a posh vacation experience in a natural recreational setting, for over a century. Guests at the Balsams enjoy a seemingly private ski area on a dozen classic trails served by a triple, all with beautiful views of the property and never a lift line. The Bungy beginner area has gentle slopes and a dedicated triple for learning members of the family. Groomed and tracked cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails also tour their way throughout this first class resort in northernmost NH. Black Mountain Route 16B, Jackson 603-383-4490, Lodging 800-698-4490, snow phone 1-800-I-SKI-NOW Vertical Drop: 1,100’ Skiable Terrain: 143 acres 4 Lifts, 40 Trails 98% snowmaking www.blackmt.com The oldest continually operating ski area in New Hampshire, Black Mountain exudes Old World charm to this day. It’s a classic New England ski mountain dates to 1935, and continues to offer fun and challenge for everyone. While the base lodge provides rustic warmth and hospitality, new glades have been added to the mountain to satisfy the young and adventuresome. Black has reasonable package prices for families.  Bretton
Woods Route 302, Bretton Woods 603-278-3320, Lodging 800-258-0330 Vertical Drop: 1,500’ Skiable Terrain: 434 acres, 9 Lifts, 101 Trails 92% snowmaking www.brettonwoods.com Bretton Woods has grown significantly during the past few years to become NH’s largest ski resort, including new quad lifts and 190 acres of glades. Bretton Woods is popular with those looking for well-manicured cruising, pleasant glade skiing and exceptional views of Mount Washington. The resort also offers the state’s finest Nordic facilities, and elegant lodging at the century old Mount Washington Hotel. Cannon I-93, Franconia 1-603-823-8800 Vertical Drop: 2,146’ SkiableTerrain: 163 Acres 9 Lifts, 55 Trails 97% snowmaking www.cannonmt.com Riding New Hampshire’s only aerial tramway, skiers and riders take in exceptional scenery of Franconia Notch between each exciting run. Cannon offers lots of classic New England terrain from the scenic summit, but also has intermediate and beginner terrain from the Tuckerbrook quad chair to the west. Lunch at the Notch View Lodge (formerly the old Peabody lodge), and be sure to visit the New England Ski Museum at the base of the Tramway. Cranmore 1 Skimobile Road, North Conway 603-356-5543 / 1-800-SUN N SKI Vertical Drop: 1,200’ Skiable Terrain: 200 acres 9 lifts, 40 trails 100% snowmaking www.cranmore.com Cranmore is a family friendly ski area located just moments from the heart of North Conway. Cranmore’s value pricing is advantageous for learning families. Cranmore offers more than just pleasant skiing and riding; they also rent “snowtoys” like skibikes, skiboards, snowscoots and skifoxes. Night skiing and Tubing overlook the lights of the Route 16 shoppers’ strip. The Cranmore Sports Center at the base offers indoor tennis, pool and a climbing wall. Crotched Mountain Route 47, Bennington 603-588-3668 Vertical Drop: 875’ Skiable Terrain: 68 Acres 5 lifts, 17 trails 100% snowmaking www.crotchedmountain.com This revitalized ski area has reopened under the management of Peak Resorts from the Midwest, after a decade of dust collecting. With the addition of two quads, a triple and a double, a magic carpet and a brand new mountain lodge, Crotched is back and better than ever. Crotched has plenty of Terrain Parks with hits, spines, tabletops and rolls for riders and skiers to play on. Night skiing is a big focus with 100% of the trails illuminated and Midnight Madness hours on Friday and Saturday from 9pm to 3am. And our mothers said, “nothing good happens after midnight.” Dartmouth Skiway Grafton Turnpike, Lyme Center 603-795-2143 Vertical Drop: 946’ Skiable Terrain: 106 Acres 3 Lifts, 31 Trails 65% snowmaking www.skiway.dartmouth.edu Dartmouth continues as a college ski hill with a reputation of producing some of the country’s finest racers. Last season, Dartmouth hosted the NCAA Ski Championships. The McLane Family Lodge offers rentals, a retail shop and more space for congregating between runs – a fine Ivy League ski tradition. Gunstock Route 11A, Gilford 603-293-4341, 1-800-GUNSTOCK Vertical Drop: 1,400’ Skiable Terrain: 220 Acres 7 Lifts, 51 Trails 80% snowmaking www.gunstock.com Gunstock's high-speed quad whisks you to the panoramic summit where you will find a wide variety of family fun terrain. Day and Night, Gunstock is a great place to play on snow. Gunstock has views overlooking beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee that are unparalleled. The Mountain Magic learning program and the Thrill Hill tubing park make it a great starting point for new snowsport inductees. King Pine Rt. 153, East Madison 1-603-367-8896 Vertical Drop: 350’ Skiable Terrain: 45 acres 6 lifts, 16 trails 100% snowmaking www.kingpine.com King Pine has been introducing new skiers and riders to the sport since the 1930's, especially children, whom they still refer to as knee-highs. The tame terrain and affordable pricing make it easier for families to get involved in snowsports at this small, self-contained ski hill. Since 1972, the Hoyt family has operated the ski area and Purity Spring Resort. This family business offers winter lodging and dining plus ice-skating, cross-country, snowshoeing, tubing, sledding, and an indoor pool and spa for overnight guests. Loon Mountain Route 112, Lincoln 603-745-8111, Lodging 1-800-229-STAY Vertical Drop: 2,100’ Skiable Terrain: 275 acres 10 Lifts, 44 Trails, 5 glade areas 99% snowmaking www.loonmtn.com Loon is one of NH’s more popular ski resorts because of the extensive terrain from the steeps of North Peak, to the twisty trails like Flying Fox. Loon has superb beginner slopes and terrain parks in all sizes too. The speedy gondola to the summit is a fantastic lift, especially on “cool” days, this lift is in high demand on weekends. Loon's signature terrain park and halfpipe, and the Burton Progressive Terrain park keep adventure seekers happy. Loon is well known for reliable snow conditions and a friendly staff. McIntyre 50 Chalet Court, Manchester 1-603-624-6571 Vertical Drop: 180’ Skiable Terrain: 35 acres 5 lifts, 9 trails 100% snowmaking www.mcintyreskiarea.com This urban ski hill, located in downtown Manchester just minutes off I- 93, is focused on teaching skiers and riders of all ages the joy of downhill sports. McIntyre is host to several local and school ski programs, operating day and night. This is a non-intimidating place to get started sliding, and the rates are low-key too.  Mount SunapeeRt. 103, Sunapee 1-603-763-3500 Vertical Drop: 1,510’ Skiable Terrain: 230 acres 10 Lifts, 65 Trails 97% snowmaking www.mountsunapee.com Mount Sunapee continues to grow and improve as one of NH’s best places for young skiing families. Following in the footsteps of Vermont sister resort Okemo, Sunapee puts extra effort into snowmaking and service. The panoramic views from the Sunapee summit are fabulous. Every family member will find their kind of terrain, from groomed cruisers, to glades or moguls to a very mellow separate beginner area with 13 designated trails. The terrain park and superpipe will keep teens rocking on their boards. Pat’s Peak Flanders Road, off Rt. 114, Henniker 1-603-428-3245, Snow and Lodging Phone 800-258-3218 Vertical Drop 710’ Skiable Terrain: 80 acres 10 Lifts, 22 Trails 100% snowmaking www.patspeak.com Pat’s Peak teaches more than 7,000 children’s ski lesson each week, with the largest after school ski program in the state. This convenient southern NH ski and snowboard area has a new triple chair this season. Nights are even more popular than days at Pat’s Peak for skiing and learning under the lights.  Ragged
Mountain Ragged Mountain Road, Danbury 603-768-3600 Vertical Drop 1,250’ Skiable Terrain: 220 acres 9 Lifts, 55 trails 95% snowmaking www.raggedmountainresort.com With NH’s only six person high-speed chair, you can get plenty of turns in with no lines and no waiting at Ragged. With two mountain peaks, you will find plenty of great trails, glades, plus a unique new base lodge modeled after a New England farmhouse. Learning kids will love the Barnyard Adventure Center with special lifts and a petting zoo. Bigger kids will find a trend-setting terrain park at Ragged. There is something for everyone at this southern NH ski area, even tubing.  Tenney Mountain Road, Plymouth 603-536-4125 Vertical Drop: 1,400’ Skiable Terrain: 115 acres 5 Lifts, 48 Trails 85% snowmaking www.tenneymtn.com Tenney has been re-born, thanks to new ownership. Tenney offers big mountain skiing with a small hill feel. Panoramic views, a family friendly feel, terrain parks, and affordable pricing make Tenney worth the winter visit. Ski Area Road, Waterville Valley 603-236-8311, Lodging 1-800-Go-Valley Vertical Drop: 2,020’ Skiable Terrain: 255 acres 11 Lifts, 52 Trails 100% snowmaking www.waterville.com Waterville Valley has a strong reputation as a destination for action-packed winter fun. Whether visiting for the day or the week, Waterville has terrain from mellow to moguls, and the latest craze- "WV Zones" with bumps, glades, and terrain features. Waterville has ski school programs for every age, ability level and preference on up to racing. The nearby resort village and Town Square offer lodging, dining, cross-country skiing and ice-skating, plus a sport center with indoor tennis and swimming.  Wildcat
Mountain RT. 16, Pinkham Notch 603-466-3326 Vertical Drop: 2,112’ Skiable Terrain: 225 4 Lifts, 47 Trails 90% snowmaking www.skiwildcat.com Wildcat is known for giving skier and riders some of the best views as they cruise in ski country, and for receiving a bit more natural snow than the rest. The Wildcat Express quad (NH’s longest and fastest detachable quad) delivers skiers and riders from base to summit with a scenic but speedy ride. Even advanced beginners can enjoy the summit, and ski down the 2.75-mile Polecat trail. Wildcat has trail variety from mellow runs that saunter top to bottom, to tight twisty turny glades and an exciting Liftlion trail with magnificent views of Mount Washington and Tuckerman’s Ravine. |