Happy new year everyone im off to Morzine in 3 weeks so early 2010 ski holiday sorted but i have just won some flights to the USA and im thinking christmas 2010 ski holiday i saw that New Hampshire area around Boston has some ski resorts has anyone been? are they any good? any tips etc etc if not any thoughts on the others ie. aspen, lake tahoe
basically just after some ideas so i can amke some plans never had the privilege or skiing in america before
Thanks
Toni
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
tonsky, If I was heading over the pond, which I do, i wouldnt stay East Coast as it gets very cold and icy with very small ski areas. As you are travelling that distance you might as well head west into the Rockies as the snow quality is soo much better.
After that its then personal choice and spendng power as to where you go. Colordao, Utah, California, Wyoming, Idaho , Montana etc would all fit the bill - plus probably some I've forgotten
Its going to depend on what you like and want Both Aspen and Tahoe are good, but to get the best of Tahoe you would need time and a vehicle really, this gives you chance to experience many of the reosrts in the area
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
stowe vermont super place, and will go back plenty of fresh snow,infact itsnowed nearly every day, best time to go is feb,march
Attitash Bear Peak is where I've been and it was brilliant. Great place to stay, great skiing, really enjoyed ourselves. It's Bode Miller's stomping ground round there so there must be some good skiing around the area. There is duty free shopping in the state as well which means you can spend some time in the outlets picking up cheap gear.
We stayed at the Green Granite Inn, and drove to Attitash for the skiing. There are other resorts nearby too.
It's certainly worth a visit. From memory it was about 3-4 hours drive from Boston.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Have skied in USA for 40+ years, mostly in the East. The standard advice to someone flying across The Pond to ski is keep going to Rockies for better snow and bigger ski areas. Having said that, there is very good skiing in NH, especially around end of February at places like Wildcat and Cannon. You could do a smorgasbord and ski them and other nearby ski areas in northern NH such as Loon, Bretton Woods, Attitash and Waterville Valley. These places all have vertical drops of about 600-650 meters and are good for a couple days of skiing at each. You will have them mostly to yourself after Feb 21 (end President's Day holiday week). These NH ski areas are about three hours drive from Boston. There is discount/outlet shopping in North Conway which is convenient to a number of the aforementioned ski areas.
tonsky, My American colleagues view their local NH slopes as OK for local slopes but many of them will travel to the Rockies for their skiing vacation.
Which pretty much says it all really.
In my relatively limited experience of the East coast (Mount Snow VT, Hunter NY, Wyndham NY), it's worth skiing the East coast if you're there for some other reason, but if you want to experience North American skiing you really want to get to Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, etc.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Well, if your ticket is good for anywhere in the US, go at least to Denver. Though preferably a bit further would be even better. Aspen, Telluride, Sun Valley...
Snow much more reliable and much sunshine as well.
In New Hampshire, you could get powder, or rain, or freezing rain.
After all it is free
After all it is free
I agree with what the others here have said - if you're flights can be to anywhere in the USA then Denver for the Colorado resorts, Salt Lake City for Utah or San Francisco for Lake Tahoe are probably your best bets. That said, if you are flying into the Boston area then you can enjoy several days enjoyable skiing in New Hampshire resorts. I stayed in Lincoln New Hampshire (I can recommend Parker's Motel there) and Lincoln is a good base for visiting different ski areas such as Loon Mountain, Waterville and Cannon Mountain (there is also an interesting skiing museum at the base of the Cannon Mountain cablecar)
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
johnnyh wrote:
Attitash Bear Peak is where I've been and it was brilliant.
Second this - we spent a week there in 2007 and had a ball. Although smaller than many European resorts, there was more than enough there to keep us entertained for a week, with added side trips off to Wildcat just down the road. One of the great things about New England is that there are lots of ski areas quite near each other, so you're not necessarily stuck in one place.
My wife grew up, and learnt to ski, in New England and really rates Killington in Vermont, so might be somewhere worth thinking about. Bit more of a drive than New Hampshire but, by all accounts, worth it.
One thing worth bearing in mind is that when they say cold in the US, they mean cold. Minus 20C isn't uncommon, so remember to pack warm!
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
With the conditions that we are currently experiencing in the Alps (and the fact that finding a week ANYWHERE in the Alps for Half Term last minute is almost impossible) I've been considering the East Coast of the US. Last week they had over 20 inches of snow and there is much more forecast.
With this in mind, and considering we have two children (7 and 10) who ski reasonably well. Would the East Coast, New Hampshire area be OK for us for 5 or 6 days skiing?
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Well... I booked it anyway.... Great price from Virgin!
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
You may get bored if you just stay at the same single resort for 5-6 days. As was stated before, you could base your stay in North Conway (lots of shopping, multiple mountains in the area). Are you flying into Boston & renting a car? If that's the case the best advice is to drive to northern VT. Again, aforementioned, Stowe is a great place & Jay Peak if you like skiing in trees, although Jay may not be great for a 7 & 10 yr old. Sugarbush is a nice spot too & Mad River Glen is loads of fun midweek (but no real amenities to speak of).
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Markoncarp, enjoy, just keep an eye on the temps, especially if it gets very cold.....
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Thanks Guys. In the end I phoned some friends in the area and they gave me a good idea of what to expect. Snow has been awesome this year with 20 inches last week and another 13 due in the next 48 hours. I just hope it keeps up. Temps wise, it looks like some mountains are better (or hotter) than others and we can expect temps between -10 and -20 as a standard. My wife was in Avoriaz last weekend and I am there this weekend and to be honest, the temps are similar!
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Markoncarp, I have a house at Sunday River in Maine which is less than an hour from the North Conway area. The skiing at Sunday River is more varied than any of the NH areas and it has excellent kids instruction. The mountain is 3 miles across from one end to the other with several lift bases across several peaks. The vertical is 2300', with the average runs being about 1400' vertical on about 130 marked runs. If you're in the area you can look me up and I'll show you around. Conditions are outstanding at the moment.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Rent a car.
Do a multistop tour.
Go to Killington, Sunday River and Loon.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
I went in December touring with my mum (she lives in texas) so only got a few days skiing, but it was great.
We actually did the trip in reverse to what I'm suggesting but you are coming from Boston, we came the other way around.
North Conway is a lovely little town, but we stayed in Jackson at the Eagle Mountain House.Beautiful setting, great bar, very nice people.
There are 7 resorts within 30 minutes Jackson and North Conway - Black Mountain, Cranmore, King Pine, Wildcat, Shawnee Peak in Maine (which has the best night skiing and great views of the lakes), Attitash and Bretton Woods.
The Hotel gave me the conditions on each day, there had not been much snow that side of the White Mountains, though Bretton Woods was loaded with it. Went to Shawnee Peak, very nice for a day. Anyway, decide the evening before where you are skiing that day.
I'd suggest staying Jackson/North Conway for a few days, driving up and staying at Bretton Woods - we stayed in the Bretton Arms Inn, best breakfast ever, anywhere.
Bretton Woods has possibly some of the best intermediate skiing ever, over 100 trails. They have perfectly groomed trails and ungroomed trails, all suitable for good intermediate. Snow wa a mix of fresh powder, grromed, and icey, depending where on the mountain you went. May only be 1 days worth if you are truly advanced, but then you can always drive 30 minutes to Cannon Mountain, which is definitely advanced with its narrow icey trails. Bode Miller learnt at both resorts. The Mount Washington Hotel is stunning and has the Gold Room (J.M. keynes, World Bank, etc and the scenery, wow).
Then have a lovely drive into Vermont, stop at Montpelier for lunch and continue up to Stowe. It's a gorgeous New England Town (we stayed in the Green Mountian Inn), food is world class, skiing is brilliant, steep and varied. Maybe drive down to Mad River Glenn for something different. Down the road is Ben & Jerry's and various organic food outlets.
If you are planning to hire gear, most of the resorts have an excellent lift ticket/Group lesson/rental deal - mid-week the group lesson may only be you for 90 minutes! The quality of ski hire equipment was first class at Stowe and Bretton Woods, less so elsewhere.
Try to be in Boston at weekend as hotels are cheaper then, and ski mid-week, as most Americans do weekend trips, and you'll have hotels at less than half-price, empty slopes and great prices.
Both Vermont (the people's socialist republic of) and New Hampshire ("Live Free or Die" Tax Free libertarian) were beautiful in different ways, roads kept clear, people so very nice and friendly.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Tue 18-10-11 12:43; edited 1 time in total
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Whitegold wrote:
Go to Killington, Sunday River and Loon.
I've not been to Loon. But Killington and Sunday River both rank as my least favorate during mid-Feburary, which is the busiest period for the northeast! Yes, both were big and sprawling, most like European mountains. The problem with all that motorway cruising is you'll get the same problem as in the Alps of maniacs coming at you at mark speed with little control! Unlike the Alps, the verticle isn't quite the same, so there's a lot more piste crossing junctions you either have to watch where you're going or watch out for others going at every which direction. Compare to the Alps, US resorts don't groom their runs as well due to different expectations (a lot of US skiers enjoy skiing moguls so resorts let those grow on many of the steeper trails).
The only big draw of both is if you don't want to move around. Both of them are big enough for a few days. So once you ski there for a couple of days, you get the hang of the layout and can concentrate on less busy sector or sector more to your personal liking.
I would still second the recommendation of a multi-stop trip instead. In NH, Bretton Woods is probably one of the best for intermediates, as mentioned by others. Attitash is right next door, so might as well sample that (and Wildcat, which is on the same lift ticket). If you're an advanced skier and can handle ice and bumps with a grin on your face, Cannon will oblige.
There're many, many good resorts in Vermont. Though as a rule of thumbs, the further north, the better. Once you get north of Killington, all mountains are good.
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Fri 18-02-11 2:46; edited 1 time in total
abc makes some very good points. The smaller resorts are friendlier, and avoid the holiday period.
Absolutely right about about the grooming. Personally I love the ungroomed/slightly groomed runs in the States, which in Europe generally are only available on the steepest black runs (officially I am not confident enough to ski a French black piste, unofficially I am not good enough ) as moguls and slaloming down are so much fun.
I can confirm Bretton Woods is perfect for intermediate. With the resorts being so close to each other, you can do a different one everyday, go to the one with best conditions, revist the one you liked best.
Locals confirm what ABC says about Cannon. They consider it a great place for advanced because of ice and bumps - Bode Miller learned there and he seems to be able to ski a bit!
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Well im sat in the hotel bar in north Conway. Will report back on the trip but so far it all LOOKS lovely and the people are fantastic. First day skiing tomorrow...
I didn't get to ski Wildcat - it is suppossed to have the best views in North America cos it was mid-Decemebr, let us know if it live up to its billing!
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Markoncarp wrote:
Well im sat in the hotel bar in north Conway. Will report back on the trip but so far it all LOOKS lovely and the people are fantastic. First day skiing tomorrow...
Boy, on an epic snow year, you end up arriving on the day after the big thaw...
I hope you're skiing Bretton Woods not Cannon or Wildcat tomorrow. It's forecast to be quite cold and windy on the weekend. So you have some pretty chilly chair ride, plus the re-frozen snow to deal with too. But if you happen to be skiing Bretton Woods, it's in the wind shadow so that's less of a issue. They also seem to do a good job at grooming so hopefully you won't see any "death cookies" (icy chunks broken up into smaller icy marbles).
This being a major holiday in the US, I'm staying home till after Tuesday. Depending on the detail forecast later, I might end up skiing Bretton Wood some time later this week...
Enjoy your stay!
After all it is free
After all it is free
Excellent article in todays New York times on Bretton Woods!
Icy finger-waves
Ski trails on a mountainside
Snowlight in Vermont
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
I second touring the area with a city break in Boston. I also second Jackson as a base in the White Mountains. Wild cat tavern is a must at the end of a ski day and what you will get in new hampshire and not in the rockies or larger ski resorts is a real feelig of community. Its the positive America of many peoples imaginations. Local, big hearted, welcoming and full of helpful advice and suggestions. Maple syrup pancakes and eggs benedict a must in the mornings for breakfast too. Give the bigger resorts a miss this time, treat yourself to a tour of some good hearted community skiing!
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
Both Aspen and Tahoe are good, but to get the best of Tahoe you would need time and a vehicle really, this gives you chance to experience many of the reosrts in the area 
) as moguls and slaloming down are so much fun.
