Need help picking mountains for a long weekend in N Conway.

[soulseller]

I am going with a group of 7 or more people to North Conway in a couple weeks and we are trying to decide which mountains to go to. The tentative plan had been

Friday: Bretton Woods
Saturday: Cranmore
Sunday: Wildcat (hoping to hit the 12-4pm for $20 deal)

Talking to guy at work today he said to scratch Bretton Woods and replace it with Cannon or Attitash. His reasoning being that Bretton Woods is largely flat and more or an 'senior' crowd.

After hearing that I'm not sure what to do. We are a mixed bag skill level, the majority of us are very proficient skiers and/or snowboarders but it will be at least 2 of our groups first time out in several years. I think I speak for the group in saying we are looking for some challenging terrain, but don't care much glades or bumps

What would your top 3 mountains be within 20-30 minutes of North Conway?

[ckofer]

I might trade in the Cranmore for Black, BW for Attitash, the Wildcat idea is good but you may also consider the Shawnee Peak on Sunday since your Saturday ticket should get you a full day for $32

There's nothing wrong with heading to Cannon but this keeps the drives short too.

[deadheadskier]

When is the trip? Weather can play a huge factor in what resort makes the most sense.

Wildcat, in my opinion, offers by far the best terrain in the region and while the Sunday afternoon deal is great, it's probably worth it to spend a full day there.. Cannon is right there with it, but it's a little bit more than a half hour from N.Conway. Probably closer to an hour actually.

I would probably go

Friday: Attitash - crowds will be less of an issue and Attitash offers much more advanced terrain than Bretton
Saturday: Wildcat - will have the smallest crowds and liftlines out of anywhere for a saturday
Sunday Afternoon: Black - afternoon's at Black are only $26

Ckofer's suggestion of Shawnee should be considered as well as you can bring your pass from wherever you go on Saturday and Shawnee will give you a full day pass for $32 on Sunday. I think normally their tickets are $47, so it's a significant savings

[BLESS]

I would definetly ski Attitash over Cranmore.

[riverc0il]

Originally Posted by deadheadskier

Friday: Attitash - crowds will be less of an issue and Attitash offers much more advanced terrain than Bretton
Saturday: Wildcat - will have the smallest crowds and liftlines out of anywhere for a saturday
Sunday Afternoon: Black - afternoon's at Black are only $26

This is a winning plan. Cannon is too far if you are basing out of North Conway when you have Wildcat right up the road. I prefer Cannon to Wildcat but I wouldn't drive up 302 or over the Kanc to get to Cannon when Wildcat is a short drive up into Pinkham. Cannon is definitely over an hour from North Conway.

Wildcat afternoon cruise on Sunday is a great deal but you get what you pay for. Snow at the Cat gets pretty scraped off by the end of the weekend. Unless they have fresh snow, you are better off paying for a full day ticket and skiing the good snow in the morning, IMO. As mentioned above, Black has cheap rates too, though their full day rate isn't too shabby for Sundays either.

Attitash will offer more challenge than Cranmore. Black will offer more interesting terrain than Bretton and is also an awesome area for intermediates or those out of practice. Black is a super area for experts to find something full while being able to ride the lift with rank novices as both chairs service both gentle cruisers and steeper pitched terrain.

As mentioned, leaving some wiggle room for weather is a good idea. If you get a snow storm that weekend, Wildcat should be skied immediately after the dump and you can save Black for last which will have the least amount of traffic. Attitash on Friday due to highest crowds is a good idea. Black Saturday and then Wildcat Sunday might also be a consideration since Wildcat will be more crowded Saturday than Sunday typically and Black need not worry about crowds.

[Marc]

Try the Sherbie, it's got really good coverage now plus you can work up a good appetite getting to it

[MikeTrainor]

As another poster pointed out the snow at wildcat does get scraped down. I prefer the morning to afternoon. I would go for the full day but I do believe they will sell you a ticket for the 1st half of the day at a discount price.

[cbcbd]

Originally Posted by deadheadskier

Friday: Attitash - crowds will be less of an issue and Attitash offers much more advanced terrain than Bretton
Saturday: Wildcat - will have the smallest crowds and liftlines out of anywhere for a saturday
Sunday Afternoon: Black - afternoon's at Black are only $26

I third this plan. Last time I skied at Bretton I tele'd so I wouldn't be too bored

And if you're really hungry for more skiing you can head over to Cranmore for night skiing on Sat.

It's a bear of a drive to BW or Cannon from N. Conway...

[bigbog]

Originally Posted by soulseller

............What would your top 3 mountains be within 20-30 minutes of North Conway?

My pick would be the areas in the Presidentials... Stuff..ie "Junk" is on the way east...could possibly make for some good, albeit cold, conditions in areas..
Aside from that..if your skis are working pretty well I'd go for Cannon, but Sunday River is just ~27mi from downtown N. Conway... Making several initial plans based on what the driving conditions might be...always works, which includes just getting your feet on some snow...= Cranmore, Bretton Woods...etc.

$.01

[Bob R]

This will be the 1st year I have not rented for a week in North conway.

Cranmore is nice for a 1/2 day. Cool to do the nastalgic thing. Nice if you arrive late.

Black mountain has non holiday midweek fantastic family deals. Best in area imo.

If you in North Conway go to Widcat at least one day. I always did Sunday River out of North conway.

Best values is black one day midweek. Wildcat two days getting the next day for $39 deal.

Money no issue Sunday River midweek one day. Wildcat weekends.