Best ski resortin NH area for beginners please ????

We are a family who will be based in Woodstock NH and are absolute beginners at skiing ..... which ski resort in the area would suit us best ??
Our son wants to snowboard and has a little experience. Kids are teenagers. Also wondering whether we should buy lessons in advance or is there better deals to be had once we arrive there. Love to get any feedback. Anne

[ChileMass]

Anne - you will probably have a great time almost anywhere as all ski areas have beginner areas, it's just a matter of how much terrain they devote to it. Look or the trails and slopes designated with green circles, which are the beginner areas (moderately difficult trails are indicated by blue squares, and more difficult trails are designated with black diamonds - you'll probably want to avoid those for now).

2 other things to think about - lessons and crowds. Do a little research (perhaps on this board) for some recommendations on where people feel the quality of instruction is good, and you may want to consider starting at some of the smaller, less-crowded hills before moving up to Loon, Cannon, Kilington, etc. That's more of a personal pet peeve for me - I hate skiing with 20,000 people at the hill with me, and the ski lessons will likely be a lot more crowded and less personal at the bigger hills or resorts. However, realize that all areas, large or small, can help you and your family get started.

I have never taken lessons in the northern NH area, so I can't really comment on the quality of instruction at any of the hills in your area, but as far as a good place to get started, I really like Gunstock in Guilford. It has a killer view of the lake and the mountains, and used to have a "noon-groom" policy where the grooming machines went out at mid-day and re-surfaced all the trails into perfect shape just when they snow was getting skied off. It has a terrific lodge and every time I have been there (typically with my kids who love it) people are very friendly. Good luck and have a great time!!!

[Greg]

Hello Anne - welcome to the boards.

Loon is obviously the closest option. Info on lessons and their Kids' Camp programs can be found here:

http://www.loonmtn.com/winter/ssports.html

Another option would be a bit of a drive (~25 minutes), and that's Bretton Woods. Much easier terrain overall that the bigger resorts in the area like Cannon, Loon, & Attitash. Here's more info on their ski school:

http://www.brettonwoods.com/alpinesk....cfm?edit_id=5

No first hand ski school experience at either resort, but maybe some others have input. Good luck!

[Joshua B]

I think beginners want an uncrowded area to learn because they're sometimes embarrassed at their abilities. As many times as you tell them everyone starts out at the beginner level, they're still insecure about learning.

That being said, I nominate Ragged. They have the usual beginner lifts plus a great secluded novice area served by the Banyard Triple. Personally, I like the goat pen on the Banyard slope. It gives the area a real New England charm, and I like to stop and call to the goats.

[Greg]

Originally Posted by Joshua B

I think beginners want an uncrowded area to learn because they're sometimes embarrassed at their abilities. As many times as you tell them everyone starts out at the beginner level, they're still insecure about learning.

I agree, but I think the main reason is that beginners get freaked out if there are other skiers nearby...

[Joshua B]

And I agree with you.

Pat's Peak is somewhat close to the border with night skiing. When my daughter went to school in southern NH they also has a ski school program through the public school.

[riverc0il]

ChileMass, you think cannon is crowded? how can you even mention cannon in the same sentance as loon and kmart?

if money is no object, go to bretton woods a short drive north. although i've never been (and this is why i've never been), BW is famous for it's calm and gentle terrain. even beginners can manage a run from the top during their first weekend skiing. BW has a family resort reputation, and i'm sure their ski instruction (which you will want!) is fantastic.

i would reccomend avoiding loon on the weekends due to crowds. also, no solid "top of the mountain" beginner trails at loon (aside from bear paw which is suicide crowded for beginners).

ragged is a really good option, so is tenney. tenney is cheap too! i've never skiied cranmore, but that seems like a solid family mountain.

i hesitate to recommend cannon before sampling the new beginner area first band.. but from what i've seen, i think the new area will go a long way in bringing newbies to cannon. recent years have seen a dedication to snow sports school and their new equipment shop. definitely aiming to please non-experts. but they wouldn't be a suggestion quite yet. something to tuck away in the back of your head if innitial reports are good.

so, if you need cheap skiing go tenney. if a bit of a drive isn't a problem, ragged. BW if money isn't a problem and you want the best experience money can buy. cranmore also a bit of a drive, but family type place. definitely waterville and loon if you can go mid-week, WV is cheaper. there's aren't the place for a first time skiing experience on a busy weekend though.

[RISkier]

Don't have personal knowledge of many NH resorts, but I am a begginer. My wife really wanted to ski and, against my better judgment, we started last year. I think most of the places will have pretty good places to get started, but one thing to look at is the terrain to which you can matriculate. Bretton Woods has been mentioned, they have an isolated area for beginners served by it's own chair lift. Once you master that terrain, you can go all over the mountain on gentle green circle trails. And if you get bored with those, the blues offer just a bit more challenge. Very nice views of Mt. Washington, very family friendly place, certainly not the least expensive option. My wife and I spent a weekend at BW and really liked it. It was a great place for us, as relative begginers, to cruise all over the place. I've heard the ski school is good, but we didn't take lessons there.

One place that's not been mentioned, and it's a place I think will be much improved this year, is Gunstock. We started at Gunstock, in part because they offered a package of 3-days of 2-hour lessons, plus lift ticket, plus rentals for $109 per person -- nice price. We were very happy with our instructors at GS. I recall the 1st day I started skating on my skis -- the instructor smiled and said, oh, a skater I see -- at which point I promptly fell. He clapped and laughed, and so did I. We didn't think GS was a great transition place, but, they've fixed almost all of the things we didn't like about it. They've installed snow-making and put a sane lift in their Pistol area, which has nice terrain for the slowly improving newbie. They've installed a high speed summit quad which should spread folks out on the mountain. We skied from the summit the 2nd day, but what a slow cold ride. I'd say, very good value for lessons.

And that brings me to the point I'd most like to make. I think the GS package of lessons is a very good value, and many, perhaps most, newbies should consider multiple days of lessons. I'm pushing 50, and while I walk quite a bit I'm far from a well-honed athlete. The first day was a struggle. Just renting boots, putting boots on, walking in boots (especially up and down stairs) while carrying skis and poles is a pain in the ... The skis initially seem like the enemy. I felt very awkward and clumsy. Honestly, had it not been for an overbearing wife who really wanted us to learn to ski (thanks dear) I'd have been happy to never return for a 2nd day. The 2nd day, I got a taste of what skiing could be like, and by the 3rd day I was getting hooked. We went skiing again the first chance we had and skied every weekend we could get away. Now the point. Be kind to yourselves. You may feel like a complete clutz the first day -- so what. I suspect almost everyone (at least adults) are pretty clutsy on skis their first few times out. Laugh at yourself when you fall down. Relish being on the mountain. Understand that it may well take a few times out before you begin to really feel comfortable -- but you will and you'll really enjoy it.

[riverc0il]

i learned to ski at gunstock and LOVED it there as a little kid. i only didn't recommend it because they are staying in woodstock, so i figured anything longer than an hour drive may not be optimal. i figure if you're gonna be staying in the whites, you'll probably want to ski in the whites. but gunstock is definitely recommend!!