You have 1 milly to spend on a ski haus in the Northeast. Where are you buying?

[Hastur]

Your aunt just died and left you a million dollars. The only caveat is that in order to keep it, you have to spend it on a second home in ski county. Where do you buy and why?

Starter home in Stowe?

Slopeside at J?

Saddleback?

Sugarloaf?

The Bush?

 

[deadheadskier]

A shack with a dock on Winnipesaukee in Gilford. 10 minutes to Gunstock for quick laps, many great NH options within an hour, 2.5 to Jay.

I'm used to longer commutes to skiing. Waterfront property is more appealing to me and Winni is the best in New England.

 

[Hawk]

I am already close to slopeside at Sugarbush. 1 Mil would only get me a little closer. Maybe Jay. Housing at Stowe is over the top so I am not sure what it would buy.

 

[jimk]

Ski country,.,
I'd buy a decent two bedroom condo in the Salt Lake Valley for $500k and use the rest for air fare back and forth over a couple decades

 

[Edd]

A decent house on Rangeley Lake would work for us.

 

[deadheadskier]

A decent house on Rangeley Lake would work for us.

This would be my second choice.

 

[4aprice]

A shack with a dock on Winnipesaukee in Gilford. 10 minutes to Gunstock for quick laps, many great NH options within an hour, 2.5 to Jay.

I'm used to longer commutes to skiing. Waterfront property is more appealing to me and Winni is the best in New England.

I would go for Center Harbor between the Lakes and the Whites

 

[snoseek]

Burke for the mix and central location.

 

[deadheadskier]

I would go for Center Harbor between the Lakes and the Whites

You would think Center Harbor is significantly closer to the White looking at a map, but it isn't. It's about 50 minutes to Cannon from Center Harbor. It's 1:05 from Gilford. Center Harbor and the entire West side of the lake is also a traffic nightmare in summer. I do boat over there a bit and like the village of CH, but I think the best combination of boating quality, vehicle traffic and access is best in Gilford. Cheap property taxes in Gilford too.

 

[Quietman]

We have a family place right on a nice lake that has a decent view of Mt Abram which is a 4 min drive. SR is 15-20, Black of ME is 20, Wildcat is 40. Lakeside and close to ski areas is much better than trailside. It currently gets far more use in the summer than winter, but am hoping to change that when I am finally able to retire.
It was recently appraised at a bit under 1 mil, mostly because it is right on the water. Lakeside properties in Maine have skyrocketed, but we will never sell ours. So fortunate that my parents bought it 30 years ago.

Main room window view, it has a sandy beach area.

 

[chuckstah]

We have a family place right on a nice lake that has a decent view of Mt Abram which is a 4 min drive. SR is 15-20, Black of ME is 20, Wildcat is 40. Lakeside and close to ski areas is much better than trailside. It currently gets far more use in the summer than winter, but am hoping to change that when I am finally able to retire.
It was recently appraised at a bit under 1 mil, mostly because it is right on the water. Lakeside properties in Maine have skyrocketed, but we will never sell ours. So fortunate that my parents bought it 30 years ago.

Main room window view, it has a sandy beach area.

View attachment 66441

That's a great spot, I could live there for sure. (If I had a spare million dollars). This was in April from my friend's place, looking at Abram. It was ice out day, pretty cool watching it happen in real time.

 

[parahelia]

We have a family place right on a nice lake that has a decent view of Mt Abram which is a 4 min drive. SR is 15-20, Black of ME is 20, Wildcat is 40. Lakeside and close to ski areas is much better than trailside. It currently gets far more use in the summer than winter, but am hoping to change that when I am finally able to retire.
It was recently appraised at a bit under 1 mil, mostly because it is right on the water. Lakeside properties in Maine have skyrocketed, but we will never sell ours. So fortunate that my parents bought it 30 years ago.

Main room window view, it has a sandy beach area.

View attachment 66441

I think I know that one - beautiful spot

I love all the lakes, big and small, dotted around Western ME. Can't beat the convenience of our Sunday River condo all winter long, but in the summer the water is where it's at. We have favorite swimming holes and lakes that are an easy drive from the condo, and public access is usually available, unlike home.

My million-dollar fantasy is a house on one of these lakes, while keeping the condo for wintertime convenience. As long as we're dreaming.

 

[4aprice]

You would think Center Harbor is significantly closer to the White looking at a map, but it isn't. It's about 50 minutes to Cannon from Center Harbor. It's 1:05 from Gilford. Center Harbor and the entire West side of the lake is also a traffic nightmare in summer. I do boat over there a bit and like the village of CH, but I think the best combination of boating quality, vehicle traffic and access is best in Gilford. Cheap property taxes in Gilford too.

My affinity for Center Harbor comes from having spent a week there a while back when kids were younger. Loved the village and surrounding area. Stayed at Centrr Harbor Inn and would get up every morning and ski some of it on glass conditions It’s no secret my like of Loon and the Ski 93 Region. Was going to be my retirement destination till we were going skiing up there one morning and it was like -15 and my wife turned to me and said I think we should retire out west for our skiing. This we found Granby. Still love the northeast lakes including our own Hopatcong.

 

[thebigo]

If money were no concern I would be on merrill Hill three seasons and summer in government camp. Problem is a million dollars does not get it done. I find SR to be the best all around option in the East but have zero desire to pay income tax when I start drawing on my 401K in a couple decades.

Spent last winter in a log cabin on 40 acres in Easton NH surrounded by the WMNF. Suspect that is where I end up when the kids finish UNH. Largest piece of land I can find north of the notches. Split ski days between Cannon, loon and SR. Spend the off-season growing food, chopping wood, tending chickens, etc.

 

[2Planker]

Lived in the MWV for 25 years. 2 houses, Conway and Jackson.
Bang for buck right now I’d say Bartlett or Madison. Tamworth has a few nice places on the market but the taxes are highest around, except for Gorham.

 

[Hastur]

A shack with a dock on Winnipesaukee in Gilford. 10 minutes to Gunstock for quick laps, many great NH options within an hour, 2.5 to Jay.

I'm used to longer commutes to skiing. Waterfront property is more appealing to me and Winni is the best in New England.

it doesn't snow enough in NH though. and lakes don't do it for me after growing up on the ocean on LI.

 

[Hastur]

Ski country,.,
I'd buy a decent two bedroom condo in the Salt Lake Valley for $500k and use the rest for air fare back and forth over a couple decades

id do a month at a time in UT. outside of the skiing and mountain biking, Utah has nothing for me. the culture there is not my thing.


plus auntie said Northeastern ski country

 

[deadheadskier]

it doesn't snow enough in NH though. and lakes don't do it for me after growing up on the ocean on LI.

You do you.

You asked where people would buy a second home in ski country, I gave you where I would buy. I would want a place I will enjoy being 12 months out of the year. Winnipesaukee is that for me.

I get the appeal of the ocean, but not in Northern New England. All set with the freezing water. I could have a saltwater slip walking distance from my home. I drive an hour to Winnipesaukee instead.

And after 17 years living in NH, I've become quite good at and enjoy ripping hard pack. I obviously prefer Northern VT trees with powder, but I get by just fine spending about 70% of my days in NH.

 

[thebigo]

You do you.

You asked where people would buy a second home in ski country, I gave you where I would buy. I would want a place I will enjoy being 12 months out of the year. Winnipesaukee is that for me.

I get the appeal of the ocean, but not in Northern New England. All set with the freezing water. I could have a saltwater slip walking distance from my home. I drive an hour to Winnipesaukee instead.

And after 17 years living in NH, I've become quite good at and enjoy ripping hard pack. I obviously prefer Northern VT trees with powder, but I get by just fine spending about 70% of my days in NH.

People who have never lived in New Hampshire, can not appreciate living in New Hampshire.