AZ rate the NH mountains

[Vortex]

After a back and forth with RivercOil..

How do Rate the NH moutnains... what order would you buy a single season pass for that mountain.

Take into account length of season.. snow quality, crowds, travel distance
what ever else you want.

loon
Wildcat
Attitash
Bretton woods
Cranmore/Cannon


reasons

Loons early season snow making and base depths at the end of the year and parks

Wilcat casue on a beautiful day after fesh snow its just about perfect.

Attitash. I just like the variety. hoping with New lifts that place will move ahead.

Bretton woods. great for familes. Not high on the challenge level., but you can get kids into the glades while they learn.

Cranmore I like the narrow old time trails and its history and views. My kids keep asking to go back so if they are happy I am happy.

Cannon cause when the weather is right it gets snow. Has its own weather pattern, would be higher, but gets wind blown and really can be cold. Short season(My own persoanl issue I guess) Go ahead and make a poll if you want.

 

[thebigo]

I put cannon at the top of the list. The terrain is unmatched in new hampshire and unspoiled. It is also relatively low priced and easily accessible. I strongly considered a pass to Cannon this year but for the same price the blackout sr/sl pass with western benefits is a better value.

Next would be loon and attitash. Good variety of terrain and reliable snowmaking for lean years.

I only have a few days at Bretton Woods and Cranmore. Neither interested me enough to return.

I never cared much for Wildcat, I skied there a ton when I was a kid and havent found a reason to go back in the last few years.

Not sure why you omitted waterville but I would put it somewhere lower than attitash but above bretton woods. Again highly accessible, reliable snow but badly in need of expansion.

 

[ctenidae]

Probably:
Sunapee- access is easy, terrain is mediocre but sufficient. Price has gotten a little out of control, and crowds are groing, though.
Bretton Woods- it's just a really nice place, and easy to get to
Wildcat- only been once (10/31/05), but I like their style. If it weren't 3.5 hours away, it'd be much higher up the list.
Gunstock- but only for night skiing
Ragged- only skied there once, but the uber-cheap pass price is attractive

 

[threecy]

Majors:

Wildcat
Attitash
Cannon
Sunapee
Loon
Waterville
Bretton Woods

Reasons: Wildcat has awesome terrain/scenery/lift, it's worth the extra 15 minute drive. Attitash has a decent variety, but no HS T2B lift. I'm not a fan of the T2B situation at Cannon (long runout to the Tram and take off skis, or deal with two lifts including a fixed grip). Sunapee is a fun cruiser mountain. I can't stand the trail layout of pre-South Peak Loon. Ditto Waterville. Bretton Woods is just too flat for my liking.

Mid sized:

Gunstock
Crotched
Ragged
Black
Pats Peak

Reasons: Gunstock is a fun area with night skiing and great views. Crotched has good conditions. Ragged before their woes was fun to ski, esp. off the 6 pack. Black is friendly, but I find the trail network to be a bit dull. Pat's Peak has too much of a run out for my liking.

Haven't skied yet: Cranmore/Whaleback/King Pine/McIntyre/Granite Gorge/Balsams/Storrs Hill/Abenaki/Blackwater

 

[tree_skier]

Cannon
Attitash
Wildcat
Loon
Waterville
Gunstock
Ragged
Sunapee
Dartmouth skiway
Cranmore
Pats Peak
Crotched
Granite Gorge/Pinnicle
Whaleback

of what I have skied

 

[Vortex]

Good point threcey about the smaller mtns. would not buy a pass for them personally. I like the bigger mtn feel. I like Pats and gunstock though for a day or night.

Waterville never really did it for me. I love the base village and I like this entire region more in the Summer than the Winter.

I debated buying the limited pass and skiing waterville the black out dates casue I was not going to pay more to ski Loon. Came down to my son wanted a quality seasonal program. So I decided to go to the River and Pay more than ski Waterville. The people are great. Stomach doc gave me alot of info.(thankx) In the end I chose Maine.
If Waterville is inculded in a pass I go there if not I don't.

I guess a bit of a contracdiction here by me. Loon is the best value IMO in Nh, but Sr was worth paying more and driving further. with the New pass it works very well for me.

 

[hammer]

Good point threcey about the smaller mtns. would not buy a pass for them personally. I like the bigger mtn feel. I like Pats and gunstock though for a day or night.

I'd agree that the bigger mountains have more to offer, but getting a pass to one only makes sense IMO if you have a place to stay nearby.

I don't think I can really rank most places I've skied in NH...not enough experience to make a fair judgment for many of them. At this point, I'd say that Sunapee is at the top of my list, but the cost and weekend crowds are detractors.

 

[Vortex]

Very good post Hammer. Distance is part of the equation. I can get to pats in 55 min. I can get to Loon in 1.30. Cannon 1.45 easy day trips. Honestly I would not ski every weekend day if I had to travel every day. Epsecailly with kids in seasonals. Sunapee really is a favorite of many cause of its easy access. It also seems to avoid the bashing that Loon gets. Sunapee and Gunstock offer the lake option to make it a great 4 season area also. Nh has alot to offer with some easy access..

 

[snoseek]

cannon
wildcat
loon
attitash
waterville
ect..


what i like about new hampshire is that there are still some affordable options, good roads, and great vibe. i don't really compare it to vermont or maine because its not vermont or maine. the past several seasons the cannon/bretton woods midweek has worked very well, as you can switch between areas midday. bretton woods may be flat and boring but when it windy at cannon (or really icy) i go there.

 

[stomachdoc]

You could certainly split this thread into "Places to ski for the day in NH" and "Places to Have a Ski House in NH." We've rented or owned a place at Waterville for the past 6 years and, while the skiing is fine, I'm pretty bored being at the same place. In addition, as Booth Creek hasn't done anything there, things are pretty stagnant. However, as a place to have a second home, WV is awesome. As Bob points out, it's a great 4 season region, the base village and town are very quiet and caters to families and the ski school/day care programs are great. If I had a day to spend and the snow was good; I'd be at Cannon in a second! If I could tolerate being with my kids in the car for more than 2 hours, I'd buy a place at Sunday River!

 

[Vortex]

I keep you posted stomach do if I can do it.:-D

 

[tcharron]

I'd agree that the bigger mountains have more to offer, but getting a pass to one only makes sense IMO if you have a place to stay nearby.

I don't think I can really rank most places I've skied in NH...not enough experience to make a fair judgment for many of them. At this point, I'd say that Sunapee is at the top of my list, but the cost and weekend crowds are detractors.

Personally, the 15 minute drive to Crotched from my house puts it on the top of MY list. :-D

Being able to get out of work at 5:30, head home, toss on the ski gear, and go ski for 2 hours after work makes it WELL worth the season pass

 

[Mildcat]

1) Cannon. If I was a NH resident I would have definitely bought this pass.
2) Wildcat. One of my favorites. A lot of people don't like bottom to summit lifts but I think with the lack of crowds it's a non issue here. You can ski 2000k of vert from one lift. I wish I lived closer to Wildcat.
3) Gunstock. Only skied there once, enjoyed it. Reasonable prices.
4) Waterville. Ranks last on my list of areas I've visited. Went once years ago, didn't like it, saw no reason to go back.

I've never been to Attitash, Sunapee, or Loon. Although I'm trying to decide if I should upgrade my Maine pass to a NE pass. Not sure if I want to spend the extra $200 for Loon.

 

[Vortex]

1) Cannon. If I was a NH resident I would have definitely bought this pass.
2) Wildcat. One of my favorites. A lot of people don't like bottom to summit lifts but I think with the lack of crowds it's a non issue here. You can ski 2000k of vert from one lift. I wish I lived closer to Wildcat.
3) Gunstock. Only skied there once, enjoyed it. Reasonable prices.
4) Waterville. Ranks last on my list of areas I've visited. Went once years ago, didn't like it, saw no reason to go back.

I've never been to Attitash, Sunapee, or Loon. Although I'm trying to decide if I should upgrade my Maine pass to a NE pass. Not sure if I want to spend the extra $200 for Loon.

From worcester you will. i have a buddy that goes to Loon on sat and Sun and does Wa Wa at night.

Wait till you have that easy ride home just once.

I know you will trip to the river, but saving a night stay upon occasion will make that $200 seem worth it.

Or drive to Sunday River on Sat stay somwehere on your way back and ski Loon on sunday.( gorham has places under $40 per night on Route 2 )crowds mellow on sunday at Loon. Been telling snowmonster to stay in Gorham and make weekend trips. cheaper than driving home.

Anyone that lives west of 93 or north of the mass pike this is a great deal.

 

[thebigo]

gorham has places under $40 per night on Route 2

Under $40? Any more info?

Are these places liklely to get me the silent treatment from the old lady for the weekend?

 

[Vortex]

pm sent

 

[Greg]

Only been to a few:

1. Loon
2. Waterville Valley
3. Sunapee
4. Bretton Woods

Gotta get to Cannon and Wildcat.

 

[nelsapbm]

Of the ones I've skied:

#1 Cannon. No question
#2. Wildcat.
#3 Cranmore
#4 Loon - just don't like the place. Don't know why!
#5 Attitash - have never had a good day there.

 

[snoseek]

Only been to a few:

1. Loon
2. Waterville Valley
3. Sunapee
4. Bretton Woods

Gotta get to Cannon and Wildcat.

You really should do both this year.

 

[threecy]

Gotta get to...Wildcat.

Dude.