AZ rate the NH mountains

[Edd]

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.

Pretty much agree with this except I haven't skied Loon. I'd call Cannon and Wildcat a tie but if Cannon had a conveniently located top to bottom HSQ instead of that tram (dream on) it would be fantastic.

Cranmore is small but what a great layout; very hassle free. If I had little kids I'd take them there to learn.

Attitash ties with Killington as the most overrated resorts in New England. Total clusterf*** and a ton of boilerplate.

Loon: I've got the silver Maine pass because I've done A41 for years and primarily drive to SR from the seacoast NH area. Going to Loon midweek would be huge for me because it's a bit closer but I haven't upgraded because of the $200 price hike (the bronze and gold passes are a cheaper upgrade by half; correct me if I'm wrong but I don't get this) and I've never tried it. For $100 more I'd take a chance. I wish Boyne would re-think this.

 

[riverc0il]

Cannon (Best Terrain on and off piste)
Wildcat (Second Best with Best Natural Snow)
Loon (Good Terrain--Mid-week skiing only due to crowds)
Black (Sweet trees, fun mellow natural snow trails)
Ragged (Sweet trees, fun mellow natural snow trails)
Waterville (I guess, not much of a fan but it does have True Grit et all)
Gunstock (Great view and night skiing options)
Attitash (Not much about Attitash that I liked)
Tenney (Don't care much for the terrain, cheap though... when it is open)

I have not skied Cranmore, Dartmouth, or Balsams. I suspect Dartmouth might fall in the middle of the pack somewhere. Bretton I have not skied but would probably put somewhere in the middle of the pack due to good mellow gladed terrain but for the price it just isn't worth driving past Cannon.

Cannon is right on par with Loon for natural, Cannon might even be slightly higher, IIRC. When Cannon lines up a big dump, it is better than anything in New Hampshire and rivals most VT areas.

 

[NHpowderhound]

This thread is relative to the skier and what they are looking for in a mountain/resort. I am looking for snow quality, reliability of fresh snow and challenge. But another AZ member might be more interested in family programs, ease to get to or price.

With that said, MY choices are:
Wildcat/Cannon or Cannon/Wildcat- Each has thier own personality but can give me the qualities I am looking for. I LOVE them both

Black- It's just a throwback to the skiing of yesteryear. Very slow lifts, family feel, and the trails have charachter. I like hiking Black just after they close and skiing it then. It's different.

Ragged- It's small but I like it.

Loon- I am not a big fan of Loon- Long lines, skiers and riders that dont look where they are going, too expensive. But it does have a couple decent trails that can hold my interest for a couple runs. The gondola is good for poor weather. Mid-week only.

Bretton Woods- I usually get the Bold And Beautiful pass which includes both Cannon and Bretton Woods. I will ski Cannon 95% of the season. Bretton Woods is good when the lifts are closed throughout the state from wind but BW can usually still spin thiers. I can also bring my son and girlfriend and they thoroughly enjoy BW which makes me happy. Othere than that BW lacks challenge but has good natural snow.

Attitash- Well, it's better than Gunrock but I dont care for the carbon copy feel of Jordan Bowl in the Bear Peak area.

Gunstock- It's close, that's it. I only night ski there when I can motivate friends to go. I find they have rude and disrespectful clinents.

Waterville- Booooring! Blue square heaven. Too crowded.

I've skied several other resorts in NH but those are the heavy hitters. I wish Moose Mountain in Union was still open!

((*
*))NHPH

 

[deadheadskier]

Cannon is right on par with Loon for natural, Cannon might even be slightly higher, IIRC. When Cannon lines up a big dump, it is better than anything in New Hampshire and rivals most VT areas.

I trust your opinion and defitinitely need to experience that mountain with someone in the know. let's make turns for sure

 

[snoseek]

I trust your opinion and defitinitely need to experience that mountain with someone in the know. let's make turns for sure

i still keep finding new lines at mittersill. this is what seperates cannon imo.

 

[Mildcat]

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.

I am leaning that way. I have Fri, Sat, and Sundays off from work and plenty of Vac. days saved up so I should be able to get some weekdays in at loon. I can head up on a Friday, find a place to crash for the night and hit SR on Saturdays.

 

[Vortex]

Ski Loon on Friday and stay in Gorham a night ot two breaks up the ride as well. The river and Loon are both pretty empty on Monday.

 

[sledhaulingmedic]

Cannon
Wildcat
Ragged
Dartmouth
Crotched

I haven't been to Loon in years and Waterville even longer. Just not my kind of places.

 

[ga2ski]

Tucks
Wildcat - Classic mountain. Great views.
Cannon - another classic.
Loon
Attitash
Gunstock - It's where I learned to ski and spent 12 plus season season there. Plus there night skiing is fun.
Waterville
Sunapee
Pats Peak - only because they have an awesome corporate race program. and Location to my house.
Whaleback - The day i was there was 14 of snow. I had a blast. Plus it is steep for a lil peak.
King Ridge - come on you park at the top. That makes it awesome
Ragged
Cranmore
Dartmouth skiway
Tenney - only during the days of snowmagic. But it was fun to ski on July4th and very early in October.
Blackwater (Proctor Prep school's hill) - used to race there once a year.
Highlands
McIntrye - Only ever skinned up after it closed for the season. although it is only a mile or so from my house.


That is all I have skied

 

[Zand]

Cannon
Loon
Sunapee
Waterville