Best novice-friendly ski resort?

[New Daddy]

My family and my friends' families are planning a ski trip and need advice on the venue.
Many members of our group are novices, so we naturally would like to go to a beginner-friendly resort.
We all live in the Boston area and are willing to drive up to three hours and half. We will probably go during the President Day weekend or the weekend before.

The following are some of the criteria that we would like to see met by our destination:

(1) Quality of Beginner Slopes
I have only been to Killington but did not think K was really beginner friendly. Its green trails were few are far between, and were not really what I would consider stand-alone downhill slopes. They were more like ancillary traverse trails that were narrow and winding, and often cut across black diamonds and blues, which I thought was a concern for beginners.
What I am looking for is a resort with lots of long, wide beginner trails where beginners can learn how to make proper round, long turns.

(2) Connectivity between mountains
As some members of the group are advanced skiers, our group will reconvene from time to time from different mountains to have meal together, etc. Therefore, we hope that advanced trails are within easy connectivity from beginner trails. I think at least Killington met this criteria.

(3) Crowd
This is something I am about to give up, but the less crowd on busy weekends, the better.


I have been reading many posts here and narrowed down to Okemo, Bretton Woods and Sunday River. If any of you could provide your comments based on my criteria, or even recommend another resort, it will really help make our trip memorable!

Thanks!!

 

[MRGisevil]

Bretton Woods

 

[Paul]

Bretton Woods

Yup.

 

[wa-loaf]

Let me throw Sugarloaf in here. They do have a reputation as a challenging mountain, but there are plenty of nice long green and blue trails and one central base area. Everything off of the Whiffel Tree quad is nice, the trails off of the double runner lifts and all the west mountain stuff is blue/green. Plenty to challenge the advanced skiers too. There will likely be fewer crowds up that way too over Presidents weekend.

 

[nelsapbm]

Burke - www.skiburke.com. Has its own beginner area which is isolated away from the main mountain. Nice, long, gentle beginner slopes. Crowds will be less here than at other resorts

 

[MRGisevil]

Also, you can try checking out this thread from a while ago. Same topic- might help ya out

 

[billski]

Ditto - Bretton Woods. Always comes to mind first. 2.25 hours from Route 128. They are great with beginners. The expanded terrain will also keep the advanced in your group entertained.
The only downside is that there are not a lot of eating options. Then again, you came to ski, right?

 

[Paul]

Ditto - Bretton Woods. Always comes to mind first. 2.25 hours from Route 128. They are great with beginners. The expanded terrain will also keep the advanced in your group entertained.
The only downside is that there are not a lot of eating options. Then again, you came to ski, right?

Unless you don't mind the 20 - 30 min. ride to the Glen / Intervale / Bartlett / N. Conway area. Then there's lotsa good stuff fer eatins.

 

[jack97]

I'll throw in the vote for BW. Just be aware that pres day weekend can be crowded for all the resorts you mentioned.

In terms of lodging, you might want to try Littleton NH, about 20 min away on rt 203. Plenty of cheap (low cost) motels and most will have vouchers (5 dollar discount on lift tickets). In addition, the city has a variety of restaurants.

 

[RISkier]

Agree strongly with Bretton Woods. Lots of fairly long green cruisers with nice sustained pitch. Not a lot of flat areas that require a lot of poling or skating. There are green trails off virtually every lift so novices can feel like they are skiing the whole mountain. Many (most) of the blue runs are just a little steeper or have short head walls that are just right for those looking for a little more challenge without getting in over their heads. As I recall a couple of blues over on West Mountain have a bit more sustained pitch but in general most blues are just a little step up from the greens. Grooming and infrastructure are generally excellent. Very nice views of Mt. Washington and the Presidentials. Crowds that weekend will likely be fairly large almost everywhere. I also agree with the dining comments. There are few options in the immediate area. If you want to splurge stay and or eat at the Mt. Washington Hotel. There's also a resort affiliated restaurant just across the road from BW, but otherwise there's not much in the immediate area for dining or lodging. As Paul noted, a drive to the Glen/Bartlett/N Conway area will give lots of options. It's an easy drive if weather is good. If you're looking for a ski/stay package the Hampton Inn in Littleton offers some real decent packages -- they also offer packages for Burke, I believe.

 

[frozencorn]

Second the North Conway area. Bretton Woods is a good top choice, but closer to town you have Cranmore, Attitash, and King Pine, all fine places to chill out for a day.

 

[kingdom-tele]

can't speak for other resorts but if your looking for a small crowd, good beginner area with quick access to upper mountain trails and ease of finding your group then go to burke.

 

[bobbutts]

I'm not all that impressed with Okemo for Beginner (or Advanced)..
Those South Ridge chairs are Sl-ooo-ooow and feature more accomplished skiers using the run for transport to the base.
BW seems to be almost entirely accessible to beginners as the blues would be green many places.. Probably another vote for BW from me.

 

[hiroto]

Attitash.

I would not recommend Attitash for group of beginners. Their selection of beginner trail is very limited. I would put another vote on Bretton Woods, but I hope there are more affordable lodging option there.

Also Mt. Snow is another good place for beginners.

 

[jack97]

I would not recommend Attitash for group of beginners. Their selection of beginner trail is very limited. I would put another vote on Bretton Woods, but I hope there are more affordable lodging option there.

I got $59/nite at a motel (cable,bath/shower and small frig) in Littltleton, 1adult/1child.They offer $69 1adult/1adult, throw in the vouchers it goes down to $49 and $59.

 

[billski]

I would not recommend Attitash for group of beginners. Their selection of beginner trail is very limited. I would put another vote on Bretton Woods, but I hope there are more affordable lodging option there.

Also Mt. Snow is another good place for beginners.

you can pile a lot of people into a BW slopeside condo for not too much money, especially midweek. Bring pasta and beer for the adults, doritos and hot dogs for the kids, what else do you need

Snow will be much busier than BW on a weekend, so you have to determine your priorities....

 

[tcharron]

Second the North Conway area. Bretton Woods is a good top choice, but closer to town you have Cranmore, Attitash, and King Pine, all fine places to chill out for a day.

Don't forget Shawnee Peak like 20 minutes max away. Fun for night skiing.

 

[SIKSKIER]

Hands down Bretton Woods.

 

[billski]

did anyone mention bretton woods yet

 

[skibum9995]

Bretton Woods would be a good choice but whenever I ski with a beginner I go to Burke. Can't beat the isolated beginner area and it is less crowded and cheaper than BW.