Best novice-friendly ski resort?

[riverc0il]

Add Black Mountain, NH to the short list.

 

[askstowell]

For me, you can't lose with either Bretton Woods and Sunday River for reasons others have articulated. They're my 11 year old daughter's two favorite places and this will be her 5th year skiing and my 4th. While she races, she still loves to goof around and relax on some nice greens and blues, practicing going backwards or on one ski...even hitting some of the easy glades at BW. Lots of NASTAR runs under her belt at BW as well. You'll find something for everyone at both places.

We've been to BW three times this season already, won't hit Sunday River probably until Feb vacation week like we do every year for a few days. This year a trip to Shawnee Peak may be in the cards to mix it up a bit during our annual trip up to SR.

The previously mentioned Hampton Inn in Littleton indeed has great ski/stay packages for BW (also Cannon) which we took advantage of in Dec. for early season. Only 30 minutes max to BW. While you won't get the $99 and two lift ticket deal we got now, they still have decent rates and the tickets are thrown in. Seeing as we'd stay somewhere anyway, we chose the Hampton and saved over $350 in three days of free skiing at BW with the tickets in the deal. Nearby Littleton also has Littleton Diner where my daughter chowed down on breakfast for dinner one night...she absolutely loved it and learned the importance of helping "mom and pop" places as opposed to the generic Applebees or other bland chain restaurant.

We've also stayed at North Conway Holiday Inn Express and had a decent experience there as well (no lift tix though). Nearby is Red Parka Pub, outlets, as well as the other areas people mentioned like Cranmore, King Pine, etc. that are decent as well. BW about 45 minutes away.

Don't know much about what's around Sunday River/Bethel as we tend to stay at friend's free condo an hour away so can't comment too much other than daughter loves the ski area and how you can bounce from mountain to mountain there.

 

[Breeze]

The only two I have any familiarity with are SR and BW. Either of those will fill your bill for trails and the ski experience, but unless you are willing to travel for "choices" in lodging or meal experiences, you are delivering yourselves into somewhat of an " all inclusive/ take what you get" situation.

There is never one best answer based on limited input. You have it narrowed down in the aspect of "terrain", but I can't get a feeling of what you'd like for Lodging or Meal choices to go along with the ski experience.

Breeze

 

[bobbutts]

Add Black Mountain, NH to the short list.

I have never been there but someone else I trust said it was the absolute best beginner hill around. (yes that implies I trust you too, riverc0il ;-))

 

[New Daddy]

There is never one best answer based on limited input. You have it narrowed down in the aspect of "terrain", but I can't get a feeling of what you'd like for Lodging or Meal choices to go along with the ski experience.

Breeze

Thanks for your input.

For our group, the "terrain" is far more important than any other factor, provided that BW or SR does not force us to eat at the same place for the entire duration of our trip.

I'm leaning towards BW after many helpful comments here. What meal options do I have near BW in terms of food? Do we have to drive to North Conway to have options outside of the Mount Washington restaurants?

Many thanks!

 

[billski]

Thanks for your input.

For our group, the "terrain" is far more important than any other factor, provided that BW or SR does not force us to eat at the same place for the entire duration of our trip.

I'm leaning towards BW after many helpful comments here. What meal options do I have near BW in terms of food? Do we have to drive to North Conway to have options outside of the Mount Washington restaurants?

Many thanks!

We stayed at a slopeside condo there when our kids were little. Our options were largely limited by the kids - pasta, pizza, hotdog, that kinda stuff had to be on the menu. Fabyan's was pretty good and reasonably priced. We also did take-out from a bar that made pizzas - From BW,it was on 302 just before you get to Rte 3 in Twin Mountain. I think it's the Mooseland Grille. I suppose if you're all grown-ups, you could eat there - it is very popular/busy. There are a couple others, but I don't know anything about them.

A little further away (15 minutes) is Littleton NH is the next largest town, which has a hospital (yes, I've visited there...), the requisite fast food joints and some pretty decent restaurants, mostly catering to the locals. Sorry, no specifics.

You're kinda in the "great outdoors" area of snowmobilers around Twin. Twin Mountain is closer than North Conway and a lot more "rustic" shall we say.

 

[MichaelJ]

The "bar that made pizzas" that you are thinking of was the Mooseland Grill, which burned down a couple years ago and has not been replaced. A few doors down, however, there's a Quiznos which has good hot subs and is a hiker favorite, especially for to-go on the drive home.

In Twin Mountain I haven't seen Pizza Pub open in a while, but there's a newer place called the Good-n-You which is your typical American fare (like a 99), and Munroe's still has the best sit-down breakfast around at great prices.

For a buffet breakfast, the AMC's Highland Center in Crawford Notch, just down the road on 302, offers a great deal with their all-you-can-eat for $8.50, though if the kids want pancakes and it's a french toast day... they generally have one of those and sausage or bacon, depending on the day, and always scrambled eggs and home fries. Big selection of cereals, yogurt, fruits, and anything you might want to drink. Dinner is for guests only, I think, since it's served family-style all at once.

Here are two links I found with area food information:
http://www.carrollmotelandcottages.com/dining.htm
http://www.twinmountain.org/dining.htm

 

[MichaelJ]

Bretton Woods A-#1!

Okay, so yesterday I finally took una_dogger to Bretton Woods, and I have to say that it lived way up to, nay, exceeded our expectations from this thread! Thank you, contributors!

You can read our trip report here.