Going to Attitash, North Conway for first time. Gimme some knowledge!

[Ballistic]

Some friends invited us to go on a trip with them for this weekend. My wife happens to be a "I'll only ski if I have to" kinda girl, but I'm slowly turning her (she did like Sundown yesterday!). So what else is there to do in the area? I don't see this mountain mentioned too much around here, but it seems like it would be a decent place. Hopefully it'll have some good conditions! Give me your personal rating on a 1-10 scale.

 

[frozencorn]

Attitash: About a 7. Not a bad place, just not great either. I used to go here a lot during the ASC days. Haven't been in two years now, preferring Wildcat overall.

North Conway: 10. But I'm biased as I have had a house there for 23 years. Plenty to eat, see, do, drink.

 

[thetrailboss]

Some friends invited us to go on a trip with them for this weekend. My wife happens to be a "I'll only ski if I have to" kinda girl, but I'm slowly turning her (she did like Sundown yesterday!). So what else is there to do in the area? I don't see this mountain mentioned too much around here, but it seems like it would be a decent place. Hopefully it'll have some good conditions! Give me your personal rating on a 1-10 scale.

If she likes shopping, you're in trouble. North Conway is the outlet shopping mecca of Northern New England. Combine that with the adventure sports vibe (hiking, skiing, etc). which is the White's, and you have a very interesting place. Lots of tourist things to do. It's been a while since I have been there, but there are some great shops and restaurants.

As for Attitash it has largely been off the radar the last year or so. The Attitash side has some interesting, narrow, and steep terrain. The Bear Peak side is more Sunday Riveresque terrain...wide groomers, etc. Great views.

 

[Edd]

Mae Kellys is a great Irish pub. The Moat brews their own beer, and it's quite good. For some local flavor, the Shannon Door in Jackson is interesting. They only take cash the last I knew.

On the 1-10 scale I give Attitash a 5 for a crappy vibe I've never been able to put my finger on. Wildcat in Jackson is way cooler. Bretton Woods is less challenging than both but I'd take it over Attitash any day.

 

[Johnskiismore]

I like Attitash, when the glades are open they're pretty good, and they have some descent black diamonds. Off of Attitash Saco is a good blue diamond to take.

My choice for eating is The Red Parka Pub hands down! Great chicken wings as you really get the whole wing, and great pork ribs cooked with Jack Daniels BBQ Sauce. Eat in the bar, a TON of character in there.

 

[Warp Daddy]

If your Gf is not into skiing all that much i say North Conway as a shopping venue is a winner but Attitash may not be for her . Its not that novice or beginner friendly in terms of whats 's there
e.g. Bretton Woods or even Cranmore and it will be more to her liking and ability

 

[BLESS]

I like Attiash. There are some good trails there if you know where to look. It's never really that crowded...at least when I go. There are TONS of place to eat & drink & shop......Delaneys has good food, and you cant go wrong with The Shannon Doors pizzas.....I know, who thinks about pizza @ an Irish joint? Just trust me.

 

[frozencorn]

As for the Red Parka, sit at the bar and order the burger as you see fit. Enjoy. That is all.

 

[kickstand]

Some friends invited us to go on a trip with them for this weekend. My wife happens to be a "I'll only ski if I have to" kinda girl, but I'm slowly turning her (she did like Sundown yesterday!). So what else is there to do in the area? I don't see this mountain mentioned too much around here, but it seems like it would be a decent place. Hopefully it'll have some good conditions! Give me your personal rating on a 1-10 scale.

watch out if she likes to shop.......

Seriously, if she wants to get outside, but doesn't want to ski, she can go snowshoeing. My wife has taken a liking to that lately. She'll rent shoes at Jackson Ski Touring and head up to Tin Mountain conservation land (e-mail/pm me for more on that). It's relaxing, it's free (the trails, not the shoes), it's easy. She can't lose.

As for Attitash, I've been twice this year (had a season pass for 3 years, it's 10 minutes from my place) and it was relatively empty, even on a serious powder day on a long weekend. I think it's a little pricey ($69) for what you get, but it's not bad. I'd give it a 5 or 6. This weekend is the on-snow golf tournament, so there will be a lot of cars and people there, but I think the slopes will be relatively empty. At least I hope they are because I think that's where I'm skiing. If you don't go to Attitash, the only other option this time of year - IMHO - is Wildcat. The spring skiing is top-notch, and the views are even better.

And, yes, the pizza at the Door rocks. I thought the same as everyone else - "pizza at an Irish joint?" - but I have seen the light. In my ski house rental/single days, the Friday night ritual was pizza and pints after dropping the gear at the house.

Have fun.....

 

[Ballistic]

Thanks for all the info fellas! I'm psyched for this trip!

 

[BLESS]

for what it's worth, my wife and I have also had great meals @ Bellini's & The Homestead.....the Homestead has some sentimental value for my wife & I, but It's a really old house that's obviously a restaurant. It's intimate with fireplaces & and such......cant go wrong there either.

 

[hrstrat57]

yep, Red Parka Pub.....nuff ced!

 

[JasonE]

My wife and I skied Black Mountain (just up the road from Attitash) today and had a blast. Black's coverage is getting a little iffy and I wouldn't recommend it for beginning skiers just because avoiding all the bare spots takes a little finesse. The being said, I have always loved Black Mountain and the terrain is just plain fun to ski.

Now, more to the point, we drove by Attitash on our way back and their conditions looked superb. Obviously we couldn't see everything from the road, but there wasn't a bare spot visible anywhere we could see. The conditions looked great, and the people skiing all looked to be having a lot of fun (yes, from the road you can definitely tell the difference between a skier having fun and a skier suffering through). I've only skied Attitash once and had a rocky experience, but I've heard other people tell me it's a great mountain and I do look forward to skiing it again in the future. I've also been told that since they were bought by Peak Resorts they have improved a lot over ASC. Peak owns Crotched, one of the mountains I ski most often, and if their management at Attitash is near as good as at Crotched I'd have to say the on-mountain experience is likely to be top-notch.

I will second (or third) the nomination of the Red Parka Pub for the best eatery in the area. Great restaurant. The salad bar is among the best I've ever had. Try the teriyaki chicken, it's fantastic.

If you're looking for easier terrain for your gf to ski, try Bretton Woods. It's a great mountain with wonderful wide open slopes and nice blue cruisers. The conditions there also looked fantastic on our drive-by today.

Have fun in the MWV (that's Mount Washington Valley to those who don't know). It's one of our all-time favorite places to vacation (winter and summer both).

 

[frozencorn]

I've never had the pizza at Shannon Door, but I have heard the same about it. Also, can't go wrong with wings at Delaney's, pizza at the Flatbread, or a fancy meal at the Wildcat Tavern.

Hmm, I'll be up there tomorrow night to ski Wildcat Friday...this thread has me hungry.