If you were to buy a place...............

[peterk123]

where would consider in New England for skiing? Price of the condo is a consideration. We would like to start looking around this spring because I think there could be some good opportunities. We live in Central Mass and probably would consider driving a few hours.

Loon is very convenient, but the few times we have tried it we felt it just got pounded by the skiers. I have not been to Okemo in a few years, but I thought it was nice. How about Sunday River (although it would be a haul)? Sugarbush is one of my favorites but it is a drive. Snow conditions are also important (annual snowfall, snowmaking). I guess I want it all for as little money as possible. I'm not asking for too much

Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

 

[ckofer]

I have pondered this myself and think I would end up around North Conway-quite a few areas in easy reach from there.. I think it would be fun to be right in town and have stuff within walking distance. Another option is the Okemo/Killington area. Personally, I can't go to the same place every time and would want to be nestled within an hour of several. I suppose a place at Loon is worth considering since the Rt 93 is so easy and Cannon is close.

 

[MonkeyBrook]

We had the same questions a few years ago and bought an off mt house 2 miles from Sunday River. Never a doubt, love everything about the area in both summer and winter. We live in RI, so it is a 4 hour drive for us but well worth it.

 

[peterk123]

I skied Sunday a number of times as a kid. It has been years since I have skied it. How is the snowfall there? I have this (probably false) preconceived notion that they get less snow than other areas. I was there five years ago and was blown away at the size of the place. I also hear that condos right on or near the mountain can be purchased inexpensively.

I would love to hear more about the type of ski conditions you typically experience there. Any good mountain biking on the mountain in the summer?

 

[drjeff]

You'll inevitably end up with the house vs. Condo/townhouse debate. Each has it's pros and cons. I've done it both ways no(went from the house 1st to the townhouse now), and what you'll save each year in association fees with a house, you'll likely end up spending a similar amount in yearly maintenance/plowing/etc!

Personally now I like the townhouse over the house if for no other reason than piece of mind. When I'm not there, there's a monitored maintenance service on property + a security service that drives by my place atleast 4 times a night. Plus, I don't have to worry about snow removal, lawn cutting, leaves, and im my case even stacking wood! True, I pay for it, but it has made the amount of "chores" I need to do when I get to/go to Vermont much less than when I had the sole standing house.

You'll typically have a good assortment of properties to look at wherever you decide, because as the real estate agent who handled my most recent transactions this spring put it, "in any given year just like 10 to 15% of the work force changes job, you'll see 10 to 15% of the housing market change hands (especially in 2nd home areas)"

Enjoy the search!

 

[MonkeyBrook]

You are correct in the natural snow thoughts when compared to say the MRV area of VT or even Sugarloaf....but that varies by year. Add to this, in my opion, probably the top 3 snowmaking systems in the country and you get early openings and late closings....not to mention all the blowing they do in between natural events. I think every SR regular would agree that SR provides very consistent conditions. If you look at this December and last April....there was more natural than anyone knew what to do with....We have 3 small kids so we were looking for a mt that could make everyone happy.

As for mt. biking, SR used to be a top resort but that all ended until this summer when mb returned. The new owner Boyne is committed to making SR a true four season resort. So, if you are going to buy....buy now because there is alot of building going on and once the market recovers I would predict homes and condos will experience an up surge in prices.

Just my two cents.

 

[Paul]

I have pondered this myself and think I would end up around North Conway-quite a few areas in easy reach from there.. I think it would be fun to be right in town and have stuff within walking distance. Another option is the Okemo/Killington area. Personally, I can't go to the same place every time and would want to be nestled within an hour of several. I suppose a place at Loon is worth considering since the Rt 93 is so easy and Cannon is close.

NO NO NO ANYWHERE BUT N.CONWAY AREA!! STAY AWAY!!!!! YOU DON'T WANT THAT, EITHER OF YOU!!!!

 

[peterk123]

Well, now my mind is made up; Conway it is!

All kidding aside, I have heard that Conway gets the crowds, much like Loon does. Granted, you have a number of options once you are there.

Monkeybrook, you make it to Sunday in four hours? Is that warp speed? You must make the kids pee into a ziplock

 

[orsonab]

I'm also curious about this issue but was also thinking of the most appealing year-round property: how about a place that's near a ski area but also a sizable lake such as Mt Sunapee or, perhaps weirdly, Gunstock? Any other areas where boating and skiing are so near to each other?

 

[Paul]

Well, now my mind is made up; Conway it is!

All kidding aside, I have heard that Conway gets the crowds, much like Loon does. Granted, you have a number of options once you are there.

Monkeybrook, you make it to Sunday in four hours? Is that warp speed? You must make the kids pee into a ziplock

That's the key. That, and going at the right time. I will admit that we were there President's Week 2 yrs ago, and the crowds weren't that bad. We skied at Cranmore, Attitash and Wildcat. Places like Black will be even less crowded. And there are always other options if the weather isn't conducive to skiing.

 

[bobbutts]

Just look up the skiers highway vt100.. Not sure just how central in MA you are but I when I lived in the Pioneer Valley I went to VT exclusively, just seemed wrong to go all that way east when VT is right there.
Mt Snow, Stratton-Bromley-Magic, Okemo, Killington, Bush, Stowe, Jay
Your job this winter is to ski them all.. you'd be nuts to think much about buying never having gone to a place.

 

[MonkeyBrook]

We make it to SR every week in 4 hours. We pick kids up at school at 3...95-188 (big variable on Fridays) back to 95...we are at house at 7- with beer in hand. Granted we have had 6 hours rides, but they are not the norm. Cant really do anything about traffic, accidents, weather.

 

[Lostone]

you'd be nuts to think much about buying never having gone to a place.

That's what I was thinking.

I chose the drive to get to the Bush, knowing that many wouldn't, and am very happy with the choice.

But even a second home is a considerable investment. You should be sure it is someplace you want to be, before you make that kind of a move.

 

[CosmicDownhill]

For what it's worth, I'd go just north of Killington and Pico to look for some good value. Friend of mine had a place half-hour north of there and it just seemed like once you got to K, the traffic totally ceased on a Friday night drive up. Some quaint little towns up there, too.

 

[ccskier]

There are some awesome deals in the MRV under $200k, don't waste your time at Loon or North Conway, head north to VT. Plenty of year round activities. The Stowe area is actually just as busy in the summer time. There is always something to do in the Stowe/MRV area, there is also Burlington, the NEK and LAke Champlain all relatively close. Easy drive up 89.

 

[ComeBackMudPuddles]

Is having a town nearby important for dinners/going for walks during the day? Or are you looking to stay in most nights and be outdoors during the day?

If a town with a pedestrian feel is important, you're limited by the number of good towns and the properties available within a 10-15 minute drive (I wouldn't want to drive much more than that).

If you're looking for a house to "crash" at, then the you've got many more options.

 

[Vortex]

I chose the loon/waterville area 8 years ago casue of the easy access of 93. quick ride there quick ride back. Makes a differeence if you have young kids. shorter the ride the better the entire day. Well it was for us. As my kids got older I kept going to the river more. I'm there know. Loon gets crowded, but had expanded and is ownered by the same people who own Sunday River Boyne. I will have a sugarloaf, Loon, sunday river pass next year. The 93 area exit 27 to 32 is beautiful in the summer and again pretty easy to get to. I always liked North conway and the prices seemed less, but just way to difficult to get there. I vacation there.

 

[Islander]

I am also in central MA and we decided on central/southern Vt for a 2nd home (Chester Vt). After 3 years we abslutely love it, it is 90 miles from door to door and we can drive it in less than 2 hours. We follow Rt. 12 through Keene and into Bellows Falls and then right up VT 103 to Chester, very low stress ride, never any traffic, well maintained roads.
The area is great with 7 mountains close by; Okemo is only 15mins., Magic 10 mins., Stratton, Bromely, Ascutney 25mins., Mt. Snow and Killiington are within 45 minutes.
We love coming home to our own place after a day on the slopes and not dealing with a noisy neighbor in the condo right next to us, but everyone has their own opinion on that.
Even for a day trip it is close enough that the ride doesn't kill you.

 

[learn2turn]

Where in central MA, Worcester area central MA or Springfield area central MA?

If I was anywhere near I91, I wouldn't think of anything but something up I89, like MRV (SB/MRG) or Stowe for great skiing plus some other stuff the rest of the year, restaurants, shopping, etc. If I wanted just skiing, then Jay.

I wouldn't waste my time with NH from central MA. Probably not Maine either since VT is closer.

 

[mlctvt]

There are some awesome deals in the MRV under $200k, don't waste your time at Loon or North Conway, head north to VT. Plenty of year round activities. The Stowe area is actually just as busy in the summer time. There is always something to do in the Stowe/MRV area, there is also Burlington, the NEK and LAke Champlain all relatively close. Easy drive up 89.

I agree the MRV is a great area. My wife and I currenty own a condo at Mount Snow. We both work long hours so we bought a place within 2.5 hours from our home in southern CT. We chose this location because we didn't want a long drive and this has worked out great. We can ski all day Sunday go back to the place, shower, eat dinner then drive home avoiding most of the traffic and still getting home at a reasonable hour. Since it's so close we use it more too. In a few years when we can cut down on the hours we work, we'll most likely be selling our place at Mount Snow and getting a house in the MRV our favorite area of VT. Whatever you decide it's a good idea to rent for a season or at least an extended period of time to be certain you like the area.