Looking for recommendations!

[barristan]

I plan on taking my kids boarding Monday or Tuesday, but I don't know where. I have coupons (buy one get one free) for Ascutney, Black Mountain, Bretton Woods, Crotched, Gunstock, Ragged, Shawnee, Lost Valley and a few others.
We are basically beginners and are looking for something good for cruising, not too crowded and not too icy. I went to Sunapee a couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed it but its not on my coupon list. Don't really want to spend over $150.

We are driving from the seacoast area.
Thanks

 

[andyzee]

Never been there, but I hear that Bretton Woods is a good mountain for cruising. Believe it's got the most terrain in NH as well.

 

[riverc0il]

Never been there, but I hear that Bretton Woods is a good mountain for cruising. Believe it's got the most terrain in NH as well.

it definitely has the most trails though terrain is a lot harder to judge...

i believe BW is a great recommendation if you are looking to take a trip. they will have great crusing and lots of trails to choose from. and if it's a nice day, it is a great view of mount washington.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

I too would go with Bretton Woods. You did not mention where on the seacoast your at but BW is about 2 hrs from Portland with good roads and low traffic. Shawnee Peak is 1 hour but not as many cruisers as BW.

 

[barristan]

I am coming from Hampton. It would be about a 2.5 hour ride.


Any other suggestions?

 

[barristan]

What about Ascutney? It is a little closer and they are probably getting more snow right now.

 

[TwinTips21]

Ascutney is reporting six inches as of 4 O'clock with snow continuing.

 

[NHpowderhound]

I've never been to Ascutney but I too would go with Bretton Woods. I dont think Ascuney would be that much closer. BW has some great snowmaking/grooming and awsome beginner terrain. It should be pretty deserted on Monday too. Then you can stop in North Conway on the ride home for some dinner!
((*
*))NHPH

 

[ski_resort_observer]

Distancewise Crotched, Gunstock and Ragged are pretty close to you. Not many trails but the great snow conditions at Crotched are becoming legendary.

 

[billski]

I plan on taking my kids boarding Monday or Tuesday, but I don't know where. I have coupons (buy one get one free) for Ascutney, Black Mountain, Bretton Woods, Crotched, Gunstock, Ragged, Shawnee, Lost Valley and a few others.
We are basically beginners and are looking for something good for cruising, not too crowded and not too icy. I went to Sunapee a couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed it but its not on my coupon list. Don't really want to spend over $150.

We are driving from the seacoast area.
Thanks

I have skied at Ascutney, Black Mountain, Bretton Woods, Crotched, Gunstock, Ragged within the past few years.

First of all, you will not have to worry about crowds on a Mon-Tues. anywhere. While this next week is NH school vacation week (that's why I presume you're going), it will be a tad bit more busy, (as opposed to sleepy). Last week's MA vacation week is where the crowd intensity is. (this year was off of course, due to the crappy snow conditions.)

In all cases, go to your short list's web sites and check the trails opened, make sure there is enough greens and blues for you. I would think with the recent snow, more will be opening.

Crotched, Gunstock and Ragged are daytripper mountains.
- I like Ragged a lot for the learning skier. Good vertical, comparable to Sunapee, a few trails. Ragged is usally in this known-to-few snow zone, but missed out this year. However this year, with only 50% of their trails open (compared to Sunapee's 75%) you might find your options limited. Then again, if you are a beginner, maybe not. Great value$.
- Crotched - probably will be busy this week on the hill, though no lift lines. Good snowmaking, but a lot smaller than Sunapee.
- Gunstock - An easy ride from the metro areas, will probably be busy, but may be the easiest commute for you.

- Ascutney, same comments as Ragged. with 50% open, it's hard to say. Good vertical, good price. Kind hard to get to.

- Black, you can nearly ski into the North Conway village. Rather small, probably half the size of Sunapee, but you feel like you're going to grandma's house and skiing in her back yard. Tons, and tons of kids and parents who don't want to work very hard. Perfect if you want to stay in town and literally walk to the slopes.

- Bretton Woods - probably will have the best conditions of all, they groom impeccably. Gorgeous views of Mt. Washington and the hotel., lots of green and blues. Except for the new trails to skier's left (new area) even the blacks aren't bad, because they are so groomed. Nicest lodge by far. Probably the most expensive area, so it's a good value if you have a coupon. Also the furthest drive.

I don't think you can go wrong with any area you pick, given the past 4 days of snow, which, lucky for you, hit most all. Bretton missed out on most of the natural, but they make serious investments over there, so the manmade snow should have most stuff covered. At 72%, I suspect most of what is closed is black, which won't interest you anyways.


http://www.snocountry.com/snowclient/srlist.php?state=NH&command=statecond&satype=NA_Alpine

Hope this helps. Good skiing. I'm trying to decide where to go myself..... Look forward to hearing back on your impressions, wherever you end up.

 

[andyzee]

Go to Bretton Woods.

 

[barristan]

Wow. Thanks for the advice guys! I will give a full report on wherever we end up.

 

[barristan]

We chickened out and went to Sunapee. MY kids weren't too crazy about the long ride (2.5 hours) to Bretton Woods and I was a little concerened about the temps. Not that it was much warmer at Sunapee. With the wind chill it was probably no more than -20 degrees at the summit, but we were dressed for it so no big deal.
A friend I work with had 5 tickets to Sunapee and said he wasn't going to use them all so he gave me 3 for $45. Can't beat that.

Anyway, The conditions were pretty good considering the lousy winter so far. There was more snow that the last time I went a few weeks ago. Not many people all day. It was really nice. My kids loved it.
When it warms up a little we will take that trip up north.