n. conway for school vacation w/son, least crowded resort?

[octopus]

thinking about taking my boy boarding over feb school vacation, maybe to n. conway area. i'm thinking bretton woods will be the least crowded out of the surrounding mtn's up there.
anyone care to share any info from those who have done it before? is it a complete mess? i really don't like crowded situations, maybe some suggestions for less crowded mtns? probably be going midweek.

thx

 

[riverc0il]

Everywhere will be a mess. Black will be the least crowded followed by Wildcat. A little further away are Cannon and Abram which should be much less crowded than the bigger names.

 

[Angus]

does your son want to spend time in a park (rails) and jumps? Anyone now who has the best park in MWV?

 

[MV Frank]

I would say wildcat. some solid vertical and it gets less torn apart than the other ski resorts around there

 

[Breeze]

North Conway is an absolute mob scene during the February vacation week which includes President's Day. We are talking traffic gridlock in and through town. Remember that No Conway is the primary service area for Cranmore, Attitash, Wildcat, Black Mt. and Bretton Woods..... 5 ski areas within ~ 30 miles.

I'd consider lodging in Gorham NH instead. Easier access to Wildcat and Black via RT 16 in the opposite main traffic direction and easier access in travel time by alternate routes to Bretton Woods.. . and Cannon.

If you decided to head to Sunday River or Mt Abram in Maine, you'd be better positioned and closer for that in Gorham than No. Conway.

In Gorham, you'd probably want to contact the Town and Country Motel or the Royalty, and do ask about any " lodging partnerships with participating resorts." that might be available.

Do it soon.

Breeze

 

[octopus]

thx everyone. maybe i should go somewhere else. any suggestions?

 

[Talisman]

Shawnee across the boarder in ME off Rt 302 is another option that will be less crowded and has good snow making and lifts. As others have mentioned Black MT and Mt Abrham will be less crowded than some of the others. Compared to southern VT, NH is less crowded during that holiday week. If you are willing to drive further consider Sugar Loaf/Saddleback or Quebec.

 

[Tooth]

We leave the region that week. Dangerous. No place better than the rest. Everywhere crowded.

 

[mlkrgr]

I'd say that Wildcat would have the most uncrowded lift lines for what is within 1/2 hour of N. Conway; Mt Abram is a good choice too on holiday weeks.

 

[darent]

ran a school ski trip for a few years in the MWV during school break, our trip went to King Pine and we would do two off mt trips for the better skiers. I would suggest King Pine, Black Mountain,Wildcat In New Hampshire.Mt Abram and Shawnee in Maine. The suggestion to stay in Gorham is a good one. You might try Burke mountain in Vermont.

 

[hrstrat57]

Wherever you go repeat after me.

Be the first one there.

Again, be the first one there.

One more time, be the first one there.

Park in the front row, ticket and gear up have a little morning snack and be first up when the lift spins.

I'll use Bretton Woods as an example. Had to use February vacation for family ski trip. Was in que at Bretton Woods first up. Ski'd for an hour - ski on ski off.

Epic! My kids still talk about it.....

By 930 the quad was 15-25 minute que....moved over away from lodge and enjoyed another 2 hours of short lines.

Arrive early beat the minions and enjoy!

(if you have little ones don't overlook little King Pine, my kids sharpened their edges at that place.....Pitch Pine is sssssteeeep too!)

I can think of some other ways to survive MWV during vacation week too if you want to PM.

Rivercoil is right about Black Mountain too.....a good choice if it has good cover.

 

[steamboat1]

Skied Wildcat last year during Presidents week & while there were a good amount of people there the only lift line was for the main quad & that line was only 5 min. at best. The rest of the lifts were walk on. We stayed over in Lancaster which is further away than Gorham is to Wildcat because we also skied Balsams Wilderness which I've heard won't be open this year. Bretton Woods, Canon & Attitash are also a short trip from Lancaster. We stayed at the Cabot Motor Inn (http://www.cabotmotorinn.com/index.php) which also has a good sized indoor pool, sauna & gym. They also have a restaurant & bar on site. There is also a lift served tubing hill nearby. You'll find Lancaster will have mostly snowmobilers as opposed to skiers.

 

[snoseek]

Tues/wed/thur that week shouldn't be all that bad, right?

Black will be a god bet for sure, Mt Abram is a really long drive from MWV but that should be very chill.

Wildcat would be ok that tues/wed/thur I bet.