Need help planning NH trip

[Jully]

Honestly, we were just looking at some of the mountains close to us as potentials to ski during our trip. If there are some “must ski” mountains not to much farther we may heavily consider them.

In regards to conditions, it seems as though March is the right time according to you guys, as our priority is to have the highest number of trails open as possible. Skiing must really not be that fun in January then!

What type of terrain and skiing are you looking for? Trees and ungroomed, natural trails? Steep groomers? Mellow/cruising groomed blues?

The "must ski" mountains in VT should be just a smidge over 2 hours from you. Agree with others about the must ski NH mountains being Wildcat, Cannon, and Loon depending on your terrain preference.

 

[crank]

Sunday River, ME is not too far beyond Wildcat if memory serves.

 

[Imcdaniel]

What type of terrain and skiing are you looking for? Trees and ungroomed, natural trails? Steep groomers? Mellow/cruising groomed blues?

The "must ski" mountains in VT should be just a smidge over 2 hours from you. Agree with others about the must ski NH mountains being Wildcat, Cannon, and Loon depending on your terrain preference.

Our group is all about ungroomed/natural trails and woods. We do enjoy some well groomed blues as well, not much of a steep downhiller though.

 

[Hawk]

I would do Cannon, Loon, Waterville Valley and Wildcat. Of those I would say Wildcat and cannon have the best ungroomed trails.

 

[Hawk]

Our group is all about ungroomed/natural trails and woods. We do enjoy some well groomed blues as well, not much of a steep downhiller though.

if you want ungroomed trials and woods then you are talking about northern Vermont exclusively. Stowe, Smugglers Notch, Sugarbush, Jay Peak and Killington.

 

[Jully]

Our group is all about ungroomed/natural trails and woods. We do enjoy some well groomed blues as well, not much of a steep downhiller though.

Wildcat sounds right up your alley. Nothing at Wildcat is incredibly steep (pitch is very consistent though) and it has a huge plethora of ungroomed trails, most continuous vertical in NH, and it stays cold (good snow quality).

Cannon has similar characteristics. A little steeper in some places. More glades than Wildcat, but also more groomed trails.

Bretton Woods has great trees and excellent blue cruising terrain. Very different feel from Cannon and Wildcat.

Loon is primarily groomed trails serviced by fast lifts. Some woods are there and can be great if you look in the right places.

I personally would seriously consider Sugarbush and Jay in VT too. Both are a little farther than the NH resorts from you (2 hours to the Bush and 2.5 to Jay probably), but both excel in natural trails and glades!

TL;DR: Definitely hit Wildcat and Cannon. Bretton Woods and Loon are a little more groomed trail cruising oriented, but will be fun. Seriously consider Sugarbush and Jay in VT for a little more variety and slightly better snow.

 

[Imcdaniel]

Wow, thanks for all the input! Obviously us going out east we aren’t expecting the powder and shear size as we are used to in Colorado, as we have been there a few times. We honestly had not thought too much about what mountains we were going to hit, as we first were trying to lock down a date. And it looks as thought almost all of you would say March would be preferable over janurary? We are just nervous of going during a warm spell and skiing in mash potatoes all week. Are the slopes hit pretty hard on the weekends in March? If so, what Would you guys recommend?

 

[Razor]

Wow, thanks for all the input! Obviously us going out east we aren’t expecting the powder and shear size as we are used to in Colorado, as we have been there a few times. We honestly had not thought too much about what mountains we were going to hit, as we first were trying to lock down a date. And it looks as thought almost all of you would say March would be preferable over janurary? We are just nervous of going during a warm spell and skiing in mash potatoes all week. Are the slopes hit pretty hard on the weekends in March? If so, what Would you guys recommend?

If you're skiing weekdays, check out lift tickets deals at Cannon and Bretton Woods. Some days have 2 for 1 deals.

 

[urungus]

if you want ungroomed trials and woods then you are talking about northern Vermont exclusively. Stowe, Smugglers Notch, Sugarbush, Jay Peak and Killington.

And Mad River Glen. Also Magic Mountain in Southern Vermont has many great ungroomed trails.

 

[Jully]

Wow, thanks for all the input! Obviously us going out east we aren’t expecting the powder and shear size as we are used to in Colorado, as we have been there a few times. We honestly had not thought too much about what mountains we were going to hit, as we first were trying to lock down a date. And it looks as thought almost all of you would say March would be preferable over janurary? We are just nervous of going during a warm spell and skiing in mash potatoes all week. Are the slopes hit pretty hard on the weekends in March? If so, what Would you guys recommend?

Slopes will be empty midweek. Pretty much everywhere is empty midweek in the east except school vacation weeks (none in March). Weekends will have some crowds, but nothing unbearable in March as everything will still be open. Chances of a warm spell are not much different in early March than they are in January!

 

[catherine]

If you’re near Plymouth, Tenney Mountain is supposed to be open. They had been closed for years but I think they re-opened last year. Check them out on Facebook. They were at the Expo in Boston so I think they could be an option for you. Can’t get much closer!

 

[crank]

No boarding at Mad River Glen plus kind of far out of the way for where they are staying.

 

[jimk]

Me and 3 of my skiing/snowboard buddies are trying to finalize our trip to NH this year. We were planning on hitting Bretton Woods, cannon mountain, loone mountain, gunstock, and maybe one other mountain as none of us have been to NH to ski. Last year we went on a big CO trip and hit Loveland, a basin, keystone, breck, and copper, but we don’t have the funds to get out there again. We are debating between January 1-6 and March 7-14. Since we have never goin our east we aren’t sure when the best time would be to go based on conditions. Any info would be great!

Me and two friends did a similar trip from VA to NH in March 1995. We stayed in Meredith right on Lake Winnipesaukee and about 10 miles from New Hampton. We skied one day at Gunstock because it was nearby, one day at Waterville Valley, two days at Cannon because we got midweek two-for-one deals there, and one day at Wildcat. I had a good time at all the mtns, but regretted it was a low vis day at Gunstock. It was the only time I ever skied there and I missed the good views of Lake Winipesaukee. I really liked Cannon. But Wildcat was special. It was the first time I ever went to Wildcat and I fell in love immediately. Been back there several times since. If you catch a clear day there it's one of the most scenic places to ski in the East and will make you wonder why bother to get in a plane to go West.

 

[Dickc]

Sunday River, ME is not too far beyond Wildcat if memory serves.

For Sunday River, go straight up I-93 just past Cannon mountain. Take route 3 north and just a mile or so after it crosses Route 302, take NH 115 up to US Route 2 and go east. Its just about 2 hours and it will be in prime shape in March.

 

[cdskier]

Me and two friends did a similar trip from VA to NH in March 1995. We stayed in Meredith right on Lake Winnipesaukee and about 10 miles from New Hampton. We skied one day at Gunstock because it was nearby, one day at Waterville Valley, two days at Cannon because we got midweek two-for-one deals there, and one day at Wildcat. I had a good time at all the mtns, but regretted it was a low vis day at Gunstock. It was the only time I ever skied there and I missed the good views of Lake Winipesaukee. I really liked Cannon. But Wildcat was special. It was the first time I ever went to Wildcat and I fell in love immediately. Been back there several times since. If you catch a clear day there it's one of the most scenic places to ski in the East and will make you wonder why bother to get in a plane to go West.

Beautiful picture. I really need to make it to Wildcat one day. Definitely on my list of places I want to ski. 6+ hours from NJ, but <3 from my condo in VT. I somehow need to figure out a plan to do a week long "road trip" to several ski areas from my condo that would not normally be in my driving range from NJ one year.

 

[deadheadskier]

From New Hampton, if you are looking for a close place, Ragged is the better choice over Gunstock IMO. Same distance if not closer.

Sent from my XT1565 using AlpineZone mobile app

 

[Imcdaniel]

Me and two friends did a similar trip from VA to NH in March 1995. We stayed in Meredith right on Lake Winnipesaukee and about 10 miles from New Hampton. We skied one day at Gunstock because it was nearby, one day at Waterville Valley, two days at Cannon because we got midweek two-for-one deals there, and one day at Wildcat. I had a good time at all the mtns, but regretted it was a low vis day at Gunstock. It was the only time I ever skied there and I missed the good views of Lake Winipesaukee. I really liked Cannon. But Wildcat was special. It was the first time I ever went to Wildcat and I fell in love immediately. Been back there several times since. If you catch a clear day there it's one of the most scenic places to ski in the East and will make you wonder why bother to get in a plane to go West.

That is an absolute gorgeous picture! I’m happy to say that you all have won me over and my vote is now for going in March for our trip. Now to pick out mountains. Seems like cannon and Wildcats are for sures. I’ll take a look at ragged as well. Waterville was on the possible list, as well as Loone. Any specific order of when to go to each mountain?

 

[Jully]

That is an absolute gorgeous picture! I’m happy to say that you all have won me over and my vote is now for going in March for our trip. Now to pick out mountains. Seems like cannon and Wildcats are for sures. I’ll take a look at ragged as well. Waterville was on the possible list, as well as Loone. Any specific order of when to go to each mountain?

Wildcat and Cannon with have the fewest crowds, so those are a good Saturday and Sunday pair (Wildcat is less crowded than Cannon even, so Wildcat I would do Saturday).

Other than that I would just do the others based on how long you want to drive and how hard you want to ski each day. Bretton Woods, Waterville, and Ragged would likely be easier skiing for your group, so take those if you need an easier day or are feeling sore!

 

[Smellytele]

Wildcat and Cannon with have the fewest crowds, so those are a good Saturday and Sunday pair (Wildcat is less crowded than Cannon even, so Wildcat I would do Saturday).

Other than that I would just do the others based on how long you want to drive and how hard you want to ski each day. Bretton Woods, Waterville, and Ragged would likely be easier skiing for your group, so take those if you need an easier day or are feeling sore!

Check out Cannon Tuesday and Thursday as they are 2 for 1. Also Bretton Woods is 2 fer 1 on Wednesday.

 

[Jully]

Check out Cannon Tuesday and Thursday as they are 2 for 1. Also Bretton Woods is 2 fer 1 on Wednesday.

Also a good point!