Need recommendation for North Conway/ME area - family skiing

[ann in ma]

Hi - newbie to the board. Have skiied almost all my life, but this is my first year back on the slopes in 6 years after having children...

The in-laws have a 2nd home in So. Waterford ME - near Bridgton. We will be spending 2 (holiday) weeks there this winter. We're looking for a great place to ski with our kids .. which of course makes it more difficult.

Daughter #1 is 6 - she's had 3 private lessons this year, is doing great; she links her turns, can ski down Dreammaker at Ski Ward, and Indian Summer at Wachusetts, with only 1 or 2 falls.

Daughter #2 is 3 1/2 -- she's had 2 private lessons, and it's all about keeping it fun. She can "make a pizza" when she wants to, but not consistently. We had her on the Magic Carpet at Wachusett, and that's the right type of place for her.

So ... the ideal would be a place where my husband and I could take turns skiing with the 6 year old, while the other stayed with the 3 year old ... at Wachusett this wasn't really possible because Ollie's carpet was as far away from the beginner chairlift as possible.

We will drive up to 1 1/2 hours from the in-laws to ski each day ... is there any one place that jumps out as 'perfect' for us? I see that the Learning Center at Bretton Woods is free to all -- are the trails serviced by the Learning Center quad long enough to get in more than 10 linked snowplow turns?

Thanks for any insight.

ann

 

[Vortex]

Bvibert.. We had a thread on this help! Sunday river or Cranmore would be my suggestion. Welcome.

 

[bvibert]

Welcome to the forums Ann. There are lots of people with a lot more knowledge on the area you'll be in than me, so I'll let them steer you in the right direction. Be sure to let us know where you end up going and how it works out for you.

Bob R, I looked for the thread you're talking about, but couldn't find it...

 

[riverc0il]

black mountain, highly recommended for your needs. much less crowded and less expensive tha most of the other options in the area.
http://www.thesnowway.com/ski/2003/black.htm

 

[kickstand]

I second Rivercoil's suggestion.

http://www.blackmt.com/

 

[Brettski]

Sunday River by all means. Your a 1/2 hour away and there's almost no better skiing in the East.

Put the kids in ski camp, they'll have a great time.

Don't forget to get a growler from the Sunday River Brewing Company for when yo get home.

 

[Brettski]

I'd go with ski Camp!

They will get a lot out of it and learn very fast. A whole day is much better than a lesson. 2 or 3 days in camp, and they will be skiing with you through all the blues.

Plus you get to ski with them before camp and after. And you get to cranck out the turns on an awesome 7 peeks.

MOO

 

[hammer]

black mountain, highly recommended for your needs. much less crowded and less expensive tha most of the other options in the area.
http://www.thesnowway.com/ski/2003/black.htm

Only concern about Black Mountain would be that it doesn't have a magic carpet.

For the real little ones, a magic carpet is by far the best surface lift IMO...

I haven't been to the area yet, but I'll be going to Cranmore during the Christmas holiday week. I have discount passes, but if I remember right the regular prices at Cranmore aren't too bad at all.

 

[Paul]

Cranmore is good for the fam (It has tubing when the adu.., I mean, kids, get fidgity) But I don't recall if there's a Magic Carpet.


Bretton Woods has a Magic Carpet and a GREAT program for the tykes. My daughter's first skiing experience was there last year when she was 4 and she loved it.

 

[ChileMass]

Black and Cranmore are practically right in North Conway, a much more no-frills skiing experience, and will beat up your wallet a lot less than Bretton Woods, but BW is a really plush place that caters to families. On a clear day the views from BW over to Mt Washington are unbelievable, and the grooming is among the best on the east coast. If money is not an object, BW will treat you right as you get back on your skis. If you're on a budget, try Black or Cranmore. Oh, yeah - and then there's Attitash, which is somewhere in the middle of both extremes. Have fun!

 

[ski_resort_observer]

Shawnee Peak is a nice mid size mountain that is in Bridgton. Actually a couple miles toward Fryburg. Very popular with families and has night skiing. This is the local hill if you don't want to drive very far.

 

[riverc0il]

black has something even better than a magic carpet! how often do you get to ride a platter pull! step right up folks!

 

[ann in ma]

Eesh, too many options
We may have to hit all of them ... just too bad we will be there during the school holiday weeks.

Thanks ... I'll evaluate all of the options.

[platter pull?!?! Just last night I had to drag the 6 year old out of a ditch when she couldn't get off the handle-tow lift ... I don't think the 3 year old would appreciate a platter pull ]

 

[thetrailboss]

Shawnee Peak is a nice mid size mountain that is in Bridgton. Actually a couple miles toward Fryburg. Very popular with families and has night skiing. This is the local hill if you don't want to drive very far.

I concur. Look no further. Friendly folks and they are reasonably priced. Nightskiing offers flexibility. For alternatives, hit Sunday River, Cranmore, and Black Mountain. North Conway is a nice place to hang out...

 

[Terry]

Shawnee Peak also installed a magic carpet for this season. The beginner and intermediate terrain are very close and easily accesable. There is usually lots of activities on holiday weeks for the kids also. Highly recomended.

 

[Breeze]

I'm sure I'm repeating myself from other forums, but be sure to check out Mt Abrams in Locke Mills/Greenwood ME. Not far and worth the look see.


http://www.skimtabram.com/

The Westside offers ace, long, beginner terrain and a perfect re-up for adults, with or without kids, who just want to find their legs.


Breeze

 

[teachski]

Definately try Cranmore! It's a real family area. There's also quite a bit to do at night and there are outlets there.

Don't limit yourself to one area though. Try Black for a day, try Sunday River and also try Shawnee Peak in Brighton. I have heard that Shawnee is a good family area.

 

[sledhaulingmedic]

I'm sure I'm repeating myself from other forums, but be sure to check out Mt Abrams in Locke Mills/Greenwood ME. Not far and worth the look see.


http://www.skimtabram.com/

The Westside offers ace, long, beginner terrain and a perfect re-up for adults, with or without kids, who just want to find their legs.

I'll second Mt. Abram. Great friendly, family oriented place. It's off a lot of people's radar, which is a good thing.


Breeze