Recommendation on day-trip destination needed

[New Daddy]

Hi!

The advice I got from this forum for a multi-family trip to Bretton Woods was really helpful. (http://forums.alpinezone.com/22269-best-novice-friendly-ski-resort.html)
Everyone loved the place. Benign pitch for the beginners and the romantic setting were just perfect for our group.

Now that the men have paid the dues to their wives and children, we are planning a boys-only weekend (Sunday) day trip.
Our initial pick was Stowe based on the snow quality and terrain, but we are having second thoughts because (a) it is a bit too far for a day-trip and (b) Stowe seems to get pretty crowded on weekends.

For your information:
(1) We are all advanced or intermediate skiers.
(2) We are willing to drive for up to three hours (from Boston), but the less the better. (We will drive to a more distant place if there is no choice.)
(3) Short lift lines are very important for us, because, well, we only have a day to ski.
(4) We do not need terrain park.
(5) We do need glades.

I know these are tough criteria to meet already, so we are not going to be too picky about the number of trails or vertical drop.

Any recommendations, please?

 

[Paul]

Wildcat, Pinkham Notch, NH

Black Mtn of NH, Jackson, NH

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Sunday River or Burke or Cannon

 

[thetrailboss]

Burke. Was there today...it is in great shape....and no lines. Although where are you coming from???

 

[New Daddy]

Burke. Was there today...it is in great shape....and no lines. Although where are you coming from???

Oops. We are coming from Boston. Just edited my original post.

 

[thetrailboss]

Oops. We are coming from Boston. Just edited my original post.

Well, Burke is about 2:45 if you live on the north shore and don't stop...certainly an easier drive than Stowe....

 

[snowmonster]

Sunday River - 3 hour drive from Boston, good intermediate to advanced terrain, lift lines are manageable (avoid South Ridge and head to Aurora and Jordan Bowl which are otherwise empty). Hit the glades in Last Tango, Wizards Gulch and Blind Ambition. Great variety and good day trip option.

 

[grand summit pioneer]

Dont even think about it , go to Sunday River and you will be hooked!! A wide variety of terrain , Great snow conditions, Short to no lift lines

 

[billski]

if lines are imporant, Wildcat or Burke.

 

[deadheadskier]

if lines are imporant, Wildcat or Burke.

agreed....but, outside of the Jordan Quad and Barker Quad, the lines aren't too intense at Sunday River. Even on the busiest of days Aurora and White Cap don't have much for lines.


Sunday is definitely pushing 3 and a half though. I live in Portland and it takes me a solid 1:45 from here to get to the river. Boston is a solid 1:30+ from here.

 

[ckofer]

Cannon if the conditions are right.

 

[riverc0il]

Cannon or Wildcat for sure. Sunday River will be crowded. Burke is the best "close to Boston" option if you want glades. Contrary to popular belief, Burke is under three hours from Boston and the closest big mountain VT skiing from the city. Certainly no lift lines at Burke. Black was mentioned but has limited glades although is a great little uncrowded place to ski.

 

[bobbutts]

it depends on snow. right now the farther north and higher up you go (stowe, jay), the better the conditions will be. More in day trip range Cannon and Sunday River stick out as good choices. Cannon if it snows and SR if it doesn't.

 

[grand summit pioneer]

agreed....but, outside of the Jordan Quad and Barker Quad, the lines aren't too intense at Sunday River. Even on the busiest of days Aurora and White Cap don't have much for lines.


Sunday is definitely pushing 3 and a half though. I live in Portland and it takes me a solid 1:45 from here to get to the river. Boston is a solid 1:30+ from here.

I live in Wilmington Ma. 15 miles north of Boston ,It takes me 2.5 -3 hours ,Sunday River is 170 miles exaclty form my house and it is well worth the trip!!

 

[ckofer]

Any word on how lines have been at Attitash? The combination of my frugalities and their lack of deals has kept me from there this year. Since one of the requirements is that it suits both advanced and intermediate skiers, this can be a good day trip as well. It seems a little closer to Boston than SR but I could be wrong about that. Black can definitely be a quality trip with shorter lines and gives you a retro feel. It seems to strongly favor days where the natural conditions are good-I'm not sure how their grooming and snowmaking capacities are.

 

[SIKSKIER]

Short lines,challenging terrain,and shortest ride.Cannon hands down.This weekend the conditions were high speed cruizing.Not a lot of freshies in the woods,a little more at Mittersill.Scared myself tucking Zoomer 5 times in row.That's the first time in a decade.