Recommendations for stop-over on the way to Burke

[tarponhead]

Looking for a recommendation for a stop-over on the way up to Burke from central jersey. I'm taking my boys up on prez weekend and leaving Friday right after school. Would like to stop and grab a room withing 2 to 2 1/2 hours of the mountain. I'm spliting up the trip because we enjoy the scenery on the way up and if I drill it all Friday night we miss out on that.

City or general area is fine, but if you have a specific place in mind thats good too.

TIA

 

[thetrailboss]

Which way are you coming up?

If it is I-91, that time puts you in between Brattleboro and White River Junction. Translation: middle of nowhere. Brattleboro is about 150 miles from Burke, so depending on how fast you drive I-91 that can be just over 2 hours to just under 3.

WRJ has a ton of hotels right off of 91. Brattleboro has a Hampton Inn and some other places too IIRC.

 

[tarponhead]

Which way are you coming up?

If it is I-91, that time puts you in between Brattleboro and White River Junction. Translation: middle of nowhere. Brattleboro is about 150 miles from Burke, so depending on how fast you drive I-91 that can be just over 2 hours to just under 3.

WRJ has a ton of hotels right off of 91. Brattleboro has a Hampton Inn and some other places too IIRC.

It will be I-91. I set the cruise control to 65. Seen to many people pulled over in Vt.

Thanks TB, will probably go for WRJ.

 

[4aprice]

I have used White River many times as a gateway to northern New England. I can make it from the I-80/I-287 junction in NJ to WRJ in about 4 1/2 to 5 hours. If your going on a Friday night my suggestion is to take the NYS Thruway to the Mass Pike to get to I-91. Its longer mileage wise but will take the same amount of time as fighting the traffic through CT and much easier on the nerves. Once there, there a Hampton Inn (nice w/pool), Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, and Best Western.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[whitemtn27]

There's a Holiday Inn Express right off the highway in WRJ that I've stayed at for the same reason. Nice rooms and decent breakfast included. No pool or bar or anything if that matters to you.

Edit: The HI Express also has an indoor parking garage which is nice if there's snow forecast.

 

[abc]

Second (I mean 3rd or 4th) WRJ as a good stopover point time and milage wise. There're a Super 8 for cheap, a Comfort Inn & Suite and a Holiday Inn Express to choose from. WRJ itself doesn't exactly stand out as a destination though.

Route: the suggestion of bypassing 95 through CT is a good one. But I'd suggest a modified approach: instead of going all the way to Mass Pike, get off the Thruway and cut over at I-84. It save you quite a bit in tolls and also bypass the traffic on the Thruway itself. I-84 goes through nothing significant and is rarely busy. You'll meet some traffic once on I-91, but it's no worse than the ones you'll encounter on the Thruway.

 

[thetrailboss]

Nice choice. I lived in WRJ/Wilder for three years and I could get to Burke in about 1:15 in good weather. IIRC it is about 75-80 miles--all but 8 are interstate. Straight, easy shot. Then if you want to ski other places, you are in a good spot to get to almost anywhere in NNE. Sugarbush? 1:30 up 89 and over to 100. Stowe? Same amount of time. Killington/Pico? 1 hour west on Route 4.

If you aren't too tired, try night skiing at Whaleback or even Storr's Hill in Lebanon.

 

[abc]

Trailboss, isn't Ashcutney also nearby?

 

[RootDKJ]

I set the cruise control to 65. Seen to many people pulled over in Vt.

+1

 

[thetrailboss]

Trailboss, isn't Ashcutney also nearby?

Yes. Right down I-91 about 15 miles or so.

Oh one other note...if you have never been to White River Junction, you will wonder where all the restaurants and services are. In the Vermont tradition, that can all be found a couple miles east across the river in New Hampshire. West Lebanon has every fastfood restaurant imagineable.

 

[JD]

fastest route from Jersey.....287-TZbridge-684-84-91. Hitting hartford at 5 can slow you down a little....but it's better then going way out into NY, then coming back for most of an hour due east on the pike. All my family is in Morristown, and I've been up here for 10 years. We've collectively tired every possible route, and the 287,684,84,91 is the fastest way to WRJ by a good 30 mins, particularly if you don't plan on going NYSTW and going 90 mph which makes for a fast trip. As far as where to stop? WRJ leaves a short drive in the A.M.

 

[abc]

fastest route from Jersey.....287-TZbridge-684-84-91.

Just keep the radio tune to the traffic. TZ bridge can be a nightmare if you're unlucky.

 

[tarponhead]

Just keep the radio tune to the traffic. TZ bridge can be a nightmare if you're unlucky.

287/684/84/91 is the fastest way. I used to do that for our Boston trips (minus 91; 84 to Mass pike). But TZ on a Friday afternoon is a complete cluster%^$#......

Apparently, everyone else is in agreement with your suggestions for WRJ. I made reservations at the Comfort Inn and got one of the last rooms. Really looking forward to Burke. Thinking of hitting Cannon on Prez Monday. Or will it be crowded and better off staying at Burke?

Thank you all.

 

[tarponhead]

Oh one other note...if you have never been to White River Junction, you will wonder where all the restaurants and services are. In the Vermont tradition, that can all be found a couple miles east across the river in New Hampshire. West Lebanon has every fastfood restaurant imagineable.

Thats hilarious. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[4aprice]

There some nice places to eat in Hangover (Hanover - Dartmouth College) as well. 2 exits up 91 and across the bridge. If there's a hockey game that night its good cheap enterainment.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[thetrailboss]

Good call. I think that the Comfort Inn is decent. Located right in that complex of hotels.

Burke will be quieter than Cannon.

And when considering the "cross lots" drive from 91 to 93 to get to Cannon, it is about the same amount of time to get to either resort from WRJ in my experience. From WRJ, I drive up to Exit 17 and take 302 east to Lisbon, then take the route over Sugar Hill and into Franconia. The last section has some stunning views, but it is slow going....

 

[abc]

I've never skied Cannon, so take what I say with a grain of salt.

But if you're thinking of going somewhere different than Burke but still avoid the holiday crowd, Bretton Woods is a pretty decent choice. I skied it for the first time on MLK weekend (Sunday), it was quiet and nice. Lots of wide, well-groomed cruiser runs, plus easy trees to change it up a bit. It's just as easy to get to from Burke (whereever around you're staying).