Stratagies for a Northern NE weekend

[4aprice]

I want to get up north for the Presidents Day weekend. I've skied most of the areas in NNY/VT/NH (Maine is too far for this trip) so I've done this many times, but I wanted to find out what other people do. Do you

A) Settle on an area and book pronto?
B) Look for the best deals?
C) Pick hotels with a good choice of areas?
D) Wait till you've got it figured out where the best snow should be and go there?

C & D have been mostly my MO over the years. I am quite willing to drive 6 hrs out of N NJ on a Friday and it opens up a lot of choices. I also have stayed at places like White River Jct Vt to hit several places. I'll be interested to hear some other stratagies.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[crank]

We're driving from CT up to Mont Ste Anne and Le Massif this year but are staying for 5 days. Went to Jay Peak last year and had so so conditions with a thaw/freeze cycle. Seemed to be pretty normal crowd-wise though. Year before went to Saddleback - far but good crowd avoidance hill.

 

[billski]

I mostly day trip during pres day week, so conditions are prime importance. It's my understanding rooms get booked pretty solid around that week, you don't want to get stuck. So If I was you, I'd pick a location that is central to the most reliable snow. If it was VT and you're not stuck on one area, I'd be thinking about Waterbury, VT area - within a 1/2 hour to bush, mrg, bolton, stowe. As much as 1/5 hrs to Jay and smuggs from there. You could even throw in burke, suicide and Dartmouth if you wanted to (those, actually would be my president's week venues)

If you want NH, Bretton Woods, Cannon, Waterville and maybe Attitash are all within 1/2-1 hour stretch from Lincoln.

If you wanted to do Mt. Wash Valley NH, you could hit Wildcat, Cranmore, Black, Attitash all within a 1/2 hr of North Conway.

Some hotels have discount tickets for it's customers, so ask.\

Me? I've never had good luck with Canada resorts.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

If you want to stay near the mountain I would pick a spot and book in advance...if you're flexible and don't mind staying away from the mountain in a place like Rutland, Burlington, White River Junction you will likely avoid paying Holiday rates and be able to book last minute..

 

[boston_e]

D

 

[KingM]

As an innkeeper, let me advise you to make your decision and book sooner, rather than later. If it's just 1-2 people, you can probably wait a couple of weeks. Any more, you should book at once. That is the most reliable, busiest time of the year, between the holiday and the school break.

Of course, I'm biased in favor of the Mad River Valley, as you've got the two Sugarbush mountains, plus Mad River within a few minutes, plus the possibility of half a dozen other mountains, such as Stowe and Killington. But I've got to think this applies for anywhere.

 

[bigbog]

.....

D
1+;

 

[kcyanks1]

For Pres weekend, book now or soon. It's a major holiday weekend. As for looking for deals or deciding on an area first, I think you have to decide how much you are willing to pay and what type of lodging you want (slopeside, how fancy, etc.). As for location, I'd do something in northern VT. Find somewhere by Sugarbush, Stowe, Jay, Smuggs, or somewhere in between that fits with what you want as far as price/type of lodging. Northern VT has the highest odds of having the best snow, and if you wait too long you might get nothing.

 

[4aprice]

Just to update this subject. I have made my reservations already due to the fact that it is the holiday and I decided early where I wanted to go. In this case it will be North Conway NH, not only to enjoy some skiing but to explore and enjoy the town as well. For my later trips to Northern New England in March and early April, however, I think I will go back to my normal methods, options C and D. I would love to hit Cannon this year but will wait to see how the snow conditions pan out.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[billski]

good choice. enjoy!

 

[St. Bear]

North Conway is a great town, I doubt you'll be dissappointed. Where are you planning on skiing?

 

[4aprice]

North Conway is a great town, I doubt you'll be dissappointed. Where are you planning on skiing?

Well I'm gonna hit the Cat one day that's for sure. I'm also a history buff so I'm interested in Cranmore even though it's not a huge mountain (my only regret there is that the Snowmobile is no longer in operation). I've never skied Attitash but I might want to hit that on another trip since it would probably take 2+ days to cover. I will look into Black Mt (good price for family) and Shawnee Peak Maine for the other 2 days.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[poconovfr]

Well,I used to just drive up and find snow. Now that I have found this site...................I see my quality of skiing being enhanced by everyone elses fortune and ....miss-fortune. :lol:

 

[St. Bear]

Very cool. Ironically, I'm going to be at Wildcat that Sunday, 2/15. Maybe we'll hook up for a few runs. Drive almost 7 hours to ski with someone that lives 30 minutes away from me.

 

[4aprice]

Very cool. Ironically, I'm going to be at Wildcat that Sunday, 2/15. Maybe we'll hook up for a few runs. Drive almost 7 hours to ski with someone that lives 30 minutes away from me.

PM me as we get closer. I'm always up for runs.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[JPTracker]

Jay is a great place for Presidents week. Most of their skiers come from Canada, Vermont & NH, none of which have that week off. And since it is too far for a day trip from other states, for most people, the crowds are limited by their accommodations, which when compared to most mountains are very small. You will find little or no lift lines all week, Monday - Friday.

The downside of this is reservations may be hard to get, especially slopeside. Most people staying slopeside will make their reservations a year in advance.

 

[JD]

All about the snow....go for conditions....D