The Balsams, NH

[billski]

I have never seen any on-slope pictures of the trails at the Balsams resort in N. New Hampshire. I have driven past it in the summertime. I find no TR's either. I know people who have been and skied, said it's quite low-key, but I'd love to see some pics.
Thanks!

 

[JD]

First place I ever skiied. I was 7. My whole faimly went XC skiing, I refused. They left me at the bunny slope and I self taught by watch other people...Instantly hooked.

 

[deadheadskier]

Sorry Bill,no pics, but I visited the Balsams today on business. It's certainly a classic beautiful resort, but man is it a LONG ways got get to. It took me four hours from the seacoast of NH.

The lifts weren't spinning at 10AM. It was actually snowing at a pretty good clip; probably got three inches during my few hours up in the area. I'd say the snow pack was over a foot.

It is my understanding that they are confronting hard times financially. As great of a spot as it is, I don't understand why someone would choose it over Bretton Woods. You'd get essentially the same lodging and dining experience at the Mount Washington Resort, more diverse skiing with better views at Bretton Woods and have an hour and a half less of a drive.

I'm certain that if the place wasn't on the National Historic Places list, it would find itself on NELSAP.

 

[snoseek]

The ski area is awesome on a powder day-or days after. Empty.

Resort is beautiful but needs some life pumped into it. Last I checked the food was excellent-classic. Meals and activities used to all be included with room. I would much rather stay there-or ski there than Mt. Washington, Bretton Woods. It's extra nice in summertime

 

[sledhaulingmedic]

I've been there twice, neither time in the last 20 years. My (now) wife and I were looking for some place not too crowded on a Presidents weekend. Great little place. Very low key. Center pole Riblet as a main lift, IIRC. It's worth checking out. Sherman! Set the wayback machine for the early 1960's!

 

[snoseek]

^^^^

They replaced it with a triple a few years back. It's not much faster though.


You could easily stay there for a few and make a trip over to Saddleback. The drive is maybe a bit over an hour but it's a nice drive.

 

[Angus]

I was thinking of going up in a few weeks with my wife but it is $$$ and the 4 hours just didn't excite me - it would have been easily a $1,000 weekend. It is absolutely spectucular place and I saw some video of the place a few years back right after a snow storm and it looked like a blast - good point about saddleback.

 

[drjeff]

I was thinking of going up in a few weeks with my wife but it is $$$ and the 4 hours just didn't excite me - it would have been easily a $1,000 weekend. It is absolutely spectucular place and I saw some video of the place a few years back right after a snow storm and it looked like a blast - good point about saddleback.

If you stay at The Balsams, basically it's a given that you'll leave the weekend about 5lbs heavier than when you arrived. The food is PHENOMENAL!

 

[salsgang]

Loafer89 posted a TR last year from the Balsams:

http://forums.alpinezone.com/25849-balsams-wilderness-03-21-08-12-powder-day.html?highlight=balsams