hey, looking to do a short family getaway this winter. we have been al over the east cost, and want to try someplace new. i saw the area in the summer, and was impressed by the set up of the base lodge and village. i have done the re-search and have read all the material, now im looking for your stories, what did you think? what did you like? dislike? anything i should know? any thing at all, it would be a great help. thanks in advance
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waterville vally- your help please
- Thread starter MrMagic
- Start date
I've heard secondhand from several friends that it gets quite crowded with the rowdy, young Boston crowd. Maybe midweek would be best (as is the case with most places). The facilities were also getting worn I heard.
Hello all new to this board. As far as Waterville, we went there 3 years ago with a group of very differing abilities. It was extremely crowded on the lone novice, low intermediate area they had which was all some of the people were looking for. There is essentially one area on the left(looking up) for this type of person and it was absolutely NUTS. kids were flying all around my wife and her friend. my wife actually got knocked out by a snowboarder. he drilled he from behind and she smacked her head so hard so blacked out briefly. Apart from that, i found the bump runs like bobbys and true grit to be fun. The top is very crowded as waterville has essentially a false summit with only a few runs immediately available to you. All in all, i wouldnt take my family there but i would go back with a group of better skiers.
Joshua B
Member
Waterville is on my list of areas that I'd never ski on a weekend for the reason of overcrowding.
riverc0il
New member
crowded and not too challenging overall. really good price and close to major metropolitan areas which is a plus, except that's the reason for the over crowding. nice trails though, it would probably be a fun place to ski mid-week with full coverage after a bit of pow. then again, under those circumstances most skiers would look toward their favorite mountains instead.
Vortex
Member
I would say waterville does get crowded on weekends, but less so than loon, and it is more family oriented. I would say not rowdy at all.
I spend alot of sat nights in the village with my kids. Some Sat or holiday nights they have fireworks and outdoor events. Waterville Valley is a Great Family experience there is some challenge in the skiing. I ski there maybe 10 time a year at most. Depends on goals. If family issues are important go there.
Everything at the Ski area is at 1 base lodge safe and easy. Town square safe and kids can rome and come back, Shuttle service to and from mtn I probably go into town square every other weekend during the winter. Long winded if skiing biggest draw go to Loon I do.
I spend alot of sat nights in the village with my kids. Some Sat or holiday nights they have fireworks and outdoor events. Waterville Valley is a Great Family experience there is some challenge in the skiing. I ski there maybe 10 time a year at most. Depends on goals. If family issues are important go there.
Everything at the Ski area is at 1 base lodge safe and easy. Town square safe and kids can rome and come back, Shuttle service to and from mtn I probably go into town square every other weekend during the winter. Long winded if skiing biggest draw go to Loon I do.
stomachdoc
Member
Waterville is my home mountain, so I'm no doubt biased in my reply :wink:
I agree with the above post; Waterville is a wonderful family place. The town square concept--in walking distance from all of the lodging--is terrific; the kids can run around and not get into trouble. There's an ice rink there as well. Also, town square is the jumping off point for the vast cross-country trail network, if you want to give that a try.
Let me speak to the "crowds" on the beginner slope. The earlier poster was referring to Valley Run, a wonderfully wide gentle cruiser that is served by a high speed quad which results in a fair number of people on that slope. However, it should be noted that there are two other distinct beginner areas at WV; the Lower Meadows area, served by its own double chair and the Pasture, served by its own J-bar. Both of these areas are self contained and won't have high speed skiers on the last leg of their descent down the mountain.
WV is a great learn-to-ski mountain; the Kids Kamps are fantastic and there is also on-mountain day care.
There can be crowds....no doubt. But the lines move fast as there are high speed quads from the base, and once your up on the mountain, you can ski the northside or Sunnyside without having to go all the way back to the bottom.
Loon gets much more crowded, IMHO, than does Waterville, 'cause it's right off of the highway, while Waterville is 12 miles off.
If you want more challenging terrain, then head into Vermont (Okemo or Killington or Sugarbush). However, you won't find the self contained town square at those places, and, if you and your family skies at varying abilties, you may find yourself miles apart at lunchtime.
I think you'll have a great few days at Waterville; but, if you're just off of the olympic ski team, you should go elsewhere for a challenge!
I agree with the above post; Waterville is a wonderful family place. The town square concept--in walking distance from all of the lodging--is terrific; the kids can run around and not get into trouble. There's an ice rink there as well. Also, town square is the jumping off point for the vast cross-country trail network, if you want to give that a try.
Let me speak to the "crowds" on the beginner slope. The earlier poster was referring to Valley Run, a wonderfully wide gentle cruiser that is served by a high speed quad which results in a fair number of people on that slope. However, it should be noted that there are two other distinct beginner areas at WV; the Lower Meadows area, served by its own double chair and the Pasture, served by its own J-bar. Both of these areas are self contained and won't have high speed skiers on the last leg of their descent down the mountain.
WV is a great learn-to-ski mountain; the Kids Kamps are fantastic and there is also on-mountain day care.
There can be crowds....no doubt. But the lines move fast as there are high speed quads from the base, and once your up on the mountain, you can ski the northside or Sunnyside without having to go all the way back to the bottom.
Loon gets much more crowded, IMHO, than does Waterville, 'cause it's right off of the highway, while Waterville is 12 miles off.
If you want more challenging terrain, then head into Vermont (Okemo or Killington or Sugarbush). However, you won't find the self contained town square at those places, and, if you and your family skies at varying abilties, you may find yourself miles apart at lunchtime.
I think you'll have a great few days at Waterville; but, if you're just off of the olympic ski team, you should go elsewhere for a challenge!
Talisman
New member
I wouldn't go back to Waterville Valley to ski, ever, even with free lift tickets. If you are seeking the town square, family togetherness, pleasant accomodations nestled in truly spectacular setting experience go by all means. The ring of 4,000 foot peaks around the valley are awesome and provide views unlike any other ski area in new England.
DBarnes727
New member
As people have already said, waterville is a decent mountain but can get very crowded.
I go up to the waterville resorts probably 2 or 3 times a year with friends. They are very nice and fairly cheap. The Golden Eagle Lodge is one of my favorites. It is a short walk from the little village, place is great...loads of room for lots of friends. They have 2 bedroom units plus a bed that folds down from the wall (forget what they call those) and a couch or two in a large living room. Each room has its own kitchen (stove, fridge, microwave, etc..) Units are furnished slightly different from one another as they are owned by different people and rented out as hotel rooms when the owners aren't there.
I go up to the waterville resorts probably 2 or 3 times a year with friends. They are very nice and fairly cheap. The Golden Eagle Lodge is one of my favorites. It is a short walk from the little village, place is great...loads of room for lots of friends. They have 2 bedroom units plus a bed that folds down from the wall (forget what they call those) and a couch or two in a large living room. Each room has its own kitchen (stove, fridge, microwave, etc..) Units are furnished slightly different from one another as they are owned by different people and rented out as hotel rooms when the owners aren't there.
riverc0il
New member
murphy bed, iircDBarnes727 said:
B
beswift
Guest
Waterville
Waterville IMHO is best visited in the summer and fall. I have some great photos I have taken on climbs in the valley. In the winter it is a weekend zoo. I used to get free skiing there. Basically it is a Race, Tele or Cruising Mtn and as a previous post made it clear, not very challenging for experts. It's the closest major Mtn. to Boston and attracts a lot of party types. However, you won't find most of these >>Family Mtns<< in N.E. much different. The advantage to Loon would be that they limit their lift ticket sales on weekends to 3,000 I believe. However, like most mountains in N.E. the conditions at both ski areas can be very slick and fast. This would make many of the trails very hazardous as your average male on these slopes skiis way beyond his ability.
Waterville IMHO is best visited in the summer and fall. I have some great photos I have taken on climbs in the valley. In the winter it is a weekend zoo. I used to get free skiing there. Basically it is a Race, Tele or Cruising Mtn and as a previous post made it clear, not very challenging for experts. It's the closest major Mtn. to Boston and attracts a lot of party types. However, you won't find most of these >>Family Mtns<< in N.E. much different. The advantage to Loon would be that they limit their lift ticket sales on weekends to 3,000 I believe. However, like most mountains in N.E. the conditions at both ski areas can be very slick and fast. This would make many of the trails very hazardous as your average male on these slopes skiis way beyond his ability.
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Re: Waterville
http://skiing.alpinezone.com/articles/challenge/response.htm?resort=loon
This is a myth. See response to question #3:beswift said:
http://skiing.alpinezone.com/articles/challenge/response.htm?resort=loon
Charlie Schuessler
New member
I agree that WV is great family place. With the Town Square and the close proximity of the village condo's with alpine & Nordic skiing it is ideal. And with nearby trails for snowshoeing or hiking it is a year-round outdoor playland.
Be fore warned though, the Mountain on ski weekends is a zoo, especially Saturday up to 2:30 or so. While on weekdays it is empty. The lift lines aren’t terrible, however the place feels crowded…
Besides the base lodge, the mountain has two slopeside lodges for breaks, lunch or snacks. Take advantage of them.
For the most part the conditions are groomed for pleasant skiing. I pick my days there carefully and always seem to have a good time.
Be fore warned though, the Mountain on ski weekends is a zoo, especially Saturday up to 2:30 or so. While on weekdays it is empty. The lift lines aren’t terrible, however the place feels crowded…
Besides the base lodge, the mountain has two slopeside lodges for breaks, lunch or snacks. Take advantage of them.
For the most part the conditions are groomed for pleasant skiing. I pick my days there carefully and always seem to have a good time.
First Tracks
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Re: Waterville
I'm nearly absolutely certain that they used to. Didn't realize that they stopped the practice, though.
Greg said:
I'm nearly absolutely certain that they used to. Didn't realize that they stopped the practice, though.
Charlie Schuessler
New member
I've been hearing the rumor of limited ticket sales and have discounted for nearly 20-years...
If it's to good to be true, that's because it is.
If it's to good to be true, that's because it is.
riverc0il
New member
...Because Loon Limits Lines... 
perhaps this old brochure courtesy of laurie's site is the foundation of the rumon:
http://teachski.com/brochures/loon/loon.htm
:lol:
perhaps this old brochure courtesy of laurie's site is the foundation of the rumon:
http://teachski.com/brochures/loon/loon.htm
:lol:
B
beswift
Guest
Sorry if I didn't get it right about limiting ticks at Loon and thank Greg for the correction. I know that a decade ago they did, but prior to 9/11 there were a lot more skiers out. They do have a 2-1 day now which was something they never did before. In addition they never gave shop employees special considerations regarding lift tickets.
alexs
New member
I wrote a WV review quite a while ago:
http://sakharov.net/skiing/water.html
I know many disagree, which is good.
http://sakharov.net/skiing/water.html
I know many disagree, which is good.
Vortex
Member
I found that a great review. The non ski amenities are what draw me. We did the fireworks there and tree lighting and the candy store last Sat had a great time. The differnece is I ski Loon most often. Waterville is good for the family with 1 base. I still would prefer to ski Loon, can't explain it. My kids 8 and 10 prefer Loon also.
R
RJ
Guest
My wife and I are Threedom pass holders, meaning we can ski Loon, Waterville Valley, and Cranmore on our season pass. We almost exclusively ski WV for the following reasons. First, our house is only 6 miles from the mountain. Second, at 50 and 47 years old we no longer need to prove anything by throwing our bodies down the side of a double black with reckless abandon. Third, if done correctly, we can see from 8:00am to 1:00pm without waiting in long lines.
From 8:00am to 10:00am there is a “mommy window”; meaning, all the mommies are in the lodge getting the kids ready for the day, which leaves the slopes relatively crowd free for the first two hours. My wife and I and our friends can get 70% of our runs in during that window. We then break around 11:00am or 11:15am and hang out at the Schwendi Hutte until the lunch crowd begins to filter in. We then ski from 12:00 noon until 1:00pm or 2:00pm without to much waiting in lines. We usually head back to the home around 2:00pm and take a well deserved nap before dinner. Although I do like some of the trails at Loon, we usually always go to WV.
From 8:00am to 10:00am there is a “mommy window”; meaning, all the mommies are in the lodge getting the kids ready for the day, which leaves the slopes relatively crowd free for the first two hours. My wife and I and our friends can get 70% of our runs in during that window. We then break around 11:00am or 11:15am and hang out at the Schwendi Hutte until the lunch crowd begins to filter in. We then ski from 12:00 noon until 1:00pm or 2:00pm without to much waiting in lines. We usually head back to the home around 2:00pm and take a well deserved nap before dinner. Although I do like some of the trails at Loon, we usually always go to WV.
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