5 great ski areas around the mwv
The Mount Washington Valley is the perfect place for those who love to ski, with five great resorts right in the valley and a handful more within an hour away. The valley also has great shopping, restaurants and entertainment for aprés ski.
black mountain
The small independent family-friendly Black Mountain in Jackson is the oldest lift-served ski area in New Hampshire. In operation since 1935, generations of families have learned to ski there.
With a primary southern exposure, the 145-acre ski area with 1,100 feet of vertical drop has plenty of sunny slopes among its 45 trails that feature classic New England terrain and a network of glades.
PHOTO: A ski instructor at Black Mountain Ski Area helps young skiers make their first turns. Photo courtesy of WiseguyCreative.com and MWV Chamber of Commerce.
cranmore mountain resort
Just a mile from Main Street in North Conway Village, Cranmore has become a year-round resort with an adventure park, new hotel and condos that let you stay where you play, new base lodge and cozy pub.
But it all started with the mountain, and skiing remains the focus, with 56 trails on over 170 acres. Cranmore is known for its sunny, south-facing slopes and excellent ski school.
The mountain has a good mix of beginner, intermediate and expert trails, as well as glades and four graded terrain parks to help skiers and snowboarders work their way up on jumps, rails and boxes. Cranmore also has night skiing and a family-friendly après ski party — Cranapalooza — with music, games, smores and the resort’s mascot C-more the Penguin.
PHOTO: Aerial view of Cranmore Mountain Resort and North Conway Village. Photo courtesy of John Devaney.
king pine
King Pine is a fabulous place for families, particularly those with younger children. This small mountain in East Madison — 350 vertical feet and 48 acres — has an excellent ski school and a large percentage of beginner and intermediate trails. Inexpensive tickets for night skiing makes it easy to bring a big group.
There’s also steeper terrain, glades and two terrain parks to advance your skills. Kids are a focus at King Pine, which also boasts the longest-running overnight ski camp in the country.
And when you’re done with the downhill, the resort has cross-country and snowshoe trails, skating and tubing to round out your visit.
PHOTO : Fresh snow and a blue bird day at King Pine. Photo courtesy of King Pine/Purity Spring Resort.
Wildcat Mountain Ski Area in Pinkham Notch and Attitash Mountain Resort in Bartlett are two of the bigger mountains in the valley with lots of expert terrain. Serious skiers love these mountains, and they're a two-fer: Both are owned by Vail Resorts and one ticket gives you access to both.
wildcat mountain
Wildcat opened in the 1950s, but its first trail — the Wildcat Ski Trail — was cut by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and retains the feel of early New England skiing. With 48 trails covering 2,112 vertical feet and 225 acres — including 80 acres of glades — there’s plenty to explore here.
PHOTO: Located in Pinkham Notch, many of the slopes on Wildcat offer spectacular views of Mount Washington, Tuckerman Ravine and the Presidential Range. Photo courtesy of John Devaney.
attitash mountain resort
Attitash and neighboring Bear Peak has 68 trails and 1,750 vertical feet on 300 acres, including 60 acres of glades. If you want to make your visit even more special, consider taking a nostalgic Snow Train from North Conway.
PHOTO: Aerial view of Attitash Mountain Resort. Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock.
bonus:
bretton woods
About 30 miles north of North Conway Village, Bretton Woods is the largest ski area in the region, covering 464 acres. With so many trails there's plenty to keep everyone — beginner to expert — happy. It's also a great area to test out tree skiing, with 35 glades — some fairly easy and open.
Beautiful Rosebrook Lodge at Bretton Woods includes a bar, restaurant and cafeteria to relax and enjoy Mt. Washington views.
PHOTO: Rosebrook Lodge at Twilight. Photo courtesy of Bretton Woods Ski Area.
