New Hampshire's many ski areas are easily accessible from major cities in and near New England.

Surprisingly, ski areas on publicly-owned land predominate in free-enterprise New Hampshire. County and state parks and the White Mountains National Forest hold ski areas operated by private interests, but these areas are owned or controlled by government.

This means that few New Hampshire ski areas are surrounded by condominium developments. Depending on how you look at it, this may be good or bad.

Condos make it easy to stay right at the ski area, which means crowds may be larger, and composed of non-locals, and traffic may be worse.

No condos means that many skiers will be local, within an easy drive of the slopes, going home at dusk.

In any case, New Hampshire has some exceptional skiing, including one opportunity that is unlike anything else in the USA.

New Hampshire Ski Transportation

Concord Coach

Concord Coach runs daily buses from Boston's Logan Airport and South Station Transportation Center to Lake Winnipesaukee (for Gunstock), and through the Mount Washington Valley to Conway and North Conway (for Attitash, Black Mountain, Cranmore, and Jackson); Pinkham Notch (for Wildcat). Another route takes you to Littleton (for Loon Mountain) and Franconia (for Cannon Mountain).

Dartmouth Coach

Dartmouth Coach, a division of Concord Coach, runs daily buses from Boston (Logan Airport and South Station Trtansportation Center) and New York City to Hanover NH, giving access to the Dartmouth Skiway.

Amtrak's Vermonter

Amtrak's Vermonter train stops at Claremont NH, 17 miles (27 km) west of Mount Sunapee; at Windsor VT, eight miles (13 km) northeast of Ascutney; and at White River Junction VT, in New Hampshire's Upper Valley, 19 miles (31 km) southwest of the Dartmouth Skiway.

Where to Stay

Here's how to find the perfect lodgings in New Hampshire's White Mountains:

Ascutney Outdoors

Once a full-fledged ski area, Mount Ascutney fell on hard times in 2010 and has been reconstituted as Ascutney Outdoors, a small, simple ski area of 26 acres, eight trails with a 450-foot (137-meter) vertical drop (longest run: 310 feet/100 meters), and an 1800-foot (549-meter) Doppelmayr T-bar lift, all run by volunteers. It's a favorite with locals.

Attitash Mountain Ski Resort

775 US Route 302, Bartlett NH (map)
Small but highly polished, Attitash is easy to ski and easy to like, with lots of lodgings, restaurants and services within easy reach in Bartlett, Jackson and North Conway.

Attitash Mountain Resort near Bartlett NH has the polish of a large resort but the ambience of a smaller traditional ski area: park your car, walk across the road and take the lift up. No need for long shuttle bus rides. It's family-friendly and easy to use.

Two mountains, Attitash (2350 feet/716 meters) and Bear Peak, have a vertical drop of 1750 feet (533 meters) and 70 ski trails (27% novice, 44% intermediate, 29% expert) served by 10 lifts, including three high-speed quads. Snowmaking over 98% of the trails guarantees a good ride anytime.

Snowboarders get a terrain park and superpipe (the longest superpipe in New Hampshire), and plenty of child care and youth programs provide fun for the kids.

As for lodging, the Attitash Grand Summit Hotel is right next to the slopes, and there are plenty of condominiums next to the ski area, but also inns, hotels and motels in Glen, Bartlett, Jackson and North Conway, all only a short drive away. More...

For variety, you can try Black Mountain, Cranmore and Wildcat, the other ski areas nearby in the Mount Washington Valley, without moving from your lodgings.

The Balsams

1000 Cold Spring Road (NH Rte 26), Dixville Notch NH (map)
This grand turn-of-the-century resort near the northern tip of New Hampshire fell on hard times in the early 2000s, but is now being revived as a timeshare condominium resort. It's on a 15,000-acre estate with plenty of downhill and cross-country skiing potential, though but the ski area may not yet be in operation. Here's what it was like before its closing:

The view from the summit.

Among The Balsams' many winter pleasures were its 18 alpine (downhill) ski trails on a 1000-foot (305-meter) vertical drop served by four lifts (two triple chairs and two surface lifts). About half the trails were black or double-black diamond. They could make snow on 80% of the trails.

The snowboarders' terrain park had a tabletop and rails.

Nordic skiing (cross-country) was a strong point as well, with 59 miles (95 km) of wide trails, 90% of which were tracked and groomed, with cozy, convenient heated trail shelters along the way. Whatever your skill level, from rank beginner to experienced adventurer, there were trails and loops for you, and plenty of space so you wouldn't be bumping into crowds along the way. Nearly half of the trail system was blue trails for intermediate and ambitious cross-country skiers. Most of the rest were advanced, offering challenging terrain for a great ski experience.

If skiing is not your thing, there was ice skating on a lighted rink, and some of northern New Hampshire's 600 miles (966 km) of snowmobiling trails traverse The Balsams estate. You could rent a snowmobile in the nearby town of Errol NH.

Watch for the re-opening of the hotel and ski area, and if/when it happens, go! The setting is spectacular.

Black Mountain Ski Area

Black Mountain Road (Route 16B), Jackson NH
Jackson NH is famous for its cross-country ski trails. Just outside Jackson is a nice small downhill ski resort to satisfy the craving for speed and slope: Black Mountain.

Small, informal, homey even, Black Mountain Ski Resort is just what Jackson NH needs: a place to have some downhill fun in between (or instead of) the cross-country and inn-to-inn ski treks.

Black Mountain's modest vertical drop of 1100 feet (335 meters) from a 3303-foot (1007-meter) summit has 40 trails (13 novice, 14 intermediate, 13 expert) served by four lifts (triple, double, platter pull, J-bar).

Facilities are simple but adequate, with all the expected services—lessons, child care, rentals, food and drink—and lift ticket prices are refreshingly low: about half that of more elaborate ski areas.

Black Mountain is easy to get to, easy to use and easy to like.

Attitash, Cranmore and Wildcat ski areas are only a short drive away, should you want more of a challenge from the pleasant, un-hassled skiing at Black Mountain.

For lodgings, there are the country inns of Jackson, and the inns, motels and hotels of Glen, Bartlett and North Conway.

Bretton Woods Ski Area

99 Ski Area Road, Bretton Woods NH (map)
With dramatic views of Mount Washington from the ski slopes, and one-of-a-kind lodgings and sights nearby, Bretton Woods, famous for the Mount Washington Hotel, is among New Hampshire's most popular ski areas.

Boasting that it is "New Hampshire's largest ski area," Bretton Woods Mountain Resort, on US Route 302 in Twin Mountain NH also boasts great snow quality and often-favorable weather.

The vertical drop of 1500 feet (457 meters) has 98 trails (31 novice, 42 intermediate, 28 expert) on two interconnected mountain peaks served by 9 lifts, including five quads. Two of the lifts serve five night skiing trails.

Snowmaking covers 92% of the slopes. Snowboarders get their own terrain park with rails and a fun box, there's a tubing hill, and 100 kilometers of Nordic trails as well.

Lots of ski lessons and kids' programs, with child care for kids from two months to 5 years.

The grand old Mount Washington Hotel, now the Omni Mount Washington Resort,is just down the road, as are several hotels, inns, and condominium complexes.

The Mount Washington Cog Railway, with its own ski runs along the railroad right-of-way, is just a short drive away.

The Bretton Woods Conference of 1944, officials from 44 countries meeting at the Mount Washington Hotel, established the World Bank and the global monetary system for post-World War II, making the name "Bretton Woods" world famous.

Cannon Mountain

Franconia Notch Parkway (I-93), Franconia NH (map)
At the north entrance to Franconia Notch, within Franconia Notch State Park (map), Cannon Mountain Ski Resort is for dedicated skiers who want to spend most of their time racing down the slopes.

Massive and lofty enough to be served by an aerial tramway, Cannon Mountain, on the north side of Franconia Notch, allows you to ride up and take a l-o-n-g time skiing down: helicopter skiing without the expensive helicopter!

At 4080 feet (1244 meters), Cannon Mountain's summit is the highest of any ski area in New Hampshire, and its 2180-foot (664-meter) vertical drop is also the state's greatest.

The mountain's 72 trails on 178 acres, plus the 86-acre Mittersill Backcountry Area, are served by nine ski lifts: the 70-passenger Aerial Tramway cable car; 1 detachable quad chairlift; 2 fixed-grip quad chairlifts, 3 triple chairlifts; 1 handle tow, and a Wonder Carpet.

Snowmaking covers 97% of Cannon trails, and the mountain's north/northeast exposure keeps it cold.

	Base Lodge at Cannon

The New England Ski Museum is very near the base lodge at Cannon Mountain, and worth a look for any devotee of the sport.

Nearest lodgings are north of the Notch in the town of Franconia, and south of the Notch in North Woodstock and Lincoln. More...

To reach Cannon Mountain by car, take Interstate 93 north of Franconia Notch to Exit 34B or 34C. Concord Coach buses serve the town of Franconia from Boston.

For more family fun, Loon Mountain Ski Resort is only 15 miles (24 km) to the southeast of Lincoln NH.

Cranmore Mountain Resort

1 Skimobile Road, North Conway NH (map)
With sunny southwest-facing slopes, Mount Cranmore, right in North Conway NH, gives skiers a l-o-n-g skiing day. When shadow has blanketed other resorts' slopes, people at Cranmore are still skiing in lots of sun.

Wags call it "Tanmore" because of the long sun time and southern exposure, but the long light is not its only advantage: the center of North Conway is only a mile from the base lodge, an easy 15-to-20-minute walk or a few minutes' drive.

The vertical drop of 1200 feet (366 meters) has 40 trails (14 novice, 18 intermediate, 8 expert) served by 9 lifts, including an express quad, a triple, three doubles and four surface lifts.

Snowboarders will find a good terrain park, mini park and half-pipe. There's tubing as well.

Lots of kids' programs, as you might imagine: all-day or half-day ski or snowboard lessons, and child care for the youngest.

Arrive at or after 2 pm, and you can take advantage of the long sunny ski time for free: the lift ticket you buy will be good for the rest of the day, and all the next day. Ticket prices are quite moderate, by the way.

	Lunchtime at Cranmore...

As for lodgings, there are plenteous inns, hotels, hotels and B&Bs in North Conway, the largest town this side of Mount Washington. Also, new condominium developments are under way right at the resort, so timeshare rentals are a real possibility.

Restaurants abound in town as well.

Attitash, Black Mountain, and Wildcat Mountain ski resorts are all within a short drive of Cranmore, and Loon Mountain is at the western end of the Kancamagus Highway.

Crotched Mountain Resort

615 Francestown Road, Bennington NH (map)
If you're in or near Manchester or Concord, New Hampshire, Crotched Mountain is a convenient and satisfying area for skiing and snowboarding.Crotched Mountain Ski & Ride is a family-oriented ski and snowboard resort less than two hours' drive northwest of Boston, and less than an hour west of Manchester NH.

It's a good place to learn to ski and/or snowboard.

Crotched (pronounced "CROTCH-it"), 78 miles (126 km, 1-3/4 hours) northwest of Boston MA, 27 miles (43 km, 1 hour) west of Manchester NH, 38 miles southwest of Concord NH, offers 100 acres of skiing area with a vertical drop of 1000 feet (305 meters); 5 lifts including a quad chair, high-speed quad chair, triple chair, double chair and Magic Carpet.

Snowmaking covers 100% of the trails, and night lighting cover 100% of the Terrain Parks, of which there are three, allowing for fun Midnight Madness events.

The full-service Main Lodge has a cafeteria with breakfast, full-menu lunch and dinner, a salad bar, pizzeria and bar.

What to stay the night? There are plenty of hotels in Manchester and hotels in Concord NH. More...

Dartmouth Skiway

39 Grafton Turnpike (PO Box 161), Lyme Center NH (map)
This good small ski area in a narrow, snow-filled valley northeast of Hanover NH, owned by Dartmouth College, yields a satisfying ski & snowboard experience in a family atmosphere.The aptly-named Dartmouth Skiway is a satisfying small ski area just east of Lyme NH, 14 miles (23 km, 1/2 hour) northeast of Dartmouth College and Hanover NH.

If you're in the area, the 968-foot vertical drop from a 1943-foot (592-meter) summit and 30 trails on 104 skiable acres spread over two mountains provide satisfying skiing and snowboarding.

The two facing ski slopes are at the head of a narrow valley that retains its snow even when the countryside at large may have little. The Skiway's snowmaking ability, covering about 70% of the trails, means that if temperatures are wintry, there will be snow and a good ski/snowboard experience here.

Four lifts take you up the slopes: quad, double, J-bar and a conveyor for beginners.

Of course there's a ski school and ski patrol.

The pretty town of Lyme Center, 3.4 miles (5.5 km) northwest of the Dartmouth Skiway, is a real, traditional New England town with its white high-steepled church, town green, and country inn.

To stay the night, look at the hotels in Hanover and vicinity. More...

Granite Gorge Mountain Park

341 Route 9 (P O Box 545), Roxbury NH map)
Granite Gorge is a small ski area on NH Route 9, 5.5 miles (9 km) northeast of Keene NH. Though closed for several years in the 1970s, it is again open and thriving, with a new base lodge and other new facilities.

Located on the north face of Pinnacle Mountain, the trails are protected from the wind and hold snow well. The ski area is on 55 acres of skiable terrain with a 525-foot (160-meter) vertical drop from the 1703-foot (519-meter) summit of Spruce Peak.

Four lifts, including the double-chair Pinnacle Express to the summit, serve 20 trails. Snowmaking covers about 25% of the area, and lighting allows night skiing, snowboarding and tubing.

The snowboard terrain parks are top-to-bottom. 12 miles of cross-country ski trails are less adventurous, but equally statisfying.

All in all, it's a fine small "gateway" mountain for first-timers, learners, and those out for some easy fun.

Gunstock Mountain Resort

719 Cherry Valley Road, Gilford, NH (map)
Built by the WPA near the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee in 1938, Gunstock values tradition and old-fashioned family skiing, with the emphasis on fun. It's less than two hours' drive from Boston (map), and has a lot going for it: 2000 acres of mountain and forest overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee and, in the distance, Mount Washington.

Coming from eastern Massachusetts, your Gunstock adventure can easily be either a day-trip or overnight ski trip. The drive is about 2-1/2 hours from Boston; and Concord Coach buses can take you from Boston's Logan Airport or South Station Transportation Center to the Winnipesaukee towns of Tilton (17 miles southwest) and Meredith (14 miles northwest).

Gunstock has been here for a long time: the solid, attractive alpine-style lodge, set on a foundation of 2-1/2-foot-thick granite walls, was built in 1937-38 as a WPA (Works Progress Administration) project.

Owned by the local county government and run by a very experienced ski-resort family, Gunstock stays true to its roots: the goal here is fun and fulfilling ski experiences, not condo or villa sales. The people who run Gunstock are always thinking up fun special events and features: free hot chocolate at the summit, free S'mores on Sunday afternoons, moonlight or candlelight ski treks on the 50 km (31 miles) of cross-country (Nordic) ski trails, and a variety of good-value ski packages. Also, Gunstock has the longest snow tubing run in New Hampshire: 1000 feet (305 meters).

No condo developments blanket the slopes here, and there's no sales pitch.

The towns around Lake Winnipesaukee already have 20,000 beds for guests, so there's no need for more lodging. Not only that, as a primarily summer destination, winter is off-season for Winnipesaukee lodgings, so prices are lower.

If you decide to stay in the Winnipesaukee area, there are many other ski resorts within a short drive of Gunstock, should you want diversity.

King Pine Ski Area

1251 Eaton Road (NH Route 153), East Madison NH (map)
Hidden away in a secluded valley by a New England village on a broad lake, King Pine, south of Conway, is a gem for those who want to get away from big-ski-resort bustle. Though only 15 miles (24 km, 25 minutes' drive) south of North Conway, it has none of that outdoor mecca's traffic.

	Lots to do...

Located on NH Route 153 at Purity Spring Resort, it's on a mountainside overlooking Purity Lake and a beautiful valley off the most-traveled routes. In effect, it's a hidden treasure for family skiers.

At King Pine, it's possible to believe you're at your own almost-private ski resort in your almost-private New England village.

With a vertical drop of 350 feet (107 meters), six lifts, 100% snowmaking, the 17 trails and glades (most of them for Beginner and Intermediate skiers), keep you interested. A few black-diamond trails and a terrain park do the same for more Advanced skiers and snowboarders.

Night skiing, Nordic (cross-country) skiing, snow tubing, ice skating, snowshoeing and horse-drawn sleigh rides are also offered.

Loon Mountain

Exit 32, I-93, Lincoln NH (map)
Something for everyone, especially kids, youth and families, from its special events to its mountaintop gondola, Loon, in Lincoln, New Hampshire south of Franconia Notch, is one of the state's major ski resorts.

Loon Mountain: big enough for a gondola.

A few miles east of Lincoln NH at the western end of the Kancamagus Highway, Loon Mountain rises above the torrents of the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River.

Summer or winter, Loon has an elaborate program of entertainments for the family.

I just love the old narrow-gauge steam locomotive. Railroading has a long history in this valley. A historic locomotive from the East Branch and Lincoln Railroad stands at the town side of the Loon bridge over the Pemi, testifying to the fact that logging railroads carried a billion feet of logs out of this valley between 1893 and 1947.

Fifty ski trails (10 novice, 32 intermediate, 8 expert) served by 10 lifts (including a 4-passenger gondola and two high-speed quads) make their way down the 2100-foot (640-meter) vertical drop. Snowmaking covers 99% of the slopes, so you're assured of good coverage whether Mother Nature cooperates or not. Snowboarders get their own terrain park with superpipe, 16-foot wall ride and roller coaster rail. There's also a tubing run served by a lift. Kids' programs serve every age, from newborns to teens.

Lodging includes condominiums just outside the ski area, and motels and inns in the neighboring towns of Lincoln and North Woodstock. More...

Cannon Mountain Ski Resort is also just a short, scenic drive of 15 miles (24 km) to the northeast, north through Franconia Notch.

McIntyre Ski Area

50 Chalet Way, Manchester NH (map)
McIntyre Ski Area is a small but pleasant and very kid-friendly ski area right within the city of Manchester, New Hampshire. Want to learn to ski? This is the place: easy slopes, sell-kept facilities, and no insane speed-demon skiers or snowboarders bearing down on you as you work at making your turns.

If you live in Manchester, it couldn't be more convenient: right in the city near the V A Hospital (map). Go on a weekend and you'll find a lively, jolly family atmosphere. Go mid-week, when school is in session, and you'll feel as though it's your own private ski area.

There are 5 lifts (two chairlifts, two conveyors and a tubing tog), 10 trails, and ski, snowboard and snow tube rentals. The pleasant, well-kept base lodge has a cafeteria, toilets and other necessities.

Pats Peak Ski Area

24 Flanders Road, Henniker NH (map)
Friendly, appealing, this peak (and it really is a peak), Pat's Peak is only 22 miles (35 km) west of Concord NH, and a short drive from Manchester NH and Boston MA. It's another of those nice New Hampshire ski areas that are not surrounded by condominium developments.

This is both a boon and a bane. It means that most of the skiers are more or less local, coming from within an hour's drive. It also means that if you would like to come for a longer time, you'll have to look for lodgings elsewhere.

Pats Peak offers 22 trails and slopes (7 gladed) served by 10 lifts: 2 triple chairs, 3 double chairs, a J-bar, 2 handle tows and a carpet lift. The vertical drop is 710 feet (216 meters) from the 1400-foot (427-meter) summit. Snowmaking covers 100% of the trails.

Half the trails are rated as Beginner, 4 are Intermediate, 3 Advanced, and 4 Expert. The longest run is 1.5 miles (2.4 km). Significantly, there's a Beginner run right from the summit, as well as an illuminated run from the summit which makes night skiing lots more fun. Three terrain parks keep snowboarders of all abilities happy and well occupied.

The Ski & Snowboard Shop provides equipment sales and rentals, the cafeterias and Sled Pub keep you nourished, and the Wifi is free. Children's programs and ski and snowboard lessons are always available. Snow tubing is offered on may weekends and school holidays.

Ragged Mountain Ski Resort

620 Ragged Mountain Road, Danbury, NH 03230 (map)
A pleasant resort near Danbury NH, 37 miles (60 km) northwest of Concord, Ragged has lots of advantages but one disadvantage: it's hard to find if you don't already know where it is.

Signage is ridiculously lacking. There's only one sign on the roads leading to the ski area, and it faces east, so only people driving westbound on NH Route 104 can see it. If you come any other way, you're out of luck.

Even when you actually get to Ragged Mountain, you won't see a sign until you actually approach the slopes.

I guess this keeps it for local skiers, who have a good time skiing its 200+ acres on three peaks served by nine ski lifts, with 98% snowmaking cover to guarantee good skiing.

To find it—here's the secret!—from Interstate 93, Exit 23, go west on NH Route 104 past the hamlet of Elmwood and watch for that single solitary sign on the right-hand side of the highway. Less than a mile past the sign, on the left, look for a small street sign reading "Ragged Mountain Road." Follow this road to the ski area. If you come to Danbury NH, you've missed the turn.

Coming from Danbury, watch for the "Ragged Mountain Road" street sign on your right (south) on the outskirts of the town.

Storrs Hill Ski Area

60 Spring St, Lebanon NH (map)
Storrs Hill Ski Area, on the southern outskirts of Lebanon NH, belongs to the Lebanon (NH) Outing Club. Contact the club for information about skiing, volunteering, and membership.

Sunapee Ski Resort

Route 103, Newbury NH (map)
Mount Sunapee Ski Resort in Newbury NH is accessible, being just about the closest ski area of its size and scope to Boston MA (102 miles/164 km northwest, 2 hours) and Hartford CT (146 miles/235 km north, 1-3/4 hours).

It's of moderate size, with 65 trails (17 novice, 32 intermediate, 16 expert) down a vertical drop of 1510 feet (460 meters), served by 10 lifts including three quads (one high-speed). Snowmaking is important here, with 80% of the resort's trails within range of the snow guns.

The South Peak learners area is a spacious area separate from the main slope, which saves beginners, both skiers and snowboard riders, from being endangered by faster skiers racing by—or into—them. Snowboarders get three terrain parks, a freeride zone, half-pipe, race arena, and a protected area for learners. Plenty of ski lessons and classes, kids' programs and child care (1 to 5 years), and equipment rentals. Lodgings are in nearby towns.

Tenney Mountain Resort

151 Tenney Mountain Rd, Plymouth NH (map)
Closed for several years due to financial difficulties, Tenney Mountain is back, offering skiing, snowboarding, lessons, a restaurant, and lots of family fun. The 48 trails are roughly half Intermediate, a quarter Advanced, and a few Expert, with the longest run being 1.1 miles (1.77 km). Snowmaking covers 75% of the slopes set on 110 acres (45 hectares).

Tuckerman Ravine

It's a springtime tradition: when the dozens of ski resorts in New England are closing up for the warm months, die-hard skiers make their way to Tuckerman Ravine near Pinkham Notch, south of Gorham NH, for the best late-season skiing in New England. The catch? You must hike up to ski down.The catch? You must hike up to ski down.

Tuckerman Ravine is a glacial cirque on the southeastern side of Mount Washington in New Hampshire's White Mountains National Forest near Gorham NH, 155 miles (250 km) north of Boston. Neighboring Huntington Ravine is similar.

In the 1920s, a few die-hard skiers came to hike three miles (5 km) up the mountainside along primitive trails to reach the top of the cirque for the schuss down the slopes through snowfields that can reach 55 feet (17 meters) in depth.

By the 1930s, the number of Tuckerman spring skiers was in the thousands.

Now it's a New England ritual. True skiers, those who love the sport, the outdoors, the snow, the spectacular natural beauty, and the exhilaration of exertion, speed and skill, come from all over the world to Tuckerman Ravine each spring to make one, two or perhaps three runs per day.

Let me make this clear: there are no lifts and few services. You hike up, you ski down, and perhaps you stay and dine at the Appalachian Mountain Club's Joe Dodge Lodge at Pinkham Notch.

Mount Washington's severe weather makes winter skiing here foolhardy, and even in spring the conditions can be dangerous. But when conditions are right, you can ski Tuckerman from March through May!

Information is provided by the Mount Washington Volunteer Ski Patrol.

Waterville Valley Resort

1 Ski Area Road, Waterville Valley NH (map)
What happens when an inspired developer gains control of an entire valley and conceives a master plan for its development as a year-round outdoors resort? Waterville Valley, a ski resort with a unified plan and harmonious accomplishment, south of Franconia Notch, north of Lake Winnipesaukee.

Waterville Valley base lodge & slopes.

Laid out as a model town that looks like a country club, Waterville Valley is in fact officially a New Hampshire town, though most of its buildings are hotels, ski dorms, restaurants and condominiums for vacationers who come here to ski in winter or golf, hike and bike in summer.

The settlement is separate from, but close to, Waterville Valley Ski Area, which is on 500 acres of the 4004-foot-high (1220-meter) Mount Tecumseh within the White Mountains National Forest.

Snowmaking on Tecumseh is 100% of the trails.

There are 60 ski trails (8 novice, 38 intermediate, 13 advanced, of which 5 are gladed trails, and 6 mogul fields) served by 11 lifts along a vertical drop of 2020 feet (616 meters).

Centerpiece to the town of Waterville Valley is the Town Square complex of buildings, holding the Town Square Condominiums, shops, restaurants and other services.

Where to Stay

Here's how to find the perfect lodgings in New Hampshire's White Mountains:

Whaleback Mountain Ski Area

160 Whaleback Mountain Road, Enfield NH (map)
Whaleback Ski Area couldn't be more easily accessible, being right next to Interstate 89 (Exit 16) 5 miles (8 km) southeast of Lebanon NH. You can't miss seeing the ski area from the highway.

Because Whaleback offers ski and snowboard rentals and lessons, it's fun to imagine a family speeding along the highway, doing a double-take when they see happy people zooming down the steep slopes, taking the exit, and suiting up for a few runs to break their trip.

"Your local ski area," as it calls itself, Whaleback sits on 85 acres boasting an 1800-foot (549-meter) summit with 30 trails, nearly 40% of them Intermediate. A chair lift gets you up there (with a magic carpet for beginners).

There's a terrain park for snowboarders, all in a compact, easily-negotiable area. A cafeteria and pub provide sustinence.

Wildcat Mountain Ski Area

NH Route 16, Pinkham Notch NH (map)
In the midst of the White Mountain National Forest, Wildcat Mountain, south of Gorham NH and Pinkham Notch, north of Jackson, is for dedicated skiers who love gazing, as they schuss down the slopes, at enormous snow-capped Mount Washington across the valley.

If you're in it for the sport, the nature and the panoramas, Wildcat is for you. The scenery is spectacular, the facilities simple but attractive and serviceable. For lodging, dining and other services, the Appalachian Mountain Club's Joe Dodge Lodge at Pinkham Notch Camp is just up the road, as is the Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center.

Not a skier? Take a Snow Coach up the Mount Washington Auto Road.

Best way to get up Mount Washington in deep winter.

Concord Coach buses will bring you from Boston to North Conway and Gorham. Lodgings are in the towns of the Mount Washington Valley: