Here's the scoop on two New Hampshire ski resorts that are ideal for families. They have excellent kids' programs, varied terrain for all skill levels, and other family-friendly amenities.
Mount Washington Resort/Bretton Woods
Bretton Woods ski area is part of the larger Mount Washington Resort, whose flagship accommodations are the grand and historic Mount Washington Hotel. But other on-site family-friendly lodging includes one- to five-bedroom townhomes, with kitchens for eating breakfast and preparing dinner in a "home away from home."
Bretton Woods is the state's largest and fastest-growing ski resort. The alpine slopes have long been known for their appeal to beginners, but in recent years, more trails have been added, doubling its size to 434 acres. Runs now include not only short, easy trails, but also wide-open cruisers and more blue runs for intermediate skiers, as well as challenging black-diamond terrain. Four high-speed quads ensure skiers get to the top of the trails quickly. Kids love to strut their stuff and show off their tricks in the three terrain parks.
This year, SKI magazine named Bretton Woods the third best resort for family programs in North America. (It's also #5 for grooming on the continent.) Children as young as 6 (and up to 12) can participate in the Burton Learn to Ride full-day snowboard lessons, which include morning and afternoon instructions, lunch, lift ticket and equipment rentals. The Hobbit Ski Program is for kids ages 4 to 12, and offers similar day-long instruction. Both programs meet at the newly expanded Kids' Alpine Center next to the Bretton Woods base lodge.
What's nifty about Pat's Peak Ski Area, in Henniker, New Hampshire, is that it's belonged to the same local family for 45 years. The owners have invested more than $5 million in capital improvements to the ski area in the past six years. For the 2007-8 season, the resort has upgraded its snowmaking capabilities, increased lighting for night skiing, bought new rental equipment (including 300 pairs of skis and 200 snowboards) and reconfigured the beginners' area, with more wide-open terrain for novice skiers.
This beginners' area is where children who are brand new to skiing start their lessons. Here, there's a short tow rope as well as a carpet lift that conveniently brings kids to the top of the "bunny slope." A second carpet ride for beginning skiers is near the snowtubing park, which is an excellent alternative for folks who may not feel like skiing one afternoon. The tubing park is 600 feet long and 85 feet long, making for some awesome rides down the hill. Children must be more than 44 inches tall to ride on an innertube.
Fifty percent of the slopes at Pat's Peak are for novices, 18 percent are intermediate, 14 percent are advanced and 18 percent are expert. The elements in the Turbulence Terrain Park, such as rails, jumps, boxes and rollers, are changed weekly, so there's always something new.
Planning a family ski vacation out west? Check out the Best Colorado Ski Resorts for Kids.
Kara Williams - Kara Williams is a longtime journalist, having worn many different hats in her 20-year editorial career--newspaper reporter, corporate ...
