Home to Cranmore Mountain Ski Resort and conveniently located near to Bretton Woods, King Pine Purity Spring Resort and many other ski facilities, North Conway, New Hampshire, is an idyllic spot to consider for your next ski vacation. Even though it might be summer and you are still enjoying the hot weather, winter is just around the corner, and many ski resorts start to offer sweet deals with online ticket discounts.
About North Conway
Chartered in 1765, North Conway, sandwiched between White Mountain National Forest and Mount Washington to the north and Maine to the east, was named for Henry Seymour Conway, an ambitious entrepreneur and statesman. Though the area was used by Pequawket Indians for generations, it did not become popular as a year-round attraction until the Portsmouth, Great Falls & Conway Railroad extended the train route to the area in 1872. The "snow" train service was introduced in 1932, and Mount Cranmore Ski Resort, the area's first ski resort, was established in 1937.
Beginners and Intermediate
For beginners or intermediate skiers, intermediate-rated Tuckerman Ravine is not the best introduction to a New Hampshire ski experience. Back-country conditions and a notoriously unpredictable weather pattern put Mount Washington's ski trails in the expert class. You can, however, choose facilities with an abundance of well-groomed beginner and intermediate trails. Mount Cranmore Ski Resort in North Conway, Attitash and Intervale, all in or around North Conway, cater to less experienced levels. If you don't mind a half-hour drive, Bretton Woods, one of the largest ski resorts in the area, was rated number 1 by SKI Magazine in overall skiing as well as one of the top 10 resorts in North America for its family programs, grooming and scenery.
Expert Trails
Though Mount Cranmore Ski Resort in North Conway is touted more as an intermediate skier's resort, there are plenty of black diamond trails to satisfy any adventure-seeking skier. Kandahar, an intermediate trail, can easily be mistaken for a black diamond. Koessler, a trail filled with moguls, bumps and turns, is fast, difficult and rarely groomed. If you still crave a challenge, move to Attitash. With more than 77 trails distributed across two mountains--some classic alpine, others freestyle/terrain style, Attitash maintains its popular status. Mount Washington looms as an all-time challenge for experts, and its Avalanche Center requires you to map out your ski route and check on weather and avalanche predictions. They also recommend that you bring extra clothing, avalanche receivers, shovels and probes, food and water, and any first-aid necessities. If you get stuck, it takes extra time for rescue teams to reach your location.
Night Skiing
Mount Cranmore Ski Resort features night skiing Saturday nights during its Cranapalooza Festival. As of 2010, you can ski for only $25 between 2:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Darkside, a terrain and snowboarding park located at Cranmore Mountain Ski Resort also offers night skiing. Wildcat Mountain and Attitash also offer night skiing on select evenings. Because schedules vary based on season and weather conditions, contact individual ski resorts for ski schedules.
Kids Programs
Whether your kids aged 3 to 14 are beginners or daredevils, Mount Cranmore, Attitash, Intervale and Bretton Woods all have structured ski programs to entertain and educate your children while you take grownup time on the slopes. Lessons in alpine, snowboard and freestyle are available. Wildcat Mountain in Jackson, New Hampshire, has a comprehensive ski program for kids aged 4 through 12. For tots, the resort offers childcare but integrates snow-based activities that acclimate kids to the idea of skiing.
Nordic Skiing
White Mountain Nordic, a cross-country company located in North Conway and five other locations, trains and equips anyone who'd like to experience nordic skiing. For beginners, there are level terrains. More experienced nordic skiers will find groomed, back-country trails and trails that interconnect some of the ski resorts. Within 15 minutes of North Conway, you can find Nordic skiing at Bear Notch Ski Touring Center, Great Glen Trails and Jackson Ski Touring Center. All will rent you equipment, offering nordic ski lessons and also snowshoeing and tubing.
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