Any suggestions for less traveled ski areas in NH/VT area for lower level skier?

[NewEnglandSkier]

Does anyone have any suggestions for a mountain in the VT/NH area (within approx 3-3.5 hrs of Boston area) that would be good for a skier who is just starting to ski blue terrain? I'm looking to try and find overlooked (less crowded) places-- ones that maybe get passed by by people on route to the larger, well known resorts.
I was at my most local area today- Mt. Wachusett, and I found the trails to be just too busy for me to feel comfortable trying to improve. It just gets too much local traffic since it's only an hour from Boston and not enough trails for people to spread out on. I'd love to find something a bit larger and further from a major metropolitan area, that would disperse the people a little better. Is anyone familiar with Bromley-- would that fit the bill? Thanks.

 

[nelsapbm]

Bretton Woods, NH is great for intermediates. It may be too busy for what you are looking for. Also in New Hampshire, try Cranmore and Black Mountain. Both are in/around North Conway, and are smaller and "lesser known"
In Vermont, I would suggest Burke Mountain. It's a little over 3 hours. A straight shot up 93 to St. Johnsbury, then 91 north to Lyndonville, then 114 to Burke. It's got a great beginners area which is separate from the main mountain.

 

[ski diva]

The best way around the crowds is to ski weekdays as much as you can.

However, I know that can be tough. So barring that, I second Burke -- a great choice. Lots of fun and off the beaten path, so it doesn't get too busy.

Also the Middlebury Snow Bowl (https://www.middlebury.edu/campuslife/facilities/snowbowl/), a small mountain run by Middlebury College. Haven't been there, but I understand it's a small area that's not crazy.

Another option is Bear Creek, a small private mountain "country club" in Plymouth, VT. It's private, but they sell a few "guest" tickets over the weekend. You have to call to reserve first. I've never skied there, but it's down the road from me and people say it's great. Go to: https://www.bearcreekclub.com/

 

[SnowGlider]

Yesterday was still school vacation week

so the ski areas were crowded.

Are you able to ski midweek? If so, I suggest Gunstock, NH, because it's one of the closest to Boston (about 1 hour 45 min) and it has good intermediate terrain. It's known as an easy mountain. It has a beautiful view from the top.

You could also try Ragged Mt., NH. But you may find it too small to warrant the drive from Boston, so I think Gunstock is better.

I would say the same about Burke, Vt---although I enjoyed my day there, it seemed too small for such a long trip. Definitely ditto for Cranmore, NH.

Bretton Woods is beautiful and midweek is not crowded. It's such a large ski area that there's some room for skiers to spread out. But it's a long drive from Boston.

I don't advise Loon and Waterville Valley NH---too crowded, too hard to get around Loon.

One thing to consider: small may mean quiet, but it could also mean boring or you won't have enough trails to fill your day.

If you need lodging, for Gunstock I recommend the Samoset condos. They're beautiful, less expensive than you might expect (as low as $95 a night midweek) and 5-10 minutes from the mountain. https://www.samosetnewhampshire.com/

 

[NewEnglandSkier]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Unfortunately, I really can't ski midweek. I might be able to take one day off in March, but for the most part I have to ski on the weekends with everybody else! I'll give some of those places a try though. Thanks!

 

[Thatsagirl]

Bromley should definitely be on your list. My mom and her friends (Mass. residents) are all primarily intermediate skiers and it's one of their favorites. It's all south facing so it's warmer and sunnier than most mountains. It doesn't get as crowded either.

Pico, VT, is another great choice. It is one of my favorite little resorts, we skied there when we were kids. I just visited again a few weeks ago, and was immediately reminded of how much I love the place. It has a lot of vertical to ski, and many trails wind all over the place so the views change and trails are interesting (not boring). Pico is the locals' secret, the hordes go to Killington instead. The employees are super friendly too.

I agree that Burke is a good choice because it doesn't get crowded. But it skis "small" unless you like the glades. If you lived closer, it would be worth visiting, but as Snowglider said, it's a long drive for a small mountain.

Anyone ever ski Ascutney? It seems like it might fit the bill, but I've never been there, so I can't be sure.

Thatsagirl

 

[Cambridge Kate]

I second that vote...

... for Pico. Big enough to keep you happy all day, but because Killington is right next door, Pico tends not to get crowded. Especially good choice on Sunday morning early. I sometimes ski K-ton on Saturday and then move to Pico on Sunday because it doesn't get skied off as quickly.

CK

 

[ski now work later]

NewEnglandSkier: I suggest that you try Berkshire East in Charlemont, MA. Just drive west on Route 2 from Cambridge directly to the hill. Should be about 2 hours from Cambridge. Smaller hill, great for novice/intermediate with some short, steep runs when you're ready for advanced/expert skiing, never crowded, $50 adult weekend ticket this season. I'm usually there on Sundays with my kids.

www.berkshireeast.com

 

[Kiragirl]

Yes on Bromley, also check out Haystack (not far from Mt. Snow, VT). It has a great novice area (if that's appropriate for you) with trails NOT immediately connected to the rest of the trails. So different level skiers are separated.

 

[ski now work later]

I always look over at Bromley when I ski Stratton and it looks like a great novice/intermediate mountain that's nice and sunny as it faces South.

 

[abc]

Yes on Bromley, also check out Haystack (not far from Mt. Snow, VT). It has a great novice area (if that's appropriate for you) with trails NOT immediately connected to the rest of the trails. So different level skiers are separated.

Not sure if Haystack is in operation. It wasn't last season.

 

[Kiragirl]

oops, it's been a while

Anyway, if you're down in CT, try Mohawk Mt., smallish but not bad.

 

[BackCountryGirl]

I'd suggest Cranmore, smack dab in the middle of North Conway. Also, Shawnee Peak (Pleasant Mountain) in Bridgton, Maine. They are not far from one another. I'm not sure if there's a more direct way from Boston, but if you returned via the Maine turnpike, you could do one on a Saturday (Cranmore) and the other on the Sunday (Shawnee) as you head back down to Portland. Both are great blue hills.

 

[abc]

oops, it's been a while

Anyway, if you're down in CT, try Mohawk Mt., smallish but not bad.

Not for our OP who's in MA. But from Brewster, the closest would be Thunder Ridge at Patterson. It's not big, but no line and no crowd. Can't beat being back at home 20 min. off the slope.

 

[Kiragirl]

AAAck, I live 15 minutes from Thunder Ridge, only went there I think 3 times as a kid; it basically S***s. Go to Catamount (1 hr north) up Rt 22 in Hillsdale NY, on the NY/MA border.

 

[liquidfeet]

I'd suggest Cranmore, smack dab in the middle of North Conway. Also, Shawnee Peak (Pleasant Mountain) in Bridgton, Maine. They are not far from one another. I'm not sure if there's a more direct way from Boston, but if you returned via the Maine turnpike, you could do one on a Saturday (Cranmore) and the other on the Sunday (Shawnee) as you head back down to Portland. Both are great blue hills.

I'll second Shawnee Peak. A nice quiet place away from the madding crowds. Cranmore can get crowded on Saturdays...and it faces the sun so it gets melted/frozen. An alternativie mountain, cheap, and in the same area is Black Mountain in North Conway. Very small, quiet, great place with farms and horses in view. There are lots of places to stay in North Conway, as well, and Shawnee Peak is just over the border in Maine. Quickest way there is up 95 to NH Rte 16, which goes all the way to N. Conway.

 

[lv2ski]

Bretton Woods-Intermediates Heaven

I suggest Bretton Woods for sure... It is so large with wide open trails that even Sundays (Saturdays seem more crowded), aren't bad. The trails are relatively wide also and enough lifts for all. My husband and I love it. We are I guess advanced skiers, but love the tree skiing and cruising at Bretton Woods. Most of the blues are probably like greens at some VT mtns, but just a relaxing place with beautiful views. W/E ticket prices are now $69 though

 

[marzNC]

bump . . . came across this old thread from 2007 looking for something else. Thought newbies in the Boston area might be interested. Is the advice here still valid?

 

[Mrs Hutchins]

Blandford, while small, is not very crowded, and Ski Butternut, too! Both in the Berkshires.

 

[linesout]

Burke still generally has nary a lift line in sight. Great great mountain, and my new-to-snowboarding friends had a blast here on some really fun blue trails. One thing to point out though is, the mountain takes pride in its old-school-style narrow trails, so there aren't as many huge wide open groomers as at other ski areas, though there are some. (And honestly, a wide open blue at Killington to me is harder to ski when it's swarming with people anyway! )