Spread over numerous mountain peaks, New Hampshire ski resorts offer gorgeous scenery and ideal, snow-covered slopes for families. With green, blue, black and double black diamond trails, you can choose from a variety of different terrains types to carve down. Take advantage of the children’s programs and other winter activities for more family fun. Whether you’re looking for luxury hotels, mountainside inns, family-friendly resorts and spacious condo units, New Hampshire ski resorts have it all. There are numerous slopeside lodges and ski-in/ski-out properties, making your stay relaxing and hassle free. Scroll down for more information on our favorite New Hampshire Ski resorts.
Attitash Ski Resort
Known as one of the best places in the east to ski, Attitash Ski Resort is spread over two mountains, Attitash and Bear Peak, offering boarders and ski enthusiasts more than 300 miles of skiable terrain. For the ultimate boarding experience, Attitash makes sure the trails are snow covered at all times with their powerful snowmaking system — covering 98 percent of the resort’s terrain.
This White Mountains ski resort features 77 trails and glades dedicated to beginners, intermediate riders and experts. Challenging steep slopes offers expert and experienced riders the ultimate thrill. Attitash doesn’t just offer the best trails and terrains in the New England area, the resort’s terrain park has been rated as one of the biggest and best in the Mount Washington Valley. With 1,700 feet of ramps, boxes, table tops and jibs, this terrain park is sure to put your skills to the test.
If you and your family are just looking to take it easy on the slopes, don’t let all of the expert trails and terrain parks scare you away. There are plenty of beginner and intermediate trails with smooth slopes, baby bumps and easygoing terrain for novices.
After a long day of activities, families can retreat to their home away from home accommodations at the Grand Summit Resort Hotel. Featuring perfect mountainside lodging, this hotel offers 143 spacious rooms with a variety of amenities to fit your family’s needs.
Black Mountain
With gorgeous views of Mount Washington, this family-owned and operated ski resort offers great deals, perfectly groomed trails and amazing terrains for all skill levels. With green, blue, black and double black diamond trails, families can choose from a variety of different terrains types to carve down.
Besides the great prices and wide range of terrains, Black Mountain offers kids ski and ride programs for ages 6 to 12, as well as day care programs for ages 1 to 6. Ski and ride programs help children improve their skills and abilities on the slopes. For younger tykes looking to get out on the mountain, private lessons are available for ages 3 to 5.
Whether you’re looking for luxury hotels, mountainside inns, family-friendly resorts and spacious condo units, Black Mountain has it all. Located at the base of the mountain Whitney’s Inn offers a relaxing, hassle free stay just steps away from the slopes. Located three miles from the resort, the casual country style Eagle Mountain House & Golf Club provides one of the best family-friendly atmospheres in the area. Nestled in the White Mountains, just minutes from the ski resort, The Seasons offer spacious two-bedroom condo units with fully equipped kitchens, washer/dryer and gorgeous views of the surrounding area. Another great option for families is the elegant Wentworth Inn, located just minutes from Black Mountain. The inn features standard rooms, suites and two- and three-bedroom condo units. There are a variety of other nearby hotels, condo units and motels for families to choose from as well — the possibilities are endless.
Bretton Woods
Bretton Woods offers more than 450 acres of skiable terrain and trails totaling over 100. Bretton Woods can make it snow — whether its coming down outside or not — with snowmaking covering up to 92 percent of resort’s terrain with that soft white powder you love. Great for families and beginners, there are plenty of wide gentle slopes, as well as those challenging black and double black diamond trails for more experienced riders. There are four terrain parks each with their own variety of jumps, rails and boxes. And the fun doesn’t have to stop just because the sun sets. The resort also offers nightly skiing and snowboarding for those looking to get in a few extra runs.
Kids ages 4 and up can hit the slopes with the Children’s Ski & Snowboarding School providing them with a fun learning experience. For younger kids the Hobbits Ski & Snowplay Program provides children 3 to 5 with a full day of activities and a fun introduction to skiing. For indoor children’s activities the Nursery Program provides entertainment for kids 2 months to 5 years. Kids can enjoy indoor games, storytelling, crafts, snack and more.
The Omni Bretton Arms at Mount Washington offers a cozy intimate stay with all the amenities you could think of. Nearby lodges and townhomes also offer families other accommodation options.
Loon Mountain
Loon Mountain, located in Lincoln, N.H., has just about everything a family could possibly want or need to ensure a successful and fun vacation. It’s a perfect place for skiers, snow tubers, and even the daring zip liners to check out at least once in their lifetimes. Kids who aren’t quite ready to hit the slopes and start carving some sweet turns can go to daycare while their parents tear up the mountain. It is $85 for the day, $75 for a half day, and $2,019 for the whole season. Private and group lessons are also available for the kids ready to start making turns, as well as camps and workshops for those simply looking to brush up on their skills because hey, there’s always room for improvement!
After each busy day, families can crash at one of the nearby lodges or on-site at the Mountain Club on Loon, where kids can splish and splash in a swimming pool and parents can soothe their muscles in the hot tub.
Mt. Sunapee
Mt. Sunapee is set apart by its convenient location, just one-and-a-half hours from Boston, as well as its significant size. With two peaks and a 1500-foot drop from the summit, Sunapee offers some real big mountain skiing. Along with its stature, Sunapee has the snow, some of the best in the East, according to Ski Magazine. With Lake Sunapee at its base, the resort enjoys an unlimited capacity for snowmaking, and the result of their massive snow-making efforts is a rich powder experience that lasts well into the day without getting “skied-off” — a pleasant change from the typical afternoon ice you expect to find skiing in New England.
Families flock to Sunapee for its sheer quantity and diversity of trails. With more than 450 acres of ski terrain and over 100 ski trails, there’s a little bit of something for everyone. The mountain’s terrain, although not the most challenging in the East, is particularly well-suited for families with skiers at various levels from beginner to expert. And little ones will enjoy the stellar ski school that takes place on an entire bunny hill set off by itself, making the skiing particularly safe for beginners. Known as one of the friendliest resorts in New England, by the time you leave Sunapee, you’re likely to be on a first name basis with many of the workers who will gladly welcome you back year after year.
The closest lodging to the mountain is the 1806 Inn at Mount Sunapee B&B, located just a mere 300-yards away from the entrance of Mt. Sunapee. This well-loved B&B offers clean and spacious rooms with lots of cozy touches — country quilts, patterned furniture, and of course, a brick fireplace with a wood-burning stove. Guests particularly look forward to the delicious home-cooked breakfast served each morning by the gracious innkeepers, providing the perfect fuel for a fabulous day of skiing. When you’re tired from the cold, return to the inn and snuggle up by the fire with hot chocolate, tea, cookies and snacks.
Waterville Valley
With charming White Mountains surrounding this picturesque New Hampshire resort, families will enjoy all Waterville Valley has to offer. In the winter, Waterville Valley turns into a skiing and snowboarding heaven with 259 acres of skiable terrain, 52 trails and 12 lifts. Snowmaking covers 100 percent of Waterville’s skiable acres, so families can enjoy each of the beginner, intermediate and advanced trails throughout the resort.
Whether its your first day on the slopes, or your looking to perfect your boarding skills, there are private and group lessons for adults and children. Kids’ Venture Kamps offer full-day skiing and snowboarding lessons for children 3 to 12. Lunch, snacks and lift tickets are included in most lesson packages. Rentals are also available at a discounted rate, along with half and multiple day lessons.
Whether you are looking for a cozy and comfortable hotel stay, or for some extra room for the family in a condo, this mountain village has it all. Choose from an assortment of family-friendly accommodations including all-suite lodges, full service hotels or one- and two-bedroom units with full kitchens and spacious living areas.
Make use of rooms with fully equipped kitchens, or choose from a variety of family dining options nearby. The Diamond’s Edge North offers a casual family dining atmosphere with a great children’s menu, while the Flying Burritos Bros offers awesome Mexican take-out platters and more. Try the Olde Waterville Pizza Co. for mouth-watering burgers, pizza and pasta, or the family friendly Legends Sports Bar, featuring tasty food, foosball and dart games.
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