The exhilaration of swishing quickly down snow-covered slopes, warm nights by the fire playing board games while snow falls outside, time together spent on ski lift chairs talking about life- a ski vacation is one of my family’s favorite winter bonding times. Living in Rhode Island, family skiing in New Hampshire is our go-to winter getaway.
New Hampshire is full of ski resorts, both Alpine and cross-country. Most of the resorts are set among cute mountain towns throwing back to the 1980s and full of many family activities. Here is a list of all of New Hampshire’s ski resorts. The snow is not as powdery as Utah or Colorado, where I learned to ski, but the convenience and family-friendliness make it an excellent choice for my family. It is also much warmer than Canadian skiing. Our last trip, we skied a gorgeous 40-degree day- and it was January!
Loon Mountain
What I Love about Loon Mountain
- Loon is a large, family-friendly mountain resort.
- Childcare is available for very young kids.
- This expansive mountain has many long, green runs from the top of the mountain. Therefore, this mountain a perfect place for kids as they get the hang of skiing or snowboarding.
- There are exciting snow tubing and snowboarding parks on the property.
- Set in the town of Lincoln, New Hampshire, one of my family’s favorite New England towns.
- Near the Ice Castles and Santa’s Village.
Attitash
- Attitash has inexpensive lift and rental tickets. We found deals for all our lessons, child and adult, on the day we went.
- It is near North Conway, a very popular New Hampshire town.
- With your lift tickets, you can use three different mountains, Attitash, Bear Peak, and Wildcat.
- Only the lower mountains are appropriate for beginning skiers. You have to be an intermediate skier to ride the blue and black runs from the top.
- Abenaki Terrain Park is known for its snowboard and freeskiing terrain.
- Employees are the friendliest and most helpful I have come across in any ski resort I have visited.
- Go to nearby Cranmore to Snow Tube after skiing.
Where to Stay for Skiing in New Hampshire
Here are a few places we have stayed that we love:
- The Cranmore Inn is a quaint Bed and Breakfast near Attitash. The owners will take good care of you, and it is a short walk to the shops and restaurants of North Conway.
- The Darby Field Inn in Conway is set back in the forest and has a spa.
- With ski rentals and a free shuttle to Loon. The Village at Loon Mountain is a convenient choice when skiing at Loon.
Where to Eat in New Hampshire
We are obsessed with the American fare at The Common Man. There will always be a long wait, but you need time to enjoy the complimentary cheese offerings anyway. Dinner always ends with their yummy white chocolate.
Both of these resorts have excellent lessons for kids and adults. So, get out with your family and make New Hampshire skiing part of your winter plans! Where is your favorite place to ski? Let me know in the comments.
To see more of why we love New Hampshire read:
As I live in Europe, it’s a bit too far for a skiing holiday. But maybe someday…..
Your skiing is very good!
Wasn’t aware New Hamshire had such great ski offerings! I’ve only ever visited the coast during summer, but maybe it’s time I start considering a winter trip!
We have great reasons to visit year round!
My friend just got back from skiing in Canada and it sounded amazing! This place looks incredible too! I’ve never been skiing, but this makes me really want to give it a try!
Warmer than Canada, although Canadian skiing is great too!!
Woah the Ice Castles near Loon look amazing! I’d love to go to one of these resorts one day and try to learn to ski (don’t imagine it will go very well, but it’s worth a try! hahah 😛 ) Also, definitely good to know that it’s warmer than skiing in Canada.
They are very beautiful.
Winter wonderland! Looks so beautiful! If I’m ever over those ways i’ll definitely have to check out New Hampshire!
Wow! It looks so cool. Skiing is something I need to try. I’ve always been dreaming of enjoying the snow since I’m living in the middle east. The Ice castle is amazing! It is indeed a perfect place for family vacation.
New England is one of the few part of the country I haven’t visited. Thanks for showing me why I should!
This Caribbean girl had only one skiing experience in Colorado. It was bruising but great! Thanks for this suggestion of a family-oriented resort. The little kid in the pic looks a heck of a lot braver than I !
Victoria, he is a brave guy!!
I adore skiing but haven’t had the pleasure of skiing in North America. The ice castle and the name “Loon Mountain” just put this one on the top of the list when I do make it
Loons are delightful, aren’t they? ?
Thanks for this, we didn’t make it to New Hampshire last year when we were in Massachusetts in the spring but did get up to Vermont and heard a lot of great things about New Hampshire. We enjoy skiing/snowboarding here in Australia and would love to get over there in the winter next time!
Vermont is great too!
Loon mountain looks awesome! I love soft snow like that. I think family holidays are better spent doing a great activity such as skiing. I would love to try skiing in New Hampshire.
So great to spend healthy, active time together.
Thank you for sharing your story about this Loon family resort.
It is certainly news for me to know that New Hampshire is full of ski resorts.
Thank you, Dmitriy.