There seem to be really cheap flights to Manchester . . . . where to ski, thoughts? Thanks. Never been skiing in NH/VT.
In NH specifically, I've skied Bretton Woods and Wildcat. I liked Wildcat's vertical and the views of Mt. Washington. But it was cold and I've heard that's a regular complaint. Bretton Woods was a great mid-level mountain where you can explore the whole resort in a day. I was pleasantly surprised with their black runs.
Jay Peak is where it's at in VT, close to NH. Their new renovation has done wonders!
There is some good skiing in NH with scenery that is superior to VT. I've skied all of the major places in that state except Bretton Woods. I like Wildcat the best and Cannon next. Both are fairly challenging, but with little or no slopeside lodging. Cannon would be about 1:45 hrs from Manchester via I93 all the way, Loon, Waterville and BW nearby. Wildcat is slightly different direction towards northeast via secondary roads about two hours. Attitash, Black and Cranmore nearby. What kind of skiing and resort are you looking for? Late Feb after Prez Weekend and early March might be the best time to ski there with minimal crowds, good snow and reasonable temps/weather. Here's my report from a couple of years ago on skiing NH:
http://dcski.com/articles/view_article.php?article_id=1267&mode=search
Manchester is pretty central to all NH and VT skiing. It is about 2 hrs. Max from any of them. I have flown there a lot for northern NE skiing. Convenient airport and within minutes of landing you're on 93 N. For NH areas stay on 93, for VT, get on 89 at Concord about 15 mi. N of Manchester. For Killington and S VT, get off 89 and take 4W at White River Jct. Even Jay Peak in the far N is pretty easily reached from 91, which you pick up in St. Johnsbury. One caution, there are no good E-W roads in northern NE. You must make your NH, VT decision at Concord, with the exceptions of Jay or Burke.
Once after 3 days of backcountry skiing in the north country, followed by a last minute dash to the airport, I discovered that Southwest reserves a 3 seat block in the rear of the plane for backcountry skiers. You just have to show up with a 3 day beard smelling like a flock of wet sheep. :)
Just my 2 cent, Up 93 to Loon, end of day cross over to 16 and park your legs in North Conway. Pick your Mtn or even had to Sunday River.
All these are in the mix. Got some tickets for late Jan to Manchester on SW. Moving on to getting the lodging. Have settled on the what we will due for our 4 days of skiing, but reading all these and looking at ticket prices.
This will be my first trip up that way. I have done a little in Europe (Zugspitz and Les Trois Valle) and a bunch of good west coast trips. I have been watching flights and my calendar now for a few months. Getting 'cised and stoked. Hoping for a bunch of snow. Read John's write up about his trip with his son. Black sounds pretty cool. I am going with my 23 year old so it will be a similar trip.
I've only skied two in NH: Loon and Wildcat. Both are good, but Wildcat is superior.
My most interesting day at Wildcat was a March day about a decade ago. There was a 100 MPH hour wind at the top, so they kept the upper lifts closed. The bottom half was bulletproof ice. When the wind finally slowed and they opened the upper lifts, there were three disctinct snow condtions on the way down: bulletproof ice, beautiful corn, and 8 inch deep heavy slush. Problem was that every time you rounded a trail turn, you didn't know which of the three was on the backside of the turn. It was fun and challenging--- once. I wouldn't want to ski those conditions too frequently. They have a potential to be very bad for knees.
