What's more natural on a crisp winter day than the urge to head to a ski area and play in the powder? But even veteran skiers could benefit from a few inside tips to enhance the experience.
Read on for some of the best ways in New England to lower the cost of a trip, salvage a rainy day and boost the quality of family togetherness.
We can't guarantee perfect weather or a zero-wait ski-lift line, but if you implement a tip or two, no doubt you'll return from your getaway with a lighter heart and a heavier wallet.
Close To Home
The advantages of skiing close to home are obvious, but in addition to saving on fuel and lodging, proximity has other perks.
For $89, Ski Sundown in New Hartford offers the Ski Sundown savings card, entitling users to ski for about half price during eight-hour and evening ski sessions. Skiing after work, say from 6 to 10 p.m. from Sunday through Thursday, costs $17 with the card; the regular price is $35. Using a junior card (also $89, for ages 7 to 14), the price is $15 instead of $31. Information: 860-379-7669; http://www.skisundown.com.
Lodging That Maximizes Ski Time
Waiting for shuttles on busy weekends or vying for parking spaces can carve up precious ski time. At Bolton Valley — a high-alpine village surrounded by 5,000 wilderness acres in Vermont — families can park their car once and forget it. The 60-room Inn at Bolton Valley is just steps away from the mountain. The compact village also features Fireside Flatbread (wood-fired pizza baked in a clay oven), a grocery store selling Vermont products, Honey Bear Childcare, and an equipment rental shop. One appealing deal is the Happy Holiday Lodging Special. From Dec. 18 to 24, skiers pay $55 per person (based on double occupancy) for a night of lodging at the inn, day of skiing, breakfast, and access to the indoor pool, hot tub, and sauna at the Sports Center. Information: 877-9BOLTON and http://www.boltonvalley.com
Crash The PartyFor Special Savings
In Vermont, Stratton is offering a 50th Anniversary Special Package to celebrate its opening on Dec. 23, 1961. This season on Dec. 23, two adults and two children get a three-night stay at the Inn at Stratton Mountain for $478. The party continues President's Week (Feb. 20 to 24) with each day devoted to music and games from a specific decade. Vintage posters, special edition sweaters, and a commemorative book chronicling Stratton's half-century, will be available. Advances this year include two new trails (for a total of 94), a terrain park on Big Ben, and 300 new energy-efficient snow guns that boost the resort's ability to cover ground the size of a football field with three feet of snow in just one hour. Information: 800-STRATTON and http://www.stratton.com.
Give Your FamilyThe Gift Of Skiing
Instead of shelling out for a pricey electronic gadget, book a ski trip and build lasting memories. Purity Spring Resort in East Madison, N.H., offers a two-night New Year's Package on Dec. 30 and 31. For about $800, the deal includes two nights of lodging in a standard room, lift tickets for one night, three meals daily, ice skating, a torchlight parade, a pizza party, and DJ entertainment for two adults and two children ages 4 to 12 (age 3 and under free). Most ski resorts offer gift cards you can slip into a holiday stocking. Information: 800-373-3754; http://www.purityspring.com
New Year's Eve at Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, in Hancock, Mass., features a torchlight parade down the mountain, fireworks, and a 2012 countdown in Christiansen's Tavern. On Dec. 31, the overnight rate at the slope-side County Inn is $509, including two lift tickets. In addition to three terrain parks and 45 trails on 170 acres, Jiminy Peak has a Winter Mountain Coaster, which propels riders down a 3,600-foot track at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour. Information: 800-882-8859 and http://www.jiminypeak.com
Make Sure You'reCovered If It Rains
Getting drenched is just the idea at Jay Peak Resort in northern Vermont near the Canadian border. The 385-acre resort with an annual snowfall of 376 inches just unveiled the Pump House Indoor Waterpark in Hotel Jay. The 50,000-square-foot park features four signature rides: The Double Barrel Flowrider surf wave (surf a standing wave in 84-degree water); Big Falls Climbing Wall (a horizontal climbing wall over a deep water pool); La Chute (a thrill ride where riders approach speeds of 40 mph); and the nation's longest indoor Big River. Jay Peak has 76 trails, eight lifts and a 2,153-foot vertical drop. Information: 800-451-4449; http://www.jaypeakresort.com.
Bring A Fifth-Grader For Free
Are you smarter than a fifth grader? Fifth graders know they can ski and ride for free all at many New England resorts, simply by filing a form. For $10, Ski Vermont (skivermont.com) issues a 5th Grade Passport containing coupons for free alpine lift tickets or cross-country trail passes at resorts including Okemo, Killington and Mount Snow. Proceeds from passports benefit Keep Local Farms, a program aiding dairy farms. You can file the application at any point; it takes up to two weeks to receive the passport.
Ski New Hampshire (www.skinh.com) offers a fifth-grade Snowsports Passport for $25 (proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Hampshire). Ski Butternut, in Great Barrington, Mass., invites 5th graders to ski and ride free Sunday through Friday; fill out the online coupon, print it, and bring it to the ticket booth. Why are fifth graders special? That's the grade they tend to get hooked on the sport. Information: 413-528-2000; http://www.skibutternut.com
Head NorthTo Go Thoreau
Skiing throughout pristine forest without a condo in sight is a rarity, but it exists on Wildcat Mountain in New Hampshire's White Mountain National Forest. With its views of Tuckerman Ravine and Mount Washington, ski magazines rate Wildcat tops for scenery and forest stewardship. In 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps started clearing the Wildcat Trail – one of the nation's first ski-racing trails – with axes and cross-cut saws. These days, the mountain operates under a special-use permit with the White Mountain National Forest and is condo-free. With 49 trails on 225 acres, Wildcat Mountain is home to the 2.75-mile Polecat Trail, the state's longest novice ski trail. Wildcat is also further developing freestyle terrain for skiers and riders. The Vertical Value Frequent Skier Card, for $79, entitles the card-holder to discounts of up to 50 percent on skiing or riding at Wildcat Mountain and Attitash Mountain Resort. With the card, the first day of skiing or riding is free. Information: 888-SKI-WILD; http://www.skiwildcat.com
>>Deborah Geigis Berry's travel apps, Boston With Kids, New England With Kids, and the NYC Family Guide, will be available on iTunes in March 2012.
Read on for some of the best ways in New England to lower the cost of a trip, salvage a rainy day and boost the quality of family togetherness.
We can't guarantee perfect weather or a zero-wait ski-lift line, but if you implement a tip or two, no doubt you'll return from your getaway with a lighter heart and a heavier wallet.
Close To Home
The advantages of skiing close to home are obvious, but in addition to saving on fuel and lodging, proximity has other perks.
For $89, Ski Sundown in New Hartford offers the Ski Sundown savings card, entitling users to ski for about half price during eight-hour and evening ski sessions. Skiing after work, say from 6 to 10 p.m. from Sunday through Thursday, costs $17 with the card; the regular price is $35. Using a junior card (also $89, for ages 7 to 14), the price is $15 instead of $31. Information: 860-379-7669; http://www.skisundown.com.
Lodging That Maximizes Ski Time
Waiting for shuttles on busy weekends or vying for parking spaces can carve up precious ski time. At Bolton Valley — a high-alpine village surrounded by 5,000 wilderness acres in Vermont — families can park their car once and forget it. The 60-room Inn at Bolton Valley is just steps away from the mountain. The compact village also features Fireside Flatbread (wood-fired pizza baked in a clay oven), a grocery store selling Vermont products, Honey Bear Childcare, and an equipment rental shop. One appealing deal is the Happy Holiday Lodging Special. From Dec. 18 to 24, skiers pay $55 per person (based on double occupancy) for a night of lodging at the inn, day of skiing, breakfast, and access to the indoor pool, hot tub, and sauna at the Sports Center. Information: 877-9BOLTON and http://www.boltonvalley.com
Crash The PartyFor Special Savings
In Vermont, Stratton is offering a 50th Anniversary Special Package to celebrate its opening on Dec. 23, 1961. This season on Dec. 23, two adults and two children get a three-night stay at the Inn at Stratton Mountain for $478. The party continues President's Week (Feb. 20 to 24) with each day devoted to music and games from a specific decade. Vintage posters, special edition sweaters, and a commemorative book chronicling Stratton's half-century, will be available. Advances this year include two new trails (for a total of 94), a terrain park on Big Ben, and 300 new energy-efficient snow guns that boost the resort's ability to cover ground the size of a football field with three feet of snow in just one hour. Information: 800-STRATTON and http://www.stratton.com.
Give Your FamilyThe Gift Of Skiing
Instead of shelling out for a pricey electronic gadget, book a ski trip and build lasting memories. Purity Spring Resort in East Madison, N.H., offers a two-night New Year's Package on Dec. 30 and 31. For about $800, the deal includes two nights of lodging in a standard room, lift tickets for one night, three meals daily, ice skating, a torchlight parade, a pizza party, and DJ entertainment for two adults and two children ages 4 to 12 (age 3 and under free). Most ski resorts offer gift cards you can slip into a holiday stocking. Information: 800-373-3754; http://www.purityspring.com
New Year's Eve at Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, in Hancock, Mass., features a torchlight parade down the mountain, fireworks, and a 2012 countdown in Christiansen's Tavern. On Dec. 31, the overnight rate at the slope-side County Inn is $509, including two lift tickets. In addition to three terrain parks and 45 trails on 170 acres, Jiminy Peak has a Winter Mountain Coaster, which propels riders down a 3,600-foot track at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour. Information: 800-882-8859 and http://www.jiminypeak.com
Make Sure You'reCovered If It Rains
Getting drenched is just the idea at Jay Peak Resort in northern Vermont near the Canadian border. The 385-acre resort with an annual snowfall of 376 inches just unveiled the Pump House Indoor Waterpark in Hotel Jay. The 50,000-square-foot park features four signature rides: The Double Barrel Flowrider surf wave (surf a standing wave in 84-degree water); Big Falls Climbing Wall (a horizontal climbing wall over a deep water pool); La Chute (a thrill ride where riders approach speeds of 40 mph); and the nation's longest indoor Big River. Jay Peak has 76 trails, eight lifts and a 2,153-foot vertical drop. Information: 800-451-4449; http://www.jaypeakresort.com.
Bring A Fifth-Grader For Free
Are you smarter than a fifth grader? Fifth graders know they can ski and ride for free all at many New England resorts, simply by filing a form. For $10, Ski Vermont (skivermont.com) issues a 5th Grade Passport containing coupons for free alpine lift tickets or cross-country trail passes at resorts including Okemo, Killington and Mount Snow. Proceeds from passports benefit Keep Local Farms, a program aiding dairy farms. You can file the application at any point; it takes up to two weeks to receive the passport.
Ski New Hampshire (www.skinh.com) offers a fifth-grade Snowsports Passport for $25 (proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Hampshire). Ski Butternut, in Great Barrington, Mass., invites 5th graders to ski and ride free Sunday through Friday; fill out the online coupon, print it, and bring it to the ticket booth. Why are fifth graders special? That's the grade they tend to get hooked on the sport. Information: 413-528-2000; http://www.skibutternut.com
Head NorthTo Go Thoreau
Skiing throughout pristine forest without a condo in sight is a rarity, but it exists on Wildcat Mountain in New Hampshire's White Mountain National Forest. With its views of Tuckerman Ravine and Mount Washington, ski magazines rate Wildcat tops for scenery and forest stewardship. In 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps started clearing the Wildcat Trail – one of the nation's first ski-racing trails – with axes and cross-cut saws. These days, the mountain operates under a special-use permit with the White Mountain National Forest and is condo-free. With 49 trails on 225 acres, Wildcat Mountain is home to the 2.75-mile Polecat Trail, the state's longest novice ski trail. Wildcat is also further developing freestyle terrain for skiers and riders. The Vertical Value Frequent Skier Card, for $79, entitles the card-holder to discounts of up to 50 percent on skiing or riding at Wildcat Mountain and Attitash Mountain Resort. With the card, the first day of skiing or riding is free. Information: 888-SKI-WILD; http://www.skiwildcat.com
>>Deborah Geigis Berry's travel apps, Boston With Kids, New England With Kids, and the NYC Family Guide, will be available on iTunes in March 2012.
