Key Points
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Located next door to Mount Washington, Bretton Woods boasts the biggest ski area in the state, with 63 trails spread across 460 acres.
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Intermediate and expert skiers will find towering summits and challenging terrain at Cannon Mountain and Wildcat Mountain.
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Waterville Valley and Loon Mountain are among the best spots for family-friendly ski outings thanks to the diverse terrain and abundance of activities.
Home to the White Mountains, New Hampshire has a vibrant ski culture that few places can match. “The best things about skiing in New Hampshire are the authentic skiing vibes and its variety of great resorts within a stone’s throw of each other, allowing adventurous people to explore multiple resorts while on one trip—an experience very similar to what you would find in Lake Tahoe,” Dan Sherman, the chief marketing officer of Ski.com, shared with Travel + Leisure. Along with skiing, winter sports enthusiasts can also enjoy snow tubing, ice skating, snowshoeing, and much more.
Here are 10 of the best ski resorts in New Hampshire to check out this winter.
01 of 10
Bretton Woods
Courtesy of Bretton Woods Mountain Resort
Bretton Woods has more than 460 acres of skiable terrain, making it New Hampshire’s largest ski area. It’s also located directly next to the highest peak in the Northeast: Mount Washington. In addition to 63 trails and 10 lifts, it boasts 35 glades, so skiers and riders can bob and weave around the trees.
“New Hampshire’s White Mountains include some of the tallest peaks in the northeastern United States, which is a great advantage for receiving reliable snowfall throughout the season,” said Teddy Roach, a mountain travel expert at Ski.com.
Related: This Small New Hampshire Town Was Once a Go-to Destination for Presidents and Celebrities — and It Sits at the Base of the Northeast’s Highest Peak
02 of 10
Ragged Mountain Resort
Courtesy of Ragged Mountain Ski Resort
Snow seekers based in Boston can drive to Ragged Mountain in about 90 minutes to two hours, making it easily accessible for a weekend ski trip. It’s the perfect place for beginners, thanks to the beloved Bebe Woods Learn to Ski/Ride Program, which offers three lessons for first-timers (ages 13 and up) and includes rental equipment and a complimentary day of skiing or snowboarding following each lesson.
03 of 10
Waterville Valley Resort
Courtesy of Waterville Valley Ski Resort
Located in White Mountain National Forest, Waterville Valley Resort is a picturesque retreat with terrain for all skill levels. The mountain has an elevation of 4,004 feet and a vertical drop of 2,020 feet, and there are 62 trails and 11 lifts across the resort.
“My favorite New Hampshire resort is Waterville Valley because of its family-friendly environment,” Sherman said, adding that the off-mountain activities can be just as fun. “Off the mountain, visitors can enjoy ice skating, snowshoeing, and tubing, so there’s something for the whole family to enjoy during the day before gathering around a cozy fire in the evening.”
Related: This East Coast Ski Resort Is the Ultimate Getaway for Cozy New England Vibes
04 of 10
Mount Sunapee
Courtesy of Mount Sunapee Ski Resort
Visitors to Mount Sunapee are basically guaranteed good conditions, as the resort can use high-tech snowmaking on the majority of its trails.
“[New Hampshire] is dedicated to state-of-the-art snowmaking and grooming, ensuring stellar conditions on the slopes regardless of Mother Nature’s plans,” Roach said. “I also love how the mountains have unique terrain famous for tunnels of trees that are a blast to ski through.”
Mount Sunapee, which sits in the southern half of the state, has been a family favorite ski spot for some 75 years. It has 233 acres of varied terrain and 67 trails, with 29 percent designated as beginner, 47 percent as intermediate, and 24 percent as advanced. It also has a robust snowmaking program that covers 97 percent of its trails, so you can expect powdery conditions when you visit. And, best of all, it’s a 90-minute to two-hour drive from Boston.
05 of 10
Loon Mountain
Courtesy of Loon Mountain Ski Resort
Loon Mountain is a star of New Hampshire’s ski scene thanks to its family-friendly atmosphere and fantastic terrain parks. Its 73 groomed trails cross 403 acres, but be sure to check its mountain report to know which ones are open.
“My favorite resort in New Hampshire is probably Loon because of its incredible terrain and the expansive views it offers of the beautiful White Mountains,” Roach said. And, like other mountains on the list, Loon offers a ton of activities, including cross-country skiing, tubing, and gondola rides.
06 of 10
Cannon Mountain
Pierre-Olivier Valiquette / Getty Images
Those looking for a challenge should make their way to Cannon Mountain, home to 98 trails and glades across 287 acres. It has an absolutely massive summit elevation—by New England ski standards—at 4,080 feet, which makes it the highest ski summit in the state, as well as the state’s longest vertical drop at 2,180 feet. Most of the area is geared toward more intermediate and advanced skiers, but the mountain’s Tuckerbrook Family Area is perfect for beginners. (As a bonus, you may even run into Olympic gold medalist Bode Miller, who was born and raised nearby.)
07 of 10
Attitash Mountain Resort
Courtesy of Attitash Mountain Resort
Attitash is a great two-for-one deal as it’s home to two peaks—Attitash and Bear Peak. Combined, they bring together some 300 acres of skiable terrain with 76 trails, including plenty of open groomed runs and expansive tree skiing for those looking for an additional challenge. There are also three distinct terrain parks to allow skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels to learn and perfect their tricks.
08 of 10
Wildcat Mountain
Courtesy of Wildcat Ski Resort
Located in Pinkham Notch, Wildcat Mountain offers gorgeous views of the surrounding area, including Mount Washington. It has 225 acres of skiable terrain and 48 trails, with 20 percent marked as beginner, 47 percent as intermediate, and 33 percent as advanced. While the terrain is geared toward more advanced skiers, Wildcat has the longest beginner trail in the state—Polecat—at 2.75 miles.
09 of 10
Gunstock Mountain Resort
Courtesy of Gunstock Mountain Resort
Gunstock has stellar views, excellent terrain, and lessons for everyone, from beginners to pros hoping to improve their skills. But it also has something that makes it extra special—night skiing and riding. After dark, the resort illuminates its tubing hill, terrain park, and 22 trails so visitors can have fun under the stars.
10 of 10
Cranmore Mountain Resort
Boston Globe / Getty Images
Cranmore Mountain is a small but popular resort located in North Conway, one of the most charming small towns in the state. The ski area comprises more than 170 acres, with 60 trails and glades. Its tubing and adventure park is famous, with thrilling rides like the mountain coaster, giant swing, and 700-foot-long zip line.
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