Skiing and snowboarding are perhaps the most popular winter sports in New England.
There's a few keys to planning a ski trip at a New England Ski area. Consider the following when planning a ski trip to a ski resort at locations like New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine or Massachusetts.
Visit During the Week To Avoid the Crowds and to Find Cheaper Lift Ticket Rates
New England ski resorts and ski areas tend to be the busiest during the latter part of the week, on holidays and on the weekends. During these times, the ski resort's slopes and ski lifts will not only be more crowded, but lift ticket prices, ski and snowboard rental prices and ski lodge accommodations will be significantly more expensive. Skiers and snowboarders who opt for mid-week ski trips will enjoy cheaper lift ticket prices, better equipment rental prices and cheaper room rates in hotels near New England's ski resorts.
Many skiers - especially inexperienced skiers - prefer to hit the slopes when it's less crowded, so for these New England ski enthusiasts, a ski trip on a Tuesday or Wednesday is ideal. For novice skiers who are planning to take skiing or snowboarding lessons at a New England ski area, a mid-week ski trip is ideal since there's fewer waits for ski classes and there's a better chance of getting individual attention from a skiing or snowboarding instructor.
Check the Weather Forecast and the Ski Area's Snow Conditions
Weather can make all the difference when planning a ski trip! Novice skiers may find certain snow and weather conditions more difficult, making the ski trip less enjoyable. Also, check the ski resort's website to see how many trails are open - fewer trails means longer waits for the ski lifts and more crowding on the slopes.
Consider the number of open trails, the difficulty level of the ski area's open trails, snow conditions, and weather conditions when selecting a New England ski area or ski resort.
Do You Need To Rent Skiing or Snowboarding Equipment?
For skiers and snowboarders who do not have their own equipment should always call ahead or visit the ski resort's website to ensure that the necessary ski or snowboarding equipment will be available for rental. Some smaller ski areas have a limited equipment rental supply, and even some large ski areas can have limited equipment availability on the weekends.
Will You Need to Take Snowboarding or Skiing Lessons?
Some ski resorts and ski areas require reservations for skiing or snowboarding lessons, so it's important to call ahead or check the ski area's website. This is especially important when planning private skiing or snowboarding lessons, or when planning lessons on a weekend, holiday or other busy times at the ski area.
Will the Skiing/Snowboarding Trip Be One Day, Two Days or More?
Some skiers and snowboarders prefer a multi-day trip, rather than just a day trip, particularly if the trip to the New England mountains will take several hours by car. If planning a weekend skiing trip, make guest room reservations a few weeks in advance, as ski resorts and hotels near the ski areas tend to book up quickly when the skiing conditions are ideal.
In addition, multi-day lift tickets and rentals are less expensive. Avid skiers and snowboarders may want to consider getting a season pass to their favorite ski resort or ski area, as this tends to be less expensive if several snowboarding or skiing trips are planned for the season.
Looking for a great New England ski resort or ski area near Boston? Check out our article Ski Areas Near Boston, MA, for a look at what Waterville Valley Ski Area and Mount Sunapee Ski Area have to offer for the 2008 winter season!
