New England’s Top 10 Most Scenic Ski Trails

The best part of skiing is that it brings you to new heights - literally. From the summit of New England’s ski areas, you can take in our incredible surroundings. Though not the Rockies, nor the Alps, the Northeast has its own wintry appeal. The proximity in our region to other “skiable” mountains makes it fun to venture from one mountain peak to the next, changing your venue as you go. The trails I have selected below represent a few of my personal favorites in New England for their fine vistas. Whether it is a view of our magnificent lakes, the vast forests or the mighty Mount Washington, (the pinnacle to all other New England summits), each of these trails are highly scenic.

1. Penobscot at Big Squaw, Maine, is like being on the top of Maine itself. Being so far north and high above massive Moosehead Lake, this trail has an awesome view of Mount Kathadin, Maine’s highest peak. The panorama from the chairlift is also fantastic, but keep a firm grip on this quirky double chair at all times. (Nov 2004 update: As of this writing, the summit lift at Big Squaw will not be open for 2004-05 season, so the only way to access this great trail is to climb for it).

2. Rim Run at Sugarbush offers one of the best lookouts in the beautiful state of Vermont. From here you have an impressive view of Lake Champlain and across the water, New York’s Adirondack range of 5,000-foot peaks. Vermont’s northern mountains, Mt. Mansfield’s Stowe, Smugglers’ Notch’s Madonna, and Camel’s Hump are perfectly framed from this trail too.

3. Flintlock at Gunstock, New Hampshire’s family mountain of the Lakes Region, is best enjoyed on a clear day. The sensation of skiing down, practically into Lake Winnipesaukee, is almost like being in Lake Tahoe (I said “almost”). With a backdrop of the White Mountains and Mount Washington - the Northeast’s crowning glory, Gunstock is a choice location.

4. Range View at Bretton Woods is one of many meticulously groomed trails at this family-friendly New Hampshire area with a perfectly framed view of “The Mount”. Of course, the Top O’Quad restaurant is another perfect locale for a great lunch overlooking Mount Washington and the grand 1902 Hotel, which has been restored beautifully.

5. Skiing Pole Cat at Wildcat in Jackson, New Hampshire gives you the sensation that you can reach out and touch Mount Washington’s eastern flank. In fact the view into Tuckerman’s Ravine is unlike any other. A sunny March day at Wildcat will bring out the shutterbug in every skier.

6. White Nitro of Sugarloaf, Maine offers an eye-popping panorama, from the 4,237-foot summit. From this northern vantage point you can see forever. This trail is so darned steep that it will also take your breath away. Tell your fellow skiers you are admiring the view, when they ask why you have stopped skiing.

7. Drifter turns the skier and rider in every angle while descending Madonna Mountain at Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont. From Drifter, you can look across the Notch at Stowe’s Front Four and the impressive 4,395-foot Mount Mansfield peak. Also within visible range are Lake Champlain and the stately Adirondacks, home to the 1936 & 1980 Olympic Winter Games.

8. Vista Way is appropriately named at Cannon Mountain in New Hampshire. This is the highest lift serviced elevation in New Hampshire at 4,180-feet. From this magnificent summit, you look down into Franconia Notch and Echo Lake. The view across the Notch of the Presidential Rnage is definitely worth the price of admission. Claim a window in the back of the Aerial Tram as you ride up for the best panorama.

9. Willoughby at Burke Mountain overlooks the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Lake Willoughby sits to the north, demarcated by the dramatic slope of Mount Pisgah, playground to ice climbers from around the world. The surrounding hills are dotted with farms, so “story book Vermont”.

10. Lookout at Camden Snow Bowl in Maine is where the mountains meet the sea. Where else in the world can you view the Atlantic Ocean from a ski trail? This great little ski hill in coastal Camden makes the scenic list for that unique spectacle alone.
 

The ski brochure depicts the cheery family, carving turns together on the sun-soaked slopes. It doesn’t show Dad stuffing skis, piles of poles, bulky boots, and pillowy parkas into the SUV on Friday night. You also don’t see little Katy tangled between Mom’s ski legs, as they slide off the chairlift and down the slippery snow ramp like a human pretzel.

For rookie ski families, heading to the slopes requires courage, stamina and a truckload of gear. However, skiing brings families to the most pinnacle moments together (and those postcard perfect photos).

As a kid, my favorite winter weekends were spent skiing with my parents, brothers, and grandfather. Quickly forgotten is frostbite, only memories of laughter and our mutual love of skiing linger. Today, I cherish similar days on the hill with my own son and daughter, their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Teaching your kids to ski early on provides them a dynamic winter sport and a lifetime legacy. With a few tips you can be schussing the slopes and sharing tales of triumph with your tribe. Along the way, you may have a few tense times, but that makes conquering the mountains with your kids all the more meaningful.

Advice from someone who has “been there” both as a ski instructor and a parent of two: get professional help. Trust the experts to introduce your child to skiing and riding properly, covering the basics so that you can enjoy quality slope time as a family for years to come.

Ski school (or the more PC term “Snowsports School” to include one and two boarders) traditionally starts children at ages 4 - 6. Snowboarding lessons tend to begin at age 6 or older.

For obvious reasons, most New Hampshire ski resorts require children to be potty trained. Starting your child at age 2 or 3 should strictly be for a photo opportunity, and actual ski time should be short and sweet. Bretton Woods and Gunstock offer a gentle intro with all-day care and just two hours of skiing. For those too young for ski programs, childcare is available at most Granite State ski areas like Sunapee’s Mother Goose.

Ski camp is a tried and true method for your little skier to be with “cool” instructors and peers (a powerful enticement). Here the kids “play games” that cleverly disguise learning. It can be pricey, but encompasses expert technique, safety, and the bonus of making new friends throughout the day, or half-day, either way – worth it.

To help make your child’s adventure on snow smooth, here are a few recommendations: Check with the ski area in advance to reserve ski camp (or childcare), confirm the drop-off and pick-up hours (which may differ from on-snow time), the price, and exactly what is included (i.e.: lunch, equipment). This research can begin on-line, ski areas have top notch web sites, but you will need to speak to a live body to reserve a slot since child: instructor ratios are key.

Prepare your child for their first day. While a Warren Miller movie might be too edgy, showing your wee skier pictures of you skiing, or viewing the National Ski Area Association’s Snowmonsters video which you can link to from Sunapee’s website, will pump them up. Tell your child that they will be with other kids and a teacher for the day. Be enthusiastic, positive energy is contagious. Conversely, if you are anxious, your child may get scared.

Deliver your child to camp in recently inspected equipment or rent (which reduces the amount of gear you have to lug). If you get the chance, familiarize your tyke with the gear prior to their big debut on snow. Our kids loved when Dad pulled them around the carpeted basement in their boots and skis the night before. This improved their dexterity and heightened their enthusiasm.

Bring along a change of clothes, an extra pair of socks and mittens, all of which should be labeled. Waterville and Sunapee websites have helpful “what to pack” checklists.

At the ski school desk, prepare to fill out lengthy forms. If you print out your own standard form of pertinent information, you can use next time. If you plan to ski several days during the winter, look for multi-day coupon books, both Ragged and Tenney offer such savings.

Do everyone a favor by honestly describing your child’s ability level. Crotched Mountain’s website has a checklist to determine your child’s skill level. Resist the urge to push your child into an upper level in hopes they will become the next Bode that much faster. Reality is your wee one may get frustrated.

Say goodbye and go. Hovering and checking up on your child is disruptive to the lesson. Your child is in capable care and the clock is ticking, go make your own turns.

At the end of the session, ask the instructor for a ski report card and find out what they recommend next.

If you want to teach your child on your own, get some gadgets at the ski shop to aid your efforts. “Edgie wedgies”, also known as the “ski bra”, attach to the child’s ski tips, keeping them in a controlled wedge (a.k.a. Pizza pie) formation. Ski harnesses allow you to follow your child and rein in their speed if they insist on bombing straight (a.k.a. French fries). This assumes you can control your own speed, of course.

You do not want to ski behind your child, holding them under the arms sandwiched between your legs, as this will teach them to sit back and fall into your arms at the first sign of trouble. You should foster independent balance, not leaning and clinging. If you must support your child, snow plow beside them, giving them the handle end of your ski poles to hold (not the sharp pointy end).

Skiing with little ones is not about the quantity of runs, or the perfect turn. Early ski days are about giggles and plenty of stops for hot cocoa.

Our daughter thought it was a hoot to wipe out and eat snow at age four. Now ten, she carves the steeps with us, and hits the terrain park with zeal. With a relaxed tempo, your child will love snow sports and discover that you’re a “cool” parent in winter.