Top East Coast Ski Resort for Cozy New England Experiences

After 17 years in New York, I am, once again, a New Englander, which means diving back into a sport from my childhood: skiing. Growing up, skiing was a mid-week affair, with a drive to New Hampshire’s White Mountain region taking just under two hours, allowing for a full day of skiing and returning home in time for dinner.

My four- and six-year-old boys had been on skis just once when we headed up to the mountains from our Massachusetts home to Waterville Valley, a ski resort located within New Hampshire’s White Mountains National Forest. The resort boasts 52 trails, 265 skiable acres, an elevation of just over 4,000 feet, and a vertical drop of 2,020 feet.

Waterville Valley, nestled on Mount Tecumseh and Green Peaks, has been attracting skiers for over 80 years. “People first began skiing down Mount Tecumseh in 1937,” shares Sarah Van Kralingen, Waterville Valley’s marketing communications manager. “The Civilians Conservation Corps cut the first ski trails of Waterville Valley.” The resort transformed into a proper ski destination in the 1960s, thanks to the efforts of two-time Olympic skier Tom Corcoran.

Our visit occurred after a week of heavy snow that had prepared the slopes just in time for us. On a February morning amidst a cold snap, we made our way to one of the resort’s six slopeside spaces. The Green Peak Suite, which we occupied for the day, offered a cozy atmosphere complete with a leather Chesterfield sofa, a television, complimentary drinks and pastries, a large picture window showcasing the pristine mountain view, and ample space for our gear. Outside, a dedicated premier parking spot facilitated our loading and unloading.

Our children headed straight to the Kids Kamp, a ski school for young skiers aged four to 12. The program features two-hour sessions, complete with lunch, creating a perfect balance of learning and fun. As my husband and I started exploring, we caught glimpses of their increasingly controlled “pizzas.” Kids under five ski for free at Waterville, while parents with Adult Plus Season Passes receive one free junior ski pass for kids under 12.

Our choice to visit on a Wednesday was intentional, as New Englanders often prefer skiing during non-tourist days. Surprisingly, conditions proved excellent, attributed not only to consecutive storms but also to the resort’s snowmaking and nightly grooming practices.

Throughout the morning, my husband and I enjoyed the luxury of skiing on fresh powder almost solo, catching chair after chair without waiting in line, reaching the summit in just five and a half minutes. “I’ve never skied like this before,” my husband remarked, exhilarated by the experience.

“There’s something special about East Coast skiing,” Sarah van Kralingen emphasizes. “East Coast mountains host a community of dedicated skiers whose love for the sport remains unwavering, regardless of the weather.” This sentiment rang true as we found ourselves at the summit, gazing towards the White Mountain Valley in freezing temperatures.

Despite the frigid weather, adventurous skiers flocked to the terrain park, making the most of the splendid conditions. Waterville Valley holds a reputable history as the birthplace of freestyle skiing; it established the U.S.’s first freestyle skiing instruction program in 1969. In 1994, coinciding with my first ski experience at Waterville, the resort introduced The Boneyard, New Hampshire’s first terrain park, attracting professional snowboarders and freeskiers.

Opting to spend most of the day at the summit, we decided which runs to navigate, with glimpses of white-capped Mount Washington in the distance. Naturally, we made a stop at the Schwendi Hutte, a rustic lodge established when the resort opened, where I settled into a cozy leather armchair and enjoyed a warm serving of mac and cheese while admiring the scenic mountain view.

The Schwendi Hutte, with its cozy, wood-framed charm, represents the rich legacy of the resort. I paused to consider images of Robert F. Kennedy, a friend of Tom Corcoran and a dedicated skier at Waterville. After Kennedy’s passing, Corcoran named a trail “Bobby’s Run,” which still exists today, reminding us of the mountain’s storied past as we skied its winding path.

As our day drew to a close, we picked our boys up from Kids Kamp. My oldest was eager for one final run, and thus began his adventure on a chairlift for the first time—a thrilling experience for both him and my husband, descending through the last light of day.

As our time at Waterville Valley came to an end, we packed up our belongings. However, not all visitors need to leave immediately. When I stayed at the resort in 1995, I found the Town Square Condominiums ideal for family accommodations, whether for a single night or a week-long getaway. These condos, featuring three bedrooms and two bathrooms, can accommodate up to eight guests, nestled right in the town square village. Guests can also take advantage of resort-operated shuttle buses, which provide convenient access throughout Waterville Valley.

Although we were not staying overnight this time, I envision future family trips to Waterville where we could enjoy cozy condo accommodations and a winter stroll through the picturesque village. With our renewed passion for East Coast skiing, I can easily picture a weekend in the mountains, combining exhilarating runs with delightful breaks at local spots like The Bookmonger. As Sarah van Kralingen emphasizes, “Skiing is more than just the sensation of sliding on snow. It’s truly about the bonds we share with those we ski with.”