Still a Top 10 Cheap Getaway - Ski New Hampshire with Rates at $64/N and Up

At the end of the 2008, Family Travel Forum announced its Top (Cheap) Getaways for Family Travelers for our readers who were looking to plan a budget-friendly vacation.  One of our top picks for Cheap Ski Getaway was the Western White Mountains region of New Hampshire.  When the story was originally published, the area offered rates for the entire family starting at only $1600/week.  Quality ski rentals were also cheap, with some outfitters starting at only $15 for equipment.  (To read more about the amazing 2008 values for a family visiting the Western White Mountains check out the original story).

We were curious to see if our selection was still offering the same bang for its buck for the 2009-2010 ski season as it was last year.  And boy, were we happy to see that savings still abound for family travelers.

For families of four staying in Mt. Washington Valley in North Conway there are great flexible options available for only $400/4N.  Stay at either the School House Motel for $64/N or the family-friendly Colonial Motel for $74/N.  Of course, families will also want to ski while visiting the region.  While most of the 36 mountain resorts in New Hampshire are offering a variety of ski deals, special family-oriented offers are also available. 

Alpine Skiing

The “Family ‘First Trails’” package at the Waterville Valley Resort allows families with children ages 7-12 years to learn the art of skiing together as a unit.  The package includes rental equipment, a learning area lift ticket and a two-hour beginners ski lesson at the price of $380 for a family of four. That comes out to about $85 per person for your first day on the slopes and extended family members pay $75 each. Not bad.

Another great option is the Ski NH “Anywhere, Anytime” package that offers a savings of 20% or more on weekend and holiday skiing.  The package, available at the Ski New Hampshire website, consists of fully transferable lift tickets that are customized to fit your family’s needs and available for use anytime.  Broken down into five price categories ($25. $30, $42, $52 and $60 per ticket) that vary depending on which mountains you select, the packages begin at a minimum of 12 lift tickets.  And it is available for all ability tiers from beginners to experts.  Since you can share the tickets with your friends and family without limitations, the concept is pretty flexible.  The only catch is that no more than 50% of the tickets can be for one ski area.  But that just gives your family a better chance to explore all the mountain resorts in the area.  Call 800/887-5464 or check out the website for more details.

Included in the offer are the following ski areas: Attitash, Bretton Woods, Loon Mountain, Waterville Valley, Cannon Mountain, Gunstock Mountain Resort, Mount Sunapee, Wildcat Mountain, Cranmore Mountain Resort, Crotched Mountain, Pats Peak, Ragged Mountain Resort, Balsams Wilderness, Black Mountain, Dartmouth Skiway, Granite Gorge, King Pine and McIntyre Ski Area.

Cross-Country or Nordic Skiing

During the course of your stay enjoy snowshoeing and cross-country skiing at Mt. Washington Valley Ski Touring & Snowshoe Foundation in Intervale.  Also visit the Mount Washington Observatory’s Weather Discovery Center for free, and discover the hands-on and interactive exhibits.  Also enjoy more snow at Schouler Park where families can build a snowman, a snow fort, challenge family members to a snowball fight or bring skates and enjoy free skating in the outdoor skating rink. At Great Glen Trails in Pinkham Notch, consider the “Family Lesson Package” that is designed to help families learn how to cross-country ski together.  Including a ski lesson, rental equipment, trail passes and hot chocolate, the package is $45 for adults and $25 for children.

After revisiting, we are pleased to learn that the Western White Mountains and the entire state of New Hampshire both still offer some of the best ski deals and packages in the eastern United States and thus, are now one of the Top (Cheap) Ski Getaways of 2009-2010!