Family Ski Holidays In New England

This story was Published in The Lowell Sun

Published: December 02, 2000

By Heather Burke

The holiday cards stuffing your mailbox portray that perfect wintry setting. Snow covered landscapes, ice skaters glide across glistening ponds, and pine garlands drape traditional New England homesteads. These images are certainly more appealing than your barren lawn, the brown leafless trees and your tacky neighbor’s flashing icicle lights.

If history is any indication, your chances of tracking reindeer hoof prints in the snow on your front yard Christmas morn are slim. This year, instead of just mailing that picturesque holiday scene, why not stop dreaming of the “White” season and put yourself in it.

Not only will a holiday getaway to the mountains capture precious family time together, snuggled by the fire after a day in the great outdoors, but it doesn’t require a second mortgage if you look for special “packages” – not the kind wrapped under the tree.

Our family has made a tradition of a getaway just prior to Christmas Day. We have scored some super deals including “freebies” and holiday happenings. While others are packing the malls, we are schussing the wide-open slopes. A quick note to Santa can even remind him to deliver your presents to you in the North Country.

Here are several family-friendly resorts in New England that have festive decorations, ski and stay savings and the guarantee of a white Christmas atmosphere.

Jackson, New Hampshire is that classic Currier and Ives greeting card location. At Luxury Mountain Getaways, your family can choose from ice-skating, cross-country and downhill skiing. Swimming in the heated indoor and outdoor pools will take the edge off, and warm you after a day frolicking in the snow.

Nordic Village, one of four properties at Luxury Mountain Getaways, sports well-appointed hillside units with gas log fireplaces, full kitchens and two-person Jacuzzis tubs.

Neighboring Nestlenook Farm Resort is trimmed to holiday perfection. Victorian music plays throughout. The centerpiece of this charming village is “Angel Island”, complete with bonfire where you can sip complimentary hot cocoa. Austrian sleigh rides, snowshoeing, and skating are all available to Nordic Village guests.

From the beautiful town of Jackson, you’re a quick ride to the renowned outlets of North Conway as well as to several major ski areas: Attitash, Wildcat, Black and Cranmore. Nordic Village guests receive discounts to most of these ski areas.

The most magical experience in the White Mountains has to be the Polar Express. The Conway Scenic Railroad recreates the children’s book by Chris Allsburg with an enchanted train ride to the North Pole. This storybook come-to-life journey puts the look of wonder in children’s eyes and reminds everyone aboard of the splendor of the holiday. The lottery-style tickets are so coveted, that now is the time to consider next year’s Polar Express.

Wake up to snow on Christmas morning in the mountains of Maine. Sugarloaf’s big mountain (second only to Mt. Katahdin in Maine) means skiing for all abilities on over 1,000 acres of terrain. Sugarloaf rolls out an entertaining list of theme parties, movies, a snowshoe safari, evening family turbo tubing, and fireworks during the week’s stay.

The resort’s pedestrian village encompasses a handful of shops and restaurants for après ski and dining. Sugarloaf’s winter packages include slopeside lodging, Perfect Turn adult clinics and use of the heated pool, and hot tubs at the Sports Center.

If you can’t manage all your shopping, and squeeze in a pre-holiday ski trip, consider giving your family the gift of a January ski trip as a stocking stuffer. This is particularly prudent for younger families, not yet penalized for missed school days, looking to save a buck.

Kids rule at Sugarloaf’s all-day ski camp, where they meet life-size mascots Amos the Moose, Pierre the Logger & Blueberry Bear. There is even the “Avalanche” -a hangout for teens.

Sugarloaf exudes honest to goodness mountain hospitality. These folks are so zealous about their resort; each employee proudly wears a nametag proclaiming how many years they’ve been a “Sugarloafer.” The bonus of 240” of snow annually makes it well worth the drive to this remote Maine oasis.

These resorts will offer you and your family a fun filled, “ white” holiday season. I have determined that a few days in snow country with my family is far more memorable than that “must have” toy. The toy (that takes hours to track down, buy, wrap, hide, then assemble and find batteries for) inevitably keeps my child content for say- thirty minutes.

If you can’t possibly sneak to the mountains, but still long for snow in your yard, the Backyard Blizzard may be the answer. This is the first snowmaking machine designed specifically for home use. Plug it in to any 115v outlet, attach your garden hose and the Backyard Blizzard will cover 1,000 square feet of lawn in three hours. Wouldn’t your personal pile of snow awe those neighbors with the tawdry decorations? Did I mention the $2,995 price tag? That trip to the mountains suddenly sounds quite affordable.

Contact Information:
Luxury Mountain Getaways, Jackson, New Hampshire, 1-800-472-5207 or www.luxurymountaingetaways.com
Sugarloaf USA Kingfield, Maine 1-800-843-5623 or www.sugarloaf.com
Polar Express, Conway Scenic Railroad, 1-800-232-5251 or www.conwayscenic.com
Backyard Blizzard, 1-877-989-7669 or go to www.backyardblizzard.com.

 

 

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