WINTER WONDERLAND For the ultimate snowy playground, look no farther than New Hampshire’s Omni Mount Washington Hotel ALPINE SKIING
above, from left: Snowboarding at Bretton Woods; taking an old-fashioned sleigh ride at the Omni Mount Washington Hotel; heading out for cross-country skiing on the hotel grounds. opposite: Flying high on the Canopy Tour at Bretton Woods.
CANOPY TOURS
24 WEEKENDS WITH YANKEE INSIDERS’ GUIDE
Check any ski magazine or website and you’ll often find Bretton Woods—New Hampshire’s largest ski area— near the top of its list for things like best snow, scenery, and grooming in the Northeast. There are 464 acres of terrain, with 63 trails and 35 glades, all of which are easily accessed thanks to a Skyway Gondola that gets visitors to the top in less than five minutes.
NORDIC SKIING Nordic fans consider the eastern White Mountains to have some of the best skiing in the country. Come see why on the 100-kilometer network on the grounds of the Omni Mount Washington Resort. State-of-the-art groomers keep the trails in pristine condition, allowing both classic and skate-style skiers to go until they can go no more. Lessons and equipment are available at the hotel’s Nordic Center.
There are ziplines and then there’s the Canopy Tour at Bretton Woods, a through-the-woods experience that features nine different lines and descends more
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF THE OMNI MOUNT WASHINGTON RESORT
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t was only few decades ago that the historic Mount Washington Hotel, one of New Hampshire’s last historic grand hotels, would shutter every winter. But in November 1999 it opened its doors as a year-round destination, and the Mount Washington Valley hasn’t been the same since. Today, you could build an entire winter vacation solely around a stay at the hotel, now known as the Omni Mount Washington Resort. Located in Bretton Woods, it sits at the foot of its namesake mountain and is surrounded by 800,000 acres of White Mountain National Forest. On its staff are expert ice climbing and winter hiking guides. Snow-shoe and Nordic trails venture around the property, while its Bretton Woods ski area offers scenic downhill trails to rival any in the Northeast. It’s a veritable winter playground and it’s truly got something for everyone. —Ian Aldrich
