North Conway NH Area Alpine Skiing

All are within 30 minutes of North Conway village, and three additional major ski resorts are within a one-hour drive. With the resurgence of backcountry skiing (thanks to GBA), this area also offers over 30,000 vertical feet of backcountry gladed terrain, plus an additional 10,000 vertical feet of historic CCC trails. With Mount Washington, Tuckerman Ravine, and the Presidential Range in the heart of it all, some of the most extreme, notorious backcountry ski lines in the Northeast can be found just minutes from North Conway.

While ski area access and options for all abilities can undoubtedly help justify such a recognition, North Conway is also loaded with rich ski history, heritage, and culture. In the 1930s, Snow Trains from Beantown carried skiers to North Conway, often promoted as the “birthplace of American skiing.” Legendary ski names like Hannes Schneider, Harvey Gibson, and Carroll Reed will forever be linked to North Conway since its early beginnings in the 1930s.

Speaking of names, great ski towns tend to breed great skiers, and North Conway has many. Olympian legends include Brooks Dodge, Tyler Palmer, Sue Wemyss, Marcus Nash, Leanne Smith, Carl Swenson, and Sean Doherty, to name just a few directly from this area. Recently, Cranmore’s own Caite Zeliff has made international headlines chasing big mountain ski lines and deep snow as a sponsored pro free-skier. Caite has frequently mentioned how her ski roots can be traced back to skiing with ESSC. The Eastern Slope Ski Club has provided affordable skiing (and now snowboarding) opportunities to elementary students in Mt. Washington Valley since the 1930s.

We know the locals are well cared for—but what about visitors? In addition to white-steepled churches, creaky covered bridges, and a plethora of mom-and-pop shops, there are breweries, distilleries, art galleries, locally owned pubs, and eateries … plus a slew of eclectic tax-free retail shopping options that will keep the non-skiers happy for days.

For lodging options, skiers on a budget can choose from over 55 privately owned dorm-styled ski clubs from Tamworth to Gorham, most of which originated decades ago. Those looking for something a bit more fancy can choose from dozens of New England-style Inns and B&Bs or even upscale grand hotels from yesteryear, such as the Eastern Slope Inn or the Mount Washington Hotel.

There is a never-ending list of family-friendly activities, including winter snowshoeing and hiking, snowmobiling, ice climbing, sleigh rides, ice skating, scenic train rides … and even dog sledding! Those fortunate to ski, stay, and play in the area know why this little part of the country continues to leave its mark in the skiing world.