Ski Area

Bretton Woods. New Hampshire's largest ski area is also one of the country's best family ski resorts. The views of Mt. Washington alone are worth the visit, and the scenery is especially beautiful from the two-story restaurant atop 3,000-foot-elevation Mt. Rosebrook, reached via an all-glass eight-passenger Skyway Gondola that opened in 2019.

The resort has something for everyone, from extensive kids' programs and lessons to some seriously steep pitches near the top of the 1,500-foot vertical. And the 35 glades will keep experts busy, while snowboarders enjoy the three terrain parks. The Nordic trail system has 62 miles of cross-country ski trails. Both night skiing and snowboarding are available on weekends and holidays.

There's also the year-round Canopy Tour, with nine ziplines, two sky bridges, and three rappelling stations. Facilities: 102 trails; 464 acres, 1,500-foot vertical drop; 10 lifts. 99 Ski Area Rd., Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, 03575. 603/278–3320; 603/278–1000; www.brettonwoods.com. Lift ticket: $104.

Crawford Notch State Park. Scenic U.S. 302 winds southeast of Bretton Woods through the steep, wooded mountains on either side of spectacular Crawford Notch. Now a state park, you can picnic and hike to Arethusa Falls, the longest drop in New England, or to the Silver and Flume cascades—they're among more than a dozen outstanding trails. The 5,775-acre park has a number of roadside photo ops, plus an Adirondack-style visitor center, gift shop, snack bar, and fishing pond. 1464 U.S. 302, Hart's Location, New Hampshire, 03812. 603/374–2272; www.nhstateparks.org. Visitor center late May.–late Oct., daily 9:30–5.