Hi!
I went to Kennebunkport last year right after Christmas hoping for snow and only got a small amount. Hoping for better results this year I was thinking of adding mountains to the mix to better my chances! I have tickets to Boston on 1/22 and leave out of Boston on 1/27. What would be the closest place that wouldn't be more than 2 hours from Boston and K'port where I could spend a couple of days and then go on to Kennebunkport and then back to Boston for my return flight. Maybe N. Conway? I don't know anything about the mountains there. Also, exactly how trecherous are the mountain roads there? I was in Vail a couple of months ago and the drive from Denver almost gave me a nervous breakdown. Thanks for any help you can give.
Jill

I'm not a skier but you can easily check snow conditions at www.skinh.com - some places hope to be open for Thanksgiving. Your trip from Boston north to NH's White Mountains ought to be fine. It's a straight run up Rt 93. I would suggest renting a car with front wheel drive. I drive a 4x4 now but prior to that had front wheel drive cars since the late 70s. If you are nervous in snow/ice, I think you'll have better traction. Of course, you could get a 4x4 rental. By arriving on 1/22 you won't face the Friday night heavy traffic heading north. Just go slow if road conditions are bad. My favorite sigh of relief is to be out on the road right after the sand truck has been through. If you head to North Conway you'll be on state routes rather than the interstate but in general, NH does a great job of taking care of the roads. I don't even think of them as mountain roads because so many route are thru notches.

Closest ski areas to Boston would be Loon and Waterville, NH., about 2 - 2 1/2 hrs. up Rt. 93, easy rd but heavy day traffic on weekends. They are both quite a drive to Kennebunkport which is on the ME coast and not at all close to skiing. Conditions would depend on the weather - duh! Could be great with lots of snow or a washout. Welcome to New England. There are no mt roads in the area comparable to I70 thru Vail and Summit Cnty. If there's a blizzard, driving anywhere will be trecherous. Otherwise, you won't have a problem.

http://www.sundayriver.com/ This place should be less than 2 hours from K'port a new by pass road around Gray was opened today.