I'm looking for recommendations on a town/area in New England for a 4-day getaway the week after Christmas. This would be for 2 families, kids ages 6,9, and two 13-year-olds. Not everyone skis, but we'd like an option of skiing as well as other winter activities (dog sledding, ice skating, cross country skiing). I was thinking either Stowe, VT or Lake Placid, NY. We'd like a village with things to do. We've been to Okemo and want something bigger than that...or at least more activities. Preferrably 3-4 hour drive from Central MA.
Thanks for any help.

I love Stowe, but my vote goes with Lake Placid. LOTS to do for the non-skier. You can check out the Olympic venues and watch some training if its going on.

Thanks. I'm guessing we'd want to stay right in Lake Placid rather than Saranac Lake or some of the other areas? Once we decide on the town, I then need to start looking for lodging.

Wilmington Vt is close to Stowe.

Santa's Village Jefferson NH is opwn weekends in December and is near Conway, White Mts. Let me know if you have questions.

I'm not a skiier, but I've spent a couple of Christmases in Brattleboro, VT, which is a ski town near the Mass border. It's a cute village. I don't know if it would occupy you for four days, but there are definitely some cute shops and cozy restaurants there.

Wilmington, VT is no where near Stowe. Wilmington is in Southern Vermont, Stowe in North/Central.
regarding staying in Lake Placid vs. Saranac Lake...I'd go with Lake Placid.

Wilmington is far from Stowe and may not have much snow in early January.

We are planning a late January trip and have decided to go to Middlebury, VT. However, this is probably too quiet for your group.

I would pick Stowe, Jackson NH (in addition to the village of Jackson, there are several other communities close by, plenty of activities to choose from), or Lake Placid.

Jackson would be my first choice. Stowe or LP second, they have different atmospheres, you have to decide which you'd prefer.

Two Jackson links:

http://www.jacksonxc.org/
http://www.jacksonnh.com/index.php

Thanks for all the advice. I'm still leaning toward Stowe or Lake Placid because I'm hoping we can find a place with a village with most things within walking distance. We don't want to have to load everyone into the car every time we go somewhere. (I just realized I failed to mention that before.) We considered Tremblant, but nobody wants to drive that far. We love Telluride, CO, but nobody wants to fly this year. So now I'm trying to find something similar, but within 3-4 hours of the I-495 area in MA.
Thanks.

This is unrelated, but why can't I get to my own post (this one) by typing in the title or any of the key words? I've had to go to one of my old posts, and click on my name to get to this most recent. Is it because I have the word post in the title? Just curious since it's never happened before.

Indexing isn't instant; sometimes it takes a while.