Am planning an early January ski trip to New England (hopefully skiing 3-4 days), and would like some suggestions. I usually ski Colorado and Utah peaks (blue runs). Am single and plan on a group of friends joining me (no kids), at least one of which will need lessons. Would like suggestions for nice but reasonably priced condos, fun nightlife, expected weather conditions (how is the skiing early Jan?). All thoughts welcome!

New England weather defies prediction, but between natural snow and extensive snowmaking (most of the "big" areas have nearly 100% coverage) early January is usually a safe bet. Plan on the snow being harder and wetter than what you're used to and make sure your skis are freshly sharpened to deal with the inevitable ice.

Everyone has their own favorites, of course, but for sheer variety of cruisers, which is what I think you're looking for, you can't beat Okemo in south-central Vermont. You can rent ski-in/out condos there but it sounds like you may be disappointed in the night life - it's really more of a family atmosphere. Killington is probably the place for partying, but I've never cared for the skiing. Ski schools are everywhere, so that's not a consideration.

My one recommendation if you've never skied New England before is to try to spend at least one day at either Cannon or Wildcat in New Hampshire and get a taste of what no-frills New England skiing is like - both areas are sort of throwbacks to the "good old days" and quite different from the fancier western venues.

Try Stratton in South Central Vermont. They have a website - www.stratton.com. You can rent condos or homes through the Stratton Reservation Center. I find Stratton to be a good intermediate mountain, very pretty, with a small village like atmosphere. Not to far from Manchester and all of their restaurants and shopping.

Hi Susan,
Try asking the new England forum hosts on Fodors' hosted forum. I think they are only up for a few more days, but they might be able to offer some advice. Good luck!

Susan,

I agree with everything Dick mentioned in his posting except the "good old days" places to ski - Mad River Glen is really a step back in time - Those bumper stickers reading "Ski it if you can" are no joke.

Killington has a great night life, but it's the pits for skiing (although my husband disagrees). I think there are too many skiier wannabees and not enough of the real deal which can make for very dangerous conditions. The less crowded sister mountain to Killington - Pico - is an okay place to ski. Both Stratton and Okemo are very good, but as Dick noted, everyone has a favorite and I really like Bolton Valley. (This is at least the second time I've recommended this place on the forum and I should probably stop doing this because I'm sending too many people there.)

Bolton has slopeside condos and is a short drive from the villages of Waterbury and Stowe (your nightlife). The terrain is varied, they have night skiing and a ski school, and they're cheaper and less crowded than the big resorts.

If you want mountain variety, you could stay in Stowe (Routes 100 and 108 have a number of B&B's, hotels, motels, and resorts at a variety of price points), and ski Bolton, Mansfield, and Spruce Peak - a different mountain each day.

Have a great time!

Susan, I enjoy Jiminy Peak in the Berkshire mountains of Massachusetts. Great new england feel with with reasonable prices. Check out Jiminypeak.com.

Can anyone comment on good skiing convenient to Cape Cod

There really isn't any skiing convenient to the Cape, except for cross-country, and even that's iffy in most years. The closest downhill area of any description is Blue Hill outside of Boston, but the operative word there is "hill".

The closest real ski area is probably Mt. Wachusett, about an hour west of Boston and a good two hours or more from most places on the Cape, using I-495 to Rt. 2 West. Even with snowmaking it's hard to maintain good conditions that far south, though.

The closest "big mountain" areas (Sunapee, Waterville, Loon) are another two hours north of Mt. Wachusett, beyond the distance most of us are prepared to drive for a day trip.

There are also a couple of places to ski in Rhode Island (although I haven't been)--that *might* be geographically closer to the places in Massachusetts. Maybe if you asked in that state's forum you would get their names. But I'll bet somebody here knows--anyone?