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Skiing near Boston

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Von
Posts: 4869 - Karma: 21
Hey guys I'm moving to Boston in a couple of weeks just to live there with my girlfriend for the next year while she finishes up college (I'm taking a year long break). Anyway come winter time I'm definitely going to want to do some skiing and I have only visited Boston 3 times and have never been to most of New England. I'm from Colorado and I'm used to skiing Telluride, P-horn, Breck, Vail, Key, all those places.

I realize that it probably isn't to comparable but I want to get the best east coast skiing in while I'm there. So here's a few questions.

What is the closest park to Boston period?
What is the best park near Boston?
What is the cheapest park near Boston?

What resort in the NE has the best Powder?
What resort in the NE has the most verticle and overall runs and all?
What resort is the best value for  a college student?
Where can I go to ski some sort of big mountain?

I would love some answers because I'm going to be lost when winter comes and I want to hit up the fluffy white stuff.


Aug 17 2009 1:43AM
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fujarome
Posts: 8630 - Karma: 1,561
jay peak can be a long drive, but if it looks like it's gonna be a good weekend, nowhere else even comes close for backcountry, pow etc. Except maybe stowe, but i've never actually been there.

good parks would be like, loon, waterville valley. Cranmore i've heard has done a lot to their park, but i haven't been there in a few years so who knows.
Aug 17 2009 1:46AM
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Von
Posts: 4869 - Karma: 21
What's the closest park to Boston? Like near the suburbs at all or will I have to drive to central MASS, because that would be sweet if theirs a park within 20 miles of Waltham (where I'm moving) so I could just ride my bike if i wanted.
Aug 17 2009 1:50AM
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fujarome
Posts: 8630 - Karma: 1,561
ummmmm i don't know of any that close, unless you count blue hills when they decide to throw their single rail out onto the trail.

Wachusett i think might be the closest, and its not quite right next door. Sorry, i'm exhausted and can't think right now, i'll try to get back to this, i'm sure some other ns'ers also have some ideas.
Aug 17 2009 2:01AM
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marsland
Posts: 3150 - Karma: 421
bradford might be closer to boston than wachusett, blue hills is closer than both of those.  if you want a good park, loon is about 2 and a half hours northm and its probably the best park in the east coast.  mount snow would be another place to hit up for park, not sure how far it is from boston though.
Aug 17 2009 2:17AM
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Von
Posts: 4869 - Karma: 21
Alright, Jays peak looked sick but the season pass was a little steep (599) but the tickets didn't seem to expensive so I'll definitely have to get up there especially for a powder day!!!

Stowe looked good as well, can I just say this though EAST COST RESORTS ARE TINY. I liked the college pass to since I will be a full time student, just taken classes online. 3 hour drive isn't that bad anyway that's about how far it is from where I live to Breck Key or Telluride.

Waschesetts (sic) looked okay, cheap weekday pass and they did have a park. I also really like the ski train + night skiing seemed like a pretty good deal. And if I took the train, left my gear there over night I could probably bike up there one day which would be sick (only 45 miles from my apartment)

Loon seemed close enough but i couldn't get on the website for some reason.

I'd love more input still thanks guys.
Aug 17 2009 2:50AM
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Von
Posts: 4869 - Karma: 21
So I found this thing called the 4-NH college pass that would let me ski Waterville Valley,  Cranmore Mountain Resort Mount Washington Resort’s Bretton Woods and Cannon Mountain

It's only $289 this sounds like my best deal, are these good resorts? Cannon Mt looked alright, Bretton Woods is pretty big it seems and WV's park wasn't bad. I think this is the best deal though.
Aug 17 2009 3:06AM
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fujarome
Posts: 8630 - Karma: 1,561
Bretton Woods is flat. They don't have any sort of half decent park as far as i remember, and the rest of the mountain is boring at best. I'm not saying it totally sucks, because it can be a fun mountain, but there's better stuff in nh. Actually i learned to ski at bretton woods.
Aug 17 2009 9:33AM
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ROOS.
Posts: 1992 - Karma: 39
does your girlfriend go to brandies
Aug 17 2009 9:51AM
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Baskin.
Posts: 1387 - Karma: 13
the biggest you will get is killington and their park is decent and has some good powder,treeskiing,and the stash park is so sick
Aug 17 2009 10:07AM
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dwhite
Posts: 1499 - Karma: 32
This is a pretty good option. All the mountains are about 2-3 hours away. I had this pass last year minus cannon and it is pretty fun. Its a good value and the mountains are good. Out of them cannon prob has the best terrain, WV has the best park. Cranmore is fun if you are looking for something smaller but compared to out west you will think its pathetic. Bretton woods can be nice but its flat but it is a fun mountain to explore.
Aug 17 2009 10:34AM
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Eastcoastr
Posts: 296 - Karma: 51
I used to live in boston but i moved to CO two years ago so i can tell u exactly wat its like. Nothing is gonna b anywhere near as good as ur used to.

What is the closest park to Boston period?
Bradford is the closest park its about 45 min north of boston. It has night skiing and the park has about ten rails two kickers a weak ass pipe and a couple boxes
What is the best park near Boston?
Best park is either at loon, mt. snow, stowe, and sunday river.
What is the cheapest park near Boston?
The cheapest park that doesn't completely blow might be sunnapee in NH.
What resort in the NE has the best Powder?
Best Powder is for sure either at stowe or mad river glen
What resort in the NE has the most verticle and overall runs and all?
Sunday River probably
What resort is the best value for a college student?
Sugarloaf has a discount for college students that makes lift tickets pretty reasonable.
Where can I go to ski some sort of big mountain?
Tuckermans Ravine its a long hike but its worth it.
Hope that helps.
Aug 17 2009 1:53PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
Q - What resort in the NE has the best Powder?
A - Jay Peak

Q - What resort in the NE has the most verticle and overall runs and all?
A - Killington. They claim 200 trails and 3,000 feet vertical, but you truly ski the mountain 1700' at a time at most.

Q - What resort is the best value for a college student?
A - Hard to say because value is so subjective, but I'd choose something closer to Boston if you are going to tie yourself down with a college pass to one place.

Q - Where can I go to ski some sort of big mountain?
A - You're earning turns if backcountry is what you're looking for. The Presidentials in New Hampshire offer some pretty gnarly areas though. The east is all about tight tree skiing though.

Aug 17 2009 2:03PM
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sklermang
Posts: 2981 - Karma: 1,953
This. plus there are some places on mt. mansfield at stowe where you can hike with decent steeps.

as for park, blue hills is literally the closest but they usually have only 1 or 2 rails, but wachusett is like 45 mins away and they have a decent park, and they make you get a park pass so there usually aren't little kids flying around everywhere which is a plus.
Aug 17 2009 2:17PM
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grown-ninja
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 175

College Pass   $295
[IMG]mountsnow.com/images/btn_buy_now2.gif[/IMG]

  • NO BLACKOUT DATES - Valid at Mount Snow, Attitash, and Crotched Mountain
  • Students must: Pick up the pass in which they bought the pass through. Example: Bought through attitash.com or Attitash College Rep you must pick up at Attitash, no exceptions.
  • Must be enrolled in school with a minimum of 12 credits
  • Must present a letter from the college/university registar office with the college seal
  • Download Express Acceptance of Risks

cut and paste for mount snows site,

Aug 17 2009 2:37PM
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Dbit
Posts: 385 - Karma: 71
What resort in the NE has the best Powder?
What resort in the NE has the most verticle and overall runs and all?
What resort is the best value for a college student?
Where can I go to ski some sort of big mountain?

jay jay jay jay jay jay jay jay jay jay jay jay jay jay jay jay jay jay jay jay
Aug 17 2009 2:39PM
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Commonwealth
Posts: 3729 - Karma: 11
Is your girl at Bentley?

What is the best park near Boston?

I'd say either Loon or Mt. Snow. I'm not sure of the distances, though.

What resort in the NE has the best Powder?

Jay Peak for sure, and since you are used to driving a while to ski I'm sure you wouldn't mind making the 3.5 trek from Boston. Their day rates aren't bad either. You could also check out MRG (assuming you ski) and Stowe. However, at $89 a ticket, I would only go to Stowe if you find a buddy that knows the goods.

What resort in the NE has the most verticle and overall runs and all?

I think SkierX is correct with saying Killy. I've never been there, but I've heard its pretty big.

What resort is the best value for a college student?

Lots of resorts are clamping down on "college passes" (i.e. proving that you are a full-time student by providing a letter from the school, etc.). Just an FYI.

Where can I go to ski some sort of big mountain?

I'd say Tuckerman's is your best bet there. I've never been, but again go with someone who has so you don't put yourself in any kind of danger. If you are into skinning/hiking/snowshoeing into BC, check out http://www.nelsap.org/ for some abandoned ski areas. I plan on doing some of that this year, so check that site out for sure.
Aug 17 2009 2:44PM
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Von
Posts: 4869 - Karma: 21
Thanks I'm deciding between a few college passes right now. Mt. Snow looks like it has an ill park but Attitash and the other mountain that come on the pass look pretty lame.

I will definitely have to make the trek up to Jays for some powder days because I love tree skiing in powder so that looks perfect.

Wassachuesets is just to much money for how small it is. I'll probably just hit Bradford or Blue hills (I could take the train there or bike!) when I don't want to drive far they seemed pretty cheep.

Thanks for some ideas for back country Ill probably be craving some steeps mid season. Any more ideas or like detailed directions about that?

Thanks for all the help I had no idea about any of these resorts, I've only skied in CO, UT and WA before. 
Aug 17 2009 2:52PM
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rocktheLPs
Posts: 2095 - Karma: 14
wa wa has a sick park. and is like an hour and 15 from boston. expect to see at least a million people on the weekends. 30 minute lift lines. gapers eveeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyyyywhere

jay has epic powder but is like 5 hours from boston.

check out sunapee for a quick(ish) ride and some decent park and good cruising.

as for other mass resorts, dont bother. theyre hills.

mount snow is kinda close.

waterville loon and cranmore are all near each other, and make for a sick weekend. north conway is super fun, and cran more has night skiing. not to mention watervilles rad park, and some gnarly dub blacks.

good luck.




Aug 17 2009 3:01PM
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Von
Posts: 4869 - Karma: 21
Okay here are the three options I can up with.

Sunday River/Loon College pass for $329

Mt. Snow/ Attitash College pass $289

Waterville, Cranmore, Cannon Mt College pass $289

They're all about 2 and a half hours from Boston except Sunday River is 3 and a half.

Not some bad deals what would you guys vote for 1. 2. or 3.
Aug 17 2009 4:09PM
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grown-ninja
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 175
1 or 2 hands down forget about 3
Aug 17 2009 4:28PM
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207
Posts: 8969 - Karma: 3,846
1 or 3.

Attitash blows.

Although Sunday River is a far trek its a great mountain, plus you could go to Loon a lot which is only like 2 hrs and 15 mins.
Aug 17 2009 4:34PM
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Von
Posts: 4869 - Karma: 21
Bump I love a ton of input

Aug 17 2009 6:13PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
I'd say the Waterville/Cranmore/Cannon option simply because you get good park in Waterville and some good terrain with Cannon.

Only downside is much lower annual snowfall totals in NH than in VT from resorts from Killington northwards.
Aug 17 2009 6:16PM
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TheHamburglar
Posts: 3895 - Karma: 3,314
for great parks, its a couple hours from boston but

mount snoooooooooooow
Aug 17 2009 6:16PM
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eastAR5
Posts: 15084 - Karma: 730
ski the streets... mecca of untapped rails to be done


my list is long...
Aug 17 2009 6:31PM
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Von
Posts: 4869 - Karma: 21
Dude I would love to hit all sorts of rails though I have no crew to go with I guess I could solo them. But yeah if you wanted to show me around.....
Aug 17 2009 6:45PM
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Melvs
Posts: 15174 - Karma: 480
I know a lot of people just shot up 93 straight to loon, waterville, or canon from teh city.  canon is a little far for most red platers though.
Aug 17 2009 7:04PM
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M+M
Posts: 7935 - Karma: 25
LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN LOON MOUNTAIN
Aug 17 2009 7:05PM
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Von
Posts: 4869 - Karma: 21
Bump, any one else

It's starting to look like loon
Aug 17 2009 8:48PM
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Eastcoastr
Posts: 296 - Karma: 51
Loons the shit all around dope mountain and not ridiculously far. And if ur looking for urban look no farther than lowell, MA its where jesus would ski urban. Untapped rails everywhere. Also Newburyport.
Aug 17 2009 9:09PM
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VERN
Posts: 215 - Karma: 171
The only east coast mountain worth going to is MOUNTSNOW.... but if ur in Boston u should hit up Nigchusetts.. i would go there everyweekday and mount snow on the weekend
Aug 17 2009 9:11PM
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bperron1
Posts: 190 - Karma: 942

Mt sunapee...boston's home mountain?

Aug 17 2009 9:37PM
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captainEMERICA
Posts: 1386 - Karma: 122
mine to they are EVERYWHERE
Aug 18 2009 12:26AM
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Von
Posts: 4869 - Karma: 21
Bump  I've moved now, I live in Waltham and have know no one. Who wants to be friends/show me good urbans when winter comes?
Sep 6 2009 3:31PM
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meggers
Posts: 2094 - Karma: 70
loons website has been weird lately i think they are doing work to it...but then that would involve boyne paying someone to work in the summer...so who knows! but loon college pass is 329 i think...it is good at loon, sunday river, and sugarloaf. loon has sicks parks. so does sunday river. sunday river is the biggest place ive been on the east...but i mostly ski loon so yea. never been to sugarloaf. i drive to loon every weekend. last year i got a college pass for blue hills becuase it was 99 and i live 15 min from there so i could go a few nights a week after work. dont go there if you dont have to. wachusett isnt too bad for what it is. dont know if they have a college pass, and nasobas park isnt too bad for mass. jay peak is the best for pow. also watervilles park is ok, and they have a lift that is just for the park.
Sep 6 2009 3:45PM
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