Bretton Woods | Ski Trail Favorites

It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it. For the latest issue of SkiNH Magazine, I got to ski all of New Hampshire’s biggest mountains in search of my favorite trails. Some people might consider this type of “work” to fall under the category of “fun,” and I’d agree with them. First on my list of visits are the Bretton Woods ski trails, located on Route 302 in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, just 2 and a half hours from Boston.

Despite more than four decades of operation, Bretton Woods is still the youngest ski area in the Granite State. The growth spurt started in 1999 with the West Mountain expansion, which increased the amount of advanced terrain. In 2003, Mount Rosebrook opened, adding more acreage and tree skiing. Now, with the addition of Mount Stickney, Bretton Woods is the biggest ski resort in New Hampshire, with 464 skiable acres and more than 100 trails. Here’s a (ski) run-down of a few of my favorite Bretton Woods ski trails:

BRETTON WOODS SKI TRAILS | BLACK DIAMOND

BEST SUGAR HIGH-TREE SKIING

The 2013–14 season brought lift access via the Telegraph T-Bar (yes, a T-bar!) to Mount Stickney Glades, which was previously accessed by earning your turns—hiking rather than riding a lift to access trails. Warm up with a hot cocoa by the indoor wood-stove in the solar-powered Mount Stickney Cabin, or refuel with a snack on the sundeck. Or tap your inner kid and roast marshmallows at the outdoor stone fireplace. Before your sugar high wears off, ski Number 5 on Stickney. You’ll need the boost to tackle the steep, tight tree run.

BEST TRAIL TO BE ENCHANTED

For mellow tree skiing, head to Enchanted Bear in the Rosebrook Canyon Glades area. To get there, take the Rosebrook Express Quad to the summit, a perfect photo opportunity with expansive views of the valley, the venerable Omni Mount Washington Hotel, and—on a clear day—the Observatory atop Mount Washington. From Rosebrook’s summit, take Panorama to Two Miles Home, both blue squares, then finally to the glades trail Enchanted Bear. It has a gentle pitch and small bumps, with lots of wide-open spaces between shimmering birch trees. From Enchanted Bear, the trail continues through Minahan’s Ridge, which funnels into Deception Bowl.

BRETTON WOODS SKI TRAILS | BLUE SQUARE

THE SWEETEST CRUISER

According to “Guinness World Records,” a fairly reputable source, Chutters in nearby Littleton has the world’s longest candy counter. Straight out of sugar-induced dream, there’s a Chutters store located at the top of Zephyr High Speed Quad that’s open on weekends and during school vacation weeks. Those who are lucky enough to ski or ride with their grandmothers, know there’s nothing sweeter than a stop at the candy shop and a cruise down blue square Granny’s Grit where those who are young and young at heart can both enjoy the rolling and twisty terrain.

For more information about Bretton Woods or any other Ski NH resorts, visit: SkiNH.com.

This post was first published in 2014 and has been updated. 

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