Where the Big Dogs Play

New Hampshire has many ski areas - only a few can claim to be . . .

By James Devine

New Hampshire has so many great ski areas that it’s a bit unfair to set any aside as the place where the Big Dogs Play, among them. Gunstock, for example has one of the best ski teams in the state; Crotched Mountain is making a name for itself among shredders (snow boarders); Black Mountain and Cranmore were hosting races and training skiers long before the region along the Pemigewasset River Valley became a Mecca for skiers.

That said, there is something about the region that earlier generations of skiers knew as the Ski 93 Corridor. The mountains loom larger; the weather is sometimes more severe and between vertical drop, the challenge and sheer acreage of the experts terrain and the frequency of national and international competitions, Waterville Valley, Loon and Cannon are considered the places where the Big Dogs of skiing and boarding, do indeed, play. 

Located in the southern portion of the White Mountains, the region also offers an abundance of opportunity for non-skiers, ski widows, ski widowers and those who value the après ski moments as much as flying down a field of moguls.

From Littleton in the north - where the main street is a quaint and arts-oriented stroll; to the Meredith/Bristol nexus in the south that beckons to the big dogs at the close of the ski day for dining and socializing.

[Cannon] [Loon] [Waterville Valley]

Cannon Mountain

Where the Big Dogs Play

By James Devine

[Introduction] [Cannon] [Loon] [Waterville Valley]

Cannon Mountain

It should come as little surprise that the only state-run ski area among the big dogs is the one with the lowest annual capital investment creating value for skiers and boarders, but for the hard core Big Dogs, well it just doesn’t seem to matter because Cannon has its own unique appeal that makes it one of a kind despite the budgetary shortcomings.

Cannon Tram in the Clouds

To begin with, the Tramway is just plain awesome and worth the trip in and of itself.  A Tram ride to the summit of Cannon introduces a passenger to the winter wonderland of Rime Ice covered trees. Rime ice is a white ice that forms when the water droplets in fog freeze to the outer surfaces of objects. It is often seen on trees atop the highest mountains in winter, when low-hanging clouds cause freezing fog. This fog freezes to the windward (wind-facing) side of tree branches, buildings, or any other solid objects. Now and then you’ll find this winter wonderland on other NH Ski summits but Cannon has it virtually all of the time in winter and the effect is truly stunning.

As for the skiing and boarding, when the snow is good, Cannon just can’t be beat. When the snow is not, well we suggest spending your ticket money elsewhere because the trails can get pretty icy and grooming at Cannon doesn’t come close to the quality of a Bretton Woods or Loon and Waterville - all of which are close by an offer an alternative to a skier staying at any of the great inns or hotels and motels in the area.

Cannon Cliffs in the Clouds

Cannon Mountain Autumn Mindscape

Cannon Mountain Tram Poster

Loon Mountain Recreation Area

Loon Mountain

Where the Big Dogs Play

By James Devine

[Introduction] [Cannon] [Loon] [Waterville Valley]

Relatively speaking Loon Mountain is the “new kid on the block” but that new kid is way cool and you just know he’s into some rad stuff just  by the way he carries himself.

Borne of the dreams of Sherman Adams, former NH Governor and consumate outdoorsman and skier. On the day of Adams memorial service, after his death in 1986, a lone bagpipe player stood atop a massive boulder halfway up the side of Loon Mountain and played a version of Amazing Grace that echoed down the valley and sent chills up the spine of anyone there to pay tribute to this giant of a man.

Small wonder that Loon would not only become the regular venue for the annual Gathering of the Clans Highland Games in NH but in the winter one of NH’s most popular resorts.

Adams would be proud of the position Loon has attained since his time.

Skiers and riders can explore over 22 acres of glade runs, burn it up on the bumps or rip down the steeps. Boarder will attest to the fact that loon has some of the best Terrain parks in the east including a Superpipe and the Burton Progression Terrain Park. 

Loon hosts the finals for the northeast circuit of the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge on the last Saturday of March or first Saturday of April each ski season.

Like Waterville, which has the same corporate ownership, Loon is among the top mountains in annual 

capital expenditures to create value for skiers and boarders. During the past few years they have added a mid-mountain lodge, pumped up lift speed and overall per hour capacity and done trail work. The much-anticipated South Peak development will add even more great terrain and two high speed quad lifts to what is already one of the state’s premier mountains.

 

Don’t Miss these Great Places in the Loon Area

Alpine Adventures
Alpine Adventures Zipline Treetop Adventure. That’s right the Zipline adventure operates right through the winter. Imagine how cool it would be to zip down through the canopy right after a winter snowstorm. If gravity power isn’t your thing, Alpine Adventures rents snowmobiles as well and has an all terrain mountain tour.  Reservations are suggested:  For reservations contact Alpine AdventuresMain Street, Lincoln, NH • (888)745-1919 or visit  their website at: www.alpinesnowmobiling.com.

The Woodstock Inn, Station and Brewery
Main Street, N. Woodstock
Wander in an try any one of their regionally renowned micro-brews or sit a spell and enjoy dinner in their Clement Room or the more casual Station. The Woodstock Inn is a great place to stay or dine.

Woodwards Resort  &  Open Hearth Steakhouse
Rte 3 Lincoln
Jeff Woodward presides over a business that has been in the family for more than 5 decades. With lngevity like that you know that service is their hallmark. (603) 745-8141 • woodwardsresort.com

Fratello’s Restaurant
Great Italian and continental Cuisine in an awesome old converted mill building at the Millfront Marketplace.  
(603) 745-2022 • www.fratellos.com

Innisfree Bookstore
Innisfree is an independent bookstore that will give you hours of pleasure browsing, talking books and enjoying yourself. 

The Dreaming Pig - Antiques and other Items of Interest. A great little shop packed to the ceilings with antiques and other cool stuff! (603) 745-6900 • www.thedreamingpig.com

LilyAnnes
A charming boutique located in the Millfront Marketplace. (603) 745-9029

The Inside Look
Decorating your home, second home or condo? The good folks at “The Inside Look” know their stuff! (603) 726-3278

Real Estate in the Loon Area: The Loon Mountain area is one of the hottest real estate markets in NH. Even when things are quiet elsewhere, they are popping in the Loon area.

Forest Ridge At Loon: If you’ve received one of those flyers from folks promoting lots on South Peak costing hundreds of thousands, step across the street and own your own luxury home or condominium for less than you’ll pay for the land over there. The friendly folks at Forest Ridge wouldn’t tell you this themselves, but it’s our job to steer you right. (603) 745-6237, www.forestridgenh.com

Loon Mountain Real Estate Company: Their name says it all, but Loon Mountain Real Estates doesn’t just offer great homes on the mountain. They service the entire region. For over 30 years Loon Mountain Real Estate has provided sellers and buyers  peace of mind with every real estate transaction.  These folks are passionate about real estate and we love passion! 603-745-8112 • www.loonrealestate.com

Inn Seasons Resorts: Timeshare gives you the opportunity to own a vacation property for only the time you’ll actually use it.  The folks at InnSeasons have been doing timeshare for a long time and longevity and credibility matters a lot in this business if you are thinking of timeshare. 800-571-5000 • www.innseasonresorts.com

Loon Valley Real Estate: Loon Valley Real Estate owner Greg Nash has been in the business for more years than he cares to recount but for a buyer that means institutional memory that you can’t put a dollar figure on.  (603) 745-6900 • www.loonvalley.com

Loon Reservation Service: (603) 745-5666 • www.loonres.com

Nordic Inn Condominium Resort: (866) 734-2164 • www.NordicInn.com

Discounted Condominium Rentals: At the Nordic Inn Resort 888-883-2305 • www.discountedcondominiumrentals.com