Named one of the "Top 10 Ski Resorts for Families" by Parents magazine and listed in the "Top 10 in North America for Family Programs, Grooming and Scenery" by Ski magazine, the Spanish Renaissance hotel was built by 250 master craftsmen over two years. Opened in 1902, the White Mountains resort is also a National Historic Landmark. Located two and a half hours from Boston, the picturesque mountain of Bretton Woods offers wide, easy runs suitable for both beginner to advanced skiers. Young children can learn to ski on the novice trails, while older children can enjoy the more challenging slopes. Adjacent to the ski area, the 100-year-old hotel features Old World furnishings, 200 upscale guest rooms and suites as well as several fine dining and casual restaurants, a luxury spa and an indoor heated pool. Children's programs are available throughout the year, and during school vacations, the resort offers Family Fun Weeks with special events, such as apres-ski parties. The Kid's Kamp, for children 5-12, offers movies, cooking classes and crafts, while the Hobbit Ski and Snowboard School provides instruction for children 4-12. For children 3-5, the Babes in the Woods play and ski program offers semiprivate instruction and nursery care. In addition to skiing, families can enjoy ice skating, snow tubing or horse-drawn sleigh riding. The property also features an 18-hole Donald Ross-designed golf course, fishing, hiking and horseback riding.
Omni Mount Washington Resort
310 Mt. Washington Hotel Rd.
Bretton Woods, NH 03575
603-278-1000
omnihotels.com
Owned and operated by the Hoyt family for more than five generations, the East Madison ski resort offers affordable prices and a gradual terrain. The children's ski programs offer instruction in a safe environment with experienced instructors. The ski and snowboard school offers daily lessons, as well as season-long ski school programs.The family-friendly lodging features home-style meals, children's camps, family programs and a variety of accommodations, including King Pine Lodge, the Inn, the Mill, cottages and condos. With 10 guest rooms situated on the second and third floors, the turn- of-the-century Inn is directly across from Purity Lake. The Inn includes a game room, a large screened-in porch, the resort's main dining area, as well as the Cellar Door Pub, open seasonally. The King Pine Lodge overlooks the ski area and offers 17 guest rooms with ground-level entrances, full baths and access to three common rooms equipped with television and a fireplace. In addition to skiing, kids 12 and under can enjoy an array of winter activities in the resort's kids program, while infants and children up to 6 are welcome in the nursery. Additional recreational amenities include snow tubing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, horse-drawn sleigh rides as well as an indoor pool and fitness center.
King Pine & Purity Spring Resort
1251 Eaton Road, Route 153
East Madison, NH 03849
603-367-8896
kingpine.com
Since 1866, the 8,000-acre resort has been welcoming guests to the Lake Gloriette area. The picturesque resort is listed as a historic hotel by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The property offers a range of accommodations from cozy traditional guest rooms to spacious romantic suites. Each room includes period furnishings, wrought iron elements and ruffled sheer curtains. Deluxe rooms, family suites and parlor suites provide larger accommodations and may feature multiple or adjoining rooms as well as luxury amenities such as Jacuzzi tubs and modern entertainment centers. Pets are welcome for a non-refundable fee and 17 pet-friendly rooms are available in a building adjacent to the main hotel. The accommodations have food and water dishes, a place mat and dog bed. Doggie treats and a pooper-scooper with disposable gloves and bags are also provided. During the winter, the resort's Wilderness Ski Area features an alpine ski area with a lodge, 16 trails with a range of difficulty, five gladed areas and a separate ski-play area for children. Certified instructors are available for private lessons and group classes in alpine skiing or snowboarding. For children too young for the slopes, baby-sitting services can be arranged. Additional winter activities include ice skating and snowshoeing, with complementary use of skates or snowshoes for registered guests. During the summer, a large lakefront heated pool is staffed with lifeguards and a poolside cabana bar is open. An extensive network of trails is suitable for hiking and mountain biking, while the lake is available for canoeing, kayaking and fly-fishing. The resort also offers golf, tennis and children's camps and fine dining with a large wraparound porch.
The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel
1000 Cold Spring Rd.
Dixville Notch, NH 03576
800-255-0600
thebalsams.com
