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New Improvements at Northeast Family Ski Areas

By Jeff and Stephanie Sylva

Looking for the latest developments at Northeast family ski areas? The Family Travel Network has you covered. Here's the inside scoop on new family skiing improvements so you can pick the best spot for your winter family vacation.

As in the past couple of ski seasons, ski resorts in the Northeast have focused on improvements in their snowmaking and grooming equipment this year. Ski areas in the Northeast know they can't always rely on an abundance of natural snow like this past season in order to offer top notch ski conditions, so most ski areas are constantly trying to stay ahead of Mother Nature.

Another theme to this season's improvements is having alternative experiences for those who are looking for something other than skiing and riding. With the aging of the baby boomer generation, this is a hot trend nationwide. We are seeing a number of ski areas introducing mountain coasters and canopy tours, and even an indoor skating rink. These additions allow non-skiers and those who don't want to ski non-stop to enjoy the winter scene at these destinations.

New Hampshire

Attitash – Bartlett, NH: Over the summer, Attitash added a new Mountain Coaster to the resort. The ride carries guests up the mountain over 1,400 feet on twin stainless steel rails. Once at the top, riders descend over 2,800 feet of track through dips, banked turns and straight-aways at rider-controlled speeds of up to 25 mph. The Mountain Coaster is open year-round for guests, which means even non-skiers can enjoy the mountain in winter months. For more on Attitash Mountain, visit www.attitash.com.

Cranmore – North Conway, NH: Cranmore is relocating and expanding its tubing park from seven to ten lanes. A new Sun Kid surface lift will make the tubing experience a lot easier for younger ones. Cranmore is also adding to its alternative experience: a year-round Mountain Coaster is being installed that will allow guests to ride up the mountain and then descend at rider-controlled speeds. Cranmore is also improving its family services, with the Arlberg Lodge is being converted into a state-of-the-art children's center. Visit www.cranmore.com for more information about Cranmore.

Vermont

Jay Peak – Jay, Vermont: Jay Peak's Ice Haus skating arena is now open. Featuring a NHL-sized rink with room for 700 spectators, the Ice Haus will offer skating lessons, hockey games and curling tournaments. Beginning skiers and riders will love the new enclosed lift, which will offer protection from the elements and allow new skiers to enjoy their experience with this winter sport. A new Nordic Ski Center, located at the golf club house, will be available this winter. The Taiga Spa & Fitness Center at the recently opened Tram Haus Lodge is available for massage therapy and spa treatments, as well as fitness and yoga classes. For more information, visit www.jaypeakresort.com.

Okemo Mountain – Ludlow, Vermont: Okemo is continuing the theme of alternative mountain experiences with The Okemo Mountain Coaster, a four-season, family attraction that will offer an exhilarating ride through the alpine forests at Okemo's Jackson Gore. Another improvement that will make the learning experience for beginning skiers and riders more pleasant is the new 180-foot magic carpet lift for the Galaxy Bowl Learning Area at Okemo's Clock Tower Base Area. Beginners will no longer have to contend with the Poma lift. For more on Okemo Mountain Resort, visit www.okemo.com.

Smugglers' Notch Resort – Smugglers' Notch, Vermont: Winter guests at Smugglers' Notch Resort will be among the first to enjoy the resort's exciting new canopy tour, located in a scenic valley near the resort village. Participants on the 2.5 to 3-hour tour, the first of its kind in Vermont, will ride more than 4,000 feet of zip line cable, cross suspension bridges, and rappel from trees. Scenic lookout and tree platforms will yield stunning views of the resort, Mount Mansfield and the Green Mountains. This four-season canopy tour will be available to overnight guests, day visitors and groups.

Three new package options will provide flexibility for families considering on-slope instruction and include the amenities and programs for which Smugglers' Notch is known. The base level daily rate for Club Smugglers' is $79 per child (ages 6-17) and $109 per adult. No on slope instruction is included as part of this package. For families interested in children's on-snow instruction, the Classic option includes 1.5-hour group lessons for ages 6-17 and an all-day ski camp for ages 3-5. Pricing starts at $109 per adult per day (same as the base level, since no instruction is offered) and $99 per child per day. The Summit option includes the Classic level of children's instruction, plus 1.5-hour group lessons for adults levels 1-9, 25 percent off the Resort's adult Mountain Experience Camp, and 20 percent off demo equipment. The Summit option starts at $129 per day for adults and $99 per day per youth. Visit www.smugglersnotch.com for more information on Smugglers' Notch.

Stowe Mountain Resort – Stowe, Vermont: In December, Stowe Mountain Resort will unveil a dramatic cultural enhancement for the resort and the community of Stowe. The Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, developed to operate year-round as a major component of Stowe Mountain Resort, is envisioned as a venue for a wide spectrum of events; theater, music, dance, film, comedy, lectures and multimedia presentations. "An eclectic range of events and exhibitions featuring established and emerging artists will inspire, educate and entertain residents, guests and the greater Stowe community," says Walter Frame, President of the Arts Center Foundation. For more on Stowe Mountain Resort visit www.stowe.com.

Sugarbush Resort – Warren, Vermont: Sugarbush is currently undergoing its largest revitalization effort since opening the first phase of the Lincoln Peak Village in December, 2006. Phase 2 of the Lincoln Peak revitalization project consists of a new entrance plaza as well as two new lodges. The 12,500-square foot "Schoolhouse" will house some of Sugarbush's popular children's programs. The resort's winter Micro, Mini and Sugar Bear programs as well as some summer camps will be located in this facility. The other lodge, the "Farmhouse," will provide skier services such as tickets and season passes, guest lockers, adult Ski & Ride, rentals and repairs, public restrooms, and the Sunrise Café.

For the second year Sugarbush will continue its package aimed at keeping the beginner skier or rider excited about the sport. The governor of Vermont declared January as "Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month" in the state and Sugarbush's program builds on that initiative by offering its benefits throughout the ski season. The "First Timer to Life Timer" package is designed to encourage interest in the sport by offering first time skiers and riders that complete the 3-day "First Timer to Life Timer" package a free All Mountain Sugarbush Season Pass for the remainder of the 2010-2011 season (a $1,499 value). Visit www.sugarbush.com for more information.

Maine

Sunday River – Newry, Maine: Like the many other ski resorts that are adding alternative attractions to their mountain experience, Sunday River has added new Zipline Tours, which opened in July, 2010. The attraction has already proved to be a huge success and will remain open during the resort's winter months. Located in the wooded area between South Ridge and Barker Mountain, Sunday River's Zipline Tours consist of six beginner-to-intermediate lines ranging in length from 100-300 feet. In the coming year, the resort will also expand its course with two parallel lines called "racing ziplines" to add a more advanced ride. Guided Zipline Tours take approximately 2.5 hours and are open to 12 people at a time. Reservations are required, (800) 543-2754. More information can be found at www.sundayriver.com.

Sugarloaf – Carrabassett, Maine: In August 2010, Sugarloaf announced its 10-year plan for development which includes some ambitious expansion of its terrain. Sugarloaf's terrain expansion to Burnt Mountain was the centerpiece of the announcement, which will create up to 270 acres of new terrain for the upcoming season and 655 new acres when the entire project is complete. Once finished, this expansion will double Sugarloaf's current skiable acreage and make it the largest ski area east of the Rocky Mountains. Visit www.sugarloaf.com for more information.

New York

Hunter Mountain – Hunter, NY: Hunter is poised to unveil its newest lift this season, the Kaatskill Flyer. This base-to-summit lift is a high speed, detachable six-pack that will greatly enhance skiers' experience. If you haven't visited Hunter Mountain for a couple of years, you will see some major changes to the facilities. The slopeside accommodations are very impressive and the recently added Learning Center was designed with families and beginners in mind. Providing skiers with an easy and quick rental and ski school experience, the Learning Center is perfect for first-time skiers. For more information on Hunter Mountain call 800.486.8376 or visit www.HunterMtn.com.

Hunter Mountain is also ready to complete its canopy tour experience this season, opening the final phase – "Top of the Mountain" – making Zipline New York the longest and highest canopy tour in North America. The zipline adventures will be offered year round. For more on the canopy tours call 518.263.4388 or visit www.ziplinenewyork.com.

Jeff and Stephanie are retired English and Social Studies high school teachers who have been professional travel writers for over 21 years.