Ski and Snowboard News, Deals, and Events

Head to New Hampshire for some family fun. 

Waterville Valley loves skiing families and wants you to visit. The improvements start in the terrain parks, which are getting a new line of rails and boxes, along with an upgraded sound system to rock out. As for the family deals, kids ski free weekends in January, based on a lodging package. There are plenty of packages available, including one for families sharing their first time on the snow together. It's called "First Trails."

Another fun lesson option at Waterville is the "Trail Along" Family Private Lesson, where Mom and Dad can take part in their child's learning and snow time. There is also the Parents Viewing Station in Kinderpark, which lets parents watch their littlest in their ski lesson, without interrupting the lesson flow.

Mount Sunapee in Newbury continues with its family focus. The "Families First" program is in its fifth year. Families can take a lesson together.more than one instructor might be assigned if levels are different.  Ski instructor Peter Ettenborough says, "With a family, everyone is comfortable with each other. The parents know their kids are safe and the kids know their parents are right here, so their confidence level is higher."

The Tag-A-Long Lesson is also available where parents can watch their child in a private lesson.

New this year at Sunapee is the Bring the Grandchildren program. Anyone over 60 who pays full price for a full-day lift ticket can bring a grandchild (ages 6-18) for half price. The limitations include one grandchild per grandparent, and it isn't valid during the busy holiday season.

Say goodbye to the handle tow on Sarsparilla at Loon Mountain, and say hello to a more beginner-friendly Magic Carpet lift.

Bretton Woods has the Canopy Tours that families can enjoy year-round. It includes zip lines, suspension bridges and hiking trails. The Kinderwoods Playground has been expanded with a new rope tow, sledding hill, fire pit and new playground equipment. Also, if you're renting, all of the skis and snowboards and gear that goes with it will be new.

You'll find a much bigger snowtubing hill at Great Glen Trails. It has been expanded to three times its original size with a longer run out. Twice as many tubers will be able to stay and play.

Wildcat Mountain is adding some new boxes and rails to its relocated terrain park. The ZipRider zipline will have four cables available for riders who want to fly through the air at up at 40 mph.

For those who race the gates, Dartmouth Skiway has blasted and regraded 200,000 square feet of its FIS competition slalom and GS trails, in order to meet FIS suggested upgrades.

Jackson XC has a new FIS eligible competition course, meaning the area can host more high-level and international competitions. It's something fun for you and the kids to go watch.