December 30, 2009 E-MAIL PRINT

Bretton Woods keeps everyone happy

by Tony Chamberlain/

A typically inviting Bretton Woods cruiser against the backdrop of Mt. Washington.

A typically inviting Bretton Woods cruiser against the backdrop of Mt. Washington.

I’m lucky to be with a fairly large and diverse group of family and friends who all agreed to take a shot at some ski time this vacation. Since I was put in charge of the arrangements last August, I first thought of the combinations of people. This was us:

► Aging hotshot. Guy approaching 40 who once ski raced in his small college and then raced in various beer-can leagues and corporate team challenges. Was serious enough to own a Lycra speed suit that’s just a little snugger fit these days.

► Hot shot’s wife. Was a serious ballet dancer in her younger years, but has skied only twice. Has kept herself rather fit, but still a bit averse to cold weather and skeptical about learning how to slide on snow.

► Their two sons, 3 and 6. The only direction is down. The only speed is fast. Lemme go!

► A 66-year-old woman who has skied a lifetime but has bad knees from also running for a lifetime.

► Her husband, who thinks he still might be in his 30s, even when his body tells him otherwise.

► Four friends of various ability and interest levels, all have “done some skiing” or boarding in the past but have not been to the mountains since, oh, the Clinton administration.

So, with this random assortment, the thinking is to find an area that is non-intimidating on one hand but has enough of the cool stuff to be interesting and fun for the veterans.

For example, even if you know how much good green terrain and good instruction there is at Sugarloaf, when the neophytes in your car get their first look at the mountain from the “Oh my gosh!” corner on Route 16, they’ve been dealt a serious confidence blow.

I considered Stowe, Smugglers', Loon, Cranmore, Sunday River and Shawnee. There were good points in each. But in the end, we chose Bretton Woods. This area, it seemed to me, combined the greatest variety of terrain for most but the very top hot shots, moderate ticket prices (mid-$60s for multiday holiday packages), fairly easy to reach, and beautiful surroundings for the après ski hours.

We had a five-bedroom house with a spacious loft and big, easy-to-use kitchen dining area. As much fun as it is to eat out at the Mount Washington, a gang spaghetti feed at home with everyone pitching in also is a blast.

But most importantly, Bretton Woods has something for everyone. Our near-beginners went off for small group lessons, only to return with confidence that they could progress to have some fun.

While mom was at her lesson, dad and the grand 'rents delighted in getting the boys into some solid skiing appropriate to their combination of enthusiasm and inexperience.

Meanwhile, cruisers can sizzle on combos such as Zealand to Bode’s Run, Perimeter and Water Tank on the Rosebrook side. Or, on the West Mountain side, runs such as Waumback and Granny’s Grit let you air it out a bit. The area also has many shortish glade runs that are challenging and fun.

As I say, Bretton Woods still is on the mellow side, but there’s something for everyone.

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