Survey says, these are the best burgers in New England ski towns

North Conway's Wicked Fresh models after a fast-food restaurant without compromising quality. (Wicked Fresh)

It’s no secret that skiing burns a lot of calories. Which means after a day on the slopes, there’s no shame in replenishing all those lost calories with a burger and a few beers. And while you can find them at almost every ski resort and in every ski town bar, not all burgers are created equal. According to a survey conducted via Facebook of New England skiers, these are a few of the best burger spots around.

— Moat Mountain Brewery and Smokehouse, North Conway, N.H. | Located on the White Mountain Highway, just north of North Conway Village, the Moat is a locals’ favorite for burgers and beer. Moat operates its own brewery, pumping out a great variety of craft beers, as well as a creative selection of beef and vegetarian burgers. And if you can’t tell from the name, Moat also has quite a few barbecue dishes to choose from. www.moatmountain.com

— The Bag and Kettle, Sugarloaf, Maine | Sugarloaf’s location in the Carrabassett Valley — pretty far away from almost everything else in New England — doesn’t give it much of a reputation for being a foodie destination. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find a decent burger after a day of shredding the steeps. Despite being a traditional burger, The Bag and Kettle’s Bag Burger has won a number of awards over the years, proving you don’t need a sandwich piled high with assorted foods to be put on the map. www.thebagandkettle.com

— Black Mountain Burger, Lincoln, N.H. | After a day of running laps through Loon’s terrain parks, you won’t have to go far to satisfy your inevitable desire for a juicy burger. And for those looking for more than a simple slab of beef with cheese, Black Mountain Burger offers a choice of 13 burgers. From a classic burger to the Teriyaki Burger, even the most adventurous will leave satisfied. www.blackmtnburger.com

— Worthy Burger Too, Waitsfield, Vt. | In typical Vermont fashion, Worthy Burger Too (and the original Worthy Burger location in South Royalton) maintains a focus on locally sourced ingredients and sustainability. The burgers are cooked over a hardwood fire, earning them a place above and beyond many other burger joints throughout New England. And for those who happen to be a fan of craft beers, the burger is just the tip of the iceberg. www.worthyvermont.com/worthy-burger-too

— Wicked Fresh, North Conway, N.H. | Wicked Fresh, which focuses solely on burgers, models after a fast-food restaurant without compromising quality. With a combined 45 successful years in the culinary world, Wicked Fresh’s owners, Marc Iannuzzi and Danny Rassi, are no strangers to delivering a quality product. Like Worthy Burger, this eatery also sources its ingredients locally whenever possible. www.wickedfreshburgers.com

— Butcher Burger, Bethel, Maine | The recently opened Butcher Burger, located just minutes from Sunday River, could be a destination in itself — especially with burgers such as the Hawaiian and Chicken and Waffle burgers (a heads up: The chicken and waffle burger is actually made out of chicken, but delicious nonetheless). Burgers are served on small metal baking trays, complementing the laid-back ambiance of the dining area.  www.bethelmaine.com/list/member/butcher-burger-10336

— Doc Ponds, Stowe, Vt. | In addition to an incredible selection of craft beers and daily beer specials, Doc Ponds does local burgers right. Although it doesn’t have various modern takes on the burger like some of the other restaurants on this list, Doc Ponds does the traditional burger (with Vermont cheddar, of course) up right. www.docponds.com

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