Skiing East Coast USA?

[NotWeavingButDarning]

I'm thinking about taking my DC (5 and 8) skiing for the first time in mid Feb 2017. We'd be meeting a friend and for logistical reasons the east coast of the US would be the best are to go.

Has anyone got any recommendations of good resorts/areas to look at? I've no idea where to start, really, I've only skied in Europe before.

[Aftershock15]

With children that age Smugglers Notch in Vermont is fabulous.

[NotWeavingButDarning]

Thank you Aftershock!

Smugglers Notch is literally the only place I have heard of for east coast skiing (a friend recommended it), so thanks for seconding that. I'll have to look into it. Hoping I'll be able to drive there in a day from Boston...

[OlennasWimple]

You can definitely get up to Waterville Valley or to Blue Hills from Boston (you'll need to set off early though). Vermont would be at the outer reaches of what you would want to do in a day.

The ski schools at both places are great, and there are some decent, cheap hotels nearby if you did want to stay and get a full day's skiiing in

[NotWeavingButDarning]

Brilliant, thank you Olennas I'll definitely check them out too. I'm definitely open to all options at this point and could fly into either JFK or Boston just as easily.

Yeah VT does look like a bit of a hike. I'm sure I did it in one day from Boston with my parents when I was a child, but it wasn't much fun, iirc!

[Pallisers]

I wouldn't think twice about driving to Vermont in a day. But I mightn't do it straight off a flight from UK. You could spend a day in Boston with your kids (freedom trail/children's museum/faneuil hall) and then drive up the next day.

If you are planning a day's skiing from Boston (but I don't think you are) then Nashoba Valley or similar is best.

[NotWeavingButDarning]

Thanks Pallisers, I am actually flying up from the Caribbean and my friend is flying in from Europe, hence the east coast decision. I would absolutely be open to staying in or around Boston and skiing from there.

I've just only really heard of Vermont when east coast skiing is mentioned, and not sure where to start looking! I would be happy with anywhere as long as the snow's reliable (DD has never seen snow) and it's friendly to first time skiers...

[Pallisers]

If it is a skiing holiday then I really wouldn't stay in Boston and commute. We've done day ski trips from Boston and a lot of middle/high schools offer skiing after school one day a week in season but those places accessible to Boston won't be a ski holiday experience - more people wanting to ski without going on hols if you know what I mean.

archive.boston.com/travel/explorene/specials/ski/gallery/top_family_ski_resorts/

Have a look at the above.

I think your kids will love US skiing. Also Boston is a brilliant city for kids.

[BathshuaSpooner]

We love skiing Sunday River in Bethel, Maine. Beautiful location. We usually stay at the Bethel Inn.

[NotWeavingButDarning]

Ooh another option, thank you, Bathshua, I hadn't even thought of Maine (I always think lobsters and fishing villages!).

Yes Pallisers, I love Boston, but don't know it well. Only been there once since having DC, before DC2 was born. Iswym about day trip skiing from the city though. Thanks so much for that link. Super helpful.

[OlennasWimple]

Oh, yes, don't base your holiday in Boston if what you really want to do is ski! (I was thinking you were visiting Boston but wanted to go for a day's skiing while you were there) Not least because Boston hotels are $$$$$$$ and the rooms are tiny, whereas out in the ski resorts or nearby they are decent prices and huge.