Here's the scenario: GF and I are looking to get away for the weekend. 2-3 nights stay somewhere. 1-2 hrs away from Boston.

Problem. We have never been skiing before. I don't know one mountain from the other or which areas are better than others. I am looking for suggestions on which area will suite us best I.E ski equipment rentals, ski lessons, nice and roomy lodging.

P.S I don't have access to any 4wd vehicle to make it to a location, is this a problem?

Thanks for any help.

 

I'm sure BoltonBlue will weigh in, as he's a hard core skier. One of my personal favorites is Okemo Mtn. in Ludlow, VT. Nice town, very nice mountain with a wide variety of trails from beginner to advanced, great restaurants nearby, etc.

Good luck!

 

just went to LOON mountain in NH and had a great time!!

they have like 50 something trails ($65 lift ticket and $25 for rentals)and the hotel we stayed in was awesome... and like bruce said there is tons of stuff to do...

just do a little search for skiing in NH and you can set a whole package deal up with a hotel, dinner, shuttles to the mountain and lift tickets!

 

ok first of all I'm not that hardcore. I haven't skied in 4 days.

unless we get a storm this weekend, 4wd won't matter as most areas have good access.

this weekend is the end of the school vacation so may be a little more crowded than other weekends.
I'd probably expand my search to up to 3 hrs of drive.

I might lean towards Killington. They have a good long starter slope.
They certainly will have the most options for things to do when your not skiing or otherwise occupied.

I like loon although I'm not sure I'd want to learn there.
Okemo is a fairly family oriented mountain as well.

almost all of the areas have good conditions after last weekends dump.

Sugarbush is nice although lodging etc is a little more limited.

this may sound like heresy but just to learn, Mt Wachusett is actually fairly good for a starter. not much on the romantic weekend side. but a good dollar value and you could do a day trip.

what's most important to you?
the instruction, the weekend with the GF or the cost?

 

Mt. Snow is nice as well. Should be closer for you to get to. They also have a nice little town called Dover.

For me I like Killington all around but since your a first timer than you probably just need a ski and learn package.

Someone mentioned Loon. Loon is a nice little getaway type of town. I used to spend time from Loon and Waterville during my heyday. 2nd would be Sunday River. But both these locations are at least 3 hrs away.

Check out the sites for ski and learn packages, that should help you make a decision.

 

Now that Wachusett has been mentioned (never occured to me) you should check it out. The same family that runs the mountain also run the Wachusett Village Inn and I'm pretty sure they have weekend packages. Not sure if they still do so, but there used to be horse drawn sleigh rides at the Inn. And their restaurant is pretty well regarded.

 

 

Thanks for all the suggestions, I will look into each and decide on one.