Stay Healthy – January is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month
Winter is fun.
Snow is meant for sliding. New Hampshire is blessed with many resorts and trails for skiing and snowboarding. And kicking and gliding, skating and Snowtubing. After all skiing is New Hampshire’s Official State Sport and isn’t it every New Hampshirite’s duty to give it a try!
January is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month in New Hampshire. If you haven’t given snowsports a chance yet it has never been easier and more affordable to learn than right now.
Many of resorts are having special offers for people that have never been skiing or snowboarding before and would like to learn all winter long. But right now the resorts are offering the Ski NH January Learn-to Deal–$39 includes lift pass, lesson and rentals and for cross-country a beginner package for just $19 includes trail pass, lesson and rentals. Each resort has varying requirements for the Ski NH Learn-to Deal so please call or visit the website of the resort of your choice for availability and additional information.
I reviewed many of the Learn-to offers and discovered the most typical restrictions are that Saturdays and holidays are excluded and availability is limited and advanced reservations are required. Here are examples of two good offers:
Cranmore Mountain Resort in North Conway is offering for the month of January, Sunday through Friday non-holiday for ages 13+, 2-hour introductory lesson, beginner lift ticket and rentals for $39. Reservations are required, call Cranmore’s ski school at 603-356-5544 and book your “Get 1 Skiing or Snowboarding” lesson.
Jackson Ski Touring Foundation, Jackson XC, for this month the learn to cross country ski package for only for $19—includes trail pass, rentals and lesson, Sunday through Friday non-holiday. Advanced reservations are required please call Jackson Ski Touring Foundation for reservations and details at 603-383-9355.
After you have made your Learn-to reservation make sure you show up dressed for success. Dress warmly and comfortably. You don’t need fancy ski clothes but it is nice to have a pair of water resistant pants just in case you need to sit in the snow (especially you first time ever snowboarders). Cross-country skiers please dress in layers so you will be able to add or shed a piece of clothing to keep comfortable. Everyone should wear a hat and a smile!
If you have questions about clothing or anything else please ask them when you make your reservations or at the snowsports desk well before your lesson. Everyone wants you to have a very good time. The goal is make you a skier or a snowboarder so you’ll want to come back time and time again.
Now pick up the phone or click on the website of your nearest resort and make a reservation, good luck. Have fun.
Good Deals Are Good Fun
Everyone loves a good deal on a lift ticket. “2 fer 1” or buy one get one free are offered by Cannon Mountain for Two-For-One Tuesdays and Thursdays and by Bretton Woods for 2-4-1 Wednesdays. Cross country trail passes at Great Glen are Two-for-One on Mondays and Thursdays and at Jackson XC its 2-4-1 Wednesdays. And Sunapee offers $41.50 tickets on Wednesdays. Cannon has NH Resident Wednesdays -$25 ticket with a valid New Hampshire ID.
Many of the resorts offer super discounts for buying your lift ticket ahead of time on their websites and the earlier tickets are purchased the deeper the discount.
Pats Peak celebrates “POP” every Saturday night—Pay One Price of $49 for 3 to 10 pm that includes lift ticket, rentals, lesson tips and entertainment.
Military discounts are offered please check at the resort of your choice.
Over in Vermont, New Hampshire residents with proof of residency (legal ID) can be treated as special guests on Tuesday and Wednesday at Pico, $40 and Killington, $59; and Wednesdays at Okemo, $49. On Mondays at Bolton Valley tickets are $25 for everyone.
Heads Up
The UNH Winter Carnival is being held January 18th and 19th at Cannon Mountain and Jackson XC.
The New England Ski Museum in Franconia and in North Conway always has free admission.
Waterville Valley is hosting the New England Nordic Ski Association’s annual Women’s Day January 20th.
Have fun.
Amy Patenaude is an avid skier/outdoor enthusiast from Henniker, N.H. Readers are welcome to send comments or suggestions to her at: amy@weirs.com.
