Introduction to winter getaways
If you’re looking for a winter getaway that’s not too expensive and still has a lot of amenities, New England is the place to go.
There are plenty of resorts that offer affordable accommodations as well as great skiing and snowboarding opportunities.
Here are some of my favorite inexpensive winter weekend getaways New England:
Loon Mountain
Loon Mountain is the place to go if you’re looking for a family-friendly mountain with plenty of terrain.
Located in Lincoln, NH, and reaching 4,000 feet of elevation at its summit, Loon Mountain has been a favorite winter getaway for generations of skiers and snowboarders.
The resort also has a terrain park with several bowls and jumps that will please any rider looking for fun on the slopes or off them.
And if tubing sounds like your thing? Loon has that, too; the tubing run features multiple runs ranging from beginner to expert difficulty levels so everyone can enjoy themselves regardless of their skill level.
Killington
Killington is the largest ski resort in New England, with a wide variety of terrain and elevations. It’s also home to Nordic skiing, snowboarding, dog sledding, and more!
Killington has a lot of snowmaking equipment that allows for consistent snowfall throughout the winter season.
They have over 1,300 acres of terrain to choose from: 90% of their skiable terrain is covered by artificial snow. In contrast, 10% of natural snowfields like The Gore or Blueberry Hill are only accessible on weekends due to limited parking availability during the weekdays.
The resort has an impressive network of trails covering all levels, including beginner-intermediate beginners through advanced intermediates and family-friendly beginner splitboarder routes you can take up Mount Snapper or just around town for fun runs.
You’ll find plenty here if you’re looking for something different than what other areas have available. This place has something for everyone.
Bretton Woods
Bretton Woods is a small New Hampshire town near Mount Washington and the White Mountains. It’s an outdoor paradise with hiking trails, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing opportunities.
The town itself has a welcoming feel to it. It’s quaint and charming, with great shops (including an art gallery), restaurants, and bars to wander around.
If you’re looking for something more intimate or romantic than downtown might offer, consider staying at one of their many B&Bs or inns instead.
Mad River Glen
Mad River Glen is a ski area in the Green Mountains of Vermont. It is a small ski area with a vertical drop of only 400 feet (120 m).
The resort is open from December to April and has a base elevation of 2,600 feet (792 m).
The mountain boasts 11 trails on its 143 acres that range from beginner to advanced levels. There are also three terrain parks designed for skiers who want to challenge themselves by riding bigger lines or trying tricks off jumps like ollies or flips.
Okemo Mountain resort
Okemo is a family-friendly resort located in Ludlow, Vermont. It has one of the best snowfall rates in the region and offers a variety of terrain for beginners to advanced skiers and snowboarders to enjoy.
The resort also offers lodging options such as townhouses and cabins, as well as dining options at their restaurant or onsite at the Firehouse Restaurant, which offers both New England cuisine and international cuisine, depending on your tastes.
Sugarbush Resort in Vermont
Sugarbush Resort is family-friendly, so you can expect to find plenty of activities for kids and adults alike.
Kids will love the Kid’s Center and the mini golf course, while adults will enjoy the indoor pool and hot tubs. It’s also worth noting that this resort has an adult-only section where guests can relax in their cabins or at one of the many bars onsite.
This winter weekend getaway includes flights from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and Burlington International Airport (BTV).
You’ll spend some time exploring New England before returning to your hotel room for a restful sleep after your flight ends early Sunday morning.
Mount Sunapee in New Hampshire
Mount Sunapee is a family-oriented ski resort located in New Hampshire. The mountain has over 300 acres, including 22 trails and five lifts.
It’s a great place for beginners who want to learn how to ski or snowboard and also offers plenty of family-friendly activities like tubing, snowshoeing, sledding, and more.
The mountain also offers lessons for children ages 7 to 14 who are interested in learning how to snowboard or cross-country ski and adults looking for an affordable way back into the sport after having quit for some time due to injuries sustained while learning at their local hill or club.
Sunday River in Maine
Sunday River is located in the White Mountains of Northern New Hampshire and has the largest vertical drop in New England.
The mountain has a variety of terrain, from groomed trails to natural snowboarding and skiing.
Several lodging options are available at Sunday River, including hotels, condos, cabins, and bunkhouses.
There are plenty of dining options at Sunday River, including restaurants that serve food from around the world.
You can enjoy ice cream cones or burgers while watching your favorite movie on one of the many screens available throughout their lodge grounds (or even watch them play hockey).
If you’re feeling adventurous, try taking a hike up Mount Moosilauke. This mountain provides outstanding views over Lake Solitude reservoir, which sits below its peak at 4100 feet above sea level, making it an ideal spot for people looking for something different from skiing all day long during winter months here in New England.
Lutsen Mountains in Minnesota
If you’re looking for a weekend getaway close to home, Lutsen Mountains in Minnesota are the place.
Located at an elevation of 2,878 feet above sea level and about three hours from Minneapolis, it’s an ideal destination for those who love skiing and snowboarding.
There are plenty of lodging options available in Lutsen Mountains, including The Lodge at Ski Country-Lutsen Mountains (formerly known as Deer Valley Resort), which boasts 105 luxury rooms with fireplace places, balconies, or patios.
In addition to all their great features like free breakfast every morning and free Wi-Fi throughout the property, they also have plenty going on throughout the year, including live music festivals during summertime which include:
- Lake Superior Kite Festival – June 27th – 29th
- Chippewa Lake Ice Fishing Derby – January 20th – 22nd
Schweitzer Mountain Resort in Sandpoint, Idaho.
Schweitzer Mountain Resort is a four-season resort located in Sandpoint, Idaho. The resort has over 1,300 acres of skiable terrain and an average snowfall of 450 inches per year.
It’s known for its ability to produce powdery snow, which you can’t wait to get out on when the weather gets cold enough.
Schweitzer has more than 100 trails on its extensive network of groomed runs, including some steps like Blacksmith Peak (2130′) and Ski Bowl (2500′).
You can also ski or snowboard down a gladed run called Cloud Nine or enjoy cross-country skiing along Huckleberry Creek Trail System that winds through trees down towards Lake Pend Oreille.
Holiday Valley Resort in Ellicottville, New York.
Holiday Valley is a family-friendly ski resort popular with Buffalo, New York skiers. It’s one of the best places to learn to ski or snowboard in New England and offers a range of activities for kids and adults alike.
Holiday Valley has many activities, including skiing, snowboarding, tubing, sledding, and more.
The main attraction at Holiday Valley Resort is its downhill mountain runs, which include beginner and intermediate terrain and black diamond trails for expert skiers/snowboarders.
You can also choose from various lift rides, including the Flying Slope Chairlift (which takes you up 1 mile) or Black Diamond Express Quad Chairlift (which takes you down 3 miles).
Stowe Mountain Resort in Stowe, Vermont.
Stowe Mountain Resort is located in Stowe, Vermont. It’s a great place to ski. There are many activities available in the area, and you can also explore the village of Stowe.
The history of this town dates back to 1762, when it was founded by Paul Revere and William Dawes on land owned by Benjamin Church (an early settler).
There are many places to stay at Stowe, including B&Bs or hotels with restaurants nearby that offer great food at affordable prices.
Snowshoe Mountain Resort in West Virginia.
Snowshoe Mountain Resort is a family-friendly resort located in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia.
The resort boasts an array of terrain, including groomed cross-country trails and snowshoeing trails for beginners to intermediate skiers and snowboarders.
The resort has five hotels with amenities ranging from standard rooms to luxury suites with hot tubs, fireplaces, and balconies or patios.
The hotels are also equipped with restaurants that serve breakfast through dinner daily (with some exceptions). Lodging options include:
The Lodge at Snowshoe Mountain – This hotel features traditional mountain cabins with rustic decor featuring handcrafted furniture made by local artisans; it offers access to the heated indoor pool and an outdoor heated pool overlooking the lakefront property where you can take relaxing dips after your day on the slopes.
Alpine Village – This lodge offers spacious guest rooms with kitchenettes so guests can prepare meals when they’re off-piste exploring nearby hiking trails during their stay here at SML or any other period.
Conclusion
There are many great options for winter weekend getaways in New England, and if you have a few days to spare, we recommend going during the week.
Most of these resorts are open from mid-December through mid-March, prime time for skiing and snowboarding.
Some of our picks are kid-friendly, so it’s never too early or too late for them.
