- Details
- Written by: Jim Walker
- Last Updated: 20 Aug 2012
Attitash is a go ahead resort that has spent big and doubled in size in recent years, thanks to the attitude and investment of The American Skiing Company, owners of half a dozen ski areas in New England, plus Steamboat in Colorado and The Canyons in Utah. Although this remains primarily a ski centre with little or no resort of its own to talk of beyond the base lodges and the impressive Grand Summit slopeside hotel; Attitash is located within the busy Mount Washington Valley which has a great range of independent shops, bars and restaurants as well as other ski areas, so it's a good base for a varied US holiday with a wide choice of on and off slope activities. Attitash means blueberry in Abenaki Indian. The resort holds a world record for the world's larges on-snow human flag. 314 participants wearing red, white and blue ponchos gathered to form the famous Stars and Stripes at Attitash in December 2001.
Go ahead resort incorporating arguably the world's most advanced lift ticketing system and the excellent Perfect Turn tuition method - giving tuition virtually on demand and at whatever time or number of lessons suits you - to your required skiing level.
Mountain
Attitash's slopes are spread across two north facing slopes with almost 100 per cent snow making and all within thickly forested slopes. The mixed terrain has runs for all abilities, the toughest arguably the Avenger double black diamond run that runs for a mile beneath chair 8 and Bear Peak. For something longer and usually smoother take Wandering Skis instead a blue that also departs from the top of Chair 8. Attitash's ski school teaches with the Perfect Turn tuition method - giving tuition virtually on demand and at whatever time or number of lessons suits you - to your required skiing level from beginner to expert, so it's a great place to take a lesson without any hassles. Attitash is also a big destination for boarders, with two terrain parks and New Hampshire's longest superpipe. The closest thing to off piste here is tree or glade skiing. Head to the Bear Peak sector for 30 acres of diverse terrain in seven different glades. Attitash has also played a pivotal role in the development of freestyle skiing. The resort hosted the Ski Master's Competition in 1966. It was the first competitive ski event to recognize and reward style and grace over speed and stamina.
Families
There's a crèche for children aged 6 months to 6 years. Child care for those who aren't quite ready to head out onto the mountain, operating hours are half hour before the lifts open until 1600 hrs. Tiny Turns for 3 to 5 year olds is a fun-filled one hour introduction to skiing. Buddy Bear's Kids for 4 to 6 year olds is full day care including all day supervision, lunch and two on-snow lessons. There is also a half-day programme available, which does not include lunch and features one lesson. Adventure Kids and Lowriders for 7 to 12 year olds. For slightly older children of all abilities providing either an introduction to the mountain or advanced mogul skiing and half-pipe riding for both skiers and snowboarders.
Eating Out
The Mount Washington Valley where Attitash is located has a rich variety of eateries covering everything from McDonalds to gourmet and cuisine from around the world. On the slopes Attitash offers everything from food courts featuring hamburgers, salads, deli style sandwiches and gourmet pastas to full-service pub-style dining at Ptarmigans Pub (Attitash base lodge, third level) and The Den (Bear Peak base lodge). Dining is also available at Crawford's Pub and Grill (ski in and refuel for lunch) and the Cave Mountain Café, both at the Grand Summit Hotel located slopeside at Bear Peak.
Apres
Ptarmigan's Pub in the base lodge or Crawford's in the Grand Summit Hotel are the two main slopeside choices for a bit of post-snow cheer immediately after the lifts close. After that head out in to the surrounding Mount Washington Valley for hundreds (literally) of places to spend an evening. Most will want to visit North Conway seven miles (11km) distant which has over 200 Factory outlet shops - a good place to stock up on your Timberlands.
Boarding
Attitash is a cool destination for boarders with hits scattered all over the mountain and an in-ground pipe. The resort purchased a new 17 Halfpipe Grinder for the 04-05 season enabling it to shape the Longest Superpipe in New Hampshire, a 500 foot monster of a pipe located on Lower Ptarmigan at Attitash. The resort's terrain park is rated as one of the biggest and best in the Mount Washington Valley. The Terrrain Park on Thad's Choice is over 1700' of ramps, table tops, huge air hits and jibs. There are 10 rails including flat rails, trapeziod, kink down, flat down flat, boxes and more.
