- Details
- Written by: Jim Walker
- Last Updated: 20 Aug 2012
Waterville Valley is a year-round resort community located in the heart of the White Mountain National Forest. In winter, Valley life is centred on the ski slopes of Mt. Tecumseh and Waterville Valley's vibrant ski resort two miles away as well as the cross-country skiing in the national forest.
The ski resort itself is centred on the Town Square at the centre of the Waterville Valley Village. Overlooking Corcoran's Pond and surrounded by some of New Hampshire's most beautiful mountains, Town Square is designed to have all amenities within a few steps of car parks or accommodation.
A regular shuttle bus links it to the ski slopes. First settled in the 1760's, Waterville Valley has long been a popular New Hampshire resort area.
Incorporated in 1829 as Waterville, it was a thriving town, but lost population over the years and then lost land when the White Mountain National Forest was established. However the area has been in renaissance for decades now thanks to its year round resort status and its convenient location as the first major ski area on the drive north from the metropolitan areas of Boston and the south.
The ski area was founded by successful 1950s and '60s US Olympic ski racer Tom Corcoran and built its early reputation as a race hill and world cup venue before maturing in to a resort which comprehensively caters for all ability levels.
It is recommended to have a rental car on a ski holiday in New Hampshire. A range of hotels, condos and inns is found in the town of Waterville Valley (from which the ski resort of the same name is also served by a shuttle bus at weekends), and many skiers choose to stay in the nearby town of Lincoln, around 30 minutes away, giving them easy access to Loon and Cannon mountains as well.
Founded by US Olympic skier Tom Corcoran, in the heart of the white mountain National Forest. Charming walking and ski-in full-service base village with excellent off-slope facilities.
Mountain
Waterville Valley has a healthy vertical and good uplift facilities serving more than 50 trails. It has terrain for all ability levels, although famous for its black diamond runs which, unlike many given that grade by other East Coast resorts, truly deserve their rating. Race events take place throughout the winter. Intermediate cruising terrain runs from top to bottom and converges at a central point at the base of the slopes making staying together easier for groups and families of mixed ability levels. Twin quad chairs lift skiers from the base area, one going almost to the summit, the other serving easier lower terrain. Waterville Valley's 'Exhiition Park' contains bumps, a superpipe and glade(tree)skiing is graded so that skiers and boarders can progress from easier to more difficult terrain by following the signage. The cross country centre at Waterville Valley is one of the most highly rated in the country. Trails are wider than the norm which means they can be groomed for both skate and classic terrain. There's varied terrain offering a wide range of challenges from beginner to expert, with breath-taking views of the surrounding White Mountain National Forest.
Families
Waterville Valley's full-service Child Care facility is conveniently located on the bottom floor of the base lodge and is designed for children aged from six months to four years. There's a self-contained area for infants and plenty of toys, games and other activities for toddlers and older children. If weather permits, outdoor activities and playtime are optional. Mogul Mites gives three-year olds their first gentle introduction to skiing, and four to six year olds can join Explorers for ski lessons. Scouts offers ski or snowboard lessons from seven to twelve years. Lodging, eateries and off slope activities all make Waterville Valley a good choice for a full on family vacation. Even the valet parking may be a great help to parents with young children who have the dollars for it. Although not of practical use to most visitors, Waterville Valley Academy, located near the base of Mt. Tecumseh is a college preparatory boarding school for scholar athletes in US grades 6 -12 who are dedicated to pursuing high level performance in alpine racing, freestyle and freeride skiing and snowboarding.
Eating Out
There's a good choice of eateries at the slopes and plenty more choice at the resort Village and then in the surrounding towns and villages. Through the day the Base Lodge Alpine Grill serves everything from paninis and pizza to a bowl of spicy homemade chili between 7am and 4pm and has a heated deck serving barbecue food to 5pm. The rustic Schwendi Hutte at 4000 feet provides fresh soups and fondues, serves Starbucks coffees and gourmet hot cocoas. The Sunnyside Timber Lodge, located at the base of the Sunnyside triple, serves turkey chili, soups, burgers, fries, deli sandwiches, pizza and more. The first floor deli features signature sandwiches like the Snowmakuhs' special, a hot pastrami on pump. And when the weather permits, we'll be grilling out on the deck. The Timber Lodge is close to the top of Valley Run. Hours are 9am to 3pm . The T-Bars Restaurant is a piece of Waterville Valley's history with a warm, full-service restaurant full of memorabilia. Open daily at 11am it serves up a varied menu of appetizers, sandwiches, salads and specials. In the Town Square, Diamond's Edge North overlooking Corcoran's Pond has a lounge and extensive children's menu also available, along with creative nightly specials. Latitudes Café, located in the lower level of Town Square serves Regional American Cuisine from steaks, lamb, and seafood to pastas and salads. Patio dining is available by the Snow's Brook Waterfall. Olde Waterville Pizza Company is also on the Lower Level and serves fresh baked pizza, subs and burgers. For Mexican visit the Flying Burrito Brothers The Waterville Valley Coffee Emporium offers a complete breakfast, the finest gourmet coffees and teas and homemade pastries and desserts.
Apres
After 2pm T-bars, Located above Top Dog Rentals, is the hub of apres ski where the locals go when the lifts close down. There's live entertainment at weekends, an apres ski menu and regular fun promo nights. Guests are invited to become "mixologists" and create their own bloody mary. Choose from new, infused or well known vodkas to start the drink then take a trip to the bloody buffet. Here you'll find an array of ingredients, from Kapp's Bloody Mary Mix, assorted juices to shrimp, and everything else needed to create your perfect bloody mary. Brews are also served at the Buckets Bar and the Schwendi Hutte at the top of the mountain serves a selection of beers. Later on in the Town Square Diamond's Edge North has a good bar and Legends 1291 Night Club is the place to be into the late evening if dancing, action and a lively good time are on your agenda.
Boarding
Along with racing and cross country skiing, Waterville Valley has a strong reputation for its boarding and regularly makes the top 10 in national and regional user polls. The resort's main Park has a great range of features including pipe, boardercross and multiple hits that include more than 20 rails and 10 boxes. The design is changed every couple of weeks, in order to keep things fresh. Waterville's superpipe (which was the first in New Hampshire) has 16 foot walls and is 400 feet long with smooth trannys and walls. Riders and freeskiers can also head to Little Slammer Park on Lower Periphery, across from the bottom of Lower Utter and World Cup trails. This contains scaled down elements for younger kids and those just starting out learning tricks.
