Just 20 minutes off of Interstate 93, Waterville has a truly quaint and quiet feel not so far off the beaten path. Waterville Valley is located towards the end of the portion of NH-49 that is open during the winter,...
Waterville Valley
Though ski acreage is limited, Waterville Valley features a full offering of resort amenities including a gorgeous mountain village just down the road.
Located at the end of NH-49 in the heart of the White Mountains lies Waterville Valley, a fairly small but full service resort with plenty of character. One of only a handful of Eastern US resorts with a summit elevation topping out over 4000 feet, Waterville has been cultivating a crowd of racers, freestylers, and families since the first trails on Mt. Tecumseh were cut in the 1930s. With plenty of snowmaking and an eye on expansion, Waterville is poised to remain one of New Hampshire’s top resorts for years to come.
Waterville Valley has been a household name in New Hampshire since it’s opening in 1966. The resort claims itself as the “Birthplace of Freestyle Skiing” as original owner Tom Corcoran and friend Doug Pfeiffer led the first National Open Championships of Freestyle Skiing on its slopes in 1970. Much earlier, trails had been cut on Mt. Tecumseh as early as 1930, and today the resort offers 230 acres of terrain serviced by 11 lifts. Most recently, Waterville Valley is also known for Olympic mogul skiing gold medalist Hannah Kearney who grew up on its slopes.
A perfect resort for families, 80% of the terrain at Waterville is rated for beginners or intermediates. Off the mountain, Waterville offers a multitude of amenities, restaurants, and accommodations. While the mountain base itself is not very large, just a short five-minute drive down the road leads visitors to the town of Waterville Valley, including the Town Square area. Here, travelers can find shops, restaurants, bars, many different forms of recreation, and even the chance at seeing live music. Seasonal bus service can transport resort goers to and from the mountain to the center of town, so there is no need for a car at this resort experience.
The “resort at the end of the road,” due to winter road closures, Waterville is easily accessed but offers a quaint experience for those who want a White Mountain getaway. The town does have a small number of year-round residents, but the winter season brings more activity, entertainment, and a multitude of visitors from all over.
Waterville Valley Pros & Cons
+ Simple resort layout is easy to get around and perfect for families
+ Full-service resort provides everything travelers could need for a White Mountain vacation
+ Plenty of beginner and intermediate terrain for novices and those looking to progress their skills
– Lack of challenging terrain may frustrate advanced skiers and riders
– Small acreage may cause skiers and riders to lose interest on a multi-day trip
Read More...
Lodging is aplenty in Waterville’s mountain village, located just a few miles down the road from the slopes near lively Town Square. Though no lodging is available directly slopeside, Waterville Valley’s complete resort have a plethora of accommodation options just...
Waterville Valley Ski Area Waterville Valley’s simple mountain layout features mostly intermediate terrain with some trees and steeps sprinkled in. A family resort at heart, the majority of Waterville Valley’s terrain caters to beginners and intermediates. Visitors should not come...
Waterville Valley Beginner Skiing With 20% of terrain marked green, beginners can learn and progress at their own pace at Waterville Valley. Beginner terrain is located solely on the lower mountain at Waterville valley, but beginners do have a fair...
Waterville Valley Intermediate Skiing Intermediate skiing is available and abundant on all aspects of Waterville Valley. With 60% of the terrain rated as blue square runs, intermediate skiers and riders truly have the run of the mountain at Waterville. Intermediate...
Waterville Valley Expert Skiing Black diamond skiing is limited to a few short and steep runs at Waterville, and experts may find themselves wanting more. Only 20% of Waterville Valley's terrain is offered for advanced and expert skiers, and the...
Waterville Valley Backcountry & Glades Backcountry and off piste skiing is not a focus of Waterville Valley’s skiing product. Waterville Valley does not offer much in the line of backcountry and off piste skiing. Adventurous skiers may find pockets of...
Waterville Valley On Mountain Restaurants With multiple on mountain dining options available, guests can expect an excellent lunch experience. Waterville Valley resort hopes guests come hungry to its slopes. With four excellent dining options available to resort guests, each catering...
Waterville Valley Village Just five minutes from the slopes is a quaint but lively mountain village that is unique among New Hampshire ski resorts. The quaint mountain village is synonymous with skiing in Europe and portions of North America, though...
Waterville Valley Restaurants, Bars & Apres Ski Come hungry to Waterville, as restaurant and bar options are plentiful both on-mountain and in town. Looking to eat while you’re at the mountain? Lunch at the mountain summit’s Schwendi Hutte is a...
Waterville Valley Activities Not just a skiing destination, there is plenty to do both on and off the mountain at Waterville Valley. While skiing is generally the name of the game in Waterville, the resort setting does offer a variety...