kidding around
from a Kid's Point of View
Ski - Let it Snow!
Written by Michael, Age 12 of Barnstable, Massachusetts
Most people who come to Cape Cod, and leave when the summer is over, think that us locals have nothing to do all winter because we don't get much snow. Little do they know that there are many mountains just a day trip from Cape Cod that skiers and snowboarders can enjoy. Some are close to the Boston area like Nashoba Valley, and the Blue Hills; heading towards central Massachusetts is Ward Ski area, and a little further Mount Wachusett. Also, nearby Rhode Island is home to Yawgoo Valley.
If you enoy these mountains, but think you are not a beginner anymore and want to get a bit more serious, you can drive further to the rest of New England. Bretton Woods, Stowe, Killington, Sunday River and, my favorite, Jay Peak are loads of fun and worth the distance. On an average these mountains take about 3 - 6 hours to drive to, so plan a weekend trip. Riding the slopes on skiis or a snowboard is fun and a good way to excercise. If you get caught in the doldrums on a gloomy Cape Cod winter day try out some of the ski resorts around New England.
*Mileage is approximate, based on starting on Route 6 at Barnstable
| Mountain |
Skiing |
Snow
Boarding |
Snow
Tubing |
Location |
Phone # |
Approx Miles* |
| Blue Hills Ski Area |
X | X | |
4001 Washington St.
Canton, MA |
781-828-5070 |
64 |
| Ward Ski Area |
X | X | X |
1000 Main St.
Shrewsbury, MA |
508-842-6346
508-845-1797 |
96 |
| Yawgoo Valley |
X | X | X |
Yawgoo Valley Road
Exeter, RI |
401-294-3802 |
98 |
| Nashoba Valley |
X | X | X |
Powers Road
Westford, MA |
800-400-SNOW
978-692-3033 |
111 |
| McIntyre Ski Area |
X | X | X |
50 Chalet Ct
Manchester, NH |
603-622-6159 |
121 |
| Wachusett Mountain |
X | X | X |
499 Mountain Road
Princeton, MA |
800-SKI-1234
978-464-2300 |
123 |
| Crotched Mountain |
X | X | |
615 Francestown Road
Bennington, NH |
603-588-3668 |
146 |
| Pat's Peak |
X | X | X |
24 Flanders Road
Henniker, NH
|
888-PATSPEAK
888-728-7732 |
147 |
| Ragged Mountain Resort |
X | X | X |
620 Ragged Mountain Road
Danbury, NH |
603-768-3971
603-768-3600 |
182 |
| Whaleback Mountain |
X | X | X |
160 Whaleback Mountain Rd
Enfield, NH |
603-448-1489 |
183 |
| Dartmouth Skiway |
X | X | |
39 Grafton Turnpike
Lyme Center, NH |
603-795-2143
|
203 |
| Cranmore |
X | X | |
One Skimobile Road
North Conway, NH |
603-588-3668 |
205 |
| Bretton Woods |
X | X | |
Route 302
Bretton Woods, NH |
800-232-2972
603-278-5000 |
225 |
| Magic Mountain |
X | X | |
Route 11
Londonderry, VT |
802-824-5645 |
235 |
| Sunday River |
X | X | |
Bethel, ME |
800-543-2SKI
207-824-3000 |
243 |
Jay Peak |
X | X | |
4850 VT Route 242
Jay, VT |
800-451-4449
802-988-2611 |
298 |
|
