Travel
Akron
Toledo
Atlanta
St Louis
Gunstock
Somerset
Cincinnati
Savannah
Kitty Hawk
San Diego
Ghettysburg
Washington DC
Hilton Head Island
Health
Writings
Graphics
Skydiving
My Old Cars
My
Stratus R/T
Doppleganger
Murphy's Laws
Military Science
Gunstock - Gilford, New Hampshire
Our
skiing vacation to New Hampshire sprung from a choice between scuba and
skiing. We opted for the later since it was a little less expensive to
get to the mountains. We planned for the trip during our Christmas vacation.
Choose a resort, picked out the best packages, and then saved up for the
next two months to cover the costs. Really, it wasn't that expensive.
We lived comfortably, not really paying too much attention to our budget,
although we did have one, and ended the week at a little over $1,000.
Not bad for two people. Now the one trick is that I'm not including the
winter coats, snow clothes and accessories we had to buy prior to the
trip. But that shouldn't count anyhow right?
A couple things to keep in mind when you plan your skiing vacation? For one, ask your resort what their venue and schedule is. Gunstock is a family oriented mountain. While it wasn't overwhelming the week we were there, it could have easily been that way because the very next week is school vacation for nearly all the surrounding states.
Second,
some skiinging essentials ... Sun Screen, lip balm, and bottle water packed
away in your parka. It's cold, but the sun is brutal, and the air dry,
and skiing and snowshoeing are hard work! You'll definitely be thirsty!
Gunstock and the surrounding communities offer a lot of opportunities for a full week of winter fun. There's ice fishing and tubing, skating and of course skiing, plus a few seasonal shops and plenty of fine eating. Prices really weren't too bad either. I don't doubt that we could have spent a heck of a lot more at a more popular resort. It's definitely a worth while trip, although having been there, I think I'm ready for even more atmosphere, and yup, a little more danger. :)
Pics are here now! For a full gallery, click here!
| Travel: | Auto - We came up the many and various toll-ways between Washington DC and New Hampshire. During the weekend the traffic can be fairly busy, rush-hour-ish even, but arriving on Monday that week was a fairly quite drive. Get your tank filled in Mass. as the prices in New England are outrageous. Road signs are clearly marked and police are fairly common using K and Ka band radars mainly. |
| Lodging: | Lake Side - There are lots of rental properties
along the lake which rent out seasonally for around $900-$1500 depending
on size and amnesties. B. Mae's Resort Inn & Suites - (800) 458-3877 Gilford NH - Rooms and suites with all the necessities. Very comfortable with ski-stay packages with Gunstock Resort. (site) |
| Restaurants: | Fratello's - (603) 528-2022 Laconia, NH - This
excellent, must visit restaurant services great Italian food and terrific
service. Ask anyone in the area and they will recommend it. I'll give
it one of the best meals I've had through all my travels. Having a
wonderful atmosphere with good seating, Fratello's is also very reasonably
priced. They don't take reservations, but have a cozy lounge and the
wait isn't very long at all. A definite destination for dinner. Peking Tokyo - (603) 524-8150 Gilford, NH - This was another fine restaurant to have dinner at. Prices were again, very reasonable and the food and service are both above average. You'll also appreciate the owner giving you a personal visit. Not that that is so unusual in a Japanese style place but ... all the same. |
| Sites: | Lake Winnipesaukee - Winnipesaukee is a huge
water shed. It's 72 square miles is bordered by many quaint communities.
The lake itself offers excellent fishing through all seasons along
with all other water sports. The winter time offers both ice fishing
and ice skating, conditions permitting. (Site) Gunstock Ski Resort - Gunstock is a family oriented resort mountain offering: skiing, snow boarding, tubing, cross country, and show shoe trails. They have over 30 trails with lots of variety to fit beginning skiers through more advanced enthusiasts. Lots of value packages and very good personnel made the weeks stay very enjoyable. (Site) |
| Events: |
Winter - Skiing is what the locals do. Well, that and snow
boarding and ice fishing. Their are fishing derbies and ski events
all winter long, so check with the hotels and resorts for upcoming
details. |
| Clubs: | You want to go clubbing when you could be in the hot tub or on the slopes? |
