Lakes region ski areas present the sport at its best

If you’re a skier, there comes a time when the White Mountains of New Hampshire are just calling your name. Time to book your skiing vacation at the Purity Spring Resort and hit the slopes at the King Pine Ski Area. From mid-December through late March, King Pine offers up 17 trails, four lifts and runs for every level of skier, ranging from green to double-black diamond. You can also go snowshoeing or cross-country skiing over 20 kilometers of trails, most with stunning views. There’s also snowboarding, ice skating, hiking and a rope-pull snow tubing hill. Afterward, go back to the resort to relax in the indoor pool or hot tub, catch dinner at the Pine Cone Cafe or a drink at the Trail End Tavern.

Skiing and Snowboarding -- Gunstock, with beautiful views overlooking lake Winnipesaukee, is the major ski mountain in New Hampshire closest to Boston, with easy access from I-93 and I-95. The 202-2021 season brings more snow tubing runs and a new carpet lift. Thirty groomed Nordic trails also are used for snowshoeing, fat biking, skijoring; night skiing. Private and group lessons ski and snowboard lessons are offered to adults and kids. All lessons must be booked online in advance.
Everything Else: Tubing hill and mountain coasters. Ski area offers take-out, outdoor and indoor dining. Equipment rentals and demos are available. Demo customers my try out up to 3 different set-ups of gear in a single day.

Abenaki ski area is a community-owned ski area open since 1936. Seven trails -- ranging from easy to black-diamond -- offer relaxed skiing, including night skiing. Area has glades and a terrain park, friendly workers, and a small rustic lodge. Abenaki is relaxed, uncrowded, with a small-town feel. Nice and low-key for families and kids.