Mont-Tremblant, Québec, Canada

We loved our room number 531 at Summit des Neiges, with a dome as a living room. The condominium ski-in/ski-out resort is in the heart of the village. Highlights from our vacation went beyond skiing, tubing, ice skating, and spending time in the village. We learned how to make maple syrup popsicles – which are so unbelievably easy that we now make them all the time at home. We met 200 sweet and excited dogs at Expedition Wolf for dog mushing and drove a dune buggy for 3 hours. That was certainly out of my comfort zone, but I found the challenge exhilarating!

The Dune Buggy tour didn’t make me nervous until the owner/guide started listing all the safety rules! He stressed how easily the buggy could roll over because it is so top-heavy. But the adventure continued as I took many deep breaths! We rented 2 buggies that seat 4 each. The ads say they are heated, but I’d say, “not so much” because we still had to dress like we were going skiing. The excursion is usually an hour and a half, but the owner said he could make it really special as a 3-hour 50-mile trek. He promised to include trails he had never brought any guests to before.

The (real?) purpose of the extra-long tour was that he needed to pick up a trunk at one of the skimobile refuge stations. When we arrived at the refuse station, the trunk was not there, so we had a good laugh about our 3-hour random trunk mission. To book a tour, call 819.681.4009.

Next up was dog sledding with Expedition Wolf through the Laurentian Mountains of Quebec. We helped to harness the dogs onto the sleds. Then we got the basic training instructions in sled riding to lead our dogsled team through 3 miles of open paths on the mountain. The sled ride is about an hour, with a break in the middle to warm up. After mushing, we unharnessed the dogs and spent a few minutes hanging out with them in the kennel.

Massachusetts

Wachusett Mountain is only an hour and a half from Boston. They have skiing available until 10 pm, and there are not many people there in the evening hours. Of course, it’s important to remember your night goggles to ski after dark. The first time I went skiing at night, I didn’t think I would need them – but I was SO wrong! Always wear night goggles for night skiing.

Jimmy Peak is a great option for in-state skiing. Night skiing goes until 9:30 pm and is included in the multi-day passes. We stayed at the ski/in-ski/out condos.

Maine

Sugarloaf - a pyramid-shaped Mountain

Sugarloaf is the largest mountain in Maine. People who call this mountain home proudly call themselves a Sugarloafer. They claim they do the best job at grooming snow, and in our experience, they are right. Surprisingly, I read that March and April are Sugarloaf’s snowiest months. April 7-10 is the annual spring party, Reggae Fest, which looks like a lot of fun. Other than that, though, there isn’t much to do besides skiing, so pack your favorite board games. We enjoyed our stay at the ski-in/ski-out Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel.

Sunday River

Once the sun went down, we bought tickets for Apres Algow, located at the Grand Summit Hotel. Apres Algow is a 1/2-mile walk through the forest, sparkling with more than 100,000 lights. If you have spikes to put over your shoes, it would be helpful because the trail was slippery.

New Hampshire

Attitash & Bear Peak

We stayed at the delightful ski-in/ski-out Grand Summit Hotel at Attitash. I thought we would be skiing onto Attitash Mountain, but nope! You ski-out to Bear Peak, which is owned and attached to Attitash Mountain. With the one ticket, you can ski back and forth or take the hotel shuttle between the mountains. As an extra treat, the hotel recently renovated the heated, outdoor saltwater pool. The Grand Summit Hotel is close to North Conway for shopping, the ice castles, and to Diana’s Bath – all of which we highly recommend.

Mount Cranmore

Plenty to do in the area, even if you don’t ski. We recommend hiking Diana’s Bath, even in the winter. We had the place to ourselves, and the ice formations were beautiful. Warning: the trail is very icy! Pick up some ice and snow cleats. You just put them over your boots. There’s excellent shopping at North Conway, fun at Kahuna Laguna Indoor Water Park, and it’s only a short drive to the ice castles. Top the day off with some Night Skiing, and you’re all set!

I recommend staying at Kearsarge Brook Condominiums at Cranmore if you are skiing.

Loon

Our go-to spot for a short ski trip is only a two-hour drive from Boston. We’ve been staying at The Mountain Club At Loon. It's great because you can ski right out to the gondola. Our go-to burger spot is Black Mountain Burger Co., and Woodstock Inn Brewery is a fun spot.

P.S. If you need a break from the slopes, visit the Ice Castles or go tubing.

Vermont

Smugglers’ Notch

When we checked in, they gave us a 40-page book with all the different activities going on every day throughout the day and night. We mostly skied and hit the two-floor fun zone. Smuggs has an entire area just for snowshoeing. Choose from many guided tours for adults and families, or go on your own. Plus, day and night tubing is included in your stay! Check out the natural ice skating rink if you can skate at all. Skate rentals are available if you need them. The Cat Trax Upper Mountain Tour was sold out when we attempted to book it. We got advice to only go if it’s a clear night. The person that works at Smuggs said, “If it’s not a clear night, it’s like being stuffed in a box looking at nothing.” Point taken! Oh, and there are Snowmobile Tours onsite, too. Smuggler’s Notch has so much more to do than I mentioned here. Next time we won’t spend so much time in the fun zone, so we can check out all the other activities.

Jay Peak

Lots to do, especially if you want more than just skiing. The indoor waterpark is a huge hit with the kids (of all ages!) We stayed at and enjoyed Tram Haus Lodge. Be sure to book at least 6 months in advance. There are other places to stay in the area, but Hotel Jay & Tram Haus Lodge are ski-in/out hotels, and the waterpark is inside them both. Tram Haus Lodge is the newer hotel. Ask for a mountain view.

Killington Mountain

The Beast of the East because it’s the biggest resort in the East. We enjoyed skiing and exploring the charming nearby towns of Woodstock and Quechee.