Bretton Woods Ski Resort: One Of New England's Best Resorts For Families!

If you are looking for one of the best family ski resorts in New England, Bretton Woods ski resort in New Hampshire is one not to miss. There are so many reasons this is one of the top ski resorts for kids in the East, but to sum it up it two words – CANDY STORE (at the top of one of the slopes!)

Whether your kids are just learning to ski or if they are more experienced, Bretton Woods ski resort is wonderfully family-friendly. Here’s why this family resort in New Hampshire is one you must add to your “ski the east” bucket list!

This post contains affiliate links which means I may receive a small commission should you make a purchase using this link at no additional cost to you.

Important Note About 2021 Ski Season

Due to the Global Pandemic, some of the options in this post may not be available. Please see Bretton Woods Ski Resort’s planning site for rules and regulations for skiing this year.

About Bretton Woods Ski Resort

Bretton Woods ski resort is a lovely family ski resort located in Carroll, New Hampshire, about a two and half hour drive north of Boston. Don’t be fooled by being known as a family resort. Nestled in the White Mountains, it is actually New Hampshire’s largest ski area!

While you can stay at condos near or at the Bretton Woods ski resort or at the nearby Omni Mount Washington Resort, it is also close to other resort areas. Bretton Woods is centrally located about 30 minutes from Cannon Mountain, 45 minutes from Black Mountain, and Cranmore Mountain Resort, where you can also stay.

Why Bretton Woods Is One of The Best Family Ski Resorts In New England

Bretton Woods is renowned as one of the best family ski resorts in New England, because it caters from non-skiers as young as two months old on up. It has a variety of terrain, from easier learning slopes up to more challenging slopes for the more adventurous skier.

The ski and ride programs are excellent for kids, and there are a variety of options for dining and very fun family activities. All of this is right near the historically significant and glorious Omni Mount Washington Resort, making it a special place to visit.

And, did I mention the candy store? There is INDEED a Chutter’s Candy Counter at the top of the Zephyr High-Speed Squad. My kids LOVE to park their skis and grab some penny candy for nibbling on the next ride up.

What To Do At Bretton Woods Ski Resort

Ski and Ride School

Bretton Woods is a great place for kids’ to learn to ski and ride snowboards.

For the preschoolers who may not feel ready for skiing or snowboarding lessons, the daycare center offers ski and snow play as part of the childcare as an introduction. Kids ages four and under get free lift tickets with a paying adult.

Bretton Woods has a wonderful ski and ride program. Kids ages four-12 years old can take lessons at Hobbit Ski School to learn to ski. Hobbit Snowboarding School is available for kids ages six-12 years old.

Our kids loved the lessons from the excellent instructors and advanced their skiing quite a bit.

A Note About Terrain At Bretton Woods

There are plenty of green and blue slopes for newer skiers, and great terrain to learn.

We also love that they have designated family slopes. This means speed skiing is not allowed. There are also advanced slopes for those seeking more of a challenge.

With three peaks, 63 trails, and 35 glades, Bretton Woods is New Hampshire’s largest ski area.

Check out my post What You Need To Know About Skiing with Kids Safely.

Après-ski Activities

Bretton Woods ski resort has much to offer families après-ski. Our kids LOVED the opportunity to ride on a mini snowmobile in the Kids Snowmobile Park right at the Bretton Woods base.

There is also a family snow tubing hill, carriage and sleigh rides, and even a “kids only” après-ski parties at the Kids’ Alpine Club, with clowns, storytellers, and musicians. Additional family activities include Winter Fat Tire bikes, ice skating, snowshoeing, nordic skiing, and a slopeside climbing wall.

Bretton Woods At A Glance: Why It's One of New England's Best Family Ski Resorts

Daycare for the non-skiers ages two months to five years old
Ski and snow play for preschoolers at the daycare
Free lift tickets with a paying adult for kids ages four and under
Hobbit Ski School for kids ages four to 12 years old
Hobbit Snowboarding School for kids ages six to 12 years old
Candy Store
Family Dining
Kids’ Snowmobile Park
Kids’ Apres Ski Party
Family Snow Tubing Hill
Carriage and Sleigh Rides
Fat Tire Bikes
Ice Skating
Slopeside Climbing Wall
Canopy Tour (for 12 and up)
Nordic Skiing
Snowshoeing
Night Skiing on Weekends and Holidays

Where To Stay at Bretton Woods Ski Resort

Omni Mount Washington At Bretton Woods Ski Resort

Omni Mount Washington Resort

The Omni Mount Washington Resort is the SIGNATURE property of Bretton Woods, and well worth the stay. It is a gorgeous, historic hotel that will make you feel like you stepped back in time.

It is also historically significant as the site of an International Monetary Conference in 1944, with 44 delegates from around the world present. The meeting resulted in the establishment of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. The hotel has also hosted many celebrities and world leaders.

Omni Mount Washington Bretton Woods Lobby

Omni Mount Washington For Kids

This hotel is very family-friendly with many activities and luxuries to enjoy! Kids’ amenities include:

Kids’ activities year-round
Kid Menus at all dining
Omni Kids’ Crew program with activity pack at check-in with:
- Activity book with stickers
- Crayons
- 2-in-1 card games
- Binoculars
- Small tabletop game
Milk and Cookies delivered to kids in the guest room on the first night
Coloring and crayons in restaurants
Gameroom

Our Experience

We have stayed at this property twice and it is well worth the visit. With incredible grand restaurants with views of the mountain, to unique, cozy pubs, it is a sight to behold. There is also a spa on the property, a swimming pool, a gameroom, shops, and kids get a kids’ pack and milk and cookies in the room!

The only slight inconvenience is that you need a shuttle to get to the slopes (unless you want to drive.) But the ski concierge stores your equipment out front in a secure room, which makes it a pretty simple process if you don’t mind the shuttle ride.

Nearby Hotels

There are a few smaller hotels near the Bretton Woods area also worth looking into if you do not want the pomp and circumstance of the Omni Mount Washington. The shuttle bus also stops at several of these. You can search for nearby hotels at below ⤵.

Booking.com

Renting A Condo

You can also rent a condo near Bretton Woods through Vrbo, which we have also done. The benefits of this option include more space, a kitchen and often laundry, living room, and you can house a larger group if skiing with friends.

Condos also come with bedding and are often equipped with books and board games. We love renting a Vrbo condo for a longer stay, like a ski weekend or ski week. It helps us reduce our ski trip packing list! And, some of the properties are ski-on/ski-off, making it very easy to access the slopes.

Getting To Bretton Woods Ski Resort

Though it is nestled in Northern New Hampshire, it is actually quite accessible.

Driving Times To Bretton Woods Ski Resort From:

Montreal, Quebec, Canada: 185 Miles/3-4 hours
Boston, Massachusetts: 160 Miles/2.5 hours
New York, New York: 350 Miles/5-6 hours

Flying To Bretton Woods Ski Resort:

The following airports are accessible to Bretton Woods, with a drive afterward (so you may need to rent a car.)

Mount Washington Regional Airport (15 minute drive)
Manchester Boston Regional Airport – MHT (1 hour 45 minute drive)
Boston Logan International Airport – BOS (2.5 hour drive)
Portland Maine International Jetport – PWM (2 hour drive)

Visiting Boston? Check out the 15 Best Things To Do With Kids In Boston!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is Bretton Woods ski resort good for beginners?

Bretton Woods is ideal for preschool-aged kids up to teens and adults. There is childcare available for babies to preschool age as well.

How many trails does Bretton Woods have?

Bretton Woods Ski Resort is New Hampshire’s largest ski area, with 63 trails and 35 glades! With 10 lifts, including eight high-speed quads and a brand new gondola, you will have plenty of options for exploring all of the terrains Bretton Woods has to offer.

Terrain options range from beginner to difficult, with a few families only slopes. So there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy.

How much is a Bretton Woods lift ticket?

Lift tickets range in price based on a variety of factors (adult or child, if you are doing ski lessons, have a military discount, etc.) Buying multi-day tickets may save you money.

For 2021, all current ONE DAY prices are:

Learning Center Quad $25.00
ADULT 1 Day (ages 18-64) $115.00
TEEN 1 Day (ages 13-17) $82.00
JUNIOR 1 Day (ages 5-12) $65.00
SENIOR 1 Day (ages 65-79) $105.00
CH 1 Day 4 and under $0.00
Over 80 Ticket $0.00

Can you rent skis and snowboards at Bretton Woods?

Yes, you can! The main rental shop has equipment rentals and packages. Check the Bretton Woods rental page for details.

What are the dining options at Bretton Woods?

There are several food options on the property at the main Village and at the lodges on the mountains. A brand new Rosebrook lodge at the top of the gondola also offers you an incredible view and dine in or grab and go offerings. You will find a variety of lodges and various spots on the mountain to warm up and grab a bite.

Bretton Woods Omni Mount Washington Dining Room

If you stay at the Omni Mount Washington, there are several fine dining and specialty restaurants available. The main dining room for breakfast fells palatial, with a breakfast spread fit for royalty! Be sure to check out The Cave restaurant, for a dining experience with a unique ambiance!

If you want a great spot outside of the resort, check out Fabyan’s Station. A sweet little restaurant housed in what used to be a famed train station, this is a great family restaurant for a meal apres ski! It maintains the train station theme, with a train that circles the restaurant above the dining area.

Is Bretton Woods gondola open?

Yes, Bretton Woods has a new gondola and it is open!

Does Bretton Woods have night skiing?

Yes, traditionally, on weekends and holiday evenings, Bretton Woods has a Powder & Pasta night skiing event on five trails. You may want to check for the 2021 season if this is offered, as this was not offered at the time of this posting.

What else is there to do in the area outside Bretton Woods Ski Resort?

There are several nearby experiences your family can enjoy, such as:

Santa’s Village Theme Park
Storyland Theme Park (if you are visiting in the summer)
The Flume Gorge
The Mount Washington Cog Railway (or a drive to the top of Mount Washington)
Crawford Notch State Park

Note: Some of these activities may only be open seasonally, so check before visiting.

The Last Thing You Need To Know About Bretton Woods Ski Resort

Bretton Woods Ski Resort is one of the best family ski resorts in New England. In addition to its’ comprehensive family amenities, it is also manageable in size while providing plenty of ski options for all skill levels.

It is definitely a great place for novice to advanced skiers, and even non-skiers. Be sure to add Bretton Woods Ski Resort to your list of must-visit locations when you ski the east!

2 Comments

Karissa says:

February 17, 2021 at 11:00 am

Wow how fun, this ski resort looks awesome! Definitely adding it to my list if we ever make it out that way from the states 🙂

Heather Ritchie says:

February 17, 2021 at 12:06 pm

This place is gorgeous and of course, I have a soft spot for New England. I think it’s a beautiful area to live in and visit. I love that you’ve provided prices for lift tickets because that’s something important to me when considering a family vacation. At least I have an estimate of what to expect for skiing. I would love to see the Santa’s Village Theme Park!