Whaleback, Enfield NH

Whaleback is what I would call a niche ski resort. Maybe it was the icy runs, but for such a small place, it seemed outrageously steep. I think it's owned by some former mogul champion and with good snow, this is the place for mogulers. Oh and check out the weirdly painted chairs.

Dartmouth Skiway, Lyme Center NH

Nice little ski area, oops, ski way. Not a ton of runs but long runs none the less with some good pitch. Maybe the only ski area in New England which is truly on both sides of the road (Stowe's two ski areas seem distinct). Some of the runs carry an academic air, like MBA.

Granite Gorge, Roxbury NH

Quirky. A Warren Miller feel all over it. Granite Gorge put in its first chairlift in 2006. At the time they only made snow on two trails, but that didn't stop the kids from doing amazing things - I saw an inverted aerial which I believe was part of some competition not just an inspired local on a casual run.

If you get chilly, hang out in the warming hut - a big yurt.

Cranmore, North Conway NH

The Cranmore sits in North Conway - definitely the dream of a developer more than a skier. It's sort of like an outlet mall on snow although it appears to fit the bill nicely for families with varying interests. I enjoyed the back side of the hill which has a large wide-open field.

Suicide Six, Woodstock VT

Suicide Six is a great place. Maybe it helped that I arrived within a couple of days of a 10 inch snowstorm topped off with another 5 inches the night before. The groomed trails were as smooth as butter and as quiet as could be without a hint of ice.

First I boarded the "Face" and then the suicidal, "Showoff", which must have been the run which earned the ski area it's name. It's a short run, but basically a precipice leading to the lodge.

I enjoyed the tiny bowl full of untracked powder on Bourdon's Bowl over and over. Then off to the grand Gully - a splendid ungroomed 10 acre meadow of powder on top of the mountain. What a blast. It felt like a back country playground for beginners and intermediates.