Visiting this resort is to journey to the historical legacy of the New England alpine scene. Set just outside of downtown North Conway, Cranmore has been operating for more than 60 years, but don't let that cast the impression that the resort is in any way antiquated. The resort's original ski mobile lift still exists as a museum piece, but in all other ways, this New Hampshire institution is firmly planted in the 21st century, from its expansive slopes to the Palmer X Park, a terrain park inspired by X-Game-style trickery, but ratcheted down to allow beginners and intermediates to brave the snow with confidence.

Tubing and a special "snow toy" program offer plenty of activities for children, and the resort sports enough expert runs to keep the dedicated in good shape as their less-experienced brethren shred up other parts of the mountain.