North Conway in winter

Hi, I am thinking of taking my wife and 1-year old daugther to North Conway for a winter getaway. How do you drive to North Conway from Boston in winter? Do you still go up I-93 and turn onto Kancamagus Hwy to North Conway? I am not sure about the road condition in winter. Is there a better (safer) route?

My other question is about activities. We don%26#39;t ski, but would like to visit some slopes just for taking pictures and enjoy the scenary, is this possible? Where do you recommend? Other than the winter sports, what else can we do in North Conway in winter?

Thanks in advance!!

North Conway in winter

There was another post about this a few months ago (maybe you can find it in a search), and people were debating the best route... I-93 or Rt 16. My opinion is to stay away from the Kangamangus if there%26#39;s been snow recently, and take the slower Rt 16.

As for other activities, there%26#39;s sledding at Mt Cranmore, plus lots of shopping at the outlets and restaurants.

I don%26#39;t know if you can get good photos at the slopes, but you can always go to them and try. You just won%26#39;t be able to go up the lifts without a ticket.

North Conway in winter

There is also a third possible route -- a little longer, but roads are good and, depending on when you%26#39;re going, it may be less congested...

North on I-95 out of Boston to Portland, ME -- then US 302 through Bridgton and Fryeburg to Conway and North Conway. If weather/road conditions are of concern, I-95 in Maine is the Maine Turnpike -- far and away the best maintained highway in the state. US 302 is a major route for all kinds of traffic and gets high attention from the Maine Department of Transportation.

Total travel time from Boston: 2-3/4 to 3-1/4 hours depending on traffic and how you drive.

Just another possibility if you%26#39;re ';iffy'; about how to get there.

95 to Rt 16 is the most direct although the time difference is negligible no matter which way you go when roads are clear. If roads have been cleared for a couple of days and the sun is out, then the Kanc is the most scenic route. Recently saw a neat undercast as we drove the Kanc with wispy fingers of fog funneling down thru the various notches in the mountains. No one suggests driving thru a storm but 48 hours after any storm, most main roads are in great shape. I miss NE, here in MD we close school cause of clouds (LOL)

Activities for a 1 yr old are tough but you could sled, sleigh ride, visit bear show at Clark%26#39;s Trading Post ( I think it is in the winter also)

You can usually take a gondola ride to the top of a resort. May be able to see cost on websites but is worth the trip on a clear day to look across at MW for Wildcat. Other activities (not necessarily for baby) include ice skating at outdoor rink in N Conway village green - it was there over Xmas- don%26#39;t known when it is taken down. Long slow drives along the Kanc and 302 are great ways to spend a day if you can%26#39;t be on the slopes. Maybe a Moose tour???

Hope this helps!!!

I would go 93N to 95N toward Maine. While on 95N take Rte 16 (Spauling Turnpike) all the way to North Conway. There are 3 or 4 tolls on Rte 16 they are all about .75 each. It%26#39;s a nice straight road. Plowed really well in the winter unless of course the storm is happening at the time you plan on driving there.

While in N Conway you can take a sleigh ride, go tubing at Cranmore, ice skate at the Ham Ice Arena, shopping, restaurants.

The Hampton Inn and I believe Red Jacket Motor Inn have indoor water parks that your 1 yr old might like.

You%26#39;ll be able to take pictures while at the bottom of the slopes but like someone said you won%26#39;t have access to them unless you buy a ski ticket. Black Mtn in Jackson is a nice small mountain. Maybe you and your wife would like to try to ski. Most mountains have excellent babysitting services.

for sleigh rides www.nestlenookfarm.com

www.farmbytheriver.com

for ice skating: www.hamarena.com

Red Jacket Resort

http://www.kahunalaguna.com

I95N to Rte 16 seems like a really good route. I am too chicken to drive through the mountain on Kancamagus Hwy in a wintry condition. :) How long would a typical drive (on I95 to Rte 16 to NC) take from Boston?

Another question :) I am not familiar with cross-country skiing.. are there trails specific to this kind of skiiing? Are we allow to go on the trails without equipments (ski, etc.)?

Well, we won%26#39;t try to dissuade you. Drive would be 3 1/2 max in good conditions. If you really do not like heights (or driving along heights) then 302 is a better scenic road when you are there. It follows the valleys while the Kanc is along the ridges.

There are x country trails in Jackson but I would not suggest w/o equipment. It isn%26#39;t good for the trails and more importantly, have you ever tried to walk thru your front lawn after a blizzard?

Going Rt 16 to N Conway is 2 1/2 hrs from Boston. It%26#39;s about 135 miles. If you want to check out cross country ski trails visit www.skinh.com and click on the obvious crosscountry.

Do you know where you are staying yet?

THanks msar1076.. and no, we haven%26#39;t decided on where to stay yet. Do you want to recommend some places for us? We prefer something that is not too expensive and welcome young babies. It%26#39;d be great if full breakfast is included since it won%26#39;t be easy for us to go out in the morning with our young daugther.

By the way, we are not only limited to North Conway.. please feel free to suggest any other places. We just want some place we can relax (maybe with some heated indoor pools) and with easy access to snowy scenary :)

What do you consider not too expensive? I usually rent a condo but before that I would always stay at the Green Granite. They do have an indoor pool and free breakfast. There is also the Hampton Inn with the indoor water park and breakfast. That is a fairly new hotel so may be better than GG. Other options are the Holiday Inn or Comfort Inn. Those are the newer hotels in N Conway.