Mount Sunapee

Newsday Staff Writer
Route 103
Newbury, N.H.
603-763-3500
mountsunapee.com

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In 1998, Okemo owners Tim and Diane Mueller bought Mount Sunapee from the state of New Hampshire under whose stewardship it had languished for decades. Ten years and $14 million later, Mount Sunapee is the second most visited ski resort in New Hampshire (mostly by Bostonians who are less than two hours away) and a Top 20 Eastern resort according to the readers of Ski magazine.

How did they do it? Answer: Spectacular views out over Lake Sunapee, a commitment to families (advanced skiers will probably be bored), and the Muellers' legendary pursuit of snow excellence as testified to by Mount Sunapee's No. 1 rank in grooming and No. 2 in snow.

MOUNTAIN INFO
Base elevation: 1,233 feet
Summit elevation: 2,743 feet
Vertical drop: 1,510 feet
Skiable acres: 230
Lifts: 10 (1 high-speed quad, 2 quads, 3 triples, 1, double, 4 surface)
Trails: 65
Trail breakdown: 17 percent beginner, 32 percent intermediate, 16 percent expert
Snowmaking capability: 97 percent of skiable acres

HOURS

Weekdays: 9 a.m. - 4p.m.
Weekends/holidays: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

PRICING

Weekdays
Full day: $62 adult, $46 young adult (ages 13-18) and senior, $37 junior (6-12)
Half day: $40 adult, $34 young adult and senior, $28 junior.

Weekends/holidays
Full day: $66 adults, $55 young adult and senior, $41 junior
Half day: $46 adult, $38 young adult and senior, $31 junior

Season pass (also good at Okemo)
$999 adult (ages 19-64), $499 young adult (13-18), $409 junior (6-12), $499 senior

Rental rates
Full day, $38 adults/young adults (13 and up), $27 junior (6-12); half day: $31 adults and young adults, $20 junior

Lessons
"Get Into" beginners' lessons for ages 13 and up, $80 (includes lift ticket, equipment rental, and two-hour group instruction), offered 9 a.m.-1 p.m daily.
Adult group lessons, $40 per hour; adult private lessons, $90 per hour ($130 for two hours).
Women's workshops offered Tuesdays and Saturday from 10 a.m.-noon, $25

Deals and special packages
Ski and Stay packages are available at selected area accommodations
Midweek packages require only one night stay, weekend packages require two nights.

OTHER SNOW ACTIVITIES

Snowboarding: terrain park that includes a 400-foot half-pipe and new vertical wall ride

FOR THE KIDS

Full- and half-day instructional programs (all include lift tickets, equipment rental and four hours of group instruction for full-day programs and two hours for half day), Snow Stars (ages 4-7), $110 full day, $80 half day; Mountain Explorers (ages 8-12), $120 full day, $90 half day.
Kids private lessons $60 per hour ages 3-4, $90 per hour ages 5 and up.
Mother Goose child care (ages 1-5), weekday $50 full day, $30 half day; weekend/holiday: $70 full day, $50 half day

OFF-SITE LODGING

Dexter's Inn: 20-acre hilltop inn dating back to 1801 offering 19 rooms and suites decorated in colonial New England style; game room, kids' play room, living room and tavern, breakfast buffet. 258 Stagecoach Rd., Sunapee; 800-232-5571.

Best Western Sunapee Lake Lodge: 55-room motel complex located at the resort entrance; wireless and Internet access; indoor pool and fitness room. 1403 Rte. 103, Newbury; 800-606-5253.

Mountain Edge Resort and Spa: one- and two-bedroom post-and-beam condominium units with in-room fireplaces, indoor/outdoor pool and hot tub, spa and fitness center. 1380 Rte. 103, Newbury; 877-468-3343.

1806 Inn at Mount Sunapee: cozy 5-room literary-themed B&B located next to the resort; complete breakfast. 1424 Rte. 103, Newbury; 603-763-2040.

Follansbee Inn: award-winning, rural 1840 inn with 17 romantic rooms and suites featuring quilt and feather-pillow beds, two public sitting rooms and a service bar (no children under 10). Route 114, North Sutton; 800-626-4221.

ON-SITE FOOD AND DRINK

At Sunapee Base Lodge, Sunapee Cafeteria, Express Coffee Bar; at Spruce Lodge, Spruce Lodge Cafeteria and Goosefeathers Pub; and at Summit Lodge: Summit Cafeteria and Express Coffee Bar

OFF-SITE FOOD AND DRINK

Digby's Steakhouse & Saloon: Mount Sunapee's most popular après ski venue, located right outside the resort entrance serves sandwiches, burgers, steak, seafood and pasta with a separate game room for kids. 1407 Rte. 103, Newbury; 603-763-3113.

Flying Goose Brew Pub and Grille: great mountain views and more than a dozen brewed-on-site beers and ales to accompany a wide-ranging menu of burgers, ribs, steaks, seafood and pasta. 40 Andover Rd., New London; 603-526-6899.

Bubba's Bar & Grille at Newbury Harbor: American and Italian food served in a modern, family-oriented dining room overlooking Lake Sunapee. Newbury Harbor Plaza, 976 Rte. 103, Newbury; 603-763-3290.

Inn at Pleasant Lake: award-winning five-course, prix-fixe meals prepared by executive chef Brian MacKenzie served Wednesday-Sunday in a 1790 farmhouse overlooking the lake. 853 Pleasant St., New London; 603-526-6271.

Copyright © 2008, Newsday Inc.

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