Don't pass up this mountain because it sounds too small. It has a lot going for it--and a first impression of very friendly employees. As you unload your gear there's a friendly, smiling person to welcome you and help with directions if needed.
The two base lodges are clean, airy and spacious--unfortunately the fireplace is never burning, even on the coldest of days. The mountain top lodge always has a fire on, and on warmer days a large outdoor deck is sunny and has great views.
Adult tickets every day are only $35--a bargain anywhere!! If you purchase your ticket after 2pm, it's good for the next day too. There are all sorts of packages available that help to keep costs of rental and lessons down. They even have an informal "tips on the mountain;" for a small fee you get to spend time throughout the day with instructors that are skiing the mountain in yellow jackets and they give you "tips" to help you improve--it's not a formal 1 1/2 hour lesson.
A detachable quad it the main lift that's used to get to the top--it's a short fast ride, and a plus on those cold windy days. We have never waited more than 5 minutes even on weekends. There are some older slower chairs that are OK for warm sunny days.
For very beginners they have two "Magic Carpets" that are longer than any I've seen. It's services very gentle terrain. From there skiers graduate to a chair that has gentle wide slopes.
There are wide opened, well-groomed slopes and winding, narrower trails that are interesting and picturesque. If the snow cover is good there are even some glades through the foresty area.
Experts get their challenge from skiing on trails and slopes that are purposely not groomed--or rarely groomed.
Food at the base lodge is good and reasonably priced for mountainfare. The menu is extensive--from soups and salads to pizza, burgers, chili and grilled sandwiches. A separate building houses a bar and restaurant that occasionally has entertainment either after skiing or in the evening.
There is a nice tubing park here. You're pulled up by a tow line and even allowed to tie tubes together for a tandem ride down. Night skiing is available a few nights weekly on the lower slopes and the tubing hill is also lit.
We look forward to spending more winter weeks here not only for the skiing but for the ambiance of North Conway.