Mount Prospect, New Hampshire, USA

Skiing in New Hampshire is a treat because of the continuous snowfall during the winter and the wide choice of ski hills to discover.

Mount Prospect is a sweet little rope tow hill near Lancaster, NH. There are three runs and a verticality of 250 feet. You could not get closer to the original idea of skiing when, long before chairlifts and resorts, people used to actually walk up the slopes then ski down them. A slight concession to today's skiers, the rope tow operates to the side of the hill but still allows plenty of room for side-stepping up the hill and skiing down.

 

Lest you think Mount Prospect is a hill for sissies, think again! Ski racing is alive and well on the hill and very competitive. Slalom and GS courses are regularly set up during the week and veteran ski coaches encourage kids to focus on techniques they can learn on this hill that will get them to the big time.

A journalist wrote an article for the New York Times Travel section in 2010 about her experience skiing Mount Prospect and observed. "It was also what skiing was like before the days of heated gondolas, ski valets and $97 lift tickets---luxuries out of reach to many people, even before the recession." And you have to agree. For a family with kids who are beginners to travel to a ski area and pay a great deal of money for lift tickets for each member, skiing can become prohibitive. This is a good reason why so many smaller and kinder ski hills, especially in New England, are enjoying a resurgence. Leaving the glitzy expensive resorts to the heavy spenders, families are reveling in small town small tow hills that get lots of snow and offer their families the chance to get out and ski together. These smaller hills can charge anywhere from $5 a day to $15 a day for lift tickets.

Mount Prospect started as a backyard project and today is humming with kids and parents whizzing up and down the hill. There are no toilets or snack bar or ski rentals. What there is comes in the form of discovery. Discovery of the joy of skiing the way it used to be. Discovery of silence as the snow falls. Discovery of being really outdoors, away from restaurants and lodges and outdoor piped music.

Mount Prospect is located close enough to the big boys in northern New Hampshire that you can easily hop in your car and get to the big resorts in a few minutes. This is also its appeal as the bigger resort areas have masses of accommodations and activities.

If you would like to stay in Lancaster, then there is the dependable Coos Motor Inn. If you would like to ski other areas, you are in the center of the White Mountains. Cross country advocates swear by Jackson, NH so if you go there try staying at the Nordic Village Resort. Waterville Valley is an advanced ski resort chock full of challenging runs, world class lodging and chic dining options. Or consider staying in one of New Hampshire's fabled Grand Old Inns. The Mt. Washington Hotel at Bretton Woods would make an excellent choice. There's Alpine as well as Nordic skiing right from the hotel grounds.

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Mount Prospect hotels selected by eGuide
	Country Inn & Suites by Carlson Chicago O'Hare Northwest We are conveniently located near O'Hare International Airport and major Chicago attractions. We offer charming decor and comfortable amenities.
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Hotels near Mount Prospect
	Holiday Inn O'Hare Area Just 2 Miles from O'Hare International Airport and 12 miles from Downtown Chicago, the hotel offers 24 hour courtesy transportation to and from O'Hare Airport. Zip to Downtown for some shopping on the Magnificent Mile on the Blue Line, catch a game at Wrigley Field or go sightseeing at Millennium Park. When visiting Chicago Illinois be sure to make the Holiday Inn Chicago O'Hare Hotel your first and only choice in Chicago.
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	Wingate by Wyndham Schaumburg/Convention Center Conveniently located seconds from Schaumburg Convention Center in Schaumburg, Illinois, this hotel offers spacious accommodations and facilities, equipped with all today's modern conveniences. The Wingate by Wyndham Schaumburg provides a variety of thoughtful amenities. Guests can start the morning with a complimentary breakfast, take the hotel's free shuttle to the city center and finish the evening with complimentary beverages and hot hors d'oeuvres.
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	Comfort Suites O'Hare Airport Equipped with many modern conveniences, including in-room microwaves and mini-refrigerators, this all-suite hotel features free shuttle service to O'Hare International Airport and is near Stephens Convention Center. Start the morning at the Comfort Suites O'Hare Airport with a free hot breakfast buffet. Enjoy working out in the 24-hour fitness centre or browsing the internet with free wireless access. The hotel also provides free on-site parking.
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	Congress Plaza Hotel This historic hotel features easy access to top Chicago attractions along with stunning views of Buckingham Fountain and Lake Michigan, and offers on-site dining options and comfortable guestrooms. The Congress Plaza Hotel is ideally placed adjacent to Grant Park and within walking distance of Shedd Aquarium and the Willis Tower. Guests can also easily discover the shops and restaurants of Navy Pier with nearby access to public transportation.