Bromley – nice but unspectacular medium-sized mountain, catering to intermediate skiers. Laid-back, old-fashioned atmosphere with excellent cost and overall attitude, so families should have a great time (if everyone is relatively skilled).

Smugglers Notch – great glades! Decent backcountry for adventurous blue-to-black skiers, but offers the most for green-to-blue. Slow-moving lifts but not especially crowded, and ideal for extended family stays.

• New Hampshire:

Attitash – VERY hit-or-miss; terrain is good, conditions good with usual NE issues, and a fair variety for everyone. However, crowds, wait times, costs, and service can be bad or simply tolerable depending on your timing (and mood).

Loon Mountain – decent variety of terrain for all skill levels with a focus on greenish-blue cruisers. Boarders have a little more to choose from than elsewhere in the area, and the prices and crowds are relatively reasonable (depending on your timing).

Bretton Woods – great views and less wind than usual. Long cruising trails for green and blue, with a few okay blacks, and the cost-crowd-service level is usually better than average. Good all-around destination and great for families.

Cannon Mountain – natural terrain, reasonable prices, and not normally busy — your good time will depend very much on the weather and your skills. Not quite as hardcore as Mad River Glen, but in the same category.

Crotched Mountain – nice variety of trails, good grooming up front and natural in the back. Great for learning progression but few challenges for the black levels. Helpful and friendly staff plus low waiting and decent prices.

Gunstock – snow seems a bit better here than other VT/ NH areas, and trails are a solid compromise of natural and groomed. Perfect for blue cruisers, but not much for greens and blacks. Good park for boarders, and great views, but weather, cost, and crowds are highly variable.

Wildcat – impressive variety of terrain for NH, a bit windy and colder than average. Maybe the best views in New England. Rarely crowded, decent prices…could be a big win for you if you’re not concerned about limited apres-ski or slow lifts.

Mount Sunapee – snow conditions better than usual, long trails a good choice for intermediates, schools are very nice for beginners, and overall recommended for park boarders. Can get rather busy, but not especially expensive.

Cranmore – varied terrain, good learning mountain very suited for kids — and there’s usually plenty of them, especially boarders who seem to like the parks. More apres-ski options than usual, and only relatively expensive.

Waterville Valley – you’ll never enjoy a mediocre mountain as much as this one. Probably the best place to learn how to ski, decent terrain, and a fun and friendly atmosphere. Day trips are best, food is good but expensive.

• New York – transition from more hardcore NE conditions in the Adirondacks to the more resort-oriented Catskills down south. Belleayre, Windham, Greek Peak, and Holiday Valley are all satisfying destinations, but the top spots belong to: