Skiing is the sport of both of these states. With more than hundred and fifty days of snow covered hills and mountains must mean you like winter?
There is a noticeable difference in the states having traveled to both in one week this March. Here is my take.
Vermont has the Green Mountains. Its rural with rolling hills and a sleepy picturesque glow where each night you lay cozy by the fire. Locals are friendly and seem to have been there all their life. A plentitude of maple syrup and cheese makers galore. Brew companies are also abundant in the state with Long trail being one of them. We ended up at the brew restaurant with pleasant smiles and good fare. Bromley mountain was relaxed with skiers young and old as if the state itself breathed a chill pill for every human being. They welcome tourists and enjoy having them.
New Hampshire has more people. A similar size to Vermont yet more populated. We entered into the White Mountains where the presidentials swarm around Mt. Washington. These mountains seemed very different. Rugged and unforgiving. With the state motto being “live free or die”, you can surely see that these mountains speak to that. The Appalachian trail goes through here so hiking and camping is just as important to this state as skiing. The people seem tougher, friendly yet cautious. North Conway is a walkable town with plenty of restaurants and stores. Cranmoore Mountain has a variety of skiing for any family or group that are on different levels. I noticed plenty of a certain age with no helmets just hats skiing with jackets fully opened down the hill as if singing to themselves “I’m alive”. A YOLO of sorts that they are present and moving without injury.
I’m not going to place a favorite because they both have their charm. To some winter is that of being idle but if you have more of it a year you can’t just wish it away. There are plenty of things to do to stay active as one rugged ski patroller said, “there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear."