Your guide to Mount Sunapee, New Hampshire's secret mountain

It’s hard to believe that spring is around the corner. But if you haven’t squeezed in enough skiing or slept in a cozy cabin in the woods, there’s still time to head north. This weekend’s destination: Mount Sunapee, New Hampshire, which has all the ingredients for a quintessential New England winter escape.

But first, let’s get a handle on the geography. The top alpine ski area in Southern New Hampshire, Mount Sunapee overlooks the shores of Lake Sunapee and is surrounded by small towns like Newbury, New London, and Bradford. The mountain has a loyal following of families who grew up skiing here and return generation after generation. Chris Corliss came from one of those families. He was raised in Vermont but skied at Sunapee as a kid—and now he has come full circle and is the director of mountain operations at the ski resort. What he loves most about Sunapee is what it’s not. “It’s not pretentious,” says Chris. “It’s authentic and genuine, and the locals are always stoked to hear about your day.”

“People are really passionate about being here,” says Tim Fenton, who was born and raised in the area and is a server at Goosefeathers Pub, a popular après-ski spot. Tim’s family owns a number of local businesses, including the Appleseed Restaurant in nearby Bradford and Sunapee Cruises, which runs summer boat tours of the lake. Tim left to go to college and grad school, but couldn’t stay away.

Another passionate local who left for a hot minute but was drawn back is Caitlin Clapp. Together with her husband Patrick, they run Sunapee Stays and find inspiration in the area’s historic charms. “This was a huge destination in the 1800s before the invention of the car,” says Patrick. “People used to take the train here, then cross the lake in a steamboat.” By rehabbing old buildings—from a 1930’s ice house to a motel with mountain views to a treehouse made with 1800’s barnboard—they’re sharing an updated piece of that history with modern-day guests. “This area is a real hidden gem,” says Patrick. “Once you get here you’ll fall in love with it.”

-Laura Begley Bloom, New York's Senior WeekEnder Writer

The Sunapee area is known for small, family-owned hotels, inns, and rentals with tons of personality. Here’s our hit list.

For adventurers: Mountain Edge Resort & Spa in Newbury - The closest hotel to Mount Sunapee, this Adirondack-style resort is the crash pad of choice for skiers who want to spread out in one- and two-bedroom suites and warm up in the indoor and outdoor heated pools.

For Instagrammers: Tiffany Hill Treehouse in Newbury - Tucked away in the woods, this luxurious two-bedroom retreat is a step up from your childhood treehouse. Think: heated tile floors and a travertine shower.

For families: Sunapee Stays - The owners of the Tiffany Hill Treehouse have other stylish rentals scattered throughout the area, from King Hill Cottage (an old ice house) to the Lodge (a converted motel with luxe suites for rent).

For sweethearts: The New London Inn in New London - A charming New England inn with wide plank floors, its own ice-skating rink right on property, and a well-regarded restaurant called the Coach House (a must-order: the truffle fries).

From brewpubs to farm-to-table restaurants, the Sunapee area has a surprisingly diverse dining and drinking scene.

Blue Loon Bakery in New London - Hand-rolled bagels, artisan bread, and flaky croissants in an 1830s farmhouse complete with a micro gallery. Don’t miss the drunken monkey bread, sold only on weekends.

Tucker’s in New London - Hidden away in a strip mall, Tucker’s doesn’t look like much. But with dishes like apple caramel French toast and a brie-and-bacon egg sandwich with cranberry aioli, it’s no wonder New Hampshire Magazine called this one of the best breakfasts in the state.

Little Brothers Burger in New London - “A super cute spot across from Colby College where all the burgers are called ‘brothers,’ like the Double Brother with two patties,” says Peter Disch, general manager at Mount Sunapee.

Ziggy’s Pizza in Sunapee - This pizza is so good because it’s made with farm-fresh ingredients and a range of crust options (Chicago-style deep dish, New York-style thin crust, cauliflower, gluten-free, or flatbread).

Salt Hill Pub in Newbury - Also known locally as “the Shanty,” this après-ski pub is located right near the base of the mountain. “They have a great rotating tap selection and it’s really welcoming,” says Peter.

Goosefeathers Pub in Newbury - Don’t want to take off your ski boots? This pub on the second floor of Mount Sunapee’s Spruce Lodge is your après spot. The brew of choice: “Flyway by Henniker Brewing Company, a locally brewed IPA made just for Mount Sunapee, is a hot seller,” says Tim Fenton.

The Flying Goose Brew Pub and Grille in New London - “This brewpub has a commitment to sustainability and serves elevated dishes,” says Peter. Some of the fan favorites include a fig and prosciutto flatbread with garlic and herb butter and a Sriracha grilled chicken sandwich with Long Brothers Cheddar Ale cheese, bacon, and avocado on basil focaccia bread.

Appleseed Restaurant in Bradford - Since 1977, this family-run spot in a converted farmhouse has been a local standby. According to Tim Fenton, the son of the owners, the most popular nights are Friday for fish-and-chips and Saturday for the prime rib special.

Wildwood Smokehouse in Sunapee - Wood-fired barbeque and cold beers on tap. “It’s a saloon-style hole-in-the-wall run by owner Debbie Samalis, who is a character,” says Peter. His favorite dishes: the pulled pork and the mac & cheese.

Bubba’s Bar & Grille in Newbury - You like seafood? You’ll love the award-winning seafood chowder, fried shrimp, and crabcakes at this waterfront spot.

Suna in Sunapee - “A new-American-style restaurant with a mountain casual vibe—you can show up in a pair of jeans,” says Peter, whose advice is to order “whatever they have on special because that’s what’s in season.”

Millstone at 74 Main in New London - “They change the menu a lot and you never know what you might see: tuna poke or a nice piece of halibut,” says Patrick Clapp.

The Refinery in Andover - A rustic tavern that’s worth the 20-minute drive to nearby Andover for a mix of downhome barbeque and sophisticated dishes (hickory-grilled filet mignon, pan-seared yellowfin tuna) from a James Beard-recognized chef.

Sanctuary Dairy Farm in Sunapee - At the age of 9, tenth-generation dairy farmer Beck Johnson had a dream: to open an ice cream shop made with cream from the family farm and ingredients from other local producers. Now he’s all grown up, has a certificate in ice cream science from Penn State, and makes desserts with a cult following.

Sweet Beet Market in Bradford - A year-round, indoor farmers’ market with hyper local small producers selling fresh veggies, baked goods, and more.

The topline: Locals like to say that Boston learned to ski at Mount Sunapee. This 2,743-foot mountain is small but has a big mountain feel, attracting travelers from around the Northeast looking to escape the crowds. "Sunapee has always had some of the best snowmaking and grooming in the Northeast, so we’re known for great powder late into the season,” says Tim Fenton.

Best runs: In total, Mount Sunapee has 67 trails served by eight lifts. Where to ski? “If you’re an early-morning skier who likes sun-kissed trails, the best run is Upper Cataract,” says Chris Corliss. For beginners: “The two-mile Ridge goes all the way from the summit to the base area,” says Chris. “It’s a wide trail where you can go nice and slow and carve big turns.”

Lift tickets: Operated by Vail Resorts, Mount Sunapee is part of the Epic Pass group and passholders get special privileges. For more information, see the ticketing page.

Dining and drinking: Grab a burger and a beer at the Summit Lodge, where you can check out the views stretching to the Green Mountains of Vermont.

Secret Tips: Say “hi” to Bob, who works in the Summit Lodge on the weekends, where he stokes the fire and loves to chat with guests. “He’s one of the best-kept secrets on the mountain—an old-time New England guy who has a wealth of history on the area,” says Chris.

When the locals aren’t on the slopes, here’s where they go to embrace the winter season.

Ice fishing - “It’s fun to go ice fishing on Lake Sunapee,” says Peter Disch. “All you need is a fishing license, which you can get online, and gear from The Tackle Shack in Newbury. It’s beautiful to watch the sun rise over the lake.”

Snowshoeing - Just minutes from Mount Sunapee, Dexter’s Inn has an extensive network of snowshoeing trails that start right out the back door and are open to the public for a small fee.

Cross-country skiing - The Northern Rail Trail, a 58-mile path that starts in Lebanon, is groomed in winter and perfect for cross-country skiing.

Hiking - Wander along the woodland trails on the grounds of the Fells Historic Estate & Gardens in Newbury, a former retreat for diplomat and statesman John Milton Hay.

Driving - Don’t miss a drive along the Lake Sunapee Scenic Byway, which meanders through a rural landscape filled with forested hills and panoramic views of Lake Sunapee.

Snow tubing - A worthy detour: “Arrowhead in nearby Claremont is a tiny mountain operated by locals with great snow-tubing runs,” says Caitlin Clapp.

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