Just west of Glen on Rte. 302 in Bartlett, Attitash is an all-around, two-mountain resort with a few expert touches. The resort is comprised of two mountains. The Attitash side features a warren of narrow New England trails filled with history, and the newer trails on the Bear Peak side provide cruising terrain plus some glades. Here's a trail map.

This is a resort for beginners and intermediates. Experts and advanced skiers can have a good time, but they shouldn't expect anything too challenging. Experts should consider tackling Mt. Washington.

Ptarmigan, on Attitash, is supposed to be one of the steepest trails in New England, but it is manageable for good intermediates because of the elbow room on the run. The rest of the mountain is enough to keep 80 percent of skiers perfectly satisfied, with Northwest Passage to Cathedral and Saco to Ammonoosuc providing inspired cruising, while Idiot’s Option and Grandstand are favorites for those seeking a knee workout. The problem with the Attitash side of the mountain is the lack of a high-speed, base-to-summit lift.

Not so on the Bear Peak side, where there’s a high-speed quad backed by several other chairlifts. Bear Peak features Illusion, Avenger, Kachina and Myth Maker: a foursome of cruising delights (the diamonds shouldn’t scare any strong intermediate away, unless the trails haven’t been groomed). Seeking more challenge? Jump into the Peak’s ever-expanding glades.

The Attitash base is the primary one. Here you’ll find the massive Adventure Center that houses all of the Learn to Ski and Ride programs and children’s programs. Lessons, rentals and child care are all under one roof, and just outside, beginners have a “Snowbelt” lift. First-timers graduate from that to the adjacent, protected learning slope served by a triple chair. From there, they move on to beginner trails around the neighboring Double-Double lifts.