Dartmouth Skiway

Those who haven't been to Dartmouth Skiway in Lyme Center, N.H., in the last five years will be surprised to find one of the most splendid ski lodges in all ski country, a soaring timber-framed building called the McLane Family Lodge, a center that really captures the essence of a family ski area.

Dartmouth's 1,000-foot vertical is a cruiser's delight with about half its 31 trails and gladed terrain falling into the intermediate range. Another 25 percent is beginner, and the rest is real black diamond in the old New England narrow and cranky tradition. The best beginner trail is the long round sidecut called Papoose that mirrors the blue-cruising trail, M.D.

The blue Lift Line is an ego shot for intermediates to strut their stuff, and it leads to a pleasingly steep Lower Gauntlet that rolls to the base. For black diamond seekers, two serious runs are where you find the Dartmouth ski team most of the time -- Thomas Trail and the Don Worden Schuss.

Above all else, the price is right at Dartmouth, home ski area of many a World Cup racer and Olympian.

TONY CHAMBERLAIN