There are quicker ways to arrive at your favorite ski destination. You'll probably save time if you take the highway, but you'll lose the flavor of New England along its various back roads. For skiers and riders, these journeys are not solely about a day on the slopes, but an immersion in the culture and history of the sport. Whether you plan an entire trip along these ski routes, or simply take the long way home, here are three of the region's best.
ROUTE 100, VERMONT
This celebrated path is often referred to as the “Skier’s Highway,’’ because it connects most of Vermont’s resort areas along a 220-mile road that runs nearly the entire length of the state. Route 100 takes motorists by some of the state’s most serene vistas, luxurious spas, and rural areas, with a noticeably diverse economic landscape along the way.
Ski areas: Magic Mountain (495 Magic Mountain Access Road, Londonderry, 802-824-5645, www.magicmtn.com), Stratton (Route 30, Bondville, 802-297-4000, www.stratton.com), Mount Snow (39 Mount Snow Road, West Dover, 802-464-2151, www.mountsnow.com), Bromley (Route 11, Peru, 802-824-5522, www.bromley.com), Killington (4763 Killington Road, Killington, 802-422-3333, www.killlington.com), Pico (73 Alpine Drive, Killington, 802-422-6100, www.picomountain.com), Okemo (77 Okemo Ridge Road, Ludlow, 802-228-5222, www.okemo.com), Sugarbush (1840 Sugarbush Access Road, Warren, 802-583-6300, www.sugarbush.com), Mad River Glen (62 Mad River Road, Waitsfield, 802-496-3551, www.madriverglen.com), Stowe Mountain Resort (5781 Mountain Road, Stowe, 802-253-3600, www.stowe.com), and Jay Peak (Route 252, Jay, 802-988-2611, www.jaypeakresort.com).
Other attractions: In Waterbury, taste testers flock to the Cabot Cheese Annex (2657 Waterbury-Stowe Road, Waterbury, 802-244-6334, www.cabotcheese.coop) and Ben & Jerry’s factory tour (1281 Waterbury-Stowe Road, Waterbury, 802-882-1240, www.benjerry.com) for free samples. The Vermont Ski Museum (1 Main St., Stowe, 802-253-9911, www.vermontskimuseum.org) offers a wonderful glimpse into the history of the state’s definitive sport. In Newport, near the Canadian border, stop by the museum at the Goodrich Memorial Library (202 Main St., Newport, 802-334-7902, www.goodrichlibrary.org) to see photos, paintings, and memorabilia of northern Vermont’s past.
Lodging: The White House Inn (Route 9, East Wilmington, 866-774-2135, www.whitehouseinn.com, $200-$325) provides nearby access to Mount Snow with the classic setting of a romantic New England inn. You’ll be greeted by the resident Saint Bernards at Killington’s Summit Lodge (Killington Mountain Road, 802-422-3535, www.summitlodgevermont.com, $80-$299). The Pitcher Inn (275 Main St., Warren, 802-496-6350, www.pitcherinn.com, $425-$800) and the Round Barn Inn (1661 East Warren Road, Waitsfield, 802-496-2276, www.innattheroundbarn.com, $165-$315) are as charming as their small-town surroundings. Go back in time at the Green Mountain Inn (18 Main St. , 802-253-7301, www.greenmountaininn.com, $129-$699), one of Stowe’s oldest lodging options.
Dining: After a day on the hills of Okemo, take your appetite to nearby Panarello’s (Route 103 South, Ludlow, 802-228-7222, www.panarellos.com, entrees $16-$32) for popular Italian dishes. For elegant dining in Killington, try Hemingway’s (Route 4, 802-422-3886, www.hemingwaysrestaurant.com, entrees $16-$38), one of the state’s celebrated fine dining establishments. In Waterbury, try some of Vermont chef of the year Michael Kloeti’s creations at Michael’s on the Hill (4182 Waterbury-Stowe Road, Waterbury, 802-244-7476, www.michaelsonthehill.com, entrees $25-$43). Hang out with some locals at the East Side Restaurant and Pub (47 Landing St., Newport, 802-334-2340, www.eastsiderestaurant.net, entrees $13.95-$27.95), situated on picturesque Lake Memphremagog.
Don’t miss: The stretch through Granville, home to just over 300 residents. Almost half of the town is dedicated to national forest land; It’s tranquil beauty, but offers nothing in terms of services or other amenities.
ROUTES 16 AND 302, NEW HAMPSHIRE
While North Conway may be overrun by commerce in the southern part of town, Route 16 turns into a skier’s paradise once it reaches the town village, home to Cranmore Mountain. Drive north along Routes 16 and 302, and arrive in some of the state’s most rugged areas, where skiing and riding are on par with some of the best in the Northeast.
Ski areas: Mount Cranmore (Skimobile Road, North Conway, www.cranmore.com), Bretton Woods (Route 302, Bretton Woods, www.mountwashingtonresort.com), Attitash (Route 302, Bartlett, www.attitash.com), Wildcat Mountain (Route 16, Pinkham Notch, www.skiwildcat.com), Black Mountain (373 Black Mountain Road, Jackson, www.blackmt.com).
Other attractions: Learn about the infamous weather on Mount Washington through interactive exhibits at the Weather Discovery Center (2779 Main St., 603-356-2137, www.mountwashington.org/education/center). Experience authentic Austrian sleigh rides and go ice skating on a Zamboni-groomed lake at Jackson’s Nestlebrook Estate and Resort (Dinsmore Road, Jackson, 800-659-9443, www.nestlenookfarm.com). If you don’t get enough Mount Washington or Tuckerman Ravine views from the summits of Bretton Woods or Wildcat Mountain, take a zoom down the year-round Canopy Tour at Bretton Woods, or the ZipRider (weather permitting) at Wildcat.
Lodging: The Christmas Farm Inn (3 Blitzen Way, Jackson, 603-383-4313, www.christmasfarminn.com, $149-$309.99) is popular with guests for its award-winning dining, full spa, and comfortable lodging all in picturesque Jackson. For the adventurous type, the AMC Highland Center Lodge (Route 302, Crawford Notch, 603-466-2727, www.outdoors.org/lodging/lodges/highland, $48-$68) offers four-season accommodations and education programs. Pamper yourself at the Mount Washington Hotel (Route 302, Bretton Woods, 603-278-1000, www.mountwashingtonresort.com, $279-$458).
Dining: For the ultimate après-ski dining experience, head to the 1785 Inn (3582 White Mountain Highway, 603-356-9025, www.the1785inn.com, entrees $17.85-$29.85), annually voted among the best dining in the Mount Washington Valley. Choose between fine dining or pub fare at the Wildcat Inn and Tavern (Route 16A, Jackson Village, 603-383-6502, www.wildcattavern.com, entrees $19.95-$32.95) in the heart of Jackson. The Red Parka Pub (Route 302, Glen 603-383-4344, www.redparkapub.com, entrees $13.95-$25.95) is a classic ski bar that packs in the crowds after a day on the slopes.
Don’t miss: The drive through Crawford Notch State Park is awe-inspiring in any season. In winter, the craggy scenery takes on a new life with the snow-capped mountains and treetops providing a dramatic backdrop.
Winding through the tranquil winter scenery surrounding western Maine’s mountains and lakes, this route leads skiers and riders to a pair of the state’s skiing behemoths and to a number of smaller community areas. Take Route 4 to the Rangeley Lakes Region, home of Saddleback, or head up Route 27 just past Farmington, and make your way to Carrabassett Valley, renowned home of Sugarloaf. Along the way, there’s plenty to keep drivers wide-eyed.
Ski areas: Lost Valley (200 Lost Valley Road, Auburn, 207-784-1561, www.lostvalleyski.com), Spruce Mountain (Ski Slope Road, Jay, 207-897-4090, www.sprucemountain.org), Titcomb Mountain (Morrison Hill Road, West Farmington, 207-778-9031, www.titcombmountain.com), Sugarloaf (5092 Access Road, Carrabassett Valley, 207-237-2300, www.sugarloaf.com), Saddleback (976 Saddleback Road, Rangeley, 207-864-5671, www.saddlebackmaine.com).
Other attractions: The Rangeley Lakes region claims one of the state’s largest snowmobile clubs (www.rangeleysnowmobile.com) and more than 150 miles of groomed trails along the Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway. The University of Maine at Farmington boasts an art gallery (238 Main St., 207-778-7002, www.artgallery.umf.maine.edu) with works by Maine artists with a variety of styles. Learn about history and heritage at the Ski Museum of Maine (109 Church St., Kingfield, 207-491-5481, www.skimuseumofmaine.org). Provided you don’t get enough air on the slopes of Sugarloaf, head to the Anti-Gravity and Recreation Complex (1001 Carriage Road, Carrabassett Valley, 207-237-5566, www.carrabassettvalley.org/content/4022/Anti_Gravity_Complex) featuring one of the state’s largest indoor skate parks, along with an indoor rock climbing wall and a multipurpose gymnasium.
Lodging: A half-mile from the Sugarloaf Access Road, the Nestlewood Inn (3004 Town Line, Carrabassett Valley, 207-237-2077, www.nestle woodinn.com, $175-$300) may be a log cabin, but it’s not exactly roughing it with private decks and Jacuzzi tubs. Step into Maine’s past at the Herbert Grand Hotel (246 Main St., Kingfield, 207-265-2000, www.herbertgrandhotel.com, $79-$119), which prides itself on not losing the feel and character of its 1918 opening. At the Pleasant Street Inn Bed and Breakfast (104 Pleasant St., Rangeley, 207-864-5916, www.pleasantstreetinnbb.com, $135-$155) guests find warm and comforting accommodations within minutes of Saddleback.
Dining: Pizza lovers flock to the Rangeley Red Onion (2511 Main St., Rangeley, 207-864-5022, www. rangeleyredonion.com, $10-$13) to taste whether the Reuben pizza is worth the hype. Enjoy unique Maine cuisine at the One Stanley Avenue Restaurant (1 Stanley Ave., Kingfield, 207-265-5541, www.stanleyavenue.com, $20.75-$35), a menu highlighted by duck, rabbit, and lobster dishes. For an equally unique dining experience, take a 20-passenger snowcat to the summit of Sugarloaf, where Bullwinkle’s (5092 Access Road, Carrabassett Valley, 207-237-6959, www.sugarloaf.com/EventsActivities/DiningNightlife/Bullwinkles.html, dinners $99 per person, reservations required) offers gourmet dining atop one of the state’s tallest peaks. Don’t miss: The commanding vista of Sugarloaf from Route 27 is considered among the unsurpassed views in all of New England.
Eric Wilbur can be reached at ewilbur@boston.com. 
