Travel to Popular Parks Without a Plan

The annual number of visitors to national parks has exploded recently. In 2023, national parks reported 325.5 million recreation visitors, an increase of 12 million visitors from 2022.

A number of popular national parks have implemented reservation requirements in an effort to control the crowds. When planning your visit, make sure you research reservation requirements, know what is open within the parks, and whether you can drive your car or will need to take a shuttle. Don’t show up without accommodation booked, thinking you can just have a spontaneous trip, especially during peak season. Nothing would be worse than buying flights and booking hotels only to get all the way to the park and not be able to go in because you don’t have a reservation.

These national parks will require reservations in peak season:

• Arches National Parks 
• Glacier National Park (Going-to-the-Sun Road and North Fork)
• Mount Rainier National Park (Paradise Corridor and Sunrise Corridor)
• Shenandoah National Park (Old Rag)
• Rocky Mountain National Park (Bear Lake Road Corridor and “rest of park”)
• Yosemite National Park 
• Zion National Park (Angels Landing)

Leave a Trace

The first rule of national parks, or any outdoor environment, is to leave no trace. Simply put, this means to have as minimal an impact on the environment as possible. This means not only leaving nothing behind (like trash), but also applies to not tampering with the environment by taking things with you. For example, you shouldn’t pick wildflowers or collect stones to bring home as a souvenir 

Get too Close to Wildlife

There are news stories of national park visitors getting gored while trying to snap a selfie with or even pet bison. Although the animals may look adorable, you have to remember that these are wild animals, and you must keep your distance. It’s for your safety and the animals’ safety. 

Most national parks require you to stay a minimum of 25 yards from most wildlife and 100 yards from predators like bears and wolves. If animals react to your presence, you are too close. 

If you’re bad at eyeballing distances, a good trick is to follow the “rule of thumb.” If your thumb can cover the entire animal you’re looking at on the horizon, you’re at a safe distance.

Remember that national parks are wild places, so even if you think an animal needs help, don’t approach it. A pair of visitors to Yellowstone National Park infamously decided a baby bison looked cold and loaded it in their car to “rescue it” by taking it to a ranger station. The ranger tried to reintegrate the calf with its herd, but it was rejected by its mother and had to be euthanized. The tourists were fined for interfering with the wildlife. 

Underestimate Hikes

It can be easy to underestimate trails in the national parks. Many trails are short and leave directly from a parking lot, lulling hikers into a false sense of security. Unfortunately, these trails are still in the wild, and things can easily go wrong. Hikers have gone missing and died in national parks on trails that are as short as half a mile round trip. 

Even if you’re going on a short walk, wear proper footwear and carry plenty of water and supplies.

Get Distracted by the Scenery When Driving

Vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of death in national parks. Roads within national parks are attractions in their own right, winding through stunning scenery. 

As tempting as it can be, keep your eyes on the road when driving through national parks. There are plenty of pull-offs where you can take a break to snap a photo or admire the view. 

Always stay alert for wildlife, especially at dusk and dawn when animals are most active. Keep an eye out for human visitors as well, who may unexpectedly dart into the roadway. Go slow and always follow the speed limit. Many roads are twisty and run alongside steep drop-offs. Exercise extra caution when driving at night, as there won’t be any street lights. 

Feed the Wildlife

The National Parks Service (NPS) doesn’t mince words. “Feeding wildlife is actually a form of animal cruelty.” When animals become accustomed to human-provided food sources, they may lose their natural foraging behaviors and become dependent on humans for sustenance. This also makes wildlife more comfortable around humans, increasing the risk of aggressive encounters.Being fed by humans lures animals into populated areas, like roads, where they are more likely to be hit by a car. 

Additionally, many human foods are unsuitable for wild animals and can cause malnutrition, disease, and even death. Even if you’re not intentionally feeding wildlife, leaving food scraps behind on a hike or picnic, littering, or not properly securing your food can have the same impact. 

Go Off Trail

Going off trail can be dangerous for both you and the environment. Veering off designated paths can easily damage or kill plant species and contribute to trail erosion. In many national parks, it can be extremely easy to get lost, which is why it’s important to stay on the trail. 

Fly Drones

Drones have crashed in geysers in Yellowstone National Park, fallen into the Grand Canyon, and disturbed wildlife—which is why they are banned from national parks. 

Unmanned aircraft, aka drones, are banned in all national parks, so please leave them at home.

The post 8 Things You Should Never Do in National Parks appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Newer iPhones (the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15) have an Emergency SOS via Satellite feature built-in, which allows you to contact emergency services via satellite, even if no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage is available. If your attempts to call or text emergency services fail due to a lack of traditional connectivity, your device will automatically try to connect you through a satellite.

How to Use the iPhone Satellite SOS

The satellite SOS feature is only to be used in an emergency. Use it in scenarios where you would call 911, like a car crash or getting injured while hiking. 

To utilize the Satellite SOS service, you must be outside and have a clear view of the sky and horizon. Trees, mountains, and buildings can all block the connection. 

First, try calling the local emergency number to reach emergency services. Even if your normal cellular carrier network isn’t available, you might be able to make the call.

After an emergency call fails, an option will pop up where you can tap “emergency text via satellite.” Then follow these steps:

1. Tap “report emergency.”
2. Choose from the following prompts to describe your situation: Car or vehicle issue, sickness or injury, crime, lost or trapped, fire.
3. The iPhone will then ask you a series of questions based on your response, that can be answered using simple taps. You will be given the option to share your location and nature of your emergency with your emergency contacts. 
4. Follow onscreen directions to connect to a satellite. You’ll need to manually position your phone to help it lock on to a satellite.
5. Stay connected as emergency services asks you further questions over text.

Once you’re connected, your iPhone will start a text with emergency responders that shares any information you have provided (such as your medical ID), your location (including elevation), and how much battery life you have left. 

How to Use the iPhone’s My Location via Satellite Feature

For non-emergency situations, where you simply want to share your location with your contacts, you can use the My Location via Satellite feature on the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15. This feature is available in the Find My App. Tap the “me” tab and navigate to My Location via Satellite. Tap “send my location” and follow the steps to connect to a satellite and send your location. 

Before You Travel

Apple recommends watching the Emergency SOS Satellite demo at home in order to familiarize yourself with the process in case you ever need it. 

Make sure you have the most recent version of iOS installed on your phone. iOS 16.4 or later may be required to use the feature. 

Set up your iPhone’s Medical ID and emergency contacts, which the satellite feature can transmit to emergency services. You need to set up this information before going somewhere with no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.

How Much Does the iPhone Satellite Connection Cost?

The iPhone Satellite Connection is currently free. Apple has indicated that this will be a feature it may charge for in the future, but has not disclosed when that will start or how much it will cost.

Where Can You Use the iPhone Satellite SOS?

The iPhone satellite feature is currently available in: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, and the US.

The post How to Use the iPhone’s Satellite SOS When Traveling appeared first on SmarterTravel.

If you want to avoid flying on a Boeing aircraft, there are a few ways to check which type of plane you’ll be traveling on before booking.

1. When searching for a plane ticket, look for the aircraft type used for the flight. This is generally displayed right below the flight details for almost every airline. If you search on Google Flights, you can see the aircraft type right below the flight times.

2. To make it easier to find a flight on a non-Boeing plane, you can search on Kayak. Kayak has an aircraft filter that allows you to exclude certain aircraft models, such as the Boeing 737-8 Max.

If you’ve already booked your flight, you can find out what type of aircraft you’ll be flying on by logging into your reservation. Most airlines will display the aircraft model under your flight information.

If you can’t find this information on your reservation, you can go to SeatGuru and input your flight number to see what aircraft you’re flying on, along with a plane seat map. 

However, a schedule change, mechanical issue, or weather delay could all cause an airline to swap the plane that was originally scheduled to be used for a flight. This could result in a different type of aircraft being used than was listed when you booked your flight. 

Which Airlines Use the Boeing 737 Max 8 and Max 9?

Although there have been significant concerns around the entire Boeing brand lately, the two aircraft that have garnered the most bad press are the 737 Max 8 and the 737 Max 9.

The 737 Max 9 was recently grounded following the Alaska Air doorplug incident but is now back in service. The 737 Max 8 was grounded by the FAA a few years ago after it was involved in two fatal crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia. However, it was recertified and returned to the air in November 2020. 

The airlines that use the 737 Max 8 and 737 Max 9 are:

• United Airlines
• Alaska Air
• Copa Airlines
• Aeromexico
• Turkish Airlines
• Icelandair
• Lion Air
• Flydubai
• SCAT Airlines

What Can You Do If You’re Already Booked on a Boeing Plane?

Contact your airline directly if you have concerns about the type of aircraft that will be used for your flight. If you’re booked on a Boeing 737 Max 9 and don’t want to fly on that aircraft, the airline may work with you to change your flight, even if you’re booked on a non-refundable ticket. A spokesperson for United Airlines told SmarterTravel, “We’ll work with customers directly to ensure they feel comfortable flying. If they wish to change their flight, we’ll move them onto the next available flight.”

Alaska Air has a similar policy, telling SmarterTravel that although they have “complete confidence in the safety of all our aircraft,” guests who are uncomfortable flying on a Max 9 can call the airline and be rebooked on a different flight without an additional charge. This policy applies even to Saver tickets. Alaska Air says they will not charge a difference in fare for the tickets.

The post How to Check if You’re Flying on a Boeing Plane appeared first on SmarterTravel.

The travel site Upgraded Points calculated the average legroom for each major US airline by analyzing the carriers’ aircraft used across its ten busiest domestic flight routes. Upgraded Points studied the average seat pitch (the distance between a point on one seat and the same point on the seat in front of it) of economy seats on those routes, and used to create a standard legroom score for each airline.

Not surprisingly, budget carriers Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines tied for last place in the average amount of legroom offered in economy, with an average seat pitch of just 28 inches. In comparison, the airline with the most amount of legroom, JetBlue Airways, had an average seat pitch of 32.3 inches in economy class on domestic flights. 

The US Airlines With the Most Amount of Legroom

You’ll get more legroom flying on these airlines.

1. JetBlue Airways: 32.3”
2. Southwest Airlines: 31.8”
3. TIE: Alaska Airlines & Delta Airlines: 31.0”

The US Airlines With the Least Amount of Legroom

Prepare for a very cramped flight if you fly any of these airlines. 

1. American Airlines: 30.2”
2. United Airlines: 30.1” 
3. Hawaiian Airlines: 29.0”
4. TIE: Frontier Airlines & Spirit Airlines: 28.0″

Tips for Getting More Legroom in Economy

Want to get more legroom in economy? Here are a few ways to do it:

1. Check the aircraft model before buying your ticket. If you’re shopping for a flight, check SeatGuru before purchasing to find the pitch and width on the specific type of plane that will be flying on your route. You can compare it to flights at other times or on different airlines to find which ones will give you the most legroom for free.

2. Gamble on checking in late. If you go to check-in for your flight and a number of extra legroom seats (like the emergency exit row) are available, but you don’t want to pay for them, you could wait to check-in and hope that the other standard economy seats get filled up first. If that happens, the airline will assign passengers to the extra legroom seats for free. Just be warned, this move could backfire and you could get stuck in a middle seat! 

1. Use your points to upgrade to a premium economy seat—an upgrade with points is often significantly cheaper than it would have cost to buy the seat with the extra legroom when booking.

The post The Airlines With the Most and Least Amount of Legroom appeared first on SmarterTravel.

For now, participation in facial recognition technology is completely voluntary. Here’s how you can opt-out.

Which Airports Use Facial Recognition Technology?

The TSA has been testing facial recognition technology at numerous airports in the United States over the past year and plans to roll it out at many more locations in the near future. 

These are the airports where you can expect to see facial recognition technology in use:

• Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
• Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
• Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• Denver International Airport (DEN)
• Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
• Eastern Iowa Airport (CID)
• Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT)
• Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Honolulu Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
• Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN)
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)
• LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
• Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)
• Miami International Airport (MIA)
• Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC)
• Nashville International Airport (BNA)
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
• Richmond International Airport (RIC)
• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
• Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
• Will Rogers World Airport (OKC)

How is Facial Recognition Used at Airports?

Passengers being screened with facial recognition technology will not have to show their identification or ticket in order to pass through security. 

Instead, updated passenger identification scanners utilize biometric cameras capable of facial recognition. These devices match a traveler’s face to their driver’s license or passport photo along with any other photos the government may have on file, and automatically verifies that they are a ticketed airline passenger. 

How to Opt out of TSA Facial Recognition

The TSA’s official policy states, “Travelers who do not wish to participate in the facial recognition technology process may decline the optional photo in favor of an alternative identity verification process, which does not use facial recognition technology to verify their identity.”

To opt out of facial recognition at the airport, proceed through the normal security line. Once you reach the checkpoint, there will be a sign indicating that facial recognition technology is being used. If it is being used, all you have to do is politely tell the officer that you would like to opt out. All checkpoints should have clear signage notifying passengers that they have the right to opt out of facial recognition screening.

The TSA officer will then give you a “manual screening,” which is the same process of screening that has been in place at airports for years. The officer will take your identification and match it against your appearance visually. You will not lose your place in line by asking for the manual screening, and it will not take any longer than the facial recognition process. The TSA emphasizes, “The traveler will not experience any negative consequences for choosing not to participate.”

How to Opt-Out if You Have TSA PreCheck  

TSA PreCheck passengers are more likely to undergo facial recognition screening than travelers going through standard security lanes. However, the opt-out process is the same—all you have to do is let the TSA officer know that you want to be manually screened.

The post How to Opt Out of TSA Facial Recognition appeared first on SmarterTravel.

We’re not saying that you can’t strike up conversations and enjoy being on your own while traveling, but creating at least the initial illusion of a safety net with a fictional travel companion (who just happens to not be around at that moment) can help keep you safe.

Here are some situations we can think of in which this solo travel safety tip can come in handy:

• Fending off unwanted advances.
• An easy out with persistent sellers: (for example, “Oh, I can’t buy that without consulting my husband, but he’s back at the hotel. Maybe we’ll come back later”).
• An excuse not to join an activity that you don’t want to do—”Sorry, my friend is waiting for me at the hotel; I have to get back!”

If you want to go even further, embellish the story by picking up two room keys when you check in (you never know who might be watching).

Caroline Morse is a Senior Editor at SmarterTravel. Follow her adventures on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline and on Twitter @CarolineMorse1.

The post The One Lie You Should Always Tell While Traveling appeared first on SmarterTravel.

We’ve partnered with the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino to give away a dream trip to One Happy Island. This four-star resort sits on Palm Beach, a stunning white sand overlooking the bright blue Caribbean Sea. Once you arrive, you can continue your winning streak at the property’s Stellaris Casino, or relax in a private cabana at the adults-only H2Oasis pool—you’ll never want to leave the resort.

Fortunately, you won’t have to, as the Aruba Marriott has a wide variety of on-site dining options, including the elegant Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Mediterranean-influenced Mercat, and beachfront views at Atardi. 

Soak in the beautiful views without leaving your room—the Aruba Marriott boasts some of the largest hotel balconies in the country, and every accommodation type has one. 

The Prize

The lucky winner of the sweepstakes will receive the following:

• 4 nights accommodations at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
• Two air credits of $600 each
• Breakfast for 2    
• $400 food and beverage credit
• $100 casino match and play 
• $300 spa credit
• Welcome wine and cheese platter                                              

Redemption of the prize is subject to availability and is valid for stays through March 15, 2025. Blackout dates apply.

How to Enter

Visit our sweepstakes page here to enter before the giveaway ends on March 22, 2024.

Entering is easy—all you have to do is sign up for SmarterTravel and Oyster’s newsletters. If you’re already a subscriber, simply enter your email address to verify your account (you won’t be signed up twice.)

You can gain bonus entries by completing one or more of the following tasks to increase your chance of winning. You’ll receive one additional entry per task.

1. Follow us on Twitter (X).
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5. Follow Us on TikTok.

For full sweepstakes rules, review the Terms and Conditions on the sweepstakes entry page here.

The post Sun, Sand, and a Free Vacation: Win a Trip to Aruba appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Some in-flight etiquette violations are worse than others, so you’ll want to make sure you avoid these behaviors next time you fly to prevent drawing the ire of everyone else in your row. 

The flight deal site Going surveyed thousands of its members to determine the most annoying things you can do on a plane. Keep this list handy for your next trip so you know what not to do.

Not Wearing a Mask While Sick

If you’re coughing or visibly sick, your seatmates would appreciate that you keep your germs to yourself. Twenty-seven percent of respondents said that not wearing a mask while sick is the “worst offense you can commit in air travel right now.”

Not Using Headphones

No one wants to hear your music, show or sounds from a video game. Not wearing headphones was voted as the second worst etiquette violation flyers commit. 

Kicking/Pulling the Back of the Seat in Front of You

Follow these two simple rules the next time you fly: 

1. If your kid is kicking the seat in front of them, make them stop that rude behavior immediately. 
2. When you stand up, don’t yank down on the seat in front of you to help you get up. Lift yourself using the armrests of your own seat instead.

Reclining Without Consideration

We won’t get into the reclining on a plane debate, but most flyers can agree on one thing—if you’re going to put your seat back, quickly look behind you and make sure you won’t be smashing into someone’s laptop or disturbing their meal before you recline. 

Standing Up as Soon as the Flight Lands

We know you’re dying to get off the plane as fast as possible, but seven percent of flyers surveyed think it’s rude to stand up and rush into the aisle as soon as the plane lands and before the door opens. 

Taking off Your Shoes

Six percent of passengers surveyed implore everyone on the plane to keep their shoes on (and any feet odors to themselves). 

Hogging the Middle Armrest

The aisle seat passenger gets easy access in and out of the row, the window seat passenger gets a view and a place to lean their head, so it’s only fair that the middle seat passenger gets access to both armrests. 

Gate Licing

The act of crowding the gate before it’s your turn to board is so prevalent that people in the airline industry have a nickname for it—gate licing. We get that you want to be first in your group to board, but don’t block others from getting through while you wait. 

Wearing Strong Fragrance 

For flyers who are sensitive to scents, being stuck next to someone who has liberally applied perfume or cologne can be a nightmare. Skip the fragrance next time you fly (or at least go significantly lighter than you normally would). 

Talking 

If someone has their headphones in or an eyemask on, it’s a pretty clear cue that they’re not looking to engage in friendly conversation. Pay attention to verbal hints (like giving short replies and not asking questions) and non-verbal cues (reading a book) before trying to engage your seatmate in conversation—or just err on the side of caution and let them fly in silence.

The post The Most Offensive Things You Can Do on a Plane appeared first on SmarterTravel.

What Are Airplane Seatbelt Extenders?

Airplane seatbelt extenders, sometimes called seatbelt extensions, are longer seatbelt straps provided by airlines to give passengers more room. They attach to the built-in seatbelts to make them longer and looser. Standard airplane seatbelts are between 39 and 51 inches and vary by aircraft. Seatbelt extenders generally provide an extra 25 inches of length. 

How Do You Request an Airplane Seatbelt Extender?

Airlines stock seatbelt extenders on every flight. To request one, simply ask a flight attendant. If you want to request an airplane seatbelt extender discreetly, here are a few tips:

• Ask for one as you board the plane (the flight attendant can drop it off at your seat)
• Ask the flight attendant for one as they are walking around and checking the overhead bins
• Ring the call button after taking your seat and ask for one

Flight attendants hand out airplane seatbelt extenders on a daily basis, so don’t be embarrassed to ask for one. It’s mandatory that you be buckled in before takeoff, so proactively requesting one will help speed up the process. 

How Do Airplane Seatbelt Extenders Work?

Using an airline seatbelt extender is very easy. Simply click the extender into the plane’s seat belt and adjust the belt to be the correct length. It should fit snugly but not too tight. 

Can You Bring Your Own Seatbelt Extender on a Plane?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) strictly prohibits passengers from using their own seatbelt extenders. The seatbelt extenders provided by the airlines have been tested to meet stringent safety standards, and ones purchased online could break or fail in case of an accident.

If a flight attendant sees a passenger attempting to use their own seatbelt extender, they will require them to swap it out for the airline’s. 

Does Requesting a Seatbelt Extender Cost Extra or Require Pre-Booking?

All passengers deserve to fly safely, so there are absolutely no fees or costs associated with using a seatbelt extender. There’s also no need to prebook or reserve one—just ask for it when you board. 

Can You Use a Seatbelt Extender in an Exit Row?

Unfortunately, seatbelt extenders are not allowed in the exit row. Seatbelt extenders could become an obstruction or trip hazard in an emergency, hindering access to the exit.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Airplane Seatbelt Extenders appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Cranmore opened a new 30,000-square-foot lodge just in time for the 2023/2024 ski season, featuring Skimobile Station food court, Koessler’s slope-side bar, and a ski accessories shop. The lodge is packed with skier-friendly amenities like free water bottle filling stations and bathrooms on the ground floor (so you don’t have to trudge down a flight of stairs in ski boots like at many other resorts.)  

Cranmore also made some outdoor improvements, adding five new trails to the mountain and debuting a new terrain park with boxes, rails, and snow features. 

For the perfect winter weekend at Cranmore Mountain, follow our guide and learn where to eat, what to do, and where to stay. 

Cranmore Mountain

I planned my visit to Cranmore Mountain for the last weekend in February, not realizing that it was the end of a vacation week for many area schools. I feared the resort would be crowded with long lift lines. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case—this ski resort is so well-laid out, with 60 trails spread across more than 170 acres. Thanks to seven lifts (including one high-speed quad), I never waited more than 10 minutes for a chair, and on Sunday, I didn’t have to wait at all after lunch. Nothing is better than skiing straight off a trail and back into the chairlift without stopping!

There is a great mix of green, blue, and black diamond trails at Cranmore, making Cranmore a good destination for all skiers of all abilities. I loved that there’s a long green trail that winds from the summit down to the lodge, so a group with mixed abilities can ride the chairlift up and everyone can ski down comfortably, no matter their skill level. 

During my weekend trip, we were blessed with two warm bluebird days. Cranmore is one of the more temperate mountains in the area, thanks to its 2,000-foot elevation, which is a huge plus for those used to the icy and frigid conditions other New England ski areas are famous for. That doesn’t mean Cranmore doesn’t get snow—the mountain averages 80 inches of fresh powder annually. 

Over the last few years, Cranmore has invested over $1 million into mountain snowmaking improvements, adding over 500 energy-efficient snow guns to make snow more quickly.  

Cranmore Mountain Lessons

Whether you’re hoping to advance your skiing to the next level or try snowboarding for the first time, I highly recommend taking advantage of the great learning programs available at Cranmore. 

Group lessons are available daily for kids and adults learning how to ski. Cranmore has a large learning area, including a unique trail with specifically shaped snow features designed to naturally help first-timers learn to control their speed and body position. 

As an intermediate skier who wants to improve, I signed up for a one-on-one private lesson. My knowledgeable instructor, Becca, gave me personalized tips on form to help me advance and feel more comfortable on the mountain. After my lesson, I felt much more confident and could tackle trails I might not have attempted previously.  

Cranmore Ski Resort Lift Tickets

Cranmore is one of the more affordable mountains in the area for a day of skiing. Lift tickets cost $119 for an adult day pass if you buy them the same day you’re skiing, but you can save up to $20 if you buy them online in advance. 

A two-day adult pass costs $209, and if you don’t want to ski an entire day, there are options for night skiing ($69) and half days ($99).

What to Do at Cranmore Mountain

There’s plenty to do at Cranmore Mountain for non-skiers as well. The tubing park is a big draw for families in the winter. A magic carpet whisks sledders up to the top so they can repeatedly slide down one of 10 lanes without getting tired.

For more thrills, hit the Mountain Adventure Park, home to three adrenaline-pumping rides: A giant swing, a 700-foot zip line, and a mountain coaster. 

Tickets for the Mountain Adventure Park can be booked online in advance and start at $29 per ride. Tubing tickets start at $45 per person for two hours. 

Where to Eat at Cranmore Mountain

Whether you’re looking for a quick snack to grab and eat on the chairlift or a leisurely sit-down lunch, there are plenty of dining options at Cranmore Mountain. My favorites included: 

Meister Hut

For the best views in town, ski off the chairlift and into Meister Hut. This fast-casual lodge-style eatery has a beautiful back deck with stunning views of Mount Washington. In the afternoon, the sun hits the deck and keeps it warm enough to sit outside, making it a perfect place for a lunch stop.

Zip’s Pub

A full-service bar and restaurant in Cranmore’s Schneider Square area, Zip’s Pub offers hearty comfort food. 

Skimobile Station

This grab-and-go food court is a quick stop for packaged snacks, coffee, or fast food options.

Koessler’s Bar

Koessler’s Bar is the place for apres-ski, with live music on Saturdays. The massive 7,000-foot square patio is a fun place to grab a drink after a day on the slope.

Where to Stay Near Cranmore Mountain

Cranmore Mountain is a less than five-minute drive from downtown North Conway, where there is a huge variety of accommodations to choose from. Travelers hoping to keep their ski trip affordable should book a room at the Village Place at the Eastern Slope Inn, which offers motel-style accommodations starting at around $125 per night during the winter season.

I stayed in a queen room, which was equipped with two queen beds, a microwave, and a minifridge. These conveniences were great for sticking to a budget, as it meant I could pack food and bring it to the mountain in lieu of buying lunch. The room itself was extremely clean and overall comfortable. 

Guests of the Village Place will have access to all the amenities of the Eastern Slope Inn, a larger hotel located a short drive down the street, including a heated indoor pool and hot tub.

Village Place is one of the few dog-friendly hotels in the Conway area, a plus for those traveling with a canine companion.

Book Now

Editor’s Note: Cranmore Mountain hosted the writer for a weekend visit.

The post The Ultimate Cranmore Mountain Resort Travel Guide appeared first on SmarterTravel.