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Skiing the White Mountains from Campton: Supernova, Waterville Valley and Loon

Justin Henry

Editor

October 25, 2026

5 min read

The western side of New Hampshire's White Mountains is quieter than North Conway, and better placed for skiing than most people realize. From Campton, just off I-93, Waterville Valley is up one road and Loon Mountain is up the interstate. Tenney and Cannon are within reach for a day trip.

This guide covers the 2026–27 season on that side of the range, and one house in Campton that makes a calm base for it. Supernova is booked directly with its owners, with no platform fees added at checkout.

Why the west side of the Whites

Campton sits about two hours north of Boston on I-93. That makes it an easy Friday-night drive, and it puts several ski areas within a short trip of the same front door. Ski in Waterville Valley on Saturday, at Loon on Sunday, and spend Monday on snowshoes if the group is staying on.

The towns here are small. Evenings are for cooking at home, a fire and an early night before first chair. If you want a busy après scene, North Conway is the other side of the range. If you want a quiet house with a view of the mountains, this is the side to stay on.

The 2026–27 season

Most New Hampshire resorts confirm opening day only when the snow arrives. These are the projected dates published by OnTheSnow. They are not official, so check each resort's site before you plan around them.

Loon Mountain, Lincoln. Projected to open November 20.
Cannon Mountain, Franconia Notch. Projected to open November 27.
Waterville Valley. Projected to open November 28, the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Tenney Mountain, Plymouth. Projected to open December 5.

Forecasters and resorts have been watching a strong El Niño building this year. What that means for New England snow is uncertain, so plan on snowmaking and treat natural snow as a bonus.

Supernova

Supernova was built by Lyle Blais and his father, Roger, a lifelong contractor, on a hillside in Waterville Estates. Lyle and his wife, Liza, both grew up in New Hampshire and both work in aviation. Lyle had the idea for the cabin. Liza's design shaped nearly every room inside.

The house takes its cues from modern cabins in Québec: a black exterior, warm wood inside, clean lines and very little clutter. When Lyle first climbed the lot, he saw that it looked out over layered mountain peaks, and the house was oriented to face them. A wall of windows runs the full height of the living space, and the main deck sits among the treetops.

Inside Supernova, a three-level house in Campton, New Hampshire

There are three levels. The main floor holds the kitchen, dining and living area, a full bath and laundry. Above it, a lofted primary suite shares the window wall and has a desk with a monitor for anyone working remotely. Below, a queen bedroom faces the mountains, and a bunk room has built-in bunks with their own reading lights. A floating walnut staircase ties the levels together. It was rebuilt twice to get the proportions right.

Somewhere in the primary suite is a hidden reading nook with a skylight and a shelf of books. The owners do not say where it is. Guests are invited to find it, and a text to the hosts will get you a hint.

"I'm just proud of what we did and what we accomplished," Lyle says.

Supernova has three bedrooms and two bathrooms and sleeps eight. Guests also get two passes to the Waterville Estates Community Center across the street, which has pools, hot tubs, a sauna and a gym. From $325 a night. Read the story of how Lyle and Liza built it.

For the days you don't ski

The community center. A swim and a soak across the street is the easiest way to recover from a day on the mountain.
Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Waterville Valley has a Nordic center with groomed trails, and the White Mountain National Forest has miles of trail nearby. Check conditions before you go.
The Kancamagus Highway. The road east from Lincoln is one of the most scenic drives in New England, and quiet in winter. It has no services along the way and can be slick, so go in daylight with a full tank.
Franconia Notch. The drive north on I-93 through the notch is worth it for the view alone, especially after fresh snow.
A day at home. Some guests use Supernova as a base camp. Others never leave the deck.

The weekends that fill first

Christmas week and New Year's go first. After that, the three-day weekends book early: Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 18 and Presidents' Day on February 15, 2027. Presidents' week is also school vacation week for many New England families, so it is the busiest stretch of the season.

Midweek stays in January are the quietest, on the slopes and on the road. For more on timing, read When Should You Book a Ski Cabin? A Season-by-Season Guide. If you are closer to New York, our guide to Catskills ski cabins covers Hunter, Windham, Belleayre and Plattekill. For more homes in the region, see the New England collection.

About Locèlle, and why Supernova is booked direct

Locèlle is a curated collection of design-led vacation homes. We do not process bookings or add fees. We introduce you to the owner, and you book with them.

We are New Englanders too. We host a farmhouse in Kennebunkport, Maine, and started Locèlle because the most considered homes were getting lost among generic listings while fees kept rising at checkout. Booking direct means the price you agree is the price you pay. It also means you can ask Lyle and Liza about the road after a storm, or where the reading nook is, before you arrive. New to booking this way? Start with What Is Direct Booking? A Beginner's Guide.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Campton from Waterville Valley and Loon?

Both are a short drive from Waterville Estates in Campton, typically well under half an hour in good conditions. Ask the hosts for exact times from the house, and allow extra time after snowfall.

When do New Hampshire ski resorts open for 2026–27?

Projections put Loon at November 20, Cannon at November 27 and Waterville Valley at November 28. These are not official. Opening dates depend on snow and temperatures, so check each resort's site.

When should I book a ski weekend in the White Mountains?

Now, for Christmas, New Year's, Martin Luther King Jr. weekend and Presidents' week. Midweek January stays are easier to find later.

Is Campton a good base for non-skiers?

Yes. Snowshoe and Nordic trails, scenic drives and the community center's pools and sauna give non-skiers plenty to do, and the house itself is built for slow days.