How We Stayed at the Fairfield Inn North Conway on Points & Saved $500 on Our Snowboard Trip

Why We Chose Cranmore Mountain Resort in North Conway

New England has plenty of mountain resorts to choose from and we have been to quite a few of them. In our opinion, Cranmore Mountain is one of the best family-friendly ski resorts in New England. The resort features plenty of beginner-friendly trails, a dedicated learning area, and top-rated ski and snowboard lessons for all ages. When our boys first learned to snowboard several years ago, they learned here at the Kid’s Rule Mountain Camp, which offers full-day programs for children, ensuring they have fun while improving their skills. The cost for lessons is one of the more affordable in the region as well, but they quality is top notch. Our boys learned quickly and even though they had never stepped foot in a snowboard prior to that camp, they left the magic carpet area and were riding the lifts by the secoond half of day two. We were truly impressed with the Kid's Rule Moutain Camp at Cranmore Mountain and definitely recommend it for families.

For those who aren’t skiing or snowboarding, Cranmore also offers tubing, a mountain coaster, and a giant swing, giving everyone in the family something exciting to do. With a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere and plenty of activities beyond the slopes, Cranmore makes for an easy and enjoyable ski trip, whether you're first-timers or seasoned snow lovers.

The lodge is also large with ample tables and chairs, a giant fireplace to warm up beside, and views of the slopes. They have a coffee shop and a cafeteria inside, but you can also pack a lunch and eat it there as well--another greay way to save some money on what can be an expensive trip!

Cranmore Mountain Resort is a great option for an affordable family ski or snowboard trip and we will likely be back! Skip to this section of the post to read more about our favorite things and the stats at Cranmore Moutain Resort.

Why We Chose the Fairfield Inn at North Conway

A big factor into our travel these days is using points and miles, or free night awards to minimize our costs and maximize our travel. The world of travel hacking truly opened up the doors to affordable travel for our family and we will never look back. If you want to learn more about this and how to get started, check out this post.

When we started looking for a ski resort I was specifically searching for any that had award availability at a hotel nearby and there was one clear winner--the Farfield Inn and Suites at North Conway. It had availability for 45K points/night and I had two 50K free night awards that we earned from this credit card sign up bonus (referral link--thanks for the support!), so it was perfect (current offer may be different as they change frequently). Most ski resorts don't have slopeside hotels that are bookable on points and the hotels they do have slopeside typically run several hundred dollars a night. On top of lift tickets, rentals, and other costs, that can make for a really expensive trip. Snowboarding or skiing aren't cheap hobbies by any means, but using points for hotels and flights (if applicable) can help alleviate the cost! Last year we took the boys to Jay Peak Resort in Vermont and stayed at a hotel about 1 hour away because it was bookable on points, but this year we decided to try out this convenient slopeside hotel at Cranmore Mountain and I have to say it was a great choice.

This Fairfield Inn is just about two years old, so it still feels fresh, modern, and well-maintained. The hotel offers:

✔ Spacious rooms with modern amenities
✔ Free breakfast—a great way to fuel up before hitting the slopes
✔ Coat hooks on the wall—a small but brilliant feature for drying wet snow gear and surprisingly rare to find in a hotel room!
✔ Pool and outdoor hot tub—perfect for relaxing after a long day on the mountain
✔ Guest laundry—just $2.50 per load, and they provide free detergent at the front desk if you ask!

Convenience: Walk to the Slopes

One of the best perks of this hotel is its prime location at the base of Cranmore Mountain. Unlike other ski trips where you have to drive, park, and haul your gear, here you can just walk right to the lifts in minutes. It made getting on the slopes stress-free and super convenient.

Using Marriott Bonvoy Points to Book

We used two 50K Free Night Certificates from our Marriott Bonvoy credit cards to cover our stay. While you could potentially get higher redemption value at a more expensive property, we were more than happy to save $500 and keep our snowboard trip more budget-friendly.

Plus, thanks to our Marriott Bonvoy elite status from this American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card (referral link--thanks for the support!), we scored a late checkout, giving us extra time to enjoy the amenities before heading home. Hotel status really does offer a lot of perks and we have gotten many valuable upgrades, welcome amenities, club lounge access (at hotels that offer it), late check outs, free breakfast, and more. These perks are especially valuable in Asia! If you have travel upcoming, I'd recommend considering a hotel credit card that offers you elite status just for opening the card to get acess to these perks.

Cranmore Mountain: A Fun & Family-Friendly Ski Resort

Cranmore Mountain is a fantastic ski resort, whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or advanced skier or snowboarder. The resort offers:

🎿 60 trails ranging from easy greens to challenging black diamonds
🚡 7 lifts, including a high-speed quad to minimize wait times
⛷ Terrain parks for freestyle skiers and snowboarders
🛷 Mountain Coaster & tubing—fun for non-skiers or rest days (open select days and times)

Lift Ticket Prices at Cranmore Mountain

Lift ticket prices at Cranmore vary depending on the day of the week and season, but you can expect:

💰 $99-$119 for an adult day pass (cheaper on weekdays)
🎟 Discounts for kids, teens, and seniors
📅 Night skiing available on select days

It’s worth checking their website for deals, as they sometimes offer multi-day passes or online discounts.

Exploring North Conway, NH

North Conway isn’t just a winter hotspot—it’s a fantastic year-round destination with stunning scenery, outdoor adventures, and charming New England vibes. In the fall, the area comes alive with breathtaking foliage, making it one of the best places in the country for leaf-peeping. The vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows draw visitors from all over, especially along the famous Kancamagus Highway, a scenic byway known for its incredible mountain views. We have personally experienced the Kancamagus Highway in the fall and it's truly a bucket list drive with plenty of places to get out of the car, explore some trails, climb on the rocks around the river, and just enjoy the incredible beauty.

Other must-see spots include:

🏔 Mount Washington – The highest peak in the Northeast, accessible by car, train, or a challenging hike
🛍 Settlers Green Outlets – A great place to score deals on outdoor gear and clothing
🍽 Local restaurants – Cozy après-ski spots and casual family-friendly dining options
🌊 Diana’s Baths & Cathedral Ledge – Beautiful hiking spots with waterfalls and panoramic views

No matter the season, North Conway offers something for everyone, whether you’re here for skiing, fall foliage, or summer hiking and adventure.

Final Thoughts: Was It Worth Using Points?

While two 50K Free Night Certificates could potentially be used for a more expensive Marriott stay, we were thrilled to save $500 and keep our ski trip costs low. With free breakfast, a prime location, and great amenities, this stay was a win for us.

If you're planning a ski or snowboard trip to Cranmore Mountain, we highly recommend considering the Fairfield Inn North Conway—especially if you can book on points!

Have you used points to stay near a ski resort? Let us know in the comments!