Not many resorts can trace their enthusiasm for tennis back more than a century. Waterville Valley still has the red-clay court that first lured players to this part of New Hampshire's White Mountains as long ago as 1884. It has been in continuous use ever since. What has changed over the last century is the size of its complex: now there are 18 red clay courts and another two synthetic grass indoors at the nearby athletic club. Tennis remains, after more than 110 years, a reason to visit.

The setting adds to the allure. The courts have been laid out on two levels on a grassy hillside bordered by trees in a valley surrounded by mountains. Tennis director Tom Gross, Jr., who trained with Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, and Lew Hoad among other legends, owns the tennis complex and runs it with an eye to satisfying the families of avid players who vacation there during New Hampshire's glorious summers and fall.

At the heart of it all is the Town Square, a collection of shops and restaurants that also has an indoor iceskating arena.

Tennis Features

Pro Shop: 603-236-4840

New England-born tennis director Tom Gross, Jr., showed considerable talent as a child, winning his first tournament at age 6 and then going on to play for New England College while majoring in creative writing and history. But his love of teaching tennis determined his direction. "I made a commitment at 14, 15 years old to teach," he remembers. "While friends of mine were playing the New England juniors, I was teaching." During the tennis boom, he first taught for Laver-Emerson Tennis Holidays and then became its national director when Emerson left. He still employs much of their methodology in his teaching and clinics. He tends to focus on such things as preparation, contact, and follow-through rather than on the intricate details of technique. His first question for anyone taking a lesson is often "what's your playing schedule?" That answer determines his approach to teaching. "If someone plays only once a wee, then you have to be careful to take what they have an make them better," Gross notes. "If they have time to practice, then you can be a little more creative." Above all strives to keep it fun.

Tennis Programs. Each morning during the summer the tennis center schedules 90-minute clinics for adults and juniors. Those are followed by well-attended adult round robins, which take place daily, and by another for juniors, which takes place three times a week. Game matching tends to be rather more perfunctory: there is a "Looking for a Game" board and when pressed the staff may try to help but tends to rely more on natural selection of the clinics and round robins to bring guests together. There is some kind of tournament almost every summer weekend. The pro shop, a tiny red timber structure with a deck overlooking the courts, has all the services you're likely to need. For details about the programs, see Waterville Tennis.
Courts & Fees. 18 red-clay courts outdoors; 2 indoors. Court fees: No charge for those on the all-inclusive sports packages; otherwise, $20/hour for singles, $28/90 minutes for doubles.

Your Call

Here's what others have had to say about Waterville Valley Resort.

• ""—K.Y., Adv. Int., September 2008

• ""—E.R., Int., September 2008

• "These tennis courts have the most spectacular view. The clay courts are kept in great condition. Lots of available clinics and lessons."—R.K., Low Int., September 2008

• "Magnificent tennis center, great clay courts and friendly and helpful staff in one of the most beautiful settings imaginable. A wee slice of tennis heaven."—C.M., Adv., September 2008

• "Beautiful setting, wonderful clay courts. Great group of locals who play round robbins and pick up games with resort guests. Friendly people both at the tennis courts and throughout this spectacular resort."—J.H., Adv. Int., September 2008

• ""—U.R., Int., August 2008

• "Beautiful scenery, excellent clay court conditions, extremely friendly atmosphere! Tom Gross is a committed, knowledgeable pro."—M.B., Int., August 2008

• "The resort has well maintained 18 outdoor clay courts surround by 4200 to 3000 ft mountains.I played 4 days of tennis,from 9:30 to 11:30.it was round robin doubles for $2.00 to $10.00.Beth the Pro, does a great job pairing off the players.The Resort has many more summer activites..Its a Excellent Vacation Resort.."—J.K., Adv. Int., August 2008

• ""—D.D., Adv. Int., August 2008

• "Friendly staff; well-kept red clay tennis courts; and an excellent head teaching pro."—D.C., Adv. Int., August 2008

• ""—C.L., Int., August 2008

• "Most effective, and fun, lessons I have ever had, and a great daily round robin."—H.T., Adv. Int., August 2008

Other Recreation

Golf Courses. The resort has a 9-hole golf course, which winds around the valley floor; however guests also have privileges at the public Owl's Nest Golf Course in Thornton, roughly a dozen miles away. Designed by Cornish, Silva & Mungeam, Inc., this 6,818-yard, par 72 championship course follows the natural topography of the Pemigewasset River and the White Mountain National Forest. It has five sets of tees on each hole, bentgrass fairways and manicured greens, which makes it accessible to golfers of any skill level.

Spa & Fitness Center. The Athletic Club has swimming pools, whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms, an indoor jogging track, and a selection of weights and cardiovascular equipment. Massages also available

And ... Kayaks, pedal boats, and canoes are available for use on Corcoran's Pond, there are mountain bike trails and a mountain-bike park, hiking trails to the summits of the valley's 4,000-foot peaks, and a gymnasium for basketball and indoor floor hockey.

Children's Programs

Waterville runs a summer recreation camp for children ages 4 to 16. Activities vary by age, including some specifically for teens. The resort also operates a free valley-wide shuttle bus to make getting around easy.

Lodging

Lodging options within the resort range from country ins to three-bedroom condominiums, all generally very reasonably priced and clustered in or near the Town Square.

Restaurants

There are half a dozen places to eat in Waterville, from delis and pizzerias to seafood and steaks in the Wild Coyote Grill at the Athletic Club

See Also

Among the other tennis resorts with active programs and excellent family activities are:

• Amelia Island Plantation, Florida
• Northstar-at-Tahoe, California
• Sunriver Lodge & Resort, Oregon
• Wild Dunes Resort, South Carolina

Travel Essentials

Seasons. The outdoor tennis season runs from June through October, though play is possible indoors year-round.

Waterville Valley Resort
Rte. 49
Waterville Valley, NH 03215
603-236-4840
Toll-free: 800-468-2553
Fax: 603-236-4104
Web Link: Waterville Valley Resort

 

Travel Instructions. The nearest airport is Manchester, NH, 70 miles to the south. Other options are: Boston, 130 miles; Montreal, 225 miles; and New York, 325 miles.

General Tourist Information. Visit the New Hampshire Office of Travel & Tourism web site or contact them at 172 Pembroke, P.O. Box 1856, Concord, NH 03302. Phone: 603-271-2343 or 800-FUN-IN-NH.

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