Ski Season is Open in New Hampshire!

11/19/19 by

Even though it isn’t snowing yet in Boston, the mountain ski resorts of New Hampshire have snow or are making snow by the end of November or start of December. It’s ski season! We met representatives from several mountains at the Boston Ski & Snowboard Expo.

Bretton Woods

Bretton Woods is New Hampshire’s largest ski area with 464 acres of skiing and snowboarding on 63 trails and 35 glades. Ten lifts, including the new Bretton Woods Skyway 8-Passenger Gondola and four high-speed quads, make your ride up the mountain almost as fun as the ride down. If there’s snow falling, chances are we’ve got it – or we can make it with snow-making on 92% of our trails. And, because you’ll want to stay on our slopes until after dark, we also offer night skiing and riding. Bretton Woods has been recognized by SKI Magazine readers as #1 for Snow, Grooming & Scenery in the US East.

Omni Mount Washington Resort

Bretton Woods is affiliated with the Omni Mount Washington Resort, which I have been to, with its magnificent views of Mount Washington, the highest peak in the US Northeast. It includes the Omni Mount Washington Hotel, a grand masterpiece of Spanish Renaissance architecture, built in 1902 and the Omni Bretton Arms Inn, a restored inn built in 1896. During the summer, guests enjoy 27 holes of acclaimed golf, tennis on red clay courts, horseback riding headquartered in the restored Victorian stables and fly fishing in the Ammonoosuc River. The resort recently completed a $90 million renovation, encompassing updated guest rooms and public spaces, a 25,000-square-foot spa, and a 20,000-square-foot conference center. 

Cannon Mountain

Cannon Mountain, in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, has a vertical drop of 2,180 feet, the longest in New Hampshire, with a total trail length of 25 miles, and hosts the New England Ski Museum.

Cranmore Mountain Resort

Cranmore Mountain, also in the White Mountains, goes beyond skiing to include the Tubing & Mountain Adventure Park, the largest tubing park in New Hampshire with 10 lanes of lift serviced sliding, a mountain coaster, a giant swing, and more.

Gunstock

South of the White Mountains, Gunstock boasts spectacular mountaintop views of Lake Winnipesaukee and the Ossipee Range. Gunstock was the first New England ski area to install a chairlift, offers 1,400 vertical feet, 227 acres and 48 alpine and freestyle trails, plus 50km of dog-friendly cross country, snowshoe, and fat bike trails. Gunstock claims New England’s largest aerial obstacle course with 91 challenging elements, more than 1.6 miles of high-adrenaline zip lines, off-road Segway tours, and the 4,100 foot Mountain Coaster.

Mount Sunapee

Mount Sunapee has a vertical drop of 1,510 feet, the highest in southern New Hampshire. Just 90 minutes from Boston, Mount Sunapee is warm, familiar, and accessible with a wide variety of terrain that provides something for the entire family. With 66 trails and 233 acres of skiable terrain, everyone can find their favorite trail on the mountain.

Pats Peak Ski Area

Pats Peak Ski Area has 28 well-groomed trails for all abilities, 9 gladed areas, 3 terrain parks, a snowtubing park, 11 lifts, 100 percent snowmaking and some of the most challenging skiing in Southern New Hampshire. It has a Weekday Learn to Ski and Ride Program for more than 8,000 kids from over 100 local schools, and 100% of its trails on the main mountain are lit for night skiing/riding. It is one of the state’s most accessible learn-to-ski-and-snowboard mountains, with three separate beginner areas.

Ragged Mountain

South of the White Mountains, Ragged Mountain has the Bebe Wood Free Learn to Ski and Ride Program, which gives you three free days of tickets, lessons, and equipment rental! Check out their new Live Web Cam that will be streaming on their website soon, along with their new downloadable mobile app Trail Map.) You’ll find 18 glade skiing trails, because who doesn’t like skiing and riding in the woods, and their “Wild Side Terrain Park”, designed and built by one of the highest qualified designers in New England.

Waterville Valley

In the White Mountains, Waterville Valley’s anticipated opening day is Saturday, November 23rd! Stay tuned for details on the Snow Report page on their website. Lift tickets can also be purchased for just $30 online, in advance. You can find creative events including the Cold Turkey Plunge, Santa’s Arrival, and special events including Starry Nights when you ride the ski lift a night to view the stars, and New Years’ Eve fireworks.