New Hampshire’s ski areas are open for the holiday week, many with top-to-bottom trails available for skiers and riders. While recent rain has resulted in a temporary pause in snowmaking, ski area snowmaking teams took advantage of early season cold weather and the cold temperatures experienced mid-week before the holidays to make as much snow as possible to cover trails and ensure a good skiing surface for guests. “With colder nighttime temperatures and the potential for snow in the forecast for this weekend, ski areas expect to be making snow again and freshening up the trails with a little help from Mother Nature,” said Jessyca Keeler, president of Ski New Hampshire.
Those looking to enjoy some fresh air and get out of the house have options at New Hampshire’s ski areas. Resorts such as McIntyre Ski Area, King Pine Ski Area, Crotched Mountain, Gunstock Mountain Resort, Cranmore Mountain Resort, and Pats Peak offer night skiing for those looking to ski beneath the stars. For days and hours for night skiing at these areas, visit ski area websites linked on SkiNH.com/activities/night-skiing before making plans. Crotched Mountain will host a Midnight Madness event on Saturday, Dec. 30, with skiing, fire pits, a DJ, and more available from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Those who prefer to go snow tubing, can find it at Bretton Woods, Cranmore Mountain Resort, Great Glen Trails, Gunstock Mountain Resort, King Pine Ski Area, Loon Mountain Resort, McIntyre Ski Area, and Pats Peak. Information on hours and days at these ski areas can be found at SkiNH.com/activities/tubing.
Cranmore Mountain Resort has its Cranapalooza events taking place in Schneider Square on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of this week from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Cranapalooza is a family event with music, games, s’mores, and C-more the Penguin.
Loon Mountain Resort will host the grand opening of the Timbertown Quad on Saturday, Dec. 30. The Doppelmayr Alpenstar 4-CLF four-person chairlift is Loon’s third lift installation in three years and services new beginner and intermediate terrain at South Peak. Skiers and riders will kick off the celebration at the top of Loon’s newest trails with a ceremonial rope drop at 9 a.m. A chairlift ribbon-cutting ceremony will follow at 9:30 a.m., marking the official opening of the Timbertown Quad. A DJ, giveaways, and food will keep the celebration going throughout the morning.
Several ski areas have New Year’s celebrations this weekend as well. Mount Sunapee has events happening all weekend, including cookie decorating from 2-4 p.m. and Sunapee Bingo (all day Saturday) in which guests get a bingo card at the Sunapee Lodge Guest Services and return the filled card for a prize. The resort will host an all-day scavenger hunt on Dec. 31, and there will be a bonfire and s’mores, a Torchlight Parade, and a family-friendly New Year’s Eve Celebration in Goosefeather’s Pub.
Pats Peak will offer skiing, riding, and tubing until 8:45 pm, followed by a fireworks display at 9:20 p.m. The McMurphy’s will be playing music in the Sled Pub from 6-9 p.m. Cranmore Mountain Resort will ring in the New Year with a NYE-themed Cranapalooza Glo Party and fireworks at 6:30 p.m. Waterville Valley Resort skiers and riders can enjoy New Year’s Eve fireworks over Corcoran Park starting at 7:30 p.m. in Waterville Valley’s Town Square.
Those looking for other ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve with their families can sign up for the Junkyard Jam starting at 9:30 a.m. at Ragged Mountain Resort; enjoy complimentary s’mores at noon or meet and greet groomers and snowcat operators at 2:30 p.m. at Attitash Mountain Resort; or participate in Wildcat Mountain’s Herding Cats Scavenger Hunt. Adults can also enjoy live music at après ski events happening at most ski areas. Bretton Woods is hosting “50 Years of Après” events on New Year’s Eve and throughout the season to celebrate its 50th Anniversary.
Ski New Hampshire is a not-for-profit, member-based trade association that supports 30 alpine and cross country ski areas throughout New Hampshire. For more information on ski resorts, events, conditions, and activities at NH ski resorts, visit www.SkiNH.com.