New Hampshire Ski Areas Report Record Snowfall, Strong Visitor Numbers

New Hampshire ski areas are enjoying a banner winter thanks to ample natural snowfall, cold temperatures, and minimal thaws.

Pats Peak posted 14 to 16 inches of new snow on Monday, Jan. 26, with officials there optimistic for more as cold temperatures support snowmaking and surface quality.

Pats Peak General Manager Kris Blomback told InDepthNH.org that the long Martin Luther King Jr. weekend and Christmas week brought strong visitation to the ski resorts.

At other spots across the state, Attitash reported 11 inches of new snow, and Bretton Woods saw 8 inches with 98 trails and glades open (104 inches season total).

Southern New Hampshire saw up to 20 inches of new snow by the early morning of Jan. 26 at McIntyre, with all trails open and powder conditions noted. Crotched Mountain reported roughly 18 inches of fresh snow, enabling patrols to unlock additional terrain for skiers and riders.

Waterville Valley and nearby Nordic centers are also seeing substantial fresh snow, with 14 to 18 inches at Waterville Valley, about 12 inches at Jackson Ski Touring Foundation, and 10 inches at Gunstock Outdoor Center.

Caroline Sweet, the communications manager for Vail Resorts in New Hampshire, which operates Mount Sunapee, Crotched, Attitash, and Wildcat, said the new natural snow, combined with continued snowmaking efforts, is a boon for the resorts this year.

“Attitash is now operating with 56 of 76 trails open — 73% of the mountain,” she confirmed with InDepthNH.org. “Vail Resorts' other New Hampshire mountains are also enjoying exceptional conditions. Wildcat Mountain picked up nearly 15 inches with another one to four inches expected today, Mount Sunapee received 14 inches, and Crotched Mountain saw an impressive 18 inches of overnight snowfall.”

Industry observers credit frigid, consistent snowmaking temperatures in December, which helped to get the ski areas open and operating for the season.