By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
CARROLL – On Thursday at 8 a.m. most ski areas across the state reported receiving an average of about four inches of new snow which ended as a bit of freezing rain while some of the southernmost ski areas received no new snow in the past 48 hours.
But trail counts and base depths expanded greatly across the state in the past week and many areas were expecting a big bounce in business for the coming weekend.
Across the state Monday, about a foot of nice, dry snow blanketed both Nordic and alpine ski areas which have been suffering this winter from a lack of snow. You could almost hear the sound of ropes dropping as the heavy snow fell Monday.
Vince Runyon, Nordic director at Bretton Woods at the base of Mount Washington said there were about seven inches of new snow and it was still snowing at 3 p.m. Monday.
The groomers were finally getting to trails they hadn’t seen all year, like the popular Bridle Path trail along the Ammonoosuc with its fabulous field views of the Mount Washington Hotel.
“We’re in better shape now than we have been all year,” he said. Normally by this date, he said, all 100 kilometers of trails are open. The trail count went from 30k down to 15k after the rain earlier this month and was moving up from 40k with more trails opening as they are groomed.
Runyon called a “disaster” the recent holiday periods with rain or ice or power outages keeping people away from the trails.
Jessyca Keeler, president of Ski NH, said “finally.”
She was pleased winter was finally paying New Hampshire a visit.
“This is good,” she said from her Conway office.
The next few weeks are critical not just for ski areas but “everyone” who relies on customers in the state.
“It could be good news for revenue,” she said.
Most important is the week of Feb. 18 when many of the more populous states around, particularly Massachusetts, take school breaks.
The timing and the forecast, though it may have a few bumps, look more promising for a good vacation period, she said.
Attitash in Bartlett was reporting about two-thirds of their trails open prior to Wednesday’s storm but the added snow will allow for trail counts to expand.
Cannon Mountain has been limiting its ticket sales on weekends in part due to the capacity on the lifts and trails that are open.
Keeler said COVID-19 taught many resorts that limited sales made for better experiences. And she said some have adopted more policies looking to achieve a happier time for all.
When most resorts are charging in the area of $100 a day, and there are not many deals this year, the idea is to have lots of space on the trails, in the lodges, and in the parking areas.
For more information on all the Ski NH ski areas and how much snow they got, visit. https://www.skinh.com/conditions