By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
FRANCONIA – With one important holiday period down and another coming up this weekend, the state’s ski industry is looking in solid shape, while the cross country areas could use a bit more snow and the snowmobile trails, with the exception of some in the Great North Woods, are still primarily not opened or groomed and hoping for snow.
Weather this week leading up to the all-important Martin Luther King/Civil Rights Day long weekend is looking promising for snowmaking on the alpine and Nordic trails with temperatures in the teens at night and low wind.
But there is no snow in the forecast until perhaps the weekend itself and that is still too far out for meteorologists to be sure.
But the small amounts of snow in the Boston area this weekend could lead to a lucrative period this coming weekend for the state’s tourism industry.
At Cannon Mountain over the weekend, every parking space was filled though about half of its terrain was open for skiers and riders but progress on trail counts was being made behind the scenes.
On Monday, it was relatively quiet though ski patrol had finally opened the Taft Slalom trail and the few skiers and riders were enjoying corduroy packed powder conditions across most of the terrain from 4,080 feet.
The sound of snowmobiles using the recreational trail that goes through the parkway could be heard far above, though the cover on many of the state’s snowmobile trails is very little or marginal and reports from the state Bureau of Trails shows only a handful of trails opened and groomed, so far.
The state’s snowmobile trail report is updated on Fridays. Here’s is last week’s report https://www.nhstateparks.org/things-to-do/snowmobiling
Some Nordic areas were not even open yet while those with snowmaking, including Jackson Ski Touring Foundation, Bretton Woods and Great Glen Trails were reporting a number of kilometers open.
The Christmas-New Years holiday period was on par or better than the previous year with lodging establishments reporting a very strong period. They are again gearing up for a busy long weekend while some report people are waiting for deals.
The Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce reported solid business levels for the Christmas to New Year’s Day vacation week period.
Despite variable weather conditions including a bout of rain before New Year’s Day, many local businesses reported visitation on par with last year, with some dates showing record-breaking levels. Chris Proulx, executive director for the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber, said a survey of members found “that our businesses’ investment in snowmaking have made an impact and allow for a faster rebound from wet weather.”
Cranmore Mountain Resort in North Conway reported one record-breaking day for the period – December 28. Becca Descenes, marketing director for Cranmore said it had a very strong week, though “Monday’s rain threw us a curveball, but business picked back up for New Year’s Eve.”
Chris McNevich, marketing coordinator for Purity Spring Resort and King Pine Ski Area said the resort was extremely busy during the Christmas vacation week.
“Overall, skier visits at King Pine were up year over year and tubing sold out daily. Food and beverage had record setting days thanks in large part to the new Evergreen Express kiosk in the main base lodge, and a brand-new seasonal dinner menu at Traditions Restaurant. Lodging was at capacity throughout the week.”
Some hoteliers reported that having the vacation period span two weeks, with Christmas falling midweek, did not see guests staying for the full period.
Donna Cerce at the Buttonwood Inn, saw later bookings and more bargain hunting. That trend is one that has appeared in other holiday periods including from the Chamber’s Columbus Day weekend survey.
The Mount Washington Valley draws primarily from the Boston area and during that period 83 percent reported traveling from Massachusetts.
The state’s 8 percent rooms and meals tax revenue is one area that has seen above-projection numbers for the end of 2024, though business profits taxes are coming in well below estimates.
Ski areas are taking advantage of the very cold temperatures to make snow and groom the trails that are open.
Pats Peak in Henniker and King Pine in Madison are the only ones reporting 100 percent of their terrain open Monday while Mount Sunapee in Newbury reported 41 of its 66 trails and Wildcat had only 8 of its 48 trails open both with machine groomed surfaces and Mount Sunapee had a maximum base depth of 12 inches. Sunapee is operated by Vail Resorts under a long term lease but the area itself is a state park.
Gunstock in Gilford, which is owned and operated by Belknap County, had 39 of its 49 trails open Monday and McIntryre in Manchester was reporting 9 of its 11 trails open.
Shawn Taylor, general manager at King Pine Ski Area, said it is likely there will be a strong Martin Luther King holiday weekend coming up Jan. 17-20.
Ski areas plan a number of events for the holiday weekend including fireworks at Waterville Valley over Corcoran’s Pond in the downtown on Saturday night at 7 p.m.; Bretton Woods plans its annual Geschmossel Classic Cross Country Ski Race (15K) Sunday with a mass start at 10 a.m. Sunday; Pats Peak offers its annual Pay One Price Diversity Day Sunday, a torchlight Parade Saturday night at Loon, a rail jam and family party after the lifts close at Cannon, Saturday and a Park Affair Rail Jam Sunday at McIntyre where cash prizes will be awarded.
The industry will also be looking to the potentially lucrative February School Vacation Week for Massachusetts residents as its final big holiday period begins Feb. 17.
A Ski NH conditions trail report is updated daily and is available here https://www.skinh.com/conditions
