By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org

CARROLL – New Hampshire will officially open its 2024-25 ski season on Saturday with Bretton Woods dropping the ropes and cranking up the bull wheels for its 51st season while other ski areas have indicated their opening dates, which may change.

Bretton Woods had previously planned to begin its season on Nov. 22 but aided by tons of cold air at night helped move that date to November 16. It has often been the state’s first resort to open. 

“We’ll start the season off with skiing and riding on Range View off the Zephyr chair, and Rosebrook Meadow off the Learning Center Quad. The ski area will then be closed Monday thru Thursday, and conditions will be assessed to determine the re-opening plan,” according to a resort press release issued Friday.

Lift tickets must be purchased online at BrettonWoods.com.

In New England, Bretton Woods follows both Killington in Vermont and Sunday River in Maine which started lift service skiing on Thursday.

Other New Hampshire ski areas have set their eyes on the coming days and weeks to open, but that is weather-dependent. 

So the following dates are tentative:

Loon Mountain in Lincoln and Wildcat in Pinkham Notch both have their hopes set on Nov. 20 to start and Nov. 22 is being eyed by Cranmore Mountain Resort in North Conway.

Hoping to open on Thanksgiving day is Mount Sunapee Resort in Newbury, which is looking to open Nov. 28. 

Attitash in Bartlett is setting its sights on Nov. 30 and the following day, Crotched Mountain hopes to open in Francestown.

McIntyre Ski Area in Manchester said it plans to open in early December, according to its website.

On Friday, Dec. 6 Gunstock in Gilford hopes to open along with Cannon Mountain in Franconia.

On the following Friday, Dec. 13, King Pine in Madison plans to open while on Dec. 20, just ahead of Christmas, Dartmouth Skiway in Lyme, Whaleback in Lebanon and Tenney Mountain hope to open.

On Dec. 24, Black Mountain hopes to open its trails and lifts to all.