Photo: Ski New Hampshire
CONWAY, N.H. (WBZNewsRadio) - It's still September, but officials in the Granite State have been preparing for this year's ski season since the last flake fell last spring. A number of New Hampshire ski areas have made some major improvements during the off-season, including new lodges, new lifts, and other upgrades.
“Every year, New Hampshire’s ski areas invest heavily in equipment to increase efficiency and ensure the best possible snow coverage on their trails. This year, many resorts have also spent millions of dollars on the expansion of terrain, the addition of new lifts and buildings, and upgrades to facilities,” said Jessyca Keeler, president of Ski New Hampshire. “Whether the investment is in facilities, snowmaking, terrain, or equipment, the goal is always the same: to ensure that skiers and riders have the best possible experience at New Hampshire’s ski areas.”
Loon Mountain Resort added 11 trails and a new four-person chairlift to the resort. The 30 acres of new terrain will have two tree-skiing areas for skiers of all skill and ability. The resort is also adding both fully automated and semi-automated snowmaking machines which are expected to be finished by this time next year.
Over at Cranmore Mountain Resort the facility is opening the Fairbank Lodge for the upcoming season, bringing some 30,000 square feet of restaurants, retail ski shops, restrooms, locker rooms, a bar, and lofty two-story residential condominiums.
At Attitash Mountain Resort, the Summit Triple is set to be replaced by The Mountaineer, a high-speed chairlift capable of carrying four people. The kicker? The Mountaineer cuts the time up the mountain by half. There is still work to be done though. The resort expects to debut The Mountaineer during vacation week in late December.
The South Peak at Mount Sunapee is getting a face-lift just in time for the 2023-2024 ski-season with what officials are calling "New Hampshire's only ski-through lighthouse."
This year skiers at Wildcat Mountain, Mount Sunapee, Attitash Mountain Resort and Crotched Mountain Resort will be able to purchase the Mobile Pass and Mobile Lift ticket, which allows skiers to keep their passes on their smart phone using the My Epic app.
Gunstock Mountain Resort is hoping to better streamline guests this season and is constructing a new Rental building and Tuning shop.
"Guests will no longer have to wait in line at the ticket office to receive their rental contract and instead can go straight up the new staircase and pick up their equipment." Ski NH said. " Additionally, Gunstock Mountain Resort has announced plans to redesign and pave its main parking lot to maximize parking space and improve visibility for visitors."
Relaxation is a top priority for Waterville Valley Resort, as the facility has just built a brand new 2,000 square foot deck attached to the already popular Freestyle Lounge. Skiers and those waiting at basecamp will have more options when it comes to dining outdoors, gathering around a firepit to share a hot chocolate, and listen to live music.
At it's summit, Waterville Valley Resort is in the process of constructing a brand new, two story Ski Patrol and sled garage.
In East Madison, King Pine Ski Area is upgrading the facility's ski lifts, building new outdoor decks at Milts Lodge and an expansion of the King Pine rental shop, including a roof-top deck.
In Henniker, over at Pats Peak Ski Area, the Alpine Training Center has undergone a major makeover with new carpeting, furniture, lighting, bathrooms and layout. Pats Peak also added a brand new area for race training, complete with snowmaking and night lighting.
Cannon Mountain has been working hard to modernize it's iconic aerial tramway, after the New Hampshire Legislature granted some $18 million in funding to the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Unfortunately the project won't be finished until at least 2025, if not later.
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