The extraordinary weather conditions in the United States, which have blanketed the whole of the country – with the only exception of Florida – with snow this week, may have caused some travel chaos in areas of the nation not normally used to the white stuff, but it’s great news for skiers and boarders heading to the east coast state of New Hampshire for their wintersports break.
Five of New Hampshire’s ski resorts are all covered by just one lift pass, the 5-Mountain Passport, and they have all received significant new snow totals thanks to the storm which swept across the area on 11th and 12th January.
Loon Mountain, overlooking the town of Lincoln, recorded 19 inches (48cm) of fluffy stuff over 48 hours, with near neighbour Waterville Valley picking up 17 inches (43cm). Cannon Mountain, nestling amidst the stunning scenery of Franconia Notch, was another major beneficiary with 24 inches (well over half a metre) of snow falling on its slopes in just two days.
Across in the Mount Washington Valley, Cranmore Mountain, very popular among ski holidaymakers due to its proximity to the hotels and shops of North Conway, reports 14 inches (35cm) over the same period, whilst just a short drive further north 20 inches (50 cm) has bedecked Wildcat Mountain in its beautiful National Forest setting.
Miles Breakwell, representing the New Hampshire Ski Group USA in the UK and Ireland, says that this all adds up to some fabulous skiing and snowboarding conditions. “All 5 mountains get regular snowfall throughout each winter season, and have an average of 95% of their terrain covered with highly-efficient snow-making capability, but this new snow-storm is fantastic news. Groomers and snow management teams are hard at work preparing the long, tree-lined cruising trails for which the region is renowned”, he added, “and those who prefer to test their skills off the piste should find some fun-spots in the glade-skiing areas in amongst the trees over the next few days”.
