New Hampshire: Capital improvements under way at downhill and cross country ski areas

North Woodstock, NH, Every summer New Hampshire's ski areas roll up their sleeves, and get to work improving their resorts for guests. This summer is no different with many improvements underway across the state. Following is a list of current projects in the GraniteState.

 

 CrotchedMountain, Bennington - Recently reopened CrotchedMountain is thriving, and building on the momentum they have created over the past two winters. The trail network is being expanded this summer with the cutting of several new trails. These trails will add additional vertical feet, and more terrain for all abilities. This winter, the trails will most likely only be open when natural snow makes it possible. Once at the ski area base, guests will find improvements to the ATC Patio including more picnic tables for increased seating capacity. Inside the base lodge seasonal lockers are being added.

 

 Norsk Cross Country Ski Area, Sunapee - Norsk enters its 30th season with huge changes with a new home at Dexter's Inn in Sunapee. Dexter's Inn has been open to guests since 1948 and last offered cross country skiing in the 1970's. Guests will find 30 kilometers of trails with views of MountSunapee, LakeSunapee, and MountKearsarge. Amenities include on-site lodging, daily food service, wax shed, social areas, lounges, sledding, skating, and more. It's an exciting new era for Norsk.

 

 

 Pats Peak, Henniker - Pats Peak is improving its snow quality with the addition of fifteen HKD Spectrum Snowguns, two SMI Polecat Snowmakers, 5,000 ft of snowmaking pipe added to the Turbulence Terrain Park, and increased snowmaking coverage on the Downdraft Trail. To keep all that snow manicured, they are adding two new grooming snowcats: a Bombardier MP 400 and a new Kassbohrer Park Bully. Lights for night skiing will be added to the Downdraft Trail. In the base area guests will find new junior skis, boots, and poles in the rental shop. A $50,000 upgrade to the computer system in the lodges will result in quicker and easier transactions for guests. Hungry guests will enjoy the upgrades to the Sled Pub Kitchen, resulting in faster food service to the pub.

 

 Attitash, Bartlett - The Adventure Center at Attitash is being remodeled in order to make the rental and lesson signup process smoother and more family-friendly. The tunnel that leads from the parking lots to the base area is also being improved both cosmetically and technically in order to allow for better water runoff. A total of $175,000 is being invested in the snowmaking system to allow Attitash to continue to offer top-notch snow conditions. The ski shop at Attitash Sports will offer new Wintersteiger tuning machines. Out on the trails a new bridge is being installed on the Bear Notch Trail to connect Attitash and BearPeak.

 

Cannon Mountain Ski Area, Franconia New Hampshire Skiing CannonMountain, Franconia Notch - Major improvements are being made to the Mountain Station at the summit of CannonMt. Among the improvements is a deck that will give guests beautiful views to the north.

 

 LoonMountain, Lincoln - Over the summer LoonMountain invested in its snowmaking and grooming with the addition of two Bombardier BR-350 snow groomers, and ten Baby Ratnik X2 sled-mounted snowguns; 120 snowguns have also been retro-fitted to be 30% more efficient. Guests will also notice the difference when they pick up a trail map. New maps will be made daily, showing the current conditions on every trail. Entry-level snowboarders will find the new BurtonSnowboardsProgressionPark, designed specifically for those new to terrain parks.

 

MountSunapee, Newbury - MountSunapee will be upgrading its entire grooming fleet, including the addition of state-of-the-art BR-350 grooming machines. The new machines can groom more effectively, are more fuel efficient, and will more efficiently build the mountain's terrain park. In the rental shop, guests will find 350 pairs of new skis and snowboards, and boots. When skiers and snowboarders take a break for lunch, they can choose from a revised menu featuring more fresh foods, and healthier culinary options. The mountain will also now be home to a Burton Learn to RideCenter.

 

 Dartmouth Skiway, LymeCenter - The Skiway added snowmaking pipe to produce more consistent snow on the Middle Thomas race start area and connector trail. The snowmaking pond was deepened in order to increase snowmaking capability. Holt's lift was transferred from diesel to electric power.

 Windblown Cross Country Ski Area, New Ipswich - Windblown is adding two new ski trails. The first will be a short loop with tricky turns and will be marked as an advanced intermediate trail. The second trail to be called Barrett's Backbone promises to be the most challenging cross country trail on the east coast and will be marked as a double diamond trail. An additional Pisten Bully groomer has been purchased with a tiller and tracksetter. The buildings on the grounds have been painted and more than half the rental equipment will be brand new. A new snowmobile with grooming attachments completes the list of upgrades.

 

 

 

Jackson Cross Country Ski Touring Foundation, Jackson - A new maintenance facility is being completed at Jackson. Also in the works is the replacement of a groomer and possibly the addition of another groomer.

 

SkiNH is the statewide association representing 38 alpine and cross country resorts and more than 200 lodging properties in New Hampshire. For more information on ski areas, lodging packages, and updated winter events at SkiNH mountain resorts, call SkiNH at (800) 88-SKI-NH (800-887-5464) or visit the Ski NH website at www.SkiNH.com. For statewide media relations assistance, visit the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism's media room at www.visitnh.gov under Travel Industry.