Skiing runs deep in New Hampshire. From the first recorded ski descent of Tuckerman’s Ravine on Mount Washington in 1914 to the first paid ski patrollers in North America at in 1938, Granite Staters have contributed to American ski history for more than a century. Thanks to that early and enthusiastic push into the sport, New Hampshire has become a hub for all things winter recreation, with —both alpine and cross-country—across the state, plus night skiing, snow tubing, snowshoeing, winter events, è-쾱, and more. Here’s how to take advantage of New Hampshire’s snowpack and plan the ultimate ski (or snowboard) getaway.
Grab a Multi-Mountain Pass
“I’ll just ski one day on this trip,” said no one ever. When you plan a ski vacation, one thing is for sure: you want to ski! The best way to enjoy the most days on the snow is to pick up a multi-mountain pass. A grant access to New Hampshire, from national passes, including the Epic, Ikon, Freedom, and Indy passes, to New Hampshire-only passes.
With the , exploring more than one resort within a few days is easy. Take a look at the lineup of 2022–2023 passes as you map out the resorts you want to hit so you can choose the right pass for your trip.
Note: Epic and Ikon passes are no longer on sale for the 2022–2023 season.
Road Trip from Peak to Peak
Whether you stick to one region or choose to explore all over the state, you’ll get the full New Hampshire skiing experience on a peak-hopping road trip. Most New Hampshire resorts are close to popular New England towns, so road trips within the state are truly choose-your-own-adventure vacations. Drive through the White Mountains and hit the slopes at 12 ski areas, including the famous and mountain resorts. Or for the resort with the most skiable terrain in the state, don’t miss , which offers 464 acres and 63 named trails. Then head south for some of the best in the country at ,, and .
Enjoy All Kinds of Skiing
Of course, skiing at alpine resorts is only one of the many ways to explore New Hampshire on skis. The state is also famous for its access to cross-country skiing and . If you’ve never tried cross-country skiing, New Hampshire is the place. You’ll find , plenty of opportunities to take a lesson, and rentals available at cross-country ski centers across the state. Many ski areas also allow uphill skiing or snowshoeing on designated trails. Take the route less traveled at , , and , all known for their access to uphill routes.
Note: Not all resorts offer rentals for touring skis and snowshoes. Check ahead before making plans for uphill travel.
Expand Your Winter Horizons
Whether you have some members of your group who aren’t obsessed with skiing or you just want a trip with more variety, New Hampshire has you covered. Families will love a day of . For a full-service experience with a ride to the top of the tubing hill, head to or . Or to earn your runs, try the walk-up tubing hill at , which caters to human-powered snow tubing. At , zoom over the ski slopes on a four-season zipline.
After a day of adventures, get to know the social side of the ski resorts and nearby New Hampshire towns by checking out the scene. From the classic fireside après experience at to slopeside parties at , there’s something for everyone.
Join in Winter Traditions
Winter in New Hampshire wouldn’t be complete without attending at least one winter-themed festival. Snowsport competitions and winter wonderland celebrations happen all over the state throughout the season. Every winter, artists bring frozen sculptures to life at the and the . If you want to view even more astonishing ice art, check out the in Lincoln. Visitors of all ages can experience a real-life fairy tale and wander the photo-worthy ice arches and tunnels. In the Great North Woods, New Hampshire residents have been celebrating winter with the for more than 100 years. This long-standing tradition includes a broomball tournament, dogsled and Nordic races, and a ceremonial Burning of the Greens.
With a winter culture that embraces all things snowy and terrain for every activity and experience level, New Hampshire is the perfect place for a ski getaway—whether you’re coming from near or far.
is the statewide association representing 32 alpine and cross-country resorts in New Hampshire. For more information on ski areas, trail conditions, vacation planning, deals, and updated winter events at Ski New Hampshire resorts, visit SkiNH.com. For statewide travel info, go to