Some of the openings for New Hampshire ski areas
Wildcat Mountain: OPENED November, 16
Loon Mountain Resort: OPENED November, 16
Bretton Woods (Alpine & XC): OPENED, November 16
Cranmore Mountain Resort: OPENED, November 17
Jackson XC: Saturday, OPENED Nov 17
Great Glen Trails XC: OPENED, November 17
Cannon Mountain: Friday, November 23
Waterville Valley Resort: Friday, November 23
Pats Peak: Friday, November 23
Bear Notch Ski Touring XC: Friday, November 23
Mount Sunapee Resort: Thursday, November 29
Gunstock Mountain Resort: Friday, November 30
Ragged Mountain Resort: Saturday, December 1
King Pine at Purity Spring Resort: Saturday, December 8
Attitash Mountain: Saturday, December 8
Black Mountain: Saturday, December 8
Dartmouth Skiway: Saturday, December 15
Magic and Mad River Glen will be open this weekend because of the recent snowstorms. Going to allow people to have fun making tracks in natural snow.
Magic is doing a 1-day Experts Only for Sat, 11/24/18 on all natural snow because of recent storms and cold temps that will preserve the snow cover for the next couple days. Regular opening expected Dec. 1.
"A Thanksgiving Special: "White Saturday"
So, as you know, it's been snowing a lot recently with another 5-9" here yesterday (which has been making up for the lack of productive snowmaking temps & time here--more on that later). So, our team has been huddling here and doing a little product testing today. Here's what we've decided to do:
Besides Black Friday shopping and tubing here, we're going to carve out an opportunity for some to do a "White Saturday" ski adventure here at Magic. This will be a one day "soft opening"--FOR EXPERTS ONLY-- to get after the goods mother-nature has kindly bestowed on Magic this Thanksgiving. It's a one-day-only historic early-open event, a sort of prequel to our official opening day for the ski and ride season which is still slated for December 1st weekend.
For skiing and riding on November 24th, Red Chair-only will spin from 9am-3:30pm (no Sunday lift service). This is an all-natural snow ski day, with a good portion of the mountain's trails/glades open. But there are many natural hazards that do exist--especially some natural streams and water bars across trails/lower run outs that have yet to freeze over this early in the season. We will be working with patrol all day friday to create navigable pathways on the run-outs as the temperatures drop Thursday into Friday.
In terms of conditions, we had Andy Belcher, head of Ski Patrol, Craig Bailes, Assistant Director Snowsports, and yours truly, ski different ways down the mountain and the conditions are straight-up soft powder, with a good base. A few scraps of rocks on some of the steeper terrain like Goniff and the work road (Carpet/Wand); nothing hit on Wizard into Talisman or Up Your Sleeve into Vertigo. Just a few water bars and cross streams to carefully navigate. Plan on nothing being groomed but the run outs, about 33 trails/glades open--it is truly skiing like it used to be--when skis where not that expensive (hint). But, the snow and base have really set up nicely, so why not let our better skilled skiers and riders enjoy a bonus day of mother nature's bounty?!
Adult tickets at the window will be just $49. Discounted tickets are also available online here"
Mad River Glen plans to be open Sat and Sun. I bet a few people headed to Sugarbush because of the Ikon pass may be tempted to check out MRG for a day.
"Our plan is to spin the Single Chair from 9 am to 3:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday with the vast majority of our main mountain terrain open. Be sure to check the snow report for details as we get a bit closer. All season passes will be honored and we are offering $69 day online tickets too."
marzNC wrote:
Magic and Mad River Glen will be open this weekend because of the recent snowstorms. Going to allow people to have fun making tracks in natural snow.
Magic is doing a 1-day Experts Only for Sat, 11/24/18 on all natural snow because of recent storms and cold temps that will preserve the snow cover for the next couple days. Regular opening expected Dec. 1.
"A Thanksgiving Special: "White Saturday"
I am amazed how good this season has started in New England. We went to Okemo this past weekend, four VERY good top to bottom runs on the main face. And double the terrain today. We're back there tomorrow to avoid the Sunday rain.... But more snow on the forecast....
marzNC wrote:
Magic and Mad River Glen will be open this weekend because of the recent snowstorms. Going to allow people to have fun making tracks in natural snow.
Magic is doing a 1-day Experts Only for Sat, 11/24/18 on all natural snow because of recent storms and cold temps that will preserve the snow cover for the next couple days. Regular opening expected Dec. 1.
"A Thanksgiving Special: "White Saturday"
I am amazed how good this season has started in New England. We went to Okemo this past weekend, four VERY good top to bottom runs on the main face. And double the terrain today. We're back there tomorrow to avoid the Sunday rain.... But more snow on the forecast....
I had a very good time at Killington the Monday before Thanksgiving. Much better than a year ago, which was actually a week later. They left a few of the natural cover trails open with Thin Cover warning signs. With a third lift running on Snowdon, spread out the crowd that much more.
Wachusett on Wed with my daughter was fun as well. No crowds since MA schools had classes in the morning at least. Only one run open on each of the three high-speed detachable lifts. The blue didn't get really skied off until mid-afternoon. There was natural snow to play in next to the long green. Only real disappointment was that they didn't have any cider donuts yet.
Bonus was that the frigid temps blew in on Wed night. Skiing when the temp was about 34 at the summit was just right for early season limited terrain. Not really interested in short slopes in the northeast when temps are in the teens.
I was at Stowe yesterday. Lots of snow, great coverage....few trails. See my other post.
My move this year is going to be Alpine in the morning till the lines get too big then Nordic in the afternoon.
..maybe snowshoes at night?
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