A northeastern state with over two dozen ski resorts, New Hampshire is a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts. With plenty of opportunities for skiers and snowboarders to hit the slopes, you’ll have plenty of terrain to explore. Whether you’re looking for intense runs, backcountry skiing, or locations with night rides, New Hampshire’s got you covered.
11 Ski Resorts near Manchester, New Hampshire
Tucked away in the northeastern part of the United States, New Hampshire is often an overlooked state regarding tourism, especially when it comes to ski resorts. The Granite State’s motto of “Live Free or Die” is a perfect way to describe their attitude towards outdoor recreation, as many New Englanders flock to New Hampshire each …
New Hampshire Ski Areas by City
Accessed from New Hampshire’s most popular cities, you won’t have to travel too far to enjoy the fresh powder. With runs for all types of riders, if you plan an NH ski trip near any one of these destinations, you’ll be glad you did.
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Guide to New Hampshire’s 28 Ski Resorts
New Hampshire has it all for skiers and snowboarders: stretches of mountains, downhill skiing, glade skiing, night skiing, and plenty of fresh snow all within a short drive from just about everywhere. There are 28 resorts in the state, some single hills with only three trails and others expansive with nearly 100 different runs.
Though New Hampshire’s downhill resorts are located throughout the state, a number are concentrated near Mount Washington, which is the highest point in the northeast at 6,288 ft. The largest of the state’s resorts are located here, among the White Mountains with snowy peaks beckoning skiers.
About half of the state’s other resorts are found further in the hilly south, many in the vicinity of the popular lake areas. Nearby these resorts are many charming ski towns, which make excellent New England vacation destinations and hometowns.
Beyond downhill skiing, there’s another option growing in popularity. Skinning, or ascending on foot before skiing back down, is increasingly available at New Hampshire’s downhill resorts. Many resorts require a season pass for that privilege and all restrict skinning to specific hours and slopes.
The ski season in New England typically lasts from mid-November through early April. The best time to ski is February and into March as the weather warms but the snow is still fresh. The state receives plenty of powder, with some areas receiving more than 200 inches of snowfall each year.
White Mountain Ski Areas
In the eastern half of the state, Mount Washington in the White Mountains is New Hampshire’s highest point. Appropriately, the region is exactly where to find nine downhill ski resorts, with three others just outside of the mountain range.
The largest, Bretton Woods, is located at 3,100 feet with a 1,500-foot drop. The ski area is spread over multiple peaks covering 464 acres. There are 98 trails and three terrain parks. Many of these resorts are part of the EPIC or Indy Pass programs. Others have ticket partnerships with other resorts so that a season pass to one provides access to multiple locations.
- Attitash Mountain Resort
- Black Mountain Ski Area
- Campton Mountain Ski Area
- Cannon Mountain
- Cranmore Mountain Resort
- King Pine Ski Area
- Loon Mountain Resort
- Waterville Valley Resort
- Wildcat Mountain
- Mt. Eustis Ski Hill
- Mount Prospect Ski Tow
Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee Region Ski Areas
A wide variety of resorts for all types of skiers can be found in southwest New Hampshire. Mount Sunapee Resort is one of the most impressive, with 67 trails, four terrain parks, four mogul runs, and nine areas for glade skiing. The resort is conveniently located between two interstates, but most of these resorts are easy to reach for a quick day trip.
- Dartmouth Skiway
- Proctor Ski Area
- Ragged Mountain Resort
- Storrs Hill
- Tenney Mountain Resort
- Whaleback Mountain
Southeastern Ski Areas
In southeastern New Hampshire, some ski areas lie in the vicinity of the state’s largest lake, Lake Winnipesaukee. Many of these smaller resorts are independently or community-operated. Among those, Gunstock Mountain Resort is consistently ranked among the top resorts in the country.
It has 227 acres and 49 trails for night skiing, tubing, skinning, and racing. The resort is known for its views of the lake and authentic vibe, though many of these resorts are low-key and are ideal for beginning skiers to improve skills and work their way up to more difficult terrain.
- Abenaki Ski Area
- Arrowhead Recreation Area
- Crotched Mountain
- McIntyre Ski Area
- Pats Peak Ski Area
- Red Hill Ski Club
- Veterans Memorial Recreation Area
Beyond downhill skiing, many New Hampshire ski resorts also offer cross-country, ice skating, skinning, snowshoeing, snow tubing, fat biking, and backcountry Nordic skiing. With the number of choices and options available for skiers and snowboarders, it’s easy to ski many resorts in just a few days.
