Thanks to snowmaking, additional terrain is open daily

NORTH WOODSTOCK, NH, DECEMBER 2011 – The holiday vacation period is on the door step and it’s a traditional time for skiers and riders to enjoy New Hampshire’s downhill slopes and cross country trails with family and friends.

With a lack of early season snowfall to coat the slopes, New Hampshire resorts have taken advantage of recent ideal snowmaking weather to open more terrain at a brisk pace. Thanks to around-the-clock snowmaking, resorts have gone from 48 trails open on December 14 to 146 trails open as of December 21. That number will continue to increase as the holidays approach with the focus on having as much terrain open as possible for holiday guests.

Thanks to consistent investments in snowmaking equipment and improvements in technology, snowmaking capabilities at New Hampshire resorts are the best they have ever been. Of the downhill ski resorts in the Granite State, 14 of 18 have snowmaking coverage on 90% or more of their terrain with all resorts having snowmaking coverage on at least 50% of their terrain.

Recent forecasts are currently pointing to some natural snowfall across New Hampshire on December 23. That snow could mean a white Christmas, as well as an ideal base for downhill and cross country ski areas to rapidly expand their offering in advance of the vacation period. The long term forecast for the holiday week indicates cold enough air for snowmaking every night, meaning that ski areas will be able to open more terrain every day.

“While we would all prefer several big snowfalls, we’re extremely fortunate to have this recent cold weather to partner with our impressive snowmaking capabilities. It allows us to assure our guests they will have plenty of snow to enjoy and we’re hoping Mother Nature gives us an extra boost,” stated Karl Stone, Ski NH’s Marketing Director.

For complete snow conditions, visit SkiNH.com or XCSkiNH.com.

Ski NH is the statewide association representing 38 alpine and cross country resorts and more than 200 lodging and guest service properties in New Hampshire. For more information on ski areas, lodging packages, and updated winter events at Ski NH resorts, call Ski NH 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 http://visitnh.gov/media/ or contact Mr. Tai Freligh at 603-271-2343, option #2.