New Hampshire Ski Areas Host The Holidays
There’s no better place to be during holiday time than the snowy picturesque mountains of New Hampshire. Ski areas throughout the state have pulled together an extensive line-up of fun, family-friendly events throughout December and January that would warm even a Grinch's heart. Celebrate the holidays with sleigh rides with Santa, advanced skiing skills clinics taught by Olympians or try stretching your worries away with Yurt Yoga. For those who can’t get away until after Christmas, there are numerous opportunities to ring in the New Year slopeside with a variety of festivities just for kids, as well as New Year celebrations for adults only.
Black Mountain Ski Area - Every Friday and Saturday afternoon at Black Mountain is filled with après ski concerts with various artists. For a full list of events visit https://www.blackmt.com/events.
Bretton Woods - Bretton Woods kicked off the holiday season by celebrating their 45th Anniversary on Friday, December 15th with an event-filled day and night. Sleigh rides with Saint Nick started from Saturday, December 16th and a special kids-only après “Little Elves Toy Shop” geared to help kids work off some of their pre-Christmas jitters is on Saturday, December 22nd. Every Saturday starting from December 15th, Bretton Woods hosts coinciding kids-only/adults-only après ski parties. For a full list of events visit https://www.brettonwoods.com/Activities/Event.
Cannon Mountain - Cannon Mountain turns 80 this year, and to mark the occasion on December 29th the ski area will host its CANNON80 Celebration and Family Fun Night. The evening begins with the Huckerbrook Mini-Park Open under the lights from 4:30-6:30pm. Other activities include live music, special guests, a kids movie, a torchlight parade, and fireworks. For full event details visit https://www.cannonmt.com/events/2018/12/29/cannon80-celebration-family-fun-night.
Cranmore Mountain Resort - Cranmore’s famous ‘Cranapalooza’—kid-friendly festivities starting from 3:15pm every Saturday—is getting jazzed up for the holidays. Cranmore is hosting special vacation week Cranapaloozas starting on December 27th through the 30th. On December 31st ring in the New Year with the C-more NYE Celebration beginning with their Shredding into the New Year event at 2:00pm and ending with fireworks at 6:00pm on the South Slope. For a full list of events visit https://www.cranmore.com/The-Mountain/Mountain-Events/Events-Calendar.
Gunstock Mountain Resort - Saturday, December 15th Gunstock kicks off their holiday events with the Grom Jam #1—a freestyle skiing and riding competition for youngsters aged 15 and under. Ski with Santa at the Santa on the Slopes events December 22nd and 24th. Make the most of the last day of 2018 at the Gunstock Rocks New Year’s Eve event with family-friendly on-snow and lodge-based events from 3:00pm. Sundays at Gunstock are for Yurt Yoga. Every Sunday at 9am Hatha yoga is hosted at the Gunstock Adventure Center. For a full list of events visit https://www.gunstock.com/events/.
Jackson Ski Touring Center - Ski for free at Jackson XC on December 25th. Their lodge will be closed on Christmas day but their entire trail system will be open for skiing, free to use, at your own risk. Starting on Friday, January 4th from 1:00pm to 3:00pm is the Friday Gliders Clinic. These clinics are designed for beginners, intermediate and advanced skiers who want to ski with friends while getting some tips and techniques from the Jackson XC pros. For a full list of events visit https://www.jacksonxc.org/events/.
King Pine Ski Area - One of the best ways to start the holiday season is with the King Pine Food Drive. On Friday, December 14 donate non-perishable food items and receive $1 off a full-day regular midweek rate lift ticket for each item received (up to $10 discount per person max). Donations will be given to the local food pantries for the holiday season. On December 16th guests can get their photo taken with Santa. On Friday, December 28th King Pine is hosting Torchlight Snowtubing from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. The following day visitors can explore King Pine beyond the ski slopes with their Guided Snowshoe Tour and Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides. Demo Nordic skiing gear on December 30th and ring in the New Year December 31st at King Pine’s New Year Celebration. For a full list of events go to https://www.kingpine.com/event-calendar.
Loon Mountain Resort - Loon Mountain hosted their First Class Beginners Weekend December 15 & 16 where professional ski instructors taught first-timers the skills to succeed on the slopes. At the end of the weekend, participants took home a FREE pair of Head skis, boots, and bindings or Burton snowboard, boots and bindings. Get out and ski with Santa at the Santa Skis at Loon on December 22nd and 23rd. December 28th at 5:30pm is Loon’s Kid’s Night Out event. Kids ages 6-12 take over the Adventure Center for an evening filled with ziplining, skating and indoor rock climbing. The Burton Qualifiers come to Loon Mountain on Saturday, December 29th. This seven-stop snowboard tour features a pro-caliber $30,000 prize purse, giving riders the chance to compete in a judged jam-style contest in a fun and friendly environment. The Burton Qualifiers are FREE to enter and are spectator-friendly. Start breaking New Year's resolutions before they begin on December 31st with the 21+ Bunyan Room New Year’s Eve Party from 9:00pm. Loon Mountain hosts the Red Bull Crashed Ice Athlete Search pre-qualifiers on Saturday, January 12th. The Red Bull Crashed Ice Athlete Search pre-qualifiers are a timed actioned-packed competition where skaters race around a series of flat-ice obstacles aiming to record their fastest personal time. The pre-qualifier event is spectator-friendly. For a full list of events visit https://www.loonmtn.com/events.
McIntyre Ski Area - Skiers and riders of all ages and abilities are welcomed to Race in the New Year at McIntyre Ski Area’s family-friendly race on January 1st. This fun ski race will begin at 3:00pm. For a full list of events visit http://www.mcintyreskiarea.com/events-calendar/.
Mount Sunapee Resort - Wear your ugliest sweater and ski with Santa on December 27th at Mount Sunapee’s Ugly Sweater Day. Celebrate the New Year at Mount Sunapee’s New Year’s Eve Celebration at Goosefeather’s Pub. For a full list of events visit https://www.mountsunapee.com/mountain/calendar/.
Pats Peak - Pats Peak is hosting their annual New Year’s Eve Family Celebration December 31st. Skiing, snowboarding, tubing, a comedy show, dancing, and food tasting stations are among some of the activities guests can enjoy from 3:00pm. For a full list of events visit https://www.patspeak.com/Events.aspx.
Ragged Mountain Resort - On Saturday, December 15th visitors joined Ragged Mountain for their Holiday Party and Tree Lighting Ceremony. Arts and craft activities will be provided for the kids and holiday-inspired specials for adults. For a full list of events visit https://raggedmountainresort.com/Events/.
Waterville Valley Resort - Waterville Valley Resort started the holidays off by introducing their weekly après and live music series at T-Bars beginning this Saturday, December 15th. On December 22nd, Olympian Kris Freeman is hosting a special clinic on Advanced Skate Skiing at the Adventure Center. December 29th marks Waterville’s mascot Bruce the Moose’s birthday. Bruce the Moose and his helpers will be handing out cupcakes from 1:00pm to guests to celebrate Bruce's special day. Starry Nights at Sunnyside Timberlodge events start on December 29th. Guests will start the night with a ride up the Valley Run Quad then ski or ride to the Sunnyside Timberlodge along a torch-lit trail for an evening of live music, food and drink. Guests end the evening by skiing or riding down the Valley Run trail in Torchlight Parade under the stars. Ring in the New Year at Waterville Valley December 31st with Fireworks over Corcoran Pond at 7:30pm. Try the latest in Nordic Gear before you buy at the Fisher Nordic Demo Day from 10am-3pm on January 5th at the Waterville Valley Adventure Center.
