New Hampshire’s Ski Areas Ramp Up For February Vacation
It’s all about family time in New Hampshire this February. Vacation week is the perfect time to take a much-needed break and get in some family fun on (and off) the slopes. NH ski areas have a plethora of events for people of all walks of life to enjoy in the weeks to come. In addition to skiing and riding, New Hampshire visitors will find many off-snow activities including tubing, zip lines, canopy/treetop tours, fat biking, and more to keep busy this February. Below is a sampling of the fun activities to take advantage of in New Hampshire this February vacation.
Black Mountain - Black Mountain has filled February vacation and Patriots Day weekend with daily après-ski concerts featuring various artists. For a full list of events visit https://www.blackmt.com/events.
Bretton Woods - Bretton Woods is offering two unique activities for family vacation fun with their ‘Share for the Chair’ and ‘You & The View Selfie Scavenger Hunt’. Starting January 18, 2019, share photos with the hashtag #DayAtTheWoods and be entered to win one of their retired B-Lift chairs. Or join in the fun with their on-mountain scavenger hunt and be entered to win a family 4-pack of lift tickets. Details and complete contest information can be found on their website: https://www.brettonwoods.com/social-connections
Cannon Mountain - Vacation week starts with Family Fun Night, a rail jam and après-ski with live music at the Pub on Saturday, February 16. Throughout the week there are ski racing events and a demo day with Sport Thoma. To top off the vacation week, Cannon is celebrating with a firework display, a torchlight parade and après-ski with live music at the Pub on Saturday the 23. For more information and a full list of events visit https://www.cannonmt.com/events. New Hampshire residents can show their NH photo ID’s at the ticket counter and pay $25 to ski or snowboard on February 20. Visit their website for information on this and other deals.
Cranmore Mountain Resort - There’s something for everyone at Cranmore with family-friendly daily après-ski events. From Saturday to Saturday of vacation week, Cranmore offers kids-friendly après events called “Cranapalooza” from 2:30pm-4:30pm in the Schneider Square with music, games and s’mores. For the 21+ crowd, they offer live music in Zip’s Pub daily, Saturday-Saturday, from 3pm-6pm. Celebrate vacation and enjoy fireworks on February 23 from 6pm at the base of the South Slope, as well as a Summit After Hours event at the mountain-top Meister Hut from 6:30pm-9:30pm, which includes a cash bar, live music, and appetizers. For more information and a full list of events visit Cranmore’s website.
Great Glen Trails - Get back to nature with Great Glen Trail’s “Ski with a Naturalist” program or join an Evening Snowshoe Tour on February 16 and 23. For the early bird, try a Sunrise SnowCoach Tour on February 17, 20 or 24. Great Glen is offering a new kids cross country ski program - the Penguins and Polar Bears Camp on February 17, 18, and 19. For a full list of events visit greatglentrails.com.
Gunstock Mountain Resort - Try something new this vacation with one of Gunstock’s Snowshoe Ridge Tours happening Saturdays from 4-6pm and 6-8pm, as well as weekly Yurt Yoga at 9am Sundays and 9:30am Wednesdays. The third annual ‘Grom Jam’ of the season is Saturday, February 23, and is a friendly Rail Jam competition for kids age 15 and under. Celebrate Belknap County Day on Sunday, March 3 (Belknap County residents get $29 Flex Passes and Free Unlimited Mountain Coaster rides). For more information and a full list of events visit https://www.gunstock.com/events/.
King Pine Ski Area - King Pine has a plethora of vacation activities throughout the week. From Kids Fun Races and Family Challenge races (it's mom against mom and dad against dad) to The Gold Rush where candy and goodies are hidden all over the Pokey Pine trail. It’s not a vacation without fireworks at King Pine and campfire s’mores. For a full list of events visit https://www.kingpine.com/event-calendar.
Loon Mountain Resort - Vacation week at Loon Mountain starts with two days of fun, free and kid-friendly (14 & under) freestyle events February 16 & 17. Loon’s Snowshoe and S'mores Après Party on February 22 is one of the most unique apres ski events in NH. When the lifts shut down for the day, guests ride up the Seven Brothers Triple and then take a guided snowshoe tour down to the rustic Camp III lodge for a delectable spread of hors-d'oeuvres, hot cocoa and s'mores. February 23 features Kids’ Night Out - without mom and dad. Kids will eat pizza and then bounce over to the Adventure Center where they will spend the evening scaling the climbing wall and ziplining over the Pemigewasset River. For a full list of events visit https://www.loonmtn.com/events.
McIntyre Ski Area - Families looking for a little fun competition can don their best retro skiwear and take to the competition slope for McIntyre’s family-friendly Retro Race on Saturday, February 16. For event details visit https://www.mcintyreskiarea.com/event/retro-race/.
Jackson XC - Ski under the light of tiki torches and ice luminaries at the Twilight Sky event on Sunday, February 17 and enjoy hot cocoa and an outside fire pit with s’mores to roast. On Saturday, February 23 the Squam Lake Science Center returns to Jackson XC along with a number of their animal athletes. This presentation is family-friendly and will run from 6-7pm right in the base lodge. For more information visit the ski area’s website.
Pats Peak - Pats Peak is hosting the 18th Annual Childhood Cancer Lifeline fundraiser on February 23rd. This is an opportunity for guests to come out and enjoy great skiing and riding and support local families who have a child with cancer. Skiers and snowboarders will be able to make a donation, participate in raffles, or purchase Childhood Cancer Awareness Pins, buttons and t-shirts. For more information visit the event website. In addition to the POP (PAY-ONE-PRICE) Saturday nights for $49, POP Goes February Vacation Weeks at Pats Peak: Saturday, February 16 through Saturday, March 2 (except Sunday, February 24). During the February Vacation Weeks, POP starts at 3pm and ends when the lifts close on that day. See their Lift Operating Schedule for details.
Waterville Valley Resort - Vacation week at Waterville Valley Resort will be full of activities for the whole family. Live music and après every day beginning Saturday, February 16 in both the Freestyle Lounge and T-Bars. Enjoy fireworks in the Town Square on February 16 and again on the 23rd. Comedian Bob Marley will take the stage on February 17 at the Conference Center. Have fun and give back with the Changes in Altitude Ski-A-Thon to benefit Waterville Valley Adaptive on February 23. For a full list of events visit http://www.waterville.com/calendar/.
Ski New Hampshire is the statewide association representing 32 alpine and cross-country resorts in New Hampshire. For more information on ski areas, trail conditions, vacation planning, and updated winter events at Ski New Hampshire resorts, visit SkiNH.com. For statewide travel info, go to VisitNH.gov.
