Summer is finally showing its face. After a blast of heat in March that brought the ski season to its knees, we had a long stretch of chilly weather return. Now it looks like summer has arrived and it's ideal timing with Memorial Day right around the corner.

As you browse the summer version of SkiNH.com you'll find the usual selection of outdoor fun at our ski areas (skyrides, hiking, biking, golf, horseback rides, etc), but also pay attention to some of the new additions as well! You'll find zip-line rides at Wildcat, Bretton Woods and Loon. Later this summer you'll find an all-new Mountain Coaster ride at Attitash. Also the special events and concerts seem to be gaining momentum the past few years, keep an eye on the events calendar.

So say goodbye to the few patches of snow that remain and slap on some sunscreen, summer in New Hampshire is here!

I learned a lot about high elevation snow storms this week. Fully pre-occupied with keeping my family on its regular schedule without the help of heat or electricity due to a power outage from Thursday night's storm, I didn't pay much attention to the snow reports page on our website. I drove back home from the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge at Crotched Mtn in a fierce localized heavy snow squall on Friday, drove my son to his seasonal program at Cannon on Saturday morning just as more flakes were starting to fall, and skied with him that afternoon in a fresh accumulation of snow. I just didn't realize how it was adding up. Sunday morning, we drove up Rte. 49 on our way to my daughter's race at Waterville Valley. For that 10 mile stretch from I-93, there was some snow, but nothing extraordinary ... until we took the left turn up the access road. All of a sudden – the snowbanks on the sides of the road were enormous! At the ski area, snow was piled up deep everywhere; at the top of High Country, it looked like they had to shovel out the summit terminal, and the ski area trail signs were buried, with just the trail names dug out of the snow. And there was a new 4" on top of all this white stuff – unexpected freshies! I saw general manager Tom Day at the lift corral, headed up the lift with a videographer. He explained that, while the precipitation down in Campton (near the interstate) had been of the clear variety, it had snowed from 7pm Thursday right through Saturday morning from the access road and higher. 30" during that 36 hour period and another 4" overnight Saturday night! As of now, Waterville Valley is reporting 46" since last Wednesday – but you'd never believe it until you're at the ski area. So, when you're driving up this weekend – don't be fooled by the brown ground near the interstates or in the valleys. There's plenty of brown ground in Campton, and here at our office in Lincoln – but not up at Waterville Valley, or Loon, or Cannon. We've heard from locals it's the best skiing of the year right now. I suspect you'll hear the same in the Mount Washington Valley, where ski areas are reporting 3-4 feet of new snow since last Wednesday (depending on elevation), and all over New Hampshire, since last Wednesday's "storm 1" moved through New England. That gave us back our moguls, our glades – and most importantly, a great, heavy, deep base that's going to ensure some great spring skiing days to come. Enjoy! -Alice

We're in the heart of the ski season and that means keeping an eye on the daily weather so that you can take advantage of the best conditions. When it comes to forecasting and reporting the weather, many New England meteorologists have the nerve to use a negative tone when we have snowfall looming. One place that you can be sure you won't hear whining about a good old-fashioned blizzard is New England Cable News.

The weather team there (Tim Kelley, Matt Noyes, Joe Joyce and Danielle Niles) does an excellent job of pointing out the positives of active weather patterns, which is very enjoyable for skiers and riders. You'll also find they do a nice job covering all of New England including the different ski regions and how they will be effected. It appears they realize skiers and riders are weather geeks and are faithful viewers, so they go the extra mile to answer the questions you have in your head.

If you don't get NECN at home (like me), take advantage of their online video forecast at: http://www.necn.com/weather It is updated several times everyday and you can watch it anytime at your convenience.

Heck, go check it out now, sounds like we may have snow this Monday????

Hopefully you have been hitting the slopes or trails already and have plans to do so over the next two weeks. It's shaping up to be great conditions after the slow start in November. As of today, the forecast is still looking awesome with cold temperatures and a chance of a storm later in the week.

Currently, our ski areas have a nice selection of terrain open with much more planned to open over the next few days to be ready for the holiday. With potential snow, and plenty of snowmaking weather in the forecast, we should have great snow for you to slide on this holiday!

If you can, Christmas Day is a great time to get on the snow without crowds and a festive atmosphere! Check the comments box on our snow report for who will be open that day.

Part of enjoying the holidays at NH ski resorts are fun, family events. A few of those events include: -Sugar On Snow at Mount Sunapee on Tuesday 12/29 -Family Fun Day at Gunstock on Wednesday 12/30 -Midnight Madness X-mas Ski Jam at Crotched Mt. on Saturday 12/26 -New Year's Eve celebrations at many resorts!

These are just a few of the events, for a full listing visit our events calendar!

Have a happy holiday!

We've all been very patient, but it looks like we have some nice, cold temperatures in the forecast over the next week. Many areas have had to delay their projected opening dates, but this weather should do the trick to allow for some full-bore snowmaking and getting the lifts turning. Keep an eye on our snow report for the latest updates. In the meantime here is an updated list of opening dates. Get your holiday shopping done and wax up the skis and boards it's time for winter!

Open - Bretton Woods

Friday, December 4 - Waterville Valley

Saturday, December 5 - Loon Mountain

Sunday, December 6 - Cannon Mountain & Ragged Mountain

Tuesday, December 8 - Mount Sunapee

Wednesday, December 9 - Attitash

As soon as temperatures permit - Crotched Mountain

Friday, December 11 - Gunstock Mountain Resort, King Pine & Wildcat Mountain

Saturday, December 12 - Black Mountain, Dartmouth Skiway, McIntyre Ski Area & Pats Peak

Saturday, December 12 - Cranmore open for the weekend, then reopening for the season on Friday, December 18

Friday, December 18 - Granite Gorge

Saturday, December 19 - Balsams Wilderness Ski Area