Your Fall Guide to New Hampshire’s Ski Areas
Fall is a great time to visit New Hampshire’s ski areas. Before the snow arrives, the mountains are busy with Oktoberfests, fall festivals, Halloween events, and lots of excitement for the upcoming season. Maybe you’re simply looking to get outside and enjoy the fall scenery and weather, or you might be looking to celebrate the season with festivals, live music, and delicious food. Whatever it may be, there’s plenty happening at New Hampshire’s ski areas this fall.
Raise a Glass at an Oktoberfest
You don’t have to wait for winter to enjoy a day at the mountain. Oktoberfest and harvest celebrations are a great excuse to get outside, enjoy some live music and games, and soak up the colorful foliage.
Waterville Valley Harvest Festival | September 19th
Celebrate the start of fall at Waterville Valley’s Harvest Festival, featuring local goods, handmade crafts, freshly harvested foods, and plenty of family-friendly fun in Town Square.
Oktoberfest at Tenney Mountain Resort | October 10th
Tenney Mountain’s 4th Annual Oktoberfest brings craft beer tastings, an Oktoberfest-inspired buffet, live music, family-friendly games and contests to the mountain’s base lodge.
Oktoberfest at Attitash Mountain Resort | October 10th
Oktoberfest returns to Attitash Mountain Resort with live music, delicious food and drinks, games and a full day of fall fun in the White Mountains. For an added bonus, jump on the mountaineer for a scenic lift ride to check out the foliage.
Mactoberfest at McIntyre Ski Area | October 18th
Celebrate fall and get ready for winter at McIntyre Ski Area during Mactoberfest. Benefitting the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), Mactoberfest features live music, German-inspired food and drinks, lawn games and a ski and snowboard tent sale.
Oktoberfest and Ski Sale at Pats Peak | November 1st
Pats Peak’s Oktoberfest and Ski & Snowboard Sale pairs Bavarian music, food, kids’ activities and scenic chairlift rides with great deals on new and used ski and snowboard gear.
Whether you’re there for the food, the music, the fall weather and scenery or just an excuse to spend the day at the mountain, these events are a fun way to welcome the season.
Get in the Halloween Spirit
By late October, the ski mountains get a little spooky. Whether you’re looking for something for the whole family or just an excuse to wear a costume, these events are worth checking out.
Cranmore Trunk or Treat – October 30th
Cranmore’s 2nd Annual Trunk or Treat brings Halloween fun to the base area with decorated vehicles, trick-or-treating, music, BBQ, axe throwing, and more. Costumes are encouraged!
Haunted Halloween Happenings at Waterville Valley – October 24th
Head to Waterville Valley to celebrate Halloween with a costume contest and party at 3:45 PM and trick-or-treat at 5 PM.
Halloweekend at Bretton Woods – October 30th & 31st
Get ready for a two-day Halloween celebration featuring pumpkin carving, hayrides, a costume parade, and so much more. Plus, with an adults-only bash in The Cave, there’s truly fun for everyone to enjoy.
Grab your best friends or family, put on your costumes, and make a day (or more) of it in the mountains. Bonus points if you can come up with a spooky ski-themed costume.
Before You Know It…
Fall has a way of flying by. One minute you’re watching the leaves change and heading out to an Oktoberfest, and the next you’re checking the forecast and hearing talk of snow. So enjoy the fall weather while it’s here, find an Oktoberfest, put together a Halloween costume, and start getting your gear ready. Winter will be here before you know it.
Written By
Emily York