New Hampshire Ski Areas Invest in Snowmaking, Lifts, Terrain and More Ahead of 2026–2027 Season
Ski New Hampshire
Conway, NH – As New Hampshire ski areas prepare for the 2026–2027 winter season, mountains across the state are investing in snowmaking, lifts, terrain, facilities and guest experiences. From a transformational snowmaking expansion at Pats Peak to major infrastructure upgrades at Gunstock and new snowmaking investments at Attitash and Wildcat, the upcoming season will bring a wide range of improvements for skiers and riders.
Bretton Woods
Bretton Woods is making improvements to both snowmaking and terrain parks for the upcoming season. Expanded snowmaking on Upper Express, one of the mountain's signature trails, will allow crews to cover the trail more efficiently, take advantage of shorter weather windows, and provide more consistent conditions throughout the winter.
The resort is also moving its terrain park to Fabyan's Express and expanding the collection of features with a greater emphasis on progression. The redesigned park will offer a more approachable experience for skiers and riders developing their skills while continuing to provide features for experienced park users. The move will also create additional space for race training and events on the Bretton’s Wood trail.
Gunstock Mountain Resort
Gunstock is continuing a two-year, $9 million investment plan with $4.5 million in improvements for the 2026–2027 season. Approximately $1.4 million is dedicated to snowmaking, more than $2 million to chairlifts, and another $1.1 million to equipment, facilities and maintenance.
The Panorama lift is receiving a new drive, chair-spacing system and control system, along with new lift structures at the base and summit. The Tiger chair will receive a new haul rope, while the Pistol chair will receive new grips and a completed gearbox rebuild.
Snowmaking improvements include 5,000 feet of new pipe and the separation of the mountain's upper and lower snowmaking systems, allowing both areas to make snow simultaneously. Gunstock is also adding a new Prinoth Bison X winch cat, an additional contactless RFID gate at Panorama and continuing work to widen the Derringer Trail.
Pats Peak Ski Area
Pats Peak Ski Area is undertaking one of the largest capital investments in its history with a major expansion of its snowmaking system. The centerpiece is a new 21-million-gallon snowmaking reservoir, accompanied by an additional 3,000 gallons per minute of pumping capacity, bringing total capacity to nearly 8,000 gallons per minute.
The project will also triple electrical capacity to the summit and increase the number of snowguns that can operate simultaneously from 100 to more than 200. Together, the improvements are expected to cut approximately 50% from the time needed to bring the mountain to full operation.
Additional improvements at Pats Peak include a complete overhaul of the Bluster Carpet Lift, including a new carpet belt and redesigned drive system; a new Prinoth Bison snowcat; improvements to the Hurricane Quad unloading area; new rental equipment; and upgrades to the Snowsports School staff locker room.
Wildcat Mountain & Attitash Mountain Resort
Wildcat Mountain and Attitash Mountain Resort are also investing in their snowmaking systems ahead of the 2026–2027 season. Improvements include the replacement of key snowmaking pipes at both resorts, strategic relocation of existing snowguns and additional equipment at Wildcat.
Wildcat Mountain will receive a new air transducer designed to improve the efficiency and responsiveness within its air system while Attitash Mountain Resort will add new low-energy snowguns on the Saco Trail. The resorts are also prioritizing snowmaking improvements on key terrain, including Wildcat's Lynx Trail.
Granite Gorge Mountain Park
Granite Gorge is replacing more than 100 slope lights across the property with high-efficiency LED fixtures. The new lighting will provide brighter and more consistent illumination across the slopes while reducing energy consumption.
The project is expected to improve visibility for skiers and riders enjoying the mountain after dark while replacing older, energy-intensive sodium bulbs with more efficient technology.
Jackson Ski Touring Center
Jackson Ski Touring Center, or Jackson XC, will introduce optical biathlon programming this winter. The program uses optical equipment that simulates biathlon marksmanship without firearms. Participants will learn about safety, rifle operation, biathlon history and elements of training and racing.
The programming builds on Jackson XC's existing eBiathlon offerings, which use optical rifles and light-based targets without noise or recoil.
Cranmore Mountain Resort
Cranmore is expanding its offerings beyond the slopes with the reopening of the historic Gibson Cabin at the summit. Built in 1939 as a private retreat for Cranmore founder Harvey Dow Gibson, the cabin now houses a historical exhibit exploring the mountain's history and the people who helped shape it.
The exhibit is open during the summer and fall, with Cranmore also exploring opportunities to incorporate the space into future winter experiences.
Ragged Mountain Resort
Ragged Mountain is continuing to invest in its mountain infrastructure, ahead of the 2026–2027 season, with expanded snowmaking capabilities in Big Rock Basin and upgrades to Elwood Lodge. Planned improvements to the lodge include a redesigned Harvest Café, enhanced seating areas, new bag storage facilities, and updated retail space.
Tenney Mountain Resort
Tenney Mountain is continuing its redevelopment with improvements that build on its upgraded snowmaking system, terrain park, restaurant, parking, and tubing offerings as it enters another season of its ongoing revival. Tenney’s new rope tow season pass provides unlimited access to the rope tow and terrain park, including night sessions, giving park skiers and riders a dedicated way to access the mountain's PLN Park.
Veterans Memorial Recreation Area
Veterans Memorial Recreation Area, known as The Vets, is continuing its investment in making skiing and snowboarding more accessible to the local community. A new 100-foot carpet conveyor lift will be installed adjacent to the existing rope tow, providing a safer and more convenient way for ski and snowboard lessons to access beginner terrain. The $110,000 project is part of the Franklin Outing Club's ongoing capital campaign.
The improvement builds on recent investments in snowmaking and mountain operations that helped The Vets increase its operating days. The non-profit Franklin Outing Club is also seeking funding for additional snowmaking equipment to increase water pumping capacity and make greater use of its two fan guns.
Looking Ahead
Looking further ahead, Loon Mountain Resort has announced Black Ridge, a 272-acre expansion of expert-level gladed terrain east of North Peak during the 2027–2028 winter season. Additionally, Loon has submitted a proposal to develop an additional 280 acres of skiable terrain, adding a new mountain peak to the resort’s current footprint that overlooks downtown Lincoln. If accepted, the project positions Loon to offer 955 skiable acres upon full build-out.
Continual Investment
New Hampshire's ski areas continue to make significant investments in snowmaking, lift infrastructure, terrain, energy-efficient equipment, and guest amenities. From major snowmaking expansions at Pats Peak and Gunstock to lift upgrades, terrain improvements, and facility renovations across the state, these projects build on years of ongoing investment aimed at improving operational efficiency, adapting to changing winter conditions, and enhancing the skiing and riding experience.
“New Hampshire's ski areas have consistently demonstrated their commitment to reinvesting in their mountains,” said Jessyca Keeler, president of Ski New Hampshire. “These improvements not only help ski areas make the most of winter weather and deliver a better experience for guests, but also strengthen the long-term sustainability of an industry that plays an important role in our state's economy and communities.”
Ski New Hampshire is the statewide association representing 30+ alpine and cross-country resorts in New Hampshire. For more information on ski areas, trail conditions, vacation planning, and updated events at Ski New Hampshire resorts, visit SkiNH.com. For further information about New Hampshire, visit VisitNH.gov.