SAM Magazine—Waterville Valley, N.H., June 8, 2023—Ski areas in New Hampshire tallied more than 2.2 million skier and snowboarder visits in the 2022-23 season, an increase of 13 percent over the previous season, according to Ski New Hampshire. The growth was almost double the national average visit growth of 6.6 percent.

“After what initially looked like a season that was going to be plagued by warm weather and little snowfall, it ultimately reversed course and finished in the top 10 seasons historically, and 10 percent over the 10-year average,” said Ski New Hampshire president Jessyca Keeler. 

While several New Hampshire ski areas opened later than planned this year thanks to unseasonable weather, March snowfall allowed most areas to meet their planned closing dates, with some even able to extend the season. 

The strong finish was demonstrated in the data. Weekly visitation in March was up roughly 54 percent. Combined, the five weeks of March and first two weeks of April saw an average weekly increase of 81 percent. “These statistics underscore the impact that weather has on ski area performance, which can further impact overall winter tourism and its economic performance in the state,” observed Keeler.

As far as buying patterns go, there were many similarities to the previous year, with lots of pre-season excitement that translated into strong season pass sales, said Keeler. 

Granite State cross-country ski areas didn’t fare as well as their downhill neighbors, seeing 102,297 skier visits compared to last year's 114,263 visits. Keeler attributed the 10 percent decline in cross-country skier visits to poor weather in the first half of the season.

Conversely, visits to tubing parks at ski areas rebounded significantly with an 18 percent increase, or 128,102 visits compared to 108,654 visits in 2021-22.