It will be a while yet before I can indulge in my favorite snow sports (XC skiing, snowshoeing and free, walk-up snowboard runs on old, closed ski slopes). The public relations minions of the NH Snow Industry purport to be stoked about the season, though. Here’s their take:

NEW HAMPSHIRE SKI AREAS OVERCOME RECENT ICE STORM AND ARE READY FOR THE HOLIDAY VACATION

NORTH WOODSTOCK, NH, DECEMBER 2008 – The recent ice storm that affected most of New England surprisingly had little effect on many of New Hampshire ski areas.  It did make for an interesting weekend for a few New Hampshire ski areas that lost power for several days; most of those do now have power restored and are open for business once again. 

It will be a while yet before I can indulge in my favorite kind of skiing (XC) and snowboarding (walk-up, at old closed mountains), but the Commericial Snow Industry is all sorts of stoked about the season, or so sayeth their PR minions. Check it out:

This year’s ice storm varied greatly from the ice storm in 1998 which affected most NH ski areas.  Resorts in the northern half of the state saw less damage and loss from this storm.  The resorts in the southern half of New Hampshire that were affected are already taking advantage of the millions of dollars they recently invested in snowmaking and grooming equipment to ensure excellent snow conditions for the holiday week ahead.

All 18 Ski NH downhill ski areas plan to be open this weekend and for the holidays thanks to recent stretches of excellent snowmaking weather, as well as a ten day forecast that is showing several good chances for accumulating snowfall.

“New Hampshire resorts that were affected by this storm are rebounding nicely from damage they received.  The focus statewide is now on preparing for the holiday vacation period and providing a quality product our guests have come to expect,” stated Greg Goddard, Ski NH Chairperson and Gunstock Mountain Resort General Manager.

 The beginning of the 2008-09 ski season has gone very well thanks to the excellent snowmaking weather and even some help from Mother Nature in the form of natural snow.  NH ski areas for the most part have opened their lifts on their projected opening dates.  Cross country skiers have also been on the snow with as many as five NH cross country areas being open since mid-November.

 “We’re very lucky on several accounts to be in the position we are entering this holiday vacation period,” stated Karl Stone, Ski NH’s Marketing Director.  The December holiday period and the February school vacation weeks are crucial to New Hampshire ski areas, accounting for up to 33% of annual business.

With so many people likely to hit the snow, special events are planned all week to keep families entertained.  These events include terrain park competitions, ski races, fireworks displays, maple syrup sampling on snow, après ski parties, and more.  New Hampshire’s ski areas also have New Year’s celebrations for kids and adults alike.  New Year’s Eve celebrations are scheduled at Gunstock, Mount Sunapee, Pats Peak, Bretton Woods, Ragged Mountain, Cranmore, the Balsams, and others.  For a complete list of events, the latest on NH’s snow conditions, lodging info, ski area facts, maps and everything you need to know to plan your trip, visit SkiNH.com.

Ski NH is the statewide association representing 37 alpine and cross country resorts and more than 200 lodging properties in New Hampshire.  For more information on ski areas, lodging packages, and updated winter events at Ski NH mountain resorts, call Ski NH at (800) 88-SKI-NH (800-887-5464) or visit the Ski NH website at www.SkiNH.com.  For statewide media relations assistance, visit the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism’s media room at http://visitnh.gov/media/ or contact Mr. Tai Freligh at 603-271-2665 x108.