Here’s what skiers will find new (and improved) in New Hampshire for the 2023-24 season

Bretton Woods became the first New Hampshire ski area to open for the season. (Bretton Woods)

Sometimes, capital projects come with great fanfare, like Attitash’s debut of its new summit quad lift to replace the infamous Summit Triple. Some, like Saddleback’s seven-megawatt solar farm, you might never see. 

Whether it’s a new, multi-million dollar lift or a unique wrinkle to the cafeteria lunch menu, the offseason is a busy time for getting work done at ski areas and resorts across New England. Here’s a look at the additions and projects that skiers and riders can expect to see at their favorite ski destinations this winter in New Hampshire:

Bretton Woods, which became the first ski area in the state to open for the season on Nov. 14, is celebrating 50 years this season with special events, guest speakers, a community fundraiser, and a unique ski and stay package (“Rays Your Glasses”) which includes a voucher for a pair of 23-karat gold aviator sunglasses from Boston-based company, Randolph, Tuckerman Brewing Company’s special edition Bretton Woods Kölsch and a pair of commemorative glasses, as well as lift tickets with first tracks. Starting rate is $739/night. The first five to book also receive a complimentary groomer ride.

Loon Mountain Resort, and the surrounding area, for that matter, is getting a facelift this season with the South Peak expansion, adding more than 30 acres of terrain, a new chairlift (Timbertown Quad), and fully automated snowmaking. The expansion adds 11 trails (a blend of beginner and intermediate levels) to the resort, increasing the area’s skiable terrain to more than 400 acres with 12 lifts and a vertical drop of 2,190 feet. New terrain includes two tree-skiing areas. Timbertown Quad is a four-person chairlift located 1 1/2 miles from Interstate 93, providing guests convenient access to South Peak terrain from downtown Lincoln, N.H.

Gunstock Mountain Resort is nearing completion on $6 million in improvements. The ski area recently broke ground on a new rental building that aims to streamline the rental process for its guests. The new building will be a sister to the existing rental building and will be centrally located near the learning center. Gunstock also announced plans to redesign and pave its main parking lot to maximize space and improve visibility for visitors.

A new era debuts at Cranmore Mountain Resort, which will celebrate the opening of Fairbank Lodge, its brand-new base lodge. The lodge will offer guests 30,000 square feet of room with an expansive food pavilion, accessory and retail ski shops, spacious restrooms and locker rooms, and a slopeside bar. Up the road in Bartlett, Attitash Mountain Resort’s new Mountaineer lift is slated to make its debut in mid-December. The Mountaineer is a high-speed, four-passenger chairlift that will reduce ride time to the summit by more than half. The lift also will increase uphill capacity and improve the flow of the Attitash base area.

As for other Vail-owned properties in the state: Gillette Stadium isn’t the only land-locked destination getting a lighthouse this year. Mount Sunapee’s own South Peak is being revitalized with New Hampshire’s only ski-through lighthouse, inspired by Lake Sunapee’s three iconic lighthouses. Mount Sunapee also is celebrating its 75th anniversary. The team at Wildcat Mountain replaced the bridge that connects the base lodge to the slopes. The popular Mug Club also is making a comeback.

Waterville Valley Resort added a new 2,000-square-foot deck off the Freestyle Lounge complete with firepit. At the summit, the resort is building a ski patrol and sled garage, located adjacent to the top of the Northside chairlift. Builders also are in the process of renovating every room at Snowstar, Waterville’s 62-person employee housing building, which received a new roof, new windows and new siding.

King Pine Ski Area in East Madison expanded its base lodge area and rental shop, which also will include a rooftop deck off of the main base lodge for additional outdoor seating. Capital expense purchases for the upcoming season include replacing the “Cubby Tow” rope tow lift with a new Sunkid moving carpet lift.

The alpine training center at Pats Peak received an interior facelift this offseason. The Henniker ski area will debut a race training arena with snowmaking, lighting and the integration of three dedicated training lanes. The East Wind trail will receive a lighting facelift with all-new poles, wires and LED lights.

State-owned Cannon Mountain recently received the go-ahead to move forward with major improvements to its iconic aerial tramway after state legislature approved an $18 million appropriation to the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Completion of the project will not occur until 2025 or later.

Other ski resorts have been busy this summer replacing lift equipment. Whaleback Mountain in Enfield has a new surface lift, while Danbury’s Ragged Mountain Resort is replacing the Barnyard Triple haul rope.