Concord Ledger

As the first widespread snowfall of the year hits New Hampshire, two ski resorts in the state have opened their doors for the season, welcoming guests to make the most of the colder weather.

“Thrilled to see the ski season officially launch in New Hampshire, with Loon Mountain and Bretton Woods opening this weekend. New Hampshire’s ski resorts are important drivers of our state’s tourism economy -- great to see local businesses across New Hampshire recovering," U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D) tweeted Nov. 29. 

Skiing carries an economic impact in New Hampshire, as an estimated 2.8 million people visited the state in a typical season before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, according to a report from Plymouth State University. In the 2017-18 season, the last one for which data was available, skiers spent almost $385 million in New Hampshire.

“A lot of familiar faces coming back and new faces,” Josh DeBottis, General Manager of the Omni Mount Washington Resort, told WMUR9. “It’s so great to see them so excited for our first chair and first gondola up the mountain. The energy was just outstanding.”

Though the Bretton Woods' opening had been delayed due to warmer-than-expected weather in November, recent stretches of cold weather and fresh natural snowfall are expected to help, WMUR9 reports. 

According to the report, loosened COVID-19 restrictions this season will allow for the use of full chairlifts, but Loon Mountain maintains an indoor mask requirement because it operates on federal land and must follow CDC requirements.