Last season was a great year for New Hampshire ski areas, and the 2009-2010 NH ski season is sure to be even more enjoyable. Ski areas and ski resorts in the Granite State have added a host of improvements to their facilities--including new trails, new quads, additional glades, and cutting-edge upgrades in snowmaking. New Hampshire ski areas are spending more than ever to improve and renovate. Here is a synopsis of some of the improvements for this ski and boarding season:

For the 2009-2010 season, King Pine has jam-packed its schedule full of exciting events, including the first annual Pooh Hill Snowshoe Scramble race, 8 kilometers around the resort’s Purity Lake. The Snowshoe Scramble will be added to this year’s Winter Trails Day (January 8) itinerary, a learning day for newcomers to try cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Purity Spring will also be hosting a Spring Sled Dog Race Classic (March 7-8), to compliment the Snowdog Clinics held at the resort throughout the winter. In addition, Military Appreciation Days will be added to the King Pine schedule, which offer free or $20 lift tickets including downhill, cross-country, tubing skating, or snowshoeing to active duty military personnel. King Pine will also be offering night skiing this season on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays after Christmas.

Mount Sunapee

Mount Sunapee submitted its five-year Master Development Plan this summer, proposing millions of dollars of changes to the Southern New Hampshire resort. Major improvements include expansion of the western part of the mountain known as West Bowl, including a brand new lodge and high speed lift. Mount Sunapee also hopes to upgrade many existing double and triple chairs to high speed quads, renovate several base lodge buildings, widen and expand existing trails, and add night lighting to three of its major trails. The plan also includes drawing water from Lake Sunapee for snowmaking, as well as improved snowmaking capabilities with new guns and piping. Hoping to make the resort a four-season attraction, the proposal includes the creation of a new parking lot, a climbing wall, a mini-golf course, a driving range, snow-tubing trails, and a zip line.

Waterville Valley

Waterville Valley enters its 43rd season this year by allocating over $600,000 to updates and improvements, including 40 new energy-conserving snow guns and the addition of a Prinoth 350 Snowcat to their grooming fleet. The Exhibition Park, one of Waterville’s six terrain parks, also sees extensive improvements including new rails, boxes, and jumps. Online technology brings the mountain to the consumer by offering 48-hour advanced lift ticket purchases. Online ticket purchases include a discount of $10 off lift tickets or ski rentals, offering the opportunity to snag the best equipment first. A new Sporthoma Accessory shop will be moving into the base lodge, with the rental shop seeing an updated snowboard set-up station. On Sundays, kids ages six to twelve can ski for just twelve dollars, a dollar of which is donated to a NH Food Bank. This season, Waterville will also play host to a variety of events, including the WMUR Winterfest, the Little Slammer Series, the PSU Winter Carnival Races, the Women’s Billabong Flaunt It Series, and the NH Special Olympics Winter Games.

Loon Mountain

This year, Loon Mountain focuses mainly on South Peak expansion and improvement, but also hosts some fun events, including Fun Days at the Loon Mountain Park. Each day of this four-day event debuts a new, undisclosed, secret feature of the terrain park. Each day the staff who built the park. will be there to answer questions and to rip up the terrain. At the end of each day, the sponsors of each unique feature will give away their product. Loon also offers PEEPS—Park Education and Etiquette Program, a web-based program designed to cultivate proper park behavior in exchange for printable vouchers good towards discounts, raffle tickets and exclusive offers. The base area continues to expand their recycling program, which has already reduced waste at Loon by 40%. This season, Loon was rated #1 for Access in the East by SKI magazine, and also received ten other Top-10 distinctions.

Cranmore

Cranmore spends over half a million dollars this year on capital improvements and upgrades, beginning with 80 new efficient tower snow guns, a new model which allows them to create three times as much snow in the same amount of time as their previous snow guns, while requiring less energy to operate. These snow guns allow Cranmore to create snow at higher temperatures earlier in the season, opening more terrain earlier in the season. The guns will be placed at every major high traffic trail junction. Every Saturday, skiers can attend “Cranapalooza”, an outdoor party (the largest of which will take place on New Year’s Eve) featuring skiing, live music, fireworks, snacks, magic and games. Cranmore’s award-winning five course wine dinners will continue this year. In celebration of its own biodielsel groomers, Cranmore will be awarding free parking and lift tickets to drivers of hybrid or alternative energy cars on two occasions this winter.

Cannon Mountain

The 2009- 2010 season marks phase two of Cannon’s 2-year capital improvement plan, which includes long-awaited renovations to Mittersill, such as trail trimming and brushing. Cannon will also be adding a Prinoth 350 groomer to its fleet and a new snowmaking pump in a high traffic area. Along with trail improvements, Notchview and Peabody Lodge will double in size, and the retail, rental and repair shops will see upgrades, including a new walk in the service area.

All in all, there have been many improvements this year, so visit New Hampshire for downhill or cross-country skiing. Bookmark and return to NHLiving.com for more New Hampshire Ski News throughout the year. Remember you'll find the best lodging values by visiting our lodging section. NH Living.com - All About New Hampshire!