While skiers and snowboarders love a nice long winter to enjoy their favorite on-snow activity, they all look forward to March. Just because spring is coming it doesn’t mean the snow is going anywhere anytime soon. What it really means is warmer temps, soft spring snow, longer days and awesome spring events across New Hampshire.

(TRAVPR.COM) USA - March 8th, 2017 -

Concord, NH --While skiers and snowboarders love a nice long winter to enjoy their favorite on-snow activity, they all look forward to March. Just because spring is coming it doesn’t mean the snow is going anywhere anytime soon. What it really means is warmer temps, soft spring snow, longer days and awesome spring events across New Hampshire.  

“A combination of natural snow fall accumulation paired with plenty of snow making days at New Hampshire’s ski areas has resulted in deep bases on the slopes and set the scene for some great spring skiing conditions,” says Jessyca Keeler, Executive Director, Ski NH. “Thanks to the efforts of our snowmakers and groomers, skiers will enjoy spring skiing right through March and a number of ski areas are planning to be open into April.  The warmer and longer days of March and April bring with them some great events that are not to be missed.” 

The resorts are rolling out the red carpet this spring for everyone, from the pros to the weekend warriors to those who have never skied or ridden before – ski areas still have great learn-to-ski/snowboard deals for families, for seniors, for adaptive skiers and for those who just want to have a great time enjoying New Hampshire’s mountains.

There are so many spring events going on at Ski NH’s member resorts that the hard part for skiers and riders will be deciding which ones to go to.  A small sample of upcoming events are listed below, but a complete list of spring events can be found at www.SkiNH.com.

A spring time favorite, the 21st Annual Hannes Schneider Meister Cup Weekend will take place March 10th through March 12th. The event kicks off Friday night with a Tyrolean themed dinner and a torchlight parade. Saturday, the celebration of ski school founder Hannes Schneider’s arrival at the mountain continues with a dual giant slalom race, silent auction, vintage skiwear contest, après entertainment, prizes, music and more! 

Also on March 11, Pats Peak is bringing warm Hawaii to the cold mountains and having a Hawaiian weekend.  Skiers and riders only need to be festive and dress in their best Hawaiian outfit and, of course, pretend it’s not cold.

If skiing for 24 hours and raising money for a good cause is your thing, plan to participate in King Pine Ski Area’s Cynthia’s Challenge 24 Hour Ski-A-Thon, the proceeds of which will benefit Sanbornville, New Hampshire’s Faith Holt, an 11-year-old girl living with skeletal dysplasia, seizure disorder and Crane-Heise Syndrome. This year’s goal is $65,000 to purchase Faith’s family a wheelchair accessible van. 

One of the most popular rites of spring at ski areas is pond skimming, where skiers and snowboarders, usually decked out in costume, attempt to skim across a pond of freezing water. Numerous upcoming splash pond events means lovers of this event can attend one each weekend.  McIntyre hosts a pond skimming event this weekend on March 11^th, and Pats Peak hosts one on March 18^th.  On March 25^th Black Mountain, Bretton Woods and Cranmore Mountain Resort will each host a splash event, and on Sunday the 26^th King Pine will host theirs.  On April 1^st, Mount Sunapee, Ragged Mountain Resort and Waterville Valley Resort each host their own pond skimming event, and Gunstock follows up with theirs on Sunday the 2^nd.  The last day for brave souls to try their luck or skills at crossing an ice cold pond on skis is April 8^th at either Cannon Mountain or Loon Mountain.

Cannon Mountain will host their 80’s day and Old School Duel on Saturday, March 18^th. Come to ski dressed in old school neon 80’s gear and get $10 off your full-day lift ticket.  For those who want to relive the 80’s yet again this season, keep that neon at the ready and head to Loon Mountain on April 1^st for their 80’s Day celebrations. 

Other events include the Spring Thing Weekend March 18th & 19th at Gunstock, Mountain, the Bump ‘n’ Jump Ski Contest at Ragged Mountain on March 26^th, and Mount Sunapee Resort’s Springfest Concert on April 1^st.  There are plenty more events to choose from, including numerous cross-country ski area events, which can be found at http://www.skinh.com/activities/spring-events.  

Ski NH is the statewide association representing 34 alpine and cross country resorts in New Hampshire. For more information on ski areas, trail conditions, vacation planning, and updated winter events at Ski NH resorts, call Ski NH at 603.745.9396 or visit the Ski NH website at www.SkiNH.com. For statewide travel info, visit www.visitNH.gov. 

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