This past winter took away, but it also gave, depending on which part of the continent skiers called home.
That’s evident by the latest chunk of data released by Ski New Hampshire, a trade group for 30-plus alpine and XC ski areas across the Granite State, showing that for its members, the 2025-26 season was the fourth busiest in two decades.
Over the winter, Ski NH’s resorts tallied 2,283,539 skier visits. Only three recent winters—2000-01, 2007-08, and 2010-11—surpassed that number.
Courtesy Ski NH
The snow conditions, a documented (and quite frankly, obvious) factor in how many skiers show up at resorts each winter, were good in New Hampshire.
“Early-season snowfall and consistently favorable snowmaking temperatures in the Northeast during peak snowmaking periods allowed New Hampshire ski areas to establish a deep, resilient base of snow that supported exceptional conditions throughout the winter,” said Ski NH president Jessyca Keeler, in a release.
She also highlighted investments in snowmaking, grooming, lifts, and amenities made by Ski NH’s member resorts.
Those investments, Keeler continued, “helped drive the increased skier visits we observed.”
New Hampshire also saw one of skiing’s most unique stories this winter. Black Mountain, after being bought by multi-pass sellers the Indy Pass in 2024, went on a historic run, staying open later than it ever has until May 17, outlasting resorts far beyond New Hampshire (Black Mountain isn’t a member of Ski NH).
Black Mountain
Overall, it was a marked contrast to some western states like Colorado, where hot weather and little snow stymied visitation. Colorado Ski Country USA recently announced that this past winter, skier visits dropped to 10.5 million from the previous season’s total of 13.9 million.
Still, CSCUSA’s president and CEO, Melanie Mills, highlighted the upshot of the tough Coloradoan season in a release, saying it “revealed the experience, dedication, and grit of Colorado’s resorts and the teams behind them.”
CSCUSA also noted that the warmer weather, shorter lift lines, and well-groomed terrain drew newcomers and helped beginners build confidence.
Nationwide, skier visits fell about 9%, further reflecting the West-to-East divide.
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