By BOB MARTIN
Eagle Times Staff
SUNAPEE, N.H. — Between the fresh snowfall and constant snowmaking, the start to the winter season at Mount Sunapee is a promising one that has brought unbridled excitement for those looking to hit the slopes.
Ski/snowboard season is officially underway at Mount Sunapee Resort, as the mountain opened up on Wednesday with the Sunapee Express lift running and five trails open and groomed for skiers and snowboarders to enjoy.
Communications Manager Abigail Allen of Vail Resorts, which owns Mount Sunapee, was happy to report that skiers were lined up and ready to make fresh tracks at 9 a.m. Trails that were open included Flyway and Toboggan Chute at North Peak, which are both green circles. Blue square runs Bonanza, Lower Blastoff and Westside were groomed and open for skiers at the Summit, as well.
The weather cooperated fully, with partly sunny skies and base temperatures of 28 to 32 degrees, and 22 to 26 degrees at the summit. General Manager Sue Donnelly said it was a perfect way to start the season.
“It’s been such an amazing day,” said Donnelly. “The weather is perfect, our guests are happy, and we opened with the Sunapee Express and five trails. We’ll be looking to continue snowmaking as temps allow. We’re going to be expanding terrain as quickly as possible with our focus to expand terrain to South Peak this weekend. It’s been such an amazing day and an amazing start to our season, and our employees have done such a great job. They truly are the heart and soul of our mountain. Hope to see everybody soon.”
An inch or two of some fresh snow is expected overnight and more should be piling on throughout today. Temperatures will be in the 20s and 30s during the daytime over the next several days, and over the weekend there will be lows in the teens at night. This means there will be plenty of snowmaking on top of some fresh white stuff to continue a solid start to the season.
“We got the storm on Thanksgiving Day and have been making snow ever since,” Donnelly said. “It’s been great. You start seeing the comments on social media, and people asking when we’re opening, so the excitement is there.”
Donnelly said there were mostly season pass holders at the mountain, with some arriving as early as 6 a.m. to get themselves ready for first chair.
After last year’s slow start, the sight of fresh snow clinging to the trees is enough to get any skier or rider amped up for the winter ahead. She also said it is vital to have the natural snow, as it gets in the minds of skiers and snowboarders looking to travel to the area and take some turns.
“Last year it was a slow start across the Northeast, so now we are putting together this great base, and it brings excitement for those in the tri-state area,” Donnelly said.
It was a festive feel at the mountain for skiers and riders looking to get their season going in style. In the morning, at the Sunapee Express chairlift there was music, as well as muffins, cocoa, coffee and giveaways. All services were available in the Sunapee Lodge, the rental shop next to Spruce Lodge open for those looking to rent some gear, and the Summit Cafe was open for dining. Mountain Outfitters was open and had merchandise available for sale.
While the opening day was mid-week, this didn’t hinder the popularity and demand, Allen said.
“It’s a beautiful day and everyone is super happy to be out there,” Allen said. “It’s awesome. We are making snow on South Peak and getting ready to expand terrain.”
Allen said the turnout has been great right from the start, and the buzz is filling the air, especially with about a half-a-foot of natural snow leading up to the opening.
“People are out skiing right now and are having a blast,” she said. “It was a little more popular than expected. We’re really happy with the turnout. So it has been great, and now we’re looking to expand terrain as quickly as possible.”
This is Donnelly’s first season at the helm as general manager, as she previously spent three years as the general manager of Crotched Mountain and wore a number of hats at Okemo in years prior.
Donnelly said it was great to meet some of the pass holders and members of the community, as she embarks on her first winter in the role.
“It was a friendly opening,” she said. “Everyone was just so excited, and plus, the conditions are great for this time of year.
Donnelly grew up in New Jersey and hit the mountain a little growing up with school trips, but it was her move to Vermont 17 years ago that really turned the corner. She went to a job fair at Okemo, started working there, and fell in love with the industry. She has since become an avid snowboarder and loves the wide, sweeping terrain that Mount Sunapee has to offer.
“Okemo, Mount Sunapee and Crested Butte were part of Triple Peaks before Vail, so I knew Mount Sunapee well since it was a sister resort,” Donnelly said. “Now being part of Vail since 2018, things have grown a lot. When the opportunity came up here, it was an amazing place to grow in my career and learn more about this mountain I discovered 17 years ago.”
The snow guns will be blowing consistently over the next couple days, and natural snow coming should allow the mountain to open at least five more trails for the weekend. She also expects the Clipper Ship Quad to be open for the beginner terrain. This is a new endeavor, as in the past the main focus early was to just get top to bottom skiing.
“We can hopefully have it ready for our green trails and ski lessons,” Donnelly said.
Those looking to hit the slopes should log onto the Mount Sunapee webpage to check the live mountain cams and updated trail conditions at mountsunapee.com.
MOUNT SUNAPEE EMPLOYEES Jeffrey Nachtigall and Kimberly Merrow get the first chair of the winter season ready for a group on opening day. (left to right) John Dean, Declan Dean, Riley Balch and “TK.”
BETWEEN THE FRESH snowfall and constant snowmaking, the start to the winter season at Mount Sunapee is a promising one that has brought unbridled excitement for those looking to hit the slopes.
