Last year, the number of snowmobile trails open for Christmas week was close to zero, and this year, all trails are open for riding with conditions considered spring-like in the south with some water bars now open and mid-winter in the mid and northern part of the state, said Chris Gamache, chief of trails.
"We've had powder conditions statewide the past two weeks, which is almost unheard of for this time of the year," said Chris Gamache. The rain, he said, has helped pack down the trails.
"It has been so cold and dry it has been tough to pack so we needed some rain or warmth," he said. "Everything is up," he said, including registrations for sleds although he did not have a current number. Retailers and repair shops are flooded, he said. "We've got people coming in to shops to get work done on machines that haven't been turned over in three years," he said.
Linda Glynn at Ski New Hampshire said some ski areas were putting up ropes on a few trails to fix up after the rain but she said most ski areas still have a 25 inch base and a majority of their trails open. Last Christmas it was not the case. The Balsams in Dixville Notch, Granite Gorge in Keene, Crotched Mountain in Francestown, Pat's Peak in Henniker and McIntyre in Manchester were all reporting 100 percent of their trails, open yesterday.
Janice Crawford, executive director of the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce said everyone there is very enthusiastic this Christmas, which is a bit of a change. "From the skiers to the snowmobilers to cross country and snowshoers to the skaters, we have everything we need for Christmas week which is just wonderful," she said.
"The past 10 years have not been what we have wished for but this is a good one." She said lodging is near full, everywhere. "There are still rooms but you have to look for them. Most have a room or two left but that is about it," Crawford said. "It did rain last night but frankly, it cleaned up everything for us. The ski areas have been making snow as well."
At Loon Reservation Service in Lincoln, thousands of condominum and townhouses have been booked for the week and there is only some small windows of availability for two-night stays, said Dot Gunter, office manager. "It's the early season snow," she said, noting that people are coming or are here from New England, New Jersey and beyond for a white Christmas.
Loon was reporting all but one of their trails open yesterday and granular conditions. Ski areas planning to be open for Christmas Day include Attitash in Bartlett, The Balsams, Bretton Woods, Crotched, Cranmore in North Conway, Loon, Sunapee in Newbury, Ragged in Danbury and Waterville Valley.
NewHampshire.com offers information on a wide variety of winter recreation. For more information on ski areas, visit skinh.com. For more snowmobile trail information, go to nhtrails.org.