New Hampshire Ski Resorts Adapt to Drought and Climate Change

As winter ski season approaches, New Hampshire's mountain resorts are facing a challenge: a prolonged drought that has limited their snowmaking capabilities. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, more than half of New Hampshire was in "extreme drought" as of October 7. Climate change is driving a recurring pattern of dry periods in late summer, making it difficult for ski resorts to rely on traditional snowmaking methods.

"We're being limited not only by temperature, but potentially by water as well," said Caitlin Hicks Pries, a Dartmouth researcher and associate professor of biology. Despite the challenges, ski resorts are adapting to the changing climate by implementing more efficient snowmaking technologies and strategies. Many are shifting their snowmaking schedules to compensate for warmer temperatures and reduced water availability.

Key Takeaways:

• More than half of New Hampshire was in "extreme drought" as of October 7, 2024, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
• Climate change is driving a recurring pattern of dry periods in late summer, affecting ski resorts' snowmaking capabilities.
• Ski resorts are adapting to the changing climate by implementing efficient snowmaking technologies and strategies, such as high-efficiency snowmaking guns, insulated snow storage, and adjusted snowmaking schedules.
• Resorts like Gunstock Mountain Resort and Pats Peak are using compressed air to send water misting into the air, where it can freeze and be deposited on the slope as snow.
• Snowmaking is a labor-intensive and expensive process, with snowmakers facing the challenge of making less snow at the beginning of the season and returning to trails later in the year to add more.
• Some resorts are engaging in "snow farming," using insulation to preserve heaps of snow through above-freezing temperatures so it can later be put to use for winter sports.
• Climate researcher Caitlin Hicks Pries suggests that the future of skiing in the Northeast may involve a shift in timing, with reduced snowmaking weather early in the season and increased precipitation in early spring months.

Statistics:

• More than half of New Hampshire was in "extreme drought" as of October 7, 2024.
• 1895 was the previous driest summer on record in New Hampshire.
• Water level at Ragged Mountain Resort's bog is down only a fifth of an inch from its average.
• Ragged Mountain Resort uses high-efficiency snowmaking guns, which use compressed air to send water misting into the air.
• Gunstock Mountain Resort adjusts its snowmaking schedule to compensate for warmer temperatures and reduced water availability.

Sources:

• [1] U.S. Drought Monitor, Oct. 7, 2024 report
• [2] New Hampshire State Climatologist Mary Stampone
• [3] Caitlin Hicks Pries, Dartmouth researcher and associate professor of biology
• [4] David Ulbrich, mountain operations director at Gunstock Mountain Resort
• [5] Erik Barnes, general manager at Ragged Mountain Resort
• [6] Kris Blomback, general manager at Pats Peak