 Granite Gorge Ski Area, New Hampshire s "Gateway Ski Area" is located directly on Route 9 in Keene, NH. The stunning natural beauty of the mountain greets you as you cross the bridge over Otter Brook and into the Currier & Ives setting in the basin at Granite Gorge.
In the 1950 s a State committee was formed to locate the ideal gateway ski area for New Hampshire as Vermont and New York were attracting the lion s share of new development and skier business. The committee selected Pinnacle Mountain in Keene and Roxbury, NH, and the ski area opened in 1960. Pinnacle Mt Ski Area closed in 1977 and the property sat idle for many years. In 2003 the area re-opened as Granite Gorge and evoked a character mixing the old with the new.
Terrain
At the heart of the mountain is a state of the art high powered snowmaking system capable of pumping 1000 gallons per minute of water to the highest skiable elevation. Withdrawing water directly from the gorge at the ideal 32 degree temperature Granite Gorge makes the finest snow in the region. The mountain s North Face, protection from the wind, 525 vertical drop and ability to hold snow all contribute to superior conditions.
There is something for everyone at Granite Gorge, including New England s best snow tubing park. With the reincarnation of Granite Gorge, the tubing park was the first facility located in order to have the ideal configuration for snow tubing. With New Hampshire s only Wondercarpet lift serviced tubing park located adjacent to Otter Brook with fir trees lining the grade the park is picturesque and unique. A two and a half minute ride up the carpet to ride 600 feet of park is simply fantastic.
Granite Gorge provides snowmaking and lighting to the top. The Pinnacle Express double chairlift brings you to the summit in about five minute for a smooth, comfortable and scenic ride. The chair services trails for all abilities. Start out on the gentle and protected Monadnock perimeter trail for an easier way down, move on to the beautiful and sunny cruising trails including Sunset and Pinnacle that face due West toward Vermont or try the consistent steep pitch of the Main Street trail or on to the super steep, gnarly, double black diamond Headwall and Liftline trails. The Gorge provides thrills for all levels.
Granite Gorge has quickly gained a reputation as one of the best terrain areas in New Hampshire. Our young, dedicated park crew has the full green light and has created a top-to-bottom all mountain terrain park area. Now known worldwide for our signature VW 60 s hippie bus park feature, the crew is constantly evolving the parks from top to bottom. Where once stood a 20 meter Nordic jump Granite Gorge now builds the monster air jump and it s in an ideal location for lighting and spectator viewing. The Gorge hosts high school training for downhill and Nordic teams and hosts ski meets as well.
The Snow Sports School at Granite Gorge, headed by Director Diana Warhall, has seen tremendous growth in recent years. Area youth have taken to her professionally certified group of instructors, all trained using up-to-date skiing and riding safety and technical information. The Gorge offers full rentals for skiing and riding, even snowshoeing. The Gorge features a dedicated learning area called Glider serviced by a super smooth, easy to ride wondercarpet.
Last but not least, Granite Gorge offers an exceptional 12 kilometer cross country trail network that runs down the Otter Brook to the Otter Brook Lake reservoir. The Gorge s cross country is headed up by long-time Director Klaus Bayr. Klaus grooms the trails for both classic and skate styles with the Gorge s specialty cross country groomer.
You simply can t beat the low prices and tremendous winter activities at Granite Gorge. Just five miles away is downtown Keene, NH with four colleges, great shopping and many cultural facilities as well as fine restaurants, pubs, and more than 1000 hotel beds. Come on up and enjoy winter outdoors at Granite Gorge, New Hampshire s Gateway Mountain! |
| | Snow Conditions (updated)04/13/2013, 6:28am | | Operating Status: Open for Summer Fun | | Snowfall: | | Past 24 hours: | Pst 48 hours: | Snow Totals: | | 0" | 0" | 0 "
Past 72 Hrs | | Surface Condition: | Base Depth: | Roads: | | | " - " | | | Open Terrain: | | Trails: | Lifts: | Acres Open: | | 0 of 19 | 0 of 4 | | | Percent: | Grooming: | Snowmaking: | | % |
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trails % | | Weather: | | Sky Condition: | Noon Base Temp: | Noon Top Temp: | | °f | °f | | Hours: | | | | Night Skiing and Tubing: | Night Skiing: | Night Skiing Trails: | Night Skiing Lifts: | | | | | Tubing Available: | Tubing Hours: | # Tubing Lanes: | | | | | Terrain Park/Halfpipe: | | Park Available: | Location: | # Features Open: | | BB, Monadnock, Jumper | 25 | | Pipe Available: | Halfpipe Location: | Halfpipe Last Cut: | | | | | Cross Country Skiing: | | XC Available: | XC KM: | XC Skating KM: | | yes | | | | |
