HOLIDAY FUN IN THE GRANITE STATE

SNOWY START TO WINTER SETS THE STAGE FOR A FUN HOLIDAY ON NEW HAMPSHIRE'S SLOPES & TRAILS

NORTH WOODSTOCK, NH, December 2007 - This is the type of start to winter that New Hampshire snowsports enthusiasts dream about all summer. The end of the 2007 calendar year has brought several significant snowstorms to the Granite State resulting in scenery and atmosphere you expect to see in a Norman Rockwell painting. The deep base of snow sets the stage for what could be a legendary holiday vacation week.

The past several years New Hampshire skiers and business have suffered through a slow start to winter. Recent Decembers have seen ski areas struggle to open their slopes and trails. This year ski areas are simply struggling to manage the copious snowfall. Several Nor'easters, along with excellent snowmaking weather, have enabled several NH ski areas to open 100% of their trails, with many more planning to be 100% open for the holiday week.

"The conditions are shaping up to be the best we've had for the December holiday period since the winter of 2000/01. It's a win-win scenario for our guests and area businesses and we couldn't be happier!" stated Karl Stone, Ski NH's Marketing Director.

The news is also excellent for lodging properties and restaurants in ski towns around NH that have had slow starts to recent winter seasons. Bob Shaw, manager of Gordi's Fish and Steak House in Lincoln, NH, noted, "Local NH economies thrive on the holiday periods during the winter months, so to know the mountains have a great product to offer visitors this holiday has spirits high."

With so many people likely to hit the snow, special events are planned all week to keep families entertained. These events include terrain park competitions, ski races, fireworks displays, maple syrup sampling on snow, après ski parties, and more. New Hampshire's ski areas also have New Year's celebrations for kids and adults alike. New Year's celebrations are scheduled at Gunstock, Mount Sunapee, Pats Peak, Waterville Valley, Crotched Mountain, Bretton Woods and others. For a complete list of events, the latest on NH's snow conditions, lodging info, ski area facts, maps and everything you need to know to plan your trip, visit SkiNH.com.

Ski NH is the statewide association representing 38 alpine and cross country resorts and more than 200 lodging properties in New Hampshire. For more information on ski areas, lodging packages, lift ticket deals, and updated winter events at Ski NH mountain resorts, call Ski NH at (800) 88-SKI-NH (800-887-5464) or visit the Ski NH website at www.SkiNH.com. For statewide media relations assistance, visit the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism's media room at www.visitnh.gov under Travel Industry.