Exclusive photos and snow report from Mt. Washington Ski Valley

Greetings from Mt. Washington Valley, NH

Many skiers feel March is the best time to be out on the slopes and trails with milder temps, soft snow and outlandish weekly events. March 2010 has been all of that so far and with most Mt. Washington Valley ski resorts at or near 100% open terrain, the upcoming days and weeks look prime for spring skiing.

Alpine Areas

Attitash Ski Resort -- Snow base depth: 22 - 38 inches / 70 trails / 6 lifts

Black Mountain -- Snow base depth: 15 - 40 inches / 42 trails / 2 lifts

Bretton Woods -- Snow base depth: 20 - 51 inches / 101 trails / 6 lifts

Cranmore Mountain Resort -- Snow base depth: 18 - 40 inches / 50 trails / 5 lifts

King Pine -- Snow base depth: 18 - 32 inches / 17 trails / 5 lifts

Shawnee Peak -- Snow base depth: 8 - 22 inches / 36 trails / 4 lifts

Wildcat Mountain -- Snow base depth: 24 - 54 inches / 46 trails / 3 lifts

Cross Country Areas

Bretton Woods XC -- Snow base depth: 15 - 24 inches / 60 km open

Great Glen Trails -- Snow base depth: 14 - 32 inches / 45 km open

Jackson Ski Touring -- Snow base depth: 2 - 36 inches / 75 km open

Bear Notch Ski Touring -- Snow base depth: 14 - 24 inches / 50k open

Mt. Washington Valley Ski Touring -- Trails closed pending more snowfall

Purity Spring XC & Snowshoe Reserve -- 12k open

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Events

Bretton Woods - Saturday, March 13, 2010, Bretton Woods Nordic Marathon, in the tradition of such classic races as the Geschmossel, the longest running citizen’s race in New Hampshire, and the Mt. Washington Cup, the Bretton Woods Nordic Center at Omni Mount Washington Resort is inviting all long-distance classic skiers to join them on a new journey to benefit the New England Ski Museum. www.brettonwoods.com

King Pine - Sunday, March 14, 2010, The Crash Dummy Launch Contest, will be a day of crashes and laughs as teams design, build and decorate the best dummies to be launched off the huge snow mass on the East Slope. Rules include: "The Dummy may not be living or breathing". The event will begin at 1pm. More info here. www.kingpine.com

Cranmore Mountain Resort - Sunday, March 14, 2010, NH Ski Area Mascot Jam, C'more, Cranmore's Penguin mascot, hosts the state's first ever ski area mascot jam. Mascots will compete in a variety of events for top honors, including a tubing hill race, obstacle course run and dance-off. www.cranmore.com

Photo credits:

King Pine - Dane Houde/Purity Spring Resort - Taken 3-10-10 Classic bluebird skies and March skiing.

Black Mountain - Participants from last Saturday's First Annual Red Parka Pub Junior Regatta where skiers and riders designed and build their own downhill vessels for competition.