Bretton Woods
New Hampshire's largest ski area with Mount Washington views. Features 464 acres of pristine terrain luxury amenities at the Omni Mount Washington Resort and perfect groomers.
Season 2025 - 2026
Opens
6 Dec 2025
Closes
12 Apr 2026
Days open
127
Annual snow
11ft
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Bretton Woods ski resort commands 464 acres of skiable terrain across three distinct mountain areas in New Hampshire’s legendary White Mountains, making it the largest ski area in the state. Established in December 1973 and now celebrating over 50 years of operation, the resort sprawls across Mount Rosebrook, West Mountain, and Mount Stickney with a vertical drop of 1,500 feet from its 3,100-foot summit to its 1,600-foot base.
The mountain features 63 named trails complemented by 35 glades that add another dimension to the skiing experience, with terrain distributed as 25% beginner, 29% intermediate, and 46% advanced to expert runs.
What truly distinguishes Bretton Woods is its dramatic setting in the shadow of the Presidential Range, offering unobstructed views of Mount Washington and the surrounding peaks from virtually every run. The resort’s 92% snowmaking coverage across 428 acres ensures consistent conditions throughout its mid-November to mid-April season, whilst annual natural snowfall exceeding 200 inches provides regular powder refreshers.
Bretton Woods has earned SKI Magazine’s award for Best Grooming in the East for six consecutive years, alongside rankings as the top resort in New Hampshire for overall satisfaction, family friendliness, and guest services. The mountain’s north-facing orientation and sheltered position provide excellent snow preservation and wind protection, creating reliably comfortable skiing conditions.
Located directly across from the historic Omni Mount Washington Resort—site of the famous 1944 Bretton Woods Conference that established the World Bank and International Monetary Fund—the ski area benefits from integration with one of New England’s grandest hotels whilst maintaining its own distinct character as a spacious, uncrowded destination surrounded by the 800,000-acre White Mountain National Forest.
1,499ft
Vertical
63
Runs
467 acres
Skiable
11ft
Annual snow
The Terrain
63 runs across 467 acres skiable
Bretton Woods spreads 63 runs across 467 acres skiable of terrain. It leans advanced at 34%, with 14 beginner runs to find your feet and 30 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
63
runs
63 runs across 4 grades
Beginner14 runs · 23%
Intermediate18 runs · 28%
Advanced21 runs · 34%
Expert9 runs · 15%
Time it right
When to visit Bretton Woods
Bretton Woods typically operates from mid-November through mid-April, delivering one of the longer ski seasons in New England with the 2024-25 season running from 16 November to 13 April across approximately five months of consistent conditions. The resort’s location in the northwestern corner of the White Mountains positions it ideally for upslope-driven snow patterns that regularly deliver 200-plus inches of annual snowfall—amongst the highest totals in New Hampshire—whilst the mountain’s extensive snowmaking infrastructure covering 92% of terrain ensures reliable coverage even when natural snow proves elusive. January and February represent peak conditions with the deepest natural snow base and most consistent powder refreshers, though the resort’s north-facing orientation and elevation ranging from 1,600 to 3,100 feet provide excellent snow preservation well into March and early April.
December through mid-March constitutes the prime operating period with full facility operation, vibrant atmosphere, and optimal grooming across all terrain zones, whilst the shoulder periods of late November and late March through mid-April offer quieter experiences with shorter lift queues for visitors seeking less crowded slopes. The resort maintains snowmaking operations typically through mid-February, after which natural snowfall and grooming maintain conditions on the 428 acres of snowmaking-equipped terrain. Night skiing operates Friday and Saturday evenings until 8:00pm from late December through mid-March, with five trails and two lifts dedicated to evening operations and extending to nightly service during holiday periods.
Bretton Woods has earned recognition as having the Best Snow in the East from SKI Magazine, with conditions benefiting from the sheltered position that provides wind protection whilst the extensive grooming fleet—responsible for the resort’s six consecutive years winning Best Grooming in the East—maintains immaculate corduroy across green, blue, and select black diamond runs.
Season 2025 - 2026
6 Dec 2025
Opens
12 Apr 2026
Closes
127
Days open
11 ft
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Bretton Woods, and where to stay
Bretton Woods ski resort sits at 99 Ski Area Road in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, positioned in the dramatic shadow of the Presidential Range where Mount Washington—New England’s highest peak at 6,288 feet—dominates the skyline with views visible from across the mountain.
Located in the village of Bretton Woods within Carroll County, the resort occupies a spectacular setting between Crawford Notch and Franconia Notch, virtually surrounded by the White Mountain National Forest’s 800,000 protected acres with minimal visible development beyond the historic Mount Washington Hotel and the Mount Washington Cog Railway.
The resort is named after Bretton Hall in West Yorkshire, England, honouring the 1772 land grant from King George III to Sir Thomas Wentworth, whilst the area gained international recognition in 1944 when the Mount Washington Hotel hosted the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference that established the Bretton Woods financial system.
Access is straightforward via U.S. Route 302, which runs directly through Bretton Woods as the main east-west scenic highway through Crawford Notch, connecting to Interstate 93—the primary north-south corridor providing direct routes from Boston (157 miles/2.5 hours north via I-93), Portland, Maine (93 miles/2 hours east), Burlington, Vermont (115 miles/2 hours west), and Montreal (187 miles/3 hours north).
The nearest major commercial airport is Manchester-Boston Regional at 105 miles requiring approximately two hours’ drive, whilst Boston Logan International Airport sits 165 miles or 2.5 hours away offering the most extensive flight connections for domestic and international visitors.
Regional towns include Twin Mountain five miles west at the junction of Routes 3 and 302, North Conway 32 miles east through Crawford Notch offering extensive outlet shopping and dining, and Littleton 32 miles west serving as the major regional hub.
The resort’s position in the northwestern White Mountains places it amongst several notable ski areas including Cannon Mountain in Franconia Notch, Loon Mountain 25 miles south in Lincoln, and various Mount Washington Valley resorts, though Bretton Woods’ 464 acres make it New Hampshire’s largest ski area by total terrain.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Bretton Woods, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
FIS Weighs Holding World Championships in Almost Every Winter, Starting 2032
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation is looking at a major shake-up to its title events calendar. From 2032, World Championships could run not just in odd-numbered years but in every non-Olympic winter too, effectively putting a global title event on the calendar almost every season. The FIS Council has approved the concept following a feasibility study, though an accelerated rollout as early as 2028 is also under consideration.
4 Sept 2026
Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026
Mount Buller closes out its 2026 season this Sunday, joining Falls Creek, Hotham and Charlotte Pass in a cluster of closures landing almost simultaneously and roughly a month ahead of schedule. The culprit is stark: Spencers Creek's benchmark snow depth hit 31.2cm on 3 September, just 18% of the 73-year average and an all-time low for this point in the season. Six of Victoria and NSW's best-known resorts will have shut their lifts early within a span of about two and a half weeks.
4 Sept 2026
Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season
Tremblant has confirmed a major expansion of its Quebec ski area, with a new Timber Summit sector adding 62 acres of terrain, eight trails and a high-speed quad chairlift for winter 2027/28. It's part of a CAD 42.5 million investment that also includes a new beginner learning zone at Versant Soleil opening this coming season. The project has grown considerably since it was first announced back in 2020, when it carried a far smaller budget and an opening date that never eventuated.
2 Sept 2026
Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6
We knew when the Bird Bath Pond Skim showed up on Hotham's Instagram that the season was on its way out. It's been a rough one - I only managed two days on snow all year, at Falls Creek - and now Baw Baw, Selwyn and Hotham have all called it, possibly the worst Australian season I've seen in a decade. Hotham's last day of lift operations is Sunday, 6 September, with a Retro Day, Father's Day après and closing sales before the lifts stop turning for good.
1 Sept 2026
Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028
Thredbo Alpine Resort has confirmed plans to replace its 37-year-old Gunbarrel quad chairlift with a new six-seat Doppelmayr D-Line, targeting winter 2028. The AUD 35 million project will keep travel time roughly the same but lift capacity from 2,800 to 3,000 skiers per hour. It's part of a broader investment push that also includes doubled snowmaking capacity at Friday Flat for 2027, with the ageing Kosciuszko Express now flagged as the resort's next major lift replacement after Gunbarrel.
31 Aug 2026
Aerial Tram Collides With Crane at Alpe d'Huez: 23 Injured
An aerial tram carrying around fifty passengers struck the boom of a construction crane on the route to Pic Blanc at Alpe d'Huez on Wednesday morning, injuring 23 people, three seriously. The cabin tipped on impact before the operator reversed it to right the car. Most of the injured were treated on site, with five taken to hospital in Grenoble, including a pregnant woman assessed as a precaution.
28 Aug 2026
Why Glaciers Are Collapsing - And What Happens When They Do
A deadly flood on the Nepal-China border, a decade-old tragedy on Italy's Marmolada, and an unstable glacier right now above a village near Zermatt - three very different mountain ranges, the same underlying story. Warming ice is destabilising terrain that was considered settled for generations, and the results range from catastrophic floods to slow-motion monitoring situations that could go either way.
27 Aug 2026
Pitztal Glacier Set to Reopen for the 2026/27 Ski Season on 26 September
Tyrol's highest ski area is gearing up to open a full month ahead of most of the Alps. The Pitztal Glacier is scheduled to start its 2026/27 season on Saturday 26 September, running through to 2 May 2027, with the lower-altitude Rifflsee area following in December. High-altitude terrain up to 3,440 metres gives the glacier a head start on snow, though as always, the actual opening extent will depend on how September's weather plays out. Early online ski pass bookings can save up to 30%.
26 Aug 2026
Bretton Woods Lift Tickets
Bretton Woods lift tickets & passes
The 2025 - 2026 season at Bretton Woods closed on Apr 12, 2026. Check back for next season's opening date and ticket pricing.
Day passes start from US$79, with peak rates up to US$149.
4 pass options
Single-day passes
Adult 18–64
Adult Daily Ticket
US$89up to US$149 peak
Experience Bretton Woods, New Hampshire's largest ski area with 98 trails and spectacular Mount Washington views. Located at the historic Omni Mount Washington Resort, enjoy 464 skiable acres with diverse terrain from beginner to expert including 30 acres of backcountry glades.
Buy passYouth 13–17
Youth Daily Ticket
US$79up to US$129 peak
Youth lift tickets at Bretton Woods provide access to New Hampshire's largest ski area with 98 trails and four terrain parks. Perfect for young skiers and riders exploring diverse White Mountain terrain with stunning Presidential Range views.
Buy passChild 0–4
Ages 4 & Under Free
Free
Children ages 4 and under ski free at Bretton Woods! New Hampshire's largest ski area welcomes families with complimentary access for the youngest skiers when accompanied by a paying adult. Experience the magic of skiing near Mount Washington.
Buy passSeason passes
Adult 13–99
White Mountain Super Pass
US$1,199up to US$1,399 peak
White Mountain Super Pass offers unlimited skiing at Bretton Woods, Cannon Mountain, Cranmore, and Waterville Valley - the most skiing in New Hampshire. No blackout dates and includes access to New Hampshire's four premier White Mountain resorts.
Buy passLift tickets FAQ
How much does a Bretton Woods day pass cost?
Bretton Woods day passes range from US$79 to US$149 depending on the date and advance booking.
Can I buy Bretton Woods lift tickets online?
Yes, you can purchase tickets directly from the resort website or at the resort ticket office.
Are there discounts for multi-day passes?
Yes, multi-day packages typically offer significant savings compared to individual day passes. The per-day cost decreases with longer stays.
What is included with a Bretton Woods lift ticket?
Full access to all lifts and trails at Bretton Woods, including mountain safety and patrol services.
What is the difference between Bretton Woods lift tickets and ski passes?
"Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at Bretton Woods - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
When should I buy Bretton Woods lift tickets for the best price?
Purchase tickets at least 7 days in advance for the best rates, and consider weekday visits for further savings over weekend rates.
Does Bretton Woods offer group discounts on lift tickets?
Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact Bretton Woods directly for group booking information and rates.
How can I check current conditions before buying tickets?
Before purchasing, check the live snow report and mountain webcams to see current weather, snow conditions, and lift operations at Bretton Woods.
More Bretton Woods intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.