Cranmore Mountain
200 acres, 57 runs in North Conway. Historic Skimobile heritage, family-friendly White Mountains skiing.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
4 Dec 2026
Closes
3 Apr 2027
Days open
120
Annual snow
45in
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Cranmore Mountain's summit reaches 2,000 feet, dropping roughly 1,200 vertical feet to a base at 600 feet across 57 runs spread over 200 acres in North Conway, New Hampshire. Terrain splits 44 per cent intermediate and 28 per cent each for beginner and advanced, with no expert-rated runs, and average annual snowfall of roughly 45 inches. Nine lifts, including two quad chairs and two triple chairs, serve the mountain alongside one double chair, three surface lifts and one t-bar.
Cranmore holds a storied place in American ski history, having pioneered one of the sport's most distinctive early lift technologies and helped establish North Conway as a genuine skiing destination. Its historic Skimobile Road, still bearing the name of the resort's famous vintage lift, remains a visible link to this heritage today.
Local businessman Harvey Gibson founded Cranmore, opening the resort for the 1937-38 season with a single rope tow after purchasing land parcels on the mountain's west side. For the 1938-39 season, Gibson introduced the Skimobile, a distinctive lift consisting of 60 small cars travelling on a wooden track, designed by area mechanic George Morton, which carried skiers from the base to roughly halfway up the mountain. In 1939, at Gibson's invitation, prominent Austrian skier Hannes Schneider moved to Cranmore after being briefly imprisoned in Austria for his anti-Nazi views, and Schneider's arrival spurred further expansion, including a second Skimobile stage to the summit and additional trails.
The Skimobile operated as a beloved, if unusual, piece of Cranmore's identity for decades before being fully abandoned by 1988, giving way to more conventional chairlift infrastructure. Adult daily tickets run from 79 to 109 US dollars, with a discounted beginner-terrain-only ticket also available.
1,401ft
Vertical
57
Runs
200 acres
Skiable
45in
Annual snow
The Terrain
57 runs across 200 acres skiable
Cranmore Mountain sits in the village of North Conway, New Hampshire, with 57 runs on 200 acres (81 hectares). The mountain rises from about 600 ft (183 m) to 2,000 ft (610 m), a vertical of 1,400 ft (427 m). Terrain is 28% beginner, 44% intermediate and 28% advanced, a balanced spread that suits mixed-ability groups. Snowfall averages around 45 inches a year, lower than most White Mountains neighbours. Runs are short to mid-length and close to town, which makes Cranmore an easy day for families and a handy warm-up before bigger mountains.
Skimiester is a winding blue trail that steepens toward the end, with Bandit and Lower Arlberg as easier options and Lower Hurricane carrying on to the base. The Darkside Terrain Park covers 17 acres and is served by two lifts, giving freestyle riders a proper zone of their own. The mountain also has a long history, with its famous Skimobile lift debuting in 1938. Advanced skiers get some steeper pitches but no big challenge, so Cranmore suits families, beginners finding their feet, park riders and anyone basing themselves in the Mount Washington Valley.
Terrain split
57
runs
57 runs across 4 grades
Beginner16 runs · 28%
Intermediate25 runs · 44%
Advanced16 runs · 28%
Expert0 runs · 0%
Time it right
When to visit Cranmore Mountain
The 2025-26 season at Cranmore Mountain ran from 6 December 2025 to 5 April 2026, a roughly seventeen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 45 inches. Extensive snowmaking supplements natural snowfall considerably, supporting consistent conditions throughout the season given the resort's comparatively modest natural totals.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions to Cranmore's intermediate-weighted terrain. Given the resort's location in North Conway, a considerable regional tourism hub, Cranmore draws strong visitation from visitors combining skiing with the area's well-known tax-free outlet shopping.
As an independently operated resort offering its own daily tickets alongside White Mountain Super Pass access, Cranmore's visitor base draws heavily from families and beginner-to-intermediate skiers given the resort's terrain profile and learning-focused amenities, including the Mountain Adventure Park. School holiday periods bring substantial family visitation given this accessible terrain mix.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations and the Mountain Adventure Park is not confirmed in available resort information. Cranmore's history, dating to Harvey Gibson's 1937 founding and the Austrian influence brought by Hannes Schneider in 1939, continues to inform its identity as one of North Conway's most historic ski destinations. The resort's family-friendly, accessible character remains central to its seasonal appeal.
Season 2026 - 2027
4 Dec 2026
Opens
3 Apr 2027
Closes
120
Days open
45 in
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Cranmore Mountain, and where to stay
Cranmore Mountain sits in North Conway, New Hampshire, in the heart of the Mount Washington Valley, with a base elevation of 600 feet and a summit at 2,000 feet across a roughly 1,200-foot vertical drop over 200 acres. This setting places the resort within one of New England's most popular tourism destinations.
North Conway itself offers extensive lodging, dining and the region's well-known tax-free outlet shopping, all within a short walk or drive of the resort. The broader Mount Washington Valley surrounds Cranmore with additional attractions and outdoor recreation options across the White Mountains region.
New Hampshire State Route 16 provides direct access to the resort through the centre of North Conway. Winter driving conditions on this route can include snow and ice, though the well-travelled state highway is regularly maintained given the area's status as a major regional tourism destination. There is no direct public transport service to the resort, though North Conway's walkable village centre reduces the need for driving once visitors arrive.
Specific nearest commercial airport details are not confirmed in available resort information, though Cranmore's North Conway location keeps it within a reasonable drive of the greater Boston metropolitan area's major airports for visitors travelling from further afield.
Where to stay
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Hotels and lodges near Cranmore Mountain, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Cranmore Mountain's ski season?
Cranmore Mountain's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from December 4 through April 3. That window is roughly 120 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in New Hampshire, Usa often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Cranmore Mountain have?
Cranmore Mountain lists about 200 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 57 named runs (81 hectares alongside 200 acres skiable). That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Cranmore Mountain?
Trail grading at Cranmore Mountain breaks down roughly as 28% beginner, 44% intermediate, 28% advanced. The mix is balanced enough for mixed-ability groups, so learners can stay on marked green/blue (Green/Blue) terrain while stronger skiers peel off to steeper pitches.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical feet. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Cranmore Mountain have?
Cranmore Mountain operates 9 lifts across 5 lift types. The fleet includes 3 surface lifts, 2 quad chairs, 2 triple chairs, 1 double chair, and 1 t-bar.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Cranmore Mountain?
Base elevation at Cranmore Mountain is about 600 ft (183 m), with the summit around 2,001 ft (610 m), giving roughly 1,401 ft (427 m) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Cranmore Mountain get each season?
Cranmore Mountain averages about 45 inches (114 cm) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Where can I buy Cranmore Mountain lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$39 to US$109, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Cranmore Mountain before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 4 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Cranmore Mountain so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Cranmore Mountain have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Cranmore Mountain. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Cranmore Mountain located?
Cranmore Mountain sits in New Hampshire, Usa. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Utah Snow Storm Builds Early-Season Base Ahead of November Openings
Rain down low, snow up high, and a snow report full of zeros that mostly means ‘not updated yet’. Utah’s first proper storm of 2026-27 is rolling through the Wasatch, Snowbird’s snow stake is closing in on 10 inches, and Brian Head is five days from opening day. Early November snow rarely looks like much, but it is the layer every November opening date is built on. Here is where it stands.
1 Nov 2026
Sierra Nevada Halloween Storm: Dodge Ridge Forecast to Lead With 19 Inches
Halloween weekend brings a wet, windy storm to the Sierra Nevada. Our five-day forecast has Dodge Ridge on top with 19 in, followed by Bear Valley at 15 in and Mammoth Mountain at 12 in, with most of it landing on Saturday. A winter weather advisory covers the Tahoe Basin and Mono County until 7 AM Sunday, gusts could reach 47 mph and the freezing level swings between 4,900 and 8,700 ft, so some bases will see rain. A dry spell follows from Monday.
31 Oct 2026
Lake Louise Opens Early on 1 November With Juniper Express and Easy Street
The Rockies get their first lift-served turns of the season early. Lake Louise opens Sunday 1 November, five days ahead of schedule, after a cold October and round-the-clock work from the snowmaking and mountain crews. Terrain is limited to Juniper Express Chair and Easy Street, with two small terrain parks and the beginner area for lessons. Opening-day tickets are over 60% off, with prices rising as more lifts open. First chair is at 9:30 am under the resort’s new lift hours.
31 Oct 2026
Kitzbüheler Horn Summit Cable Car to Be Replaced After 70 Years
A Tyrolean summit lift that has been carrying guests up the Kitzbüheler Horn since 1955 is on borrowed time. Its licence runs to 2045, but a new inspection rule has made refurbishment uneconomic, so Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel will spend around €15 million on a replacement on the same line. It should hold roughly 100 people and keep running in winds that would stop today’s lift. Building starts in autumn 2027, which makes this winter and next summer the last chances to ride the old one.
30 Oct 2026
What’s New in Japan Skiing This Winter: Niseko Gondola, a Private Resort and a Bigger Ikon Pass
Niseko Village is replacing a lift from the early 1980s with an eight-person gondola, Tsugaike gets a six-person chairlift, Madarao joins the Ikon Pass and Togari opens Asia’s first private ski resort. Here’s what is actually new in Japan skiing for 2026/27, plus what is still a year or two away.
30 Oct 2026
Wolf Creek Opens on Halloween Weekend as Colorado’s Early Season Gathers Pace
Colorado’s early-season dominoes keep falling. Arapahoe Basin opened on Wednesday, Keystone follows on Friday, and now Wolf Creek is joining in on Saturday 31 October, just in time for Halloween. A storm on 23 and 24 October left 20 inches of natural snow in the San Juans, and three lifts will turn from 9:00 am, covering about 30% of the mountain. Expect rocks, unmarked obstacles and open water, but also Local Appreciation lift tickets at $73 for adults.
30 Oct 2026
Keystone Resort Opens for 2026/27 With More Than Two Miles of Skiing
Keystone is next. After Arapahoe Basin claimed the first chairlift skiing of the season on Wednesday, Keystone opens on Friday 30 October at 9:00 am with more than two miles of snowmaking-built terrain on Schoolmarm and Silver Spoon, plus free donuts, coffee and a live DJ. Last year the order was reversed, when Keystone squeezed in a three-hour afternoon session to beat A-Basin by a day. Snowmaking has been running since 15 October.
29 Oct 2026
Beaver Creek Installs 16 Automated Snow Guns on Birds of Prey Ahead of Record World Cup
Beaver Creek is getting ready for the biggest Birds of Prey ever, and this time it is not leaving the snow to chance. Crews started making snow on 27 October with 16 newly installed automated guns on the lower third of the course, after last December’s warm spell forced a downhill off the schedule. Seven races across two weekends run from 3 to 13 December, the most the course has hosted since its 1997 debut, and the guns start themselves whenever the weather allows.
29 Oct 2026