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    New Hampshire, Usa · Indy

    Waterville Valley

    255 acres, 62 runs near Campton. Birthplace of freestyle skiing, complete village resort, Indy Pass.

    Season 2025 - 2026
    Opens
    6 Dec 2025
    Closes
    12 Apr 2026
    Days open
    127
    Annual snow
    9ft
    The Overview
    MF
    Michael Fulton
    Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.

    Waterville Valley's summit reaches 4,003 feet, dropping 2,020 vertical feet to a base at 1,985 feet across 62 runs spread over 255 acres near Campton, New Hampshire. Terrain splits 57 per cent intermediate, 24 per cent advanced, 16 per cent beginner and 3 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 103 inches. The resort carries Indy Pass affiliation. Ten lifts, including two quad chairs and two triple chairs, serve the mountain alongside two double chairs, two surface lifts and two t-bars.

    Waterville Valley holds a genuinely significant place in American skiing history as the birthplace of freestyle skiing, a distinction that reflects the resort's long-standing culture of innovation. Its complete resort village, featuring a charming pedestrian town square, gives Waterville a self-contained, destination-resort character among New Hampshire's ski areas.

    Two-time Olympian Tom Corcoran, who placed fourth in the giant slalom at the 1960 Squaw Valley Games, took an interest in Mount Tecumseh and the Waterville Valley in 1965. With assistance from ski trail designer Sel Hannah, Senator Robert F. Kennedy and Ralph Bean, Corcoran developed the ski area through 1965 and 1966, clearing trails and erecting four double chairlifts that spring. Waterville Valley opened in December 1966 with 145 acres of skiable terrain, 18 runs and a 2,020-foot vertical drop.

    Corcoran served as the resort's president and chief executive for 35 years, during which Waterville launched the first Freestyle Instruction Programme in the United States in 1969, cementing its status as the birthplace of the discipline, and hosted 10 Alpine World Cup events while drawing more than 300,000 skiers annually. Adult daily tickets run from 89 to 129 US dollars.

    2,018ft
    Vertical
    62
    Runs
    255 acres
    Skiable
    9ft
    Annual snow
    Indy
    Pass
    The Terrain

    62 runs across 255 acres skiable

    Waterville Valley spreads 62 runs across 255 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 57%, with 10 beginner runs to find your feet and 17 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.

    Terrain split
    62
    runs
    62 runs across 4 grades
    Beginner10 runs · 16%
    Intermediate35 runs · 57%
    Advanced15 runs · 24%
    Expert2 runs · 3%
    Time it right

    When to visit Waterville Valley

    The 2025-26 season at Waterville Valley ran from 6 December 2025 to 12 April 2026, a roughly eighteen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 103 inches. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season weather in the White Mountains.

    Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions to Waterville's intermediate-weighted terrain. As an Indy Pass resort, Waterville draws some visiting skiers holding that multi-resort pass alongside its traditional destination visitor base drawn to the resort's complete pedestrian village and family-friendly amenities.

    Waterville's status as the birthplace of freestyle skiing continues to draw visitors with an interest in the discipline's history, alongside families and groups seeking the resort's self-contained village experience. School holiday periods bring substantial family visitation given the resort's varied terrain and extensive on-site amenities beyond skiing. The Kids Ski Free Jr. Plus Pass reflects a deliberate focus on family accessibility.

    Specific event programming beyond standard operations and the resort's storied Alpine World Cup hosting history is not confirmed in available resort information. Since founder Tom Corcoran's 35-year tenure as president and chief executive concluded, Waterville has continued building on six decades of history dating to its December 1966 opening. The resort's freestyle heritage and complete village character remain central to its seasonal identity.

    Season 2025 - 2026
    6 Dec 2025
    Opens
    12 Apr 2026
    Closes
    127
    Days open
    9 ft
    Annual snow
    Getting there

    Getting to Waterville Valley, and where to stay

    Waterville Valley sits near Campton, New Hampshire, on Mount Tecumseh in the White Mountains, with a base elevation of 1,985 feet and a summit at 4,003 feet across a 2,020-foot vertical drop over 255 acres. This setting places the resort within a self-contained mountain village, a genuinely distinctive layout among New Hampshire ski areas.

    The resort's own pedestrian town square provides extensive on-site lodging, dining and shopping, giving Waterville a complete destination-resort character without requiring visitors to leave the immediate area. The broader White Mountains region surrounds the valley with additional outdoor recreation and scenic attractions.

    New Hampshire State Route 49 provides direct access to the resort from Interstate 93, connecting Waterville Valley to the broader regional highway network. Winter driving conditions on this route can include snow and ice, though the well-travelled road is regularly maintained given the resort's status as a major White Mountains destination. There is no direct public transport service to the resort.

    Specific nearest commercial airport details are not confirmed in available resort information, though Waterville's position off Interstate 93 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 Waterville Valley, powered by Stay22.

    Latest News

    From the SnowStash desk

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    25 Aug 2026

    Waterville Valley Lift Tickets

    Waterville Valley lift tickets & passes

    The 2025 - 2026 season at Waterville Valley closed on Apr 12, 2026. Check back for next season's opening date and ticket pricing.

    Day passes start from US$69, with peak rates up to US$129.

    Indy5 pass options
    Buy passes ↗

    Single-day passes

    Adult 18–64

    Adult Daily Ticket

    US$89up to US$129 peak

    Experience Waterville Valley's complete four-season resort in New Hampshire's White Mountains with charming town square and diverse terrain. This destination resort offers skiing, dining, shopping, and lodging all within walking distance in a car-free village setting.

    Buy pass
    Youth 13–17

    Youth Daily Ticket

    US$79up to US$119 peak

    Youth lift tickets at Waterville Valley provide access to complete White Mountain resort experience with town square and diverse terrain. Perfect for young skiers and riders enjoying destination resort amenities in a car-free village setting.

    Buy pass
    Adult 50–99

    Silver Streaks Program

    US$69up to US$89 peak

    Waterville Valley Silver Streaks is the longest running senior skiing program in the country for skiers 50+. Join Monday through Thursday, non-holiday for fun, friendship, and fabulous skiing with professional guides and après events.

    Buy pass

    Season passes

    Adult 13–99

    White Mountain Super Pass

    US$1,199up to US$1,399 peak

    White Mountain Super Pass includes unlimited access to Waterville Valley plus Bretton Woods, Cannon Mountain, and Cranmore. Experience the most skiing in New Hampshire with four distinct resorts within 2.5 hours of Boston.

    Buy pass
    Child 6–12

    Kids Ski Free Jr. Plus Pass

    Free

    Waterville Valley offers free Junior Season Plus Pass for any child age 6-12 with purchase of Adult Season Plus Pass. Share the generosity with others if you can't use it - perfect for families wanting season-long access.

    Buy pass

    Lift tickets FAQ

    How much does a Waterville Valley day pass cost?+
    Waterville Valley day passes range from US$69 to US$129 depending on the date and advance booking.
    Can I buy Waterville Valley 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 Waterville Valley lift ticket?+
    Full access to all lifts and trails at Waterville Valley, including mountain safety and patrol services.
    What is the difference between Waterville Valley lift tickets and ski passes?+
    "Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at Waterville Valley - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
    When should I buy Waterville Valley 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 Waterville Valley offer group discounts on lift tickets?+
    Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact Waterville Valley 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 Waterville Valley.

    More Waterville Valley intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.