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Bretton Woods as seen from Mt. Deception (2014)
Bretton Woods
Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
Status: Open
First Season:1973-74
Vertical Drop:1500 feet
Standing Lifts:1 gondola, 4 high speed quads, 1 quad, 1 triple, surface lifts
Past Lifts:1 quad, 3 doubles, surface lifts
Left: Bretton Woods as seen from Mt. Deception (2014)
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SkiNewEngland.net Profile
Located in the shadow of Mt. Washington, Bretton Woods is the newest major ski area in New England. Its high base elevation and wind-protected exposure results in unique conditions for the region.

Early Ski Development Attempts

Despite being home to some of the tallest peaks in New England and some of the deepest natural snow totals, the Twin Mountain - Crawford Notch - Jefferson region of the White Mountains lacked a major ski area. While the 1960s brought proposals for ski areas on Mt. Agassiz, Mt. Jefferson, North Twin Mountain, Mt. Pierce, Mt. Tom, and Willard Basin, the region was still without one by the time the 1970s rolled around. During that time, however, Interstate 93 had been constructed to Lincoln, New Hampshire, providing fast access to the western White Mountains from cities down south.

Opportunity presented itself across from the Mt. Washington Hotel in the Rosebrook Mountains. In early summer of 1969, Philadelphia-based investors under the name of the Mt. Washington Development Co. purchased 10,000 acres of land for an undisclosed figure in the multiple millions of dollars, as well as acquiring the stock of Mt. Washington Hotel Corporation.. The company was owned by Bankers Bond and Mortgage Gauranty Co.'s Washington Woods Investment Co. and Donald S. Cohan's Mt. Washington Investment Co. Funding was provided by the owners, mortgages from the prior land owners, and financing from Provident National Bank, Industrial Valley Bank, New England Merchant's Bank, and $7.5 million from Institutional Investors Trust (IIT). The $100 million project was to include a ski area, two golf courses, 2,000 homes, and 500 condominiums.

The project was led by Cohan, an attorney who had ventured into real estate in the late 1960s. At the age of 42, Cohan won a bronze medal in sailing at the 1972 Olympics. Meanwhile, construction was underway for a ski area on the Rosebrook Mountain Range.

Sno Engineering was hired to design the ski area with the hopes of opening it that winter. While construction of the trails, lifts, and snowmaking plant was reportedly on schedule in the fall of 1972, the opening was delayed until the 1973-74 season because, according to Cohan, "we could not be sure of building sufficient numbers of new condominiums and ski lodge facilities to properly balance the on-hill operations." Meanwhile, proposals were drawn up to construct a casino.

Bretton Woods Opens

The early years at Bretton Woods
The early years at Bretton Woods

Bretton Woods opened for business on December 29, 1973 as an 1,100 vertical foot ski area. For the 1973-74 season, Bretton Woods had two double chairlifts, a T-Bar, 30 acres of snowmaking, and 18 miles of nordic trails. The alpine trail network consisted of 7 intermediate ski trails and one beginner slope. According to Skiing magazine, New Hampshire Governor Meldrim Thomson was so impressed with the area at its grand opening that he returned the following month to learn to ski.

Financial Woes

1975 bankruptcy coverage
1975 bankruptcy coverage

While the ski area was open, the overall development was running into significant issues, as environmentalists and government agencies were ramping up opposition. Cohan lined up an additional $2 million in financing from IIT to get the sewage treatment plant constructed, which was necessary for the planned real estate development. However, the financing was never secured, resulting in the halting of plant construction and returning of the equipment to the manufacturer. Real estate lot sales stopped, payments returned, and infrastructure work was ceased.

Heading into the fall of 1974, liens, lawsuits, and back taxes were adding up, as the developers owed money to local and national companies, including lift manufacturer Heron Engineering Co. In order to keep the ski area operating for the 1974-75 season, BGF Co., Inc. was formed on December 10, 1974 to assume an operational lease of the ski area. On December 20, 1974, IIT foreclosed on the Mt. Washington Development Co. Mountain Management Company, Inc. was incorporated on December 30, 1974.

By January of 1975, Mt. Washington Development Corp. had become the largest bankruptcy in state history. Citing issues with state environmental regulations, a depressed housing market, and $14 million in debt, stopped all non-ski area operations. That summer, the resort lost the Volvo International Tennis Tournament to Cranmore. The area's ski touring center may have formally debuted for the 1975-76 season.

Financial backer IIT took control of the resort that year and worked to keep it operational. The Georgia-based Bretton Woods Corporation, an IIT affiliate, was incorporated in New Hamphshire on August 25, 1978, taking ownership of the hotel. Around this time, Mountain Management Company was able to transition the hotel from near-closure to profitability. In mid 1979, IIT sold 6,500 undeveloped acres to the US Forest Service for $2,115,000. With the financial situation of the resort improved, IIT looked to sell.

Ownership Changes and Expansion

The early years at Bretton Woods
The early years at Bretton Woods

In May of 1980, IIT sold the resort to Bretton Woods Associates for $5.7 million. Led by Jack Sylvester, the new owners immediate plans were renovations on the Bretton Woods Motor Inn and Mount Washington Hotel.

Bretton Woods Acquisition Company was formed in 1983 to own and operate the resort.

In 1983, a Fabyan's triple chairlift was installed on the upper mountain, expanding the area's vertical drop to 1,500 feet. Nine new trails opened, including some much needed black diamonds. By the mid 1980s, 80% of the terrain was covered with snowmaking. However, the area struggled with cashflow problems during the 1984-85 season, resulting in a management shake up.

In late 1987, after decades of local opposition and five years of construction, Franconia Notch Parkway opened. By connecting Interstate 93 to the US 3 segment to Twin Mountain, the new road dramatically improved access to Bretton Woods.

Bretton Woods in the early 1990s
Bretton Woods in the early 1990s

During the spring of 1988, the owners of Bretton Woods, the Mt. Washington Hotel, and related properties (now known as Bretton Woods Acquisition Co.) sold the holdings to Satter Company of New England. Satter Company of New England then transferred the Mt. Washington Hotel and other lodging properties to First Commonwealth Development Inc. Later that summer, Satter Company of New England sold Bretton Woods ski area to a group of investors led by Herb Boynton and Joel Bedor. Their first big investment took place the following year, when Bretton Woods installed one of the state's first high speed detachable quad chairlifts. Named the Bethlehem Express, the new lift provided a quick way out of the base area and teamed up with Fabyan's triple to provide a high capacity route to the summit. Three new trails, additional snowmaking, and an expanded base lodge rounded out the $2 million project.

Bretton Woods and the Mt. Washington Hotel ran into trouble in early 1990 when lenders Dartmouth Bank and Eliot Savings Bank ran into trouble. By mid 1991, both banks had failed, resulting in the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. taking control of the properties. New Hampshire based MWH Preservation Limited Partnership, led in part by the owners of the Mt. Washington Cog Railway, purchased the hotel and related lodging and dining facilities at a June 26, 1991 auction for $3.15 million. Two years later, the group acquired the Bretton Woods golf course.

Becoming a Large Ski Resort

The West Mountain Express Quad in 2015
The West Mountain Express Quad in 2015

In September of 1997, MWH Preservation Limited Partnership purchased Bretton Woods ski area, bringing the businesses back under the control of one group. One of their first moves was to install a novice double chairlift for the 1998-99 season.

In conjunction with the winterization of the Mount Washington Hotel, West Mountain was opened for the 1999-2000 season. Initially served by a fixed grip quad, the new complex provided additional intermediate trails and expert glades.

The original A Chair was replaced for the 2000-2001 season with a new high speed detachable quad.

The West Mountain quad was upgraded to a high speed detachable quad chairlift for the 2002-2003 season, while a fixed grip quad replaced the Crawford double chairlift.

The Mt. Rosebrook area debuted for the 2003-04 season, served by a new high speed detachable quad. Though the new trails were short, they provided some much needed steeps for Bretton Woods.

In December 2004, the ownership opened the Cog Railway Ski Trains, providing Bretton Woods skiers with package deals. The service operated for two seasons.

In June of 2006, the Mount Washington Hotel, Bretton Woods ski area, and related properties were sold for $45 million. As part of the deal, Bretton Woods ski area was acquired by CNL Lifestyle Properties, Inc.. Omni Hotels & Resorts began leasing the properties from CNL in September 2009.

An initial expansion was made to the Mt. Stickney area in 2010-11 when 30 acres of glades were opened. Two years later, the Telegraph T-Bar and Mount Stickney Cabin were added to the complex.

Omni Takes Over

The Rosebrook Lodge and Skyway Gondola (June 2020)
The Rosebrook Lodge and Skyway Gondola (June 2020)

On December 1, 2015, Omni Hotels & Resorts purchased Bretton Woods and associated properties from CNL Lifestyle Properties, Inc. for $90.5 million.

Omni's first large scale investment as owner came in 2018, when it announced the installation of an 8 person gondola and future upper mountain lodge, as well as the removal of the final original lift, the B Chair. Initially slated for a 2018 debut, supply chain issues reportedly delayed the completion of the lift until November 2019. The Bull Stockwell Allen designed Rosebrook Lodge debuted for the 2020-21 season, providing on-mountain food and beverage, as well as a marquee wedding venue.

NewEnglandSkiConditions.com Reports
Month Average Percent of Terrain Open
November11%    (27 reports)11 Open
December34%    (37 reports)34 Open
January60%    (11 reports)60 Open
February99%    (3 reports)99 Open
March75%    (13 reports)75 Open
April60%    (12 reports)60 Open
Recent Conditions Reports
Apr. 5, 2024 by nordicgal
Packed Powder, Powder
Mar. 25, 2024 by nordicgal
Packed Powder, Powder
Mar. 10, 2024 by nordicgal
Wet Powder, Spring Snow
Feb. 11, 2024 by rocket21
Frozen Granular, Loose Granular
Dec. 24, 2023 by rocket21
Loose Granular, Wet Packed Powder
Bretton Woods on NewEnglandSkiConditions.com


NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News
Recent Articles
Bob Dunn Passes Away - Apr. 21, 2023
Lift Construction In Progress Across Northern New England - Jul. 20, 2019
Lift and Lodge Construction In Progress Across New England - Jun. 3, 2019
Bretton Woods Gondola Construction Progressing - May. 4, 2019
Leitner-Poma Completes First Brand New Lift of Season - Dec. 11, 2018
Lift Construction Delays Grow - Dec. 5, 2018
Lift Construction Continues Despite Birds and Snow - Nov. 18, 2018
New Hampshire Lift Construction Continues - Sep. 4, 2018
New Hampshire Construction Heats Up - Aug. 12, 2018
Bretton Woods Lift Projects Ramp Up - Jun. 15, 2018
Bretton Woods NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News Page


Expansion History
Project
Season
West Mountain
Open
1999-00
Mt. Rosebrook
Open
2003-04
Mt. Stickney
Open
2010-11


Image Gallery
1972-73 Eastern Ski Map1973-74 Eastern Ski Map1977-78 Ski The White Mountains Brochure1983 Boston Phoenix1984 Boston PhoenixBretton Woods Aerial Imagery, 1993 vs. 2011
View All Images in Bretton Woods Image Gallery


Lifts
Click on lift name for information and photos
Standing Lifts
Installed
The Bethlehem Express Quad circa the early 1990s
Bethlehem Express Quad
Doppelmayr
Chairlift - Quad - Detachable
1989-90
Fabyan's Triple in 2004
Fabyan's Triple
Doppelmayr
Chairlift - Triple - Fixed
1983-84
The Learning Center Quad in 2004
Learning Center Quad
Doppelmayr
Chairlift - Quad - Fixed
2002-03
The Mt. Rosebrook Express Quad in 2004
Mt. Rosebrook Express Quad
Doppelmayr-CTEC
Chairlift - Quad - Detachable
2003-04
The top terminal (June 2020)
Skyway Gondola
Doppelmayr
Gondola - 8 Person
2019-20
Construction of the Telegraph T-Bar in 2012
Telegraph T-Bar
Doppelmayr
T-Bar
2012-13
The West Mountain Express Quad in 2004
West Mountain Express Quad
Doppelmayr
Chairlift - Quad - Detachable
2002-03
The Zephyr Express Quad in 2004
Zephyr Express Quad
Garaventa-CTEC
Chairlift - Quad - Detachable
2000-01

Past Lifts
Seasons
A Chair
Heron-Poma
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1973-74
-
1999-00
The B Chair in 2004
B Chair
Heron-Poma
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1973-74
-
2017-18
Crawford Double
Hall
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1998-99
-
2001-02
Crawford T-Bar
Heron-Poma
T-Bar
1973-74
-
1997-98
West Mountain Quad
Garaventa-CTEC
Chairlift - Quad - Fixed
1999-00
-
2001-02


Maps
2023-24 Bretton Woods Trail Map
1974-75 Bretton Woods Trail Map1996-97 Bretton Woods Trail Map1999-2000 Bretton Woods Trail Map2000-01 Bretton Woods trail map2002-03 Bretton Woods Trail Map2009-10 Bretton Woods Trail Map
View All Bretton Woods Trail Maps

Year by Year History
Adult Weekend Full Day Lift Ticket; Adult Full Price Unlimited Season Pass
2020s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
2023-24$139.002023-24 Ticket Price Graph$1329.002023-24 Season Pass Price Graph9.6 daysNovember 14April 152023-24 Skier Visit Graph
2022-23$129.002022-23 Ticket Price Graph$1259.002022-23 Season Pass Price Graph9.8 daysNovember 19April 92022-23 Skier Visit Graph
2021-22$119.002021-22 Ticket Price Graph$1199.002021-22 Season Pass Price Graph10.1 daysNovember 26April 102021-22 Skier Visit Graph
2020-21$115.002020-21 Ticket Price Graph2020-21 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 26April 112020-21 Skier Visit Graph
2019-20$104.002019-20 Ticket Price Graph$1109.002019-20 Season Pass Price Graph10.7 daysNovember 13March 182019-20 Skier Visit Graph
2010s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
2018-19$99.002018-19 Ticket Price Graph$1069.002018-19 Season Pass Price Graph10.8 daysNovember 16April 152018-19 Skier Visit Graph
2017-18$93.002017-18 Ticket Price Graph$1069.002017-18 Season Pass Price Graph11.5 daysNovember 10April 162017-18 Skier Visit Graph
2016-17$89.002016-17 Ticket Price Graph$1049.002016-17 Season Pass Price Graph11.8 daysNovember 13April 172016-17 Skier Visit Graph
2015-16$89.002015-16 Ticket Price Graph$999.002015-16 Season Pass Price Graph11.2 daysNovember 18April 32015-16 Skier Visit Graph
2014-15$85.002014-15 Ticket Price Graph$999.002014-15 Season Pass Price Graph11.8 daysNovember 9April 202014-15 Skier Visit Graph
2013-14$82.002013-14 Ticket Price Graph$999.002013-14 Season Pass Price Graph12.2 daysOctober 30April 212013-14 Skier Visit Graph
2012-13$79.002012-13 Ticket Price Graph$899.002012-13 Season Pass Price Graph11.4 daysNovember 15April 152012-13 Skier Visit Graph
2011-12$78.002011-12 Ticket Price Graph$1119.002011-12 Season Pass Price Graph14.3 daysNovember 22April 1155,6002011-12 Skier Visit Graph
2010-11$76.002010-11 Ticket Price Graph$899.002010-11 Season Pass Price Graph11.8 daysNovember 22April 17192,0082010-11 Skier Visit Graph
2009-10$74.002009-10 Ticket Price Graph$899.002009-10 Season Pass Price Graph12.1 daysApril 82009-10 Skier Visit Graph
2000s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
2008-09$74.002008-09 Ticket Price Graph$849.002008-09 Season Pass Price Graph11.5 days2008-09 Skier Visit Graph
2007-08$69.002007-08 Ticket Price Graph$749.002007-08 Season Pass Price Graph10.9 daysNovember 10April 212007-08 Skier Visit Graph
2006-07$64.002006-07 Ticket Price Graph$499.002006-07 Season Pass Price Graph7.8 daysNovember 24April 152006-07 Skier Visit Graph
2005-06$64.002005-06 Ticket Price Graph$499.002005-06 Season Pass Price Graph7.8 daysNovember 12May 5171,2442005-06 Skier Visit Graph
2004-05$59.002004-05 Ticket Price Graph$1180.002004-05 Season Pass Price Graph20.0 daysNovember 10May 11165,9632004-05 Skier Visit Graph
2003-04$59.002003-04 Ticket Price Graph$1180.002003-04 Season Pass Price Graph20.0 daysNovember 13May 82003-04 Skier Visit Graph
2002-03$57.002002-03 Ticket Price Graph$1179.002002-03 Season Pass Price Graph20.7 daysNovember 9May 42002-03 Skier Visit Graph
2001-02$53.002001-02 Ticket Price Graph$1095.002001-02 Season Pass Price Graph20.7 daysApril 192001-02 Skier Visit Graph
2000-01$51.002000-01 Ticket Price Graph$1050.002000-01 Season Pass Price Graph20.6 daysNovember 23April 152000-01 Skier Visit Graph
1999-00$49.001999-00 Ticket Price Graph$920.001999-00 Season Pass Price Graph18.8 daysNovember 25April 91999-00 Skier Visit Graph
1990s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1998-99$44.001998-99 Ticket Price Graph1998-99 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 27April 111998-99 Skier Visit Graph
1997-981997-98 Ticket Price Graph1997-98 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 281997-98 Skier Visit Graph
1996-97$38.001996-97 Ticket Price Graph1996-97 Season Pass Price GraphApril 13130,0001996-97 Skier Visit Graph
1995-96$38.001995-96 Ticket Price Graph1995-96 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 18April 7130,0001995-96 Skier Visit Graph
1994-951994-95 Ticket Price Graph1994-95 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 26127,0001994-95 Skier Visit Graph
1993-941993-94 Ticket Price Graph1993-94 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 27142,0001993-94 Skier Visit Graph
1992-93$30.001992-93 Ticket Price Graph1992-93 Season Pass Price Graph1992-93 Skier Visit Graph
1991-92$30.001991-92 Ticket Price Graph1991-92 Season Pass Price GraphNovember 29137,0001991-92 Skier Visit Graph
1990-91$30.001990-91 Ticket Price Graph1990-91 Season Pass Price GraphMarch 311990-91 Skier Visit Graph
1989-90$28.001989-90 Ticket Price Graph1989-90 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 8April 1134,0001989-90 Skier Visit Graph
1980s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1988-89$25.001988-89 Ticket Price Graph1988-89 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 101988-89 Skier Visit Graph
1987-88$24.001987-88 Ticket Price Graph1987-88 Season Pass Price Graph1987-88 Skier Visit Graph
1986-87$23.001986-87 Ticket Price Graph1986-87 Season Pass Price Graph1986-87 Skier Visit Graph
1985-86$19.001985-86 Ticket Price Graph1985-86 Season Pass Price GraphApril 61985-86 Skier Visit Graph
1984-85$18.001984-85 Ticket Price Graph$340.001984-85 Season Pass Price Graph18.9 days1984-85 Skier Visit Graph
1983-84$17.001983-84 Ticket Price Graph$340.001983-84 Season Pass Price Graph20.0 days1983-84 Skier Visit Graph
1982-83$17.001982-83 Ticket Price Graph$340.001982-83 Season Pass Price Graph20.0 days1982-83 Skier Visit Graph
1981-82$15.001981-82 Ticket Price Graph1981-82 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 111981-82 Skier Visit Graph
1980-81$14.001980-81 Ticket Price Graph1980-81 Season Pass Price Graph1980-81 Skier Visit Graph
1979-80$12.001979-80 Ticket Price Graph1979-80 Season Pass Price Graph1979-80 Skier Visit Graph
1970s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1978-79$11.001978-79 Ticket Price Graph1978-79 Season Pass Price Graph1978-79 Skier Visit Graph
1977-78$10.001977-78 Ticket Price Graph1977-78 Season Pass Price Graph1977-78 Skier Visit Graph
1976-77$9.001976-77 Ticket Price Graph$150.001976-77 Season Pass Price Graph16.7 days1976-77 Skier Visit Graph
1974-75$9.001974-75 Ticket Price Graph$150.001974-75 Season Pass Price Graph16.7 days1974-75 Skier Visit Graph
1973-74$8.001973-74 Ticket Price Graph1973-74 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 291973-74 Skier Visit Graph


Visitor Memories
"I got last chair on the Bethlehem Express fo night skiing!"
Gavin Shiffer, Apr. 24, 2020
"I love Bretton Woods! Ive been a season pass holder for 4 years! I can ski the whole mountain exept the glades. My aunt and uncle have a condo right across the street from the mountain, i go here almost every weekend! "
Liam McNeil, Feb. 16, 2019
"I was proud to have worked at Bretton Woods from 1990-95. A great place to learn, with excellent grooming. I haven't been back since but would love to see the changes."
John Cossaboom, Sep. 29, 2016
"I used to work at Mount Washington and had a fun time. Given the fact I worked there I got a free season pass and spent almost everyday snowboarding down Bretton Woods. I have to say it is the only mountain I would recommend it to anyone because its the best mountain with a friendly environment. "
nick komisarek, May. 30, 2014
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External Links
  • Bretton Woods - official site
  • Last updated: April 5, 2022

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