University of New Hampshire researchers have confirmed a bit of Yankee wisdom that’s as old as the ski industry: it’s snow in Boston, not in the mountains, that inspires skiers to head north.
Three UNH researchers contributed to an article published in the December issue of the International Journal of Climatology.
It looked at attendance figures at two New Hampshire ski areas and weather records at the areas and in Boston.
They found that each centimeter of new snow at the ski area drew in 11 more skiers or snowboarders. But a centimeter of new snow in Boston equated to 18 additional lift tickets sold.
They said the challenge for ski areas is to educate city dwellers that there is good skiing in the mountains, even when there is no snow in the city.