New Hampshire’s resorts hosted more than 2.5 million skier, snowboarder, and snow tubing visits in 2012-13, according to numbers released by the trade and marketing group Ski New Hampshire, which represents 33 alpine and cross-country resorts and more than 200 lodging and guest service properties across the state.

“With eight of our top 10 winters occurring since 2000, we’ve got a great deal of momentum for skiing and riding in the state,” noted Alice Pearce, president of Ski NH. “It’s always a good sign when our ski areas close with snow still on their slopes and trails due to guests moving on to other activities and not a lack of snow,” she added, referencing the early demise of the challenging 2011-12 ski season when warm weather quickly melted snow bases in March and brought that season to an abrupt and premature end. Visits to the state’s alpine ski areas in 2012-13 were up 20.9% year over year.

Partially as a result of last winter’s bounty, skiers can look forward to substantial capital improvements in New Hampshire this winter:

Pats Peak, Henniker – This summer Pats Peak will be installing a new triple chairlift as part of their Cascade Basin Expansion. The new area will consist of four new ski trails as well as a new glade and will have 100% snowmaking coverage. Other upgrades taking place include the installation of six additional snowmaking fan guns and an electrical capacity upgrade to improve output. The rental shop will add new skis, snowboards and ski boots to the inventory. In the base lodge and on walkways guests will find geothermal heating that will lessen the ski area’s environmental footprint.

Cranmore Mountain Resort, North Conway – Cranmore is adding a new BR 350 snow groomer to its grooming fleet. Improvements to the snowmaking system are being made as well, and will include 45 new high-efficiency tower snowguns. New Rossignol rental equipment is being added that is ideal for children and guests who are learning to ski and snowboard.

Loon Mountain, Lincoln – Loon is investing heavily in its snowmaking system, including two new pumps that will increase the snowmaking capacity by 40%. They are also beginning a conversion to a semi-automated snowmaking system by adding 100 semi-automated snowmaking hydrants that drastically reduce set-up and shutdown time. An additional 15 low-energy, high-efficiency tower snowguns will be added as well. The terrain park will also increase in size by 50% this season, and double in size by 2014-15.

Mount Sunapee, Newbury – Improvements to Mount Sunapee’s snowmaking system are underway. Guests will be greeted by 52 new HKD SV-10 snow guns and a variety of other improvements to the system this winter. In the base area, work is being done on the base lodges along with upgrades to the IT and eCommerce system to make the guest experience smoother. The rental shop is getting $100k in new equipment. On the mountain guests will find two new loops added to the Aerial Challenge Course.

Granite Gorge, Keene – Improvements underway this summer at Granite Gorge include new downhill and cross country ski trails and glades. Additional snowmaking fans will be added to the snowmaking arsenal. A portable stage is being constructed for special events. Two new parking lots will be in place with one offering front row “beach layout spaces”. A new drop-off area and roundabout will be located adjacent to the lodge.

Bretton Woods, Bretton Woods – Further expansion is underway at the recently opened Mount Stickney area. Additional Nordic terrain is being added, offering cross country skiers with early and late season terrain at higher elevations. These trails circle along the ridge to the summit of Mount Stickney and connect into the Stickney trail system. These trails are some of the first at Bretton Woods that require lift service. Guests will also find the canopy tour has been expanded with four new zip lines adding 1,000 more feet.

Black Mountain, Jackson – Major improvements are being made to Black’s snowmaking system. Among the projects underway are a complete rebuild of one of their snowmaking pumps and drive motors and replacing the main water distribution station, resulting in higher efficiency and greater capacity. The triple chairlift will also receive new computer controls, resulting in greater reliability.

Waterville Valley, Waterville Valley – The U.S. Forest Service has granted Waterville Valley Resort a long-term special use permit that will allow for the first major expansion of the ski area in over 30 years. Over the next few years the terrain will be developed on Green Peak, southeast of Mount Tecumseh, and will include construction of about 44 acres of ski trails, glades and a high-speed detachable quad chairlift.

McIntyre Ski Area, Manchester – McIntyre workers are spending their summer building an all-new terrain park for riders this winter. In addition, improvements are being made to the bottom of the ski area’s snow tubing hill.

Jackson XC, Jackson – A new grooming vehicle and low snow grooming implement are being added that will supplement the early season grooming fleet. A new pickup truck will improve access to the forest for various trail work. Improvements to the trail network are underway on a prioritized schedule, including securing land use access through a program of deed easements.

Windblown XC, New Ipswich – Over the summer Windblown is adding a new snowmobile and snow bucket for the tractor to go along with trail improvements that are currently underway. In the lodge quests can get warm by a new wood stove. The rental fleet is being upgraded, replacing half of the skis with brand new equipment.