EACH YEAR, the first day of skiing and snowboarding is a rite of passage, a chance to tune up your snow legs and a way to usher in winter when it’s technically still fall. Snow sports lovers across New Hampshire ramp up to indulge and celebrate the moment.

“To winter enthusiasts, it marks the beginning of winter,” said Robert Drake, general manager at Gunstock Mountain Resort, a native Texan who worked in the ski industry in Montana for roughly 30 years before coming to Gunstock in 2024. “The first few runs set us up for the rest of the season. Those of us who are passionate about skiing or riding, we live for those first turns. There’s nothing better than strapping on your skis or snowboard and getting on that lift for the first time. Nice cold air. Your adrenaline starts to pump. It’s r

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