CROTCHED MOUNTAIN

📍Bennington, New Hampshire, USA

🟢 Beginner Friendly 🤙 Local's Favorite 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Cruiser Unlimited on Epic

Photo: Accidental Nomad · CC BY 2.0 · Photo details

Vertical drop: Over 1,000 ft
Skiable terrain: 100 acres
Avg snowfall: 80 in^*
Lifts: 5

MONADNOCK REGION

The Monadnock Region of southern New Hampshire is named for Mount Monadnock, one of the most frequently climbed mountains in the world. Crotched Mount...

THE REGION

The Monadnock Region of southern New Hampshire is named for Mount Monadnock, one of the most frequently climbed mountains in the world. Crotched Mountain sits in the rural town of Bennington, surrounded by rolling New England hills, stone walls, and classic white-steepled villages. This is quintessential small-town New Hampshire -- far from the tourist bustle of the White Mountains to the north. The landscape is characterized by mixed hardwood forests, small farms, and covered bridges, with the region serving as a peaceful retreat for outdoor enthusiasts who value solitude over spectacle.

THE LOCAL SCENE

The Monadnock Region is home to a surprising arts and culture scene centered in Peterborough, which served as the inspiration for Thornton Wilder's play 'Our Town.' The area attracts artists, writers, and craftspeople who appreciate the rural tranquility. Keene, the largest nearby city, has a lively downtown with restaurants and breweries. Crotched Mountain itself has a loyal local following of families and regulars who appreciate its uncrowded, no-frills approach to skiing.

GETTING THERE

Crotched Mountain is at 615 Francestown Road in Bennington, New Hampshire, reached by rural roads through the Monadnock region. Manchester-Boston Regional is the nearer airport option; Boston Logan involves a longer transfer. Use the resort address for your current route and allow extra time for winter conditions.

Guest parking is available near the lodge. Leave time to park, collect rental equipment and reach your lesson meeting point. For an evening session, confirm operating hours before starting the drive.

WHEN TO GO

Winter skiing depends on snowmaking, weather and the terrain open for the day. Evening skiing is a defining feature, but operating nights, late-night events and lesson schedules vary. Check the calendar and your ticket’s access before planning an after-work or late-night visit.

BEYOND THE SLOPES

The region offers much more than skiing. Here's what else to explore:

🏔️

Mount Monadnock Winter Hiking

Outdoor

A separate winter mountain outing requiring suitable skills, equipment and conditions. Check the park’s trailhead access, weather and day-use reservation arrangements before setting out.

🎭

Peterborough Players and Arts Scene

Culture

Explore Peterborough’s galleries, shops and theatre programme; check the current performance and exhibition calendar.

🍽️

Monadnock-region food and drink

Dining

Explore Peterborough or Keene for a town meal after skiing, choosing a current venue around your return journey.

🎭

Covered Bridge Tours

Culture

Drive or snowshoe to several of the region's picturesque covered bridges, a hallmark of New Hampshire's rural landscape.

🏔️

Night Skiing at Crotched Mountain

Outdoor

Take advantage of Crotched Mountain's excellent night skiing operation, one of the most extensive in New Hampshire.

WHERE TO STAY

Choose your lodging town as well as your room: Riverhouse by Weekender is in Peterborough, The Hancock Inn is in Hancock, and Blue Bear Inn is in Francestown near Crotched Mountain. Riverhouse offers hotel rooms and separate rental units; the two inns offer smaller-property stays. Days Inn by Wyndham Keene NH is a named chain-hotel alternative in Keene, with breakfast and room microwaves and refrigerators. Plan a road journey from your chosen property to the ski area and confirm winter arrival arrangements for your dates.

THE FOOD SCENE

Crotched Cafeteria covers practical food stops at the mountain, from grab-and-go choices to lunch and weekend hot breakfast. For a meal in town, Harlow’s Pub on School Street in Peterborough serves burgers, sandwiches and soups alongside draught beer and cocktails.

Treat Peterborough as a separate stop on your outing rather than a slopeside option; choose it when the route and your evening plans allow.

APRÈS & NIGHTLIFE

Onset Pub gives you an on-site option at Crotched when you want to gather before leaving the mountain.

Harlow’s Pub in Peterborough suits a separate post-ski meal and drink. Its local and regional music programme can turn a simple pub stop into an evening out; check the event calendar and plan the journey separately from the ski day.

INSIDER TIPS

💡Plan an evening visit around the current night-ski calendar and ticket terms.
💡The Rocket is a high-speed quad; use the trail map to choose a route suited to your group.
💡Combine a ski session with a meal or shops in Peterborough, allowing for the drive between them.

DESTINATION FACTS

Nearest Town

Bennington, New Hampshire

Population

~1,500

Elevation

800 ft (base)

Timezone

Eastern Time (EST/EDT)

LIVE WEATHER

Real-time conditions for planning your Crotched Mountain trip

❄️Snow Depth 🌨️Precipitation 💨Wind 🌡️Temperature ☁️Visibility

Learn to read ski weather maps →

GETTING THERE

✈️

MHT

Manchester-Boston Regional

About 30–60 minutes

✈️

BOS

Boston Logan International

About 1–2 hours

Approximate planning ranges; allow extra time for winter conditions.

OVERNIGHT STAYS & CAMPERVANS

For Crotched Mountain, compare a booked room or rental around Bennington with a designated campsite that accepts your vehicle and winter dates. Choose your base around the daily mountain journey and the power, water and indoor facilities you need.

Compare lodging options ↗

Book a designated overnight place for your vehicle and dates. Day parking does not provide permission to camp.

Sources & planning context

Historical planning figures · Figures marked * come from earlier references and may differ from current resort figures.

Other names · Crotched Mountain Ski Area, Crotched

Local recommendations are editorial guidance. Travel times are approximate and depend on your route and conditions.

Typically early December to late March

A broad planning range from the historical guide, conditions permitting. Use the operator’s schedule for your travel dates.

Official schedules & conditions ↗

Schedule source ↗Official resort ↗

Official website: https://www.crotchedmtn.com/; Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Vertical drop (ft): Over 1000; Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Summit elevation (ft): 2066; Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Base elevation (ft): 1050; Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Skiable area (acres): 100; Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Lifts: 5; Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Runs: 25; Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026

Historical mountain figures awaiting field-level confirmation: Reported average snowfall (in).

Individual listings retain their own sources and check dates. A source check covers only the named details; it does not confirm availability. Snowfall averages describe climate, not a forecast.

Crotched Mountain information ↗Rocket high-speed quad, night skiing on selected days and MidnightMadness separateevent; historical100%lit doesnotguaranteeallterrainopen. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Monadnock State Park ↗Check trailhead, dayuse booking and winterconditions; exposedmountainouting requires suitablepreparation notcasualallseason stroll. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Crotched arrival and facilities ↗615FrancestownRdBennington; freeparkingnearlodge; dogsnolifts; currentconditions andhours governtrip. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Crotched pet rules ↗Dogsleashedundercontrol; notslopesduringoperatinghours norwithuphillusers; cleanuprequired. Serviceanimalsseparate. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Riverhouse by Weekender — New England Inns & Resorts ↗Member-property page names Riverhouse by Weekender at 80 Concord Street, Peterborough; retains Jack Daniels inn caption and page title; offers hotel rooms and separate nearby rental units, river seating and direct operator/booking links. Same-property continuity supported by name history/address; no on-site farm-to-table restaurant claim. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Days Inn by Wyndham Keene NH ↗Wyndham identifies Days Inn by Wyndham Keene NH at 3 Ashbrook Road off Route 9 in Monadnock Market Place. Hotel offers light breakfast, parking, Wi-Fi, microwave and refrigerator in rooms, mini-suites and fitness center; dog-friendly subject to current policy. Does not establish a current Super 8 or a rebrand connection. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Crotched Ski & Ride School ↗Group/private instruction; lift tickets and equipment normally separate. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Crotched lesson arrival guide ↗Rental shop is on lodge lower level; group/private lesson check-in is just outside rental doors. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Crotched Voyager programme ↗After-school ski and snowboard programme with lesson, lift and rental package choices. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Crotched ski and snowboard rental booking ↗Reserve equipment by date, type and pickup preference. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Ken Jones Ski Mart — contact and lease appointments ↗Manchester shop offers junior/teen seasonal leasing, boot fitting and tuning. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Harlow’s Pub & Restaurant operator ↗3 School Street, Peterborough NH. Burgers, sandwiches, soups and more; New England craft beer on draught, cocktails, and live local/regional music. · Checked Oct 30, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Crotched Cafeteria | Crotched Mountain Resort ↗Crotched Mountain cafeteria, 615 Francestown Road, Bennington. Lunch, weekend hot breakfast and grab-and-go food. Retained checked resort source supports base-facility classification. · Checked Oct 27, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Crotched Mountain official hours / current-season information ↗
The official hours page still describes 2025–26 closure; exact 2026–27 opening and closing dates were not found there.
Crotched Mountain Information ↗
The official Crotched Mountain Information page states the asserted mountain facts.

THE REGION

THE LOCAL SCENE

GETTING THERE

Guest parking is available near the lodge. Leave time to park, collect rental equipment and reach your lesson meeting point. For an evening session, confirm operating hours before starting the drive.

BEYOND THE SLOPES

The region offers much more than skiing. Here's what else to explore:

🏔️

Mount Monadnock Winter Hiking

Outdoor

A separate winter mountain outing requiring suitable skills, equipment and conditions. Check the park’s trailhead access, weather and day-use reservation arrangements before setting out.

🎭

Peterborough Players and Arts Scene

Culture

Explore Peterborough’s galleries, shops and theatre programme; check the current performance and exhibition calendar.

🍽️

Monadnock-region food and drink

Dining

Explore Peterborough or Keene for a town meal after skiing, choosing a current venue around your return journey.

🎭

Covered Bridge Tours

Culture

Drive or snowshoe to several of the region's picturesque covered bridges, a hallmark of New Hampshire's rural landscape.

🏔️

Night Skiing at Crotched Mountain

Outdoor

Take advantage of Crotched Mountain's excellent night skiing operation, one of the most extensive in New Hampshire.

WHERE TO STAY

THE FOOD SCENE

Treat Peterborough as a separate stop on your outing rather than a slopeside option; choose it when the route and your evening plans allow.

APRÈS & NIGHTLIFE

Onset Pub gives you an on-site option at Crotched when you want to gather before leaving the mountain.