Black Friday's shopping madness in the malls equated to quiet time at Attitash yesterday, with a few hundred post-Turkey day schussers showing up for top-to-bottom skiing at the most popular resort in the Mount Washington Valley.

It's the first season that Attitash has been under the ownership of Peak Resorts, and their corporate signature -- heavy, heavy use of large fan guns for snowmaking -- was very noticeable. "Ski the Big Guns" is their advertising slogan.

Back in April, Missouri-based Peaks purchased Attitash plus Mount Snow in Vermont from the now-defunct American Skiing Company.

They're certainly making a statement early in the season. Four chairlifts served all 1,750 vertical feet from two summits: Attitash on the east and Bear Peak on the west.

Four lifts were running yesterday at Attitash, serving all 1,750 vertical feet. Above, two start out on the summit triple.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

I recalled back to 1984, when snowmaking was fairly new at Attitash. On the day after Thanksgiving of that year, one lift served about 200 vertical feet -- Thad's Choice from the midway station. And we thought we had it good!

I visit Attitash quite often. At 65 miles from Portland, it's closer than Sunday River, and the Mount Washington Valley's vibrant ski scene is unique in New England.

Among yesterday's skiers were five-year-old Miles Woodbury and his dad Dave. They were mostly doing the quick-like-a-bunny routine on the bunny slope.

Quick like a bunny! Five-year-old Miles Woodbury cruises the bunny slope at Attitash yesterday.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

Miles gets some advice from his dad, Dave.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

Cruising into the lift area near the Attitash base lodge.
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO

With a very cold night forecast, I expect that the Big Guns of Attitash will be roaring, pouring out the white stuff.

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