Seasonality of Ice/Snow on Mt. Washington

Visiting the North East for the first time the 1st week of December. Curious to know what the seasonality of ice climbing/skiing is in the Mt. Washington Area? 

Really depends upon the year, but normally both are pretty ‘thin’ in early December, even more so as climate change intensifies. We have just finished a significant November warm spell in NE, but now some snow is forecast for mid-week.

For ‘resort’ skiing, if the temps stay cold they will be making snow even if nature hasn’t cooperated. For ice, folks will be finding some, especially at the higher elevation areas such as Mt. Washington, even if conditions aren’t ideal. Often Tuckerman’s Ravine has some decent ice that is accessible early in the season before getting buried in snow as the winter progresses.

Alan Rubin wrote:

Really depends upon the year, but normally both are pretty ‘thin’ in early December, even more so as climate change intensifies. We have just finished a significant November warm spell in NE, but now some snow is forecast for mid-week.

For ‘resort’ skiing, if the temps stay cold they will be making snow even if nature hasn’t cooperated. For ice, folks will be finding some, especially at the higher elevation areas such as Mt. Washington, even if conditions aren’t ideal. Often Tuckerman’s Ravine has some decent ice that is accessible early in the season before getting buried in snow as the winter progresses.

Thank you Alan, that's about what I figured, I'll have to make another trip in February! 

Last year I skied ON Mount Washington in Tuckerman Ravine on December 4th, it was bony but in. Last year was a poor year for snow not only up to that point but all season. Last year I Ice climbed on November 21st, this year I'm hoping for a similar time. Sometimes it's later or earlier: it is extremely variable. 

It looks to be cool from here on out but what used to be the annual January thaw has turned into the every three weeks thaw, we are lucky if it doesn't rain. Resorts will have man made ice(snow) for skiing but it wont be world class. February is the best for both ice and skiing but the last few weeks can and in past years have been warm. From the end of January through MLK weekend is usually the best bet.

To add to the above comments:

-Later in the season you can skin up to Tuckerman ravine and ski down the Sherb to the parking lot. This will not be the case in December, so you’d have to hike skis in and out for likely marginal skiing up higher.

-The weather will be all over the place. If it warms up falling ice might be a problem in Tuckerman ravine, if it dumps, the ice might be covered but the skiing still shitty.

Looks like you’re coming from AK and won’t be as desperate for snow and ice as us locals are. Unless you’re a strong climber and can climb marginal/mixed condition lines, chances are you will be disappointed bringing ice/touring gear. You can always go sport climbing at Rumney if the weather is nice!

To check closer to the date or for future trips, ne_ice_conditions on instagram, and neclimbs (http://www.neclimbs.com/index.php?PageName=iceConditionsReport) are good sources for  ice conditions 

Thanks everyone! I'll have to make another trip out for more favorable conditions, was hoping to link up some climbs at the end of a work trip but looks like it'll have to wait

i wouldn’t give up yet. there will be ice, skiing is less guaranteed. 

https://www.mountwashington.org/experience-the-weather/higher-summit-forecast.aspx

Hey Zak, it's not quite as dire as others are saying, but it's definitely very inconsistent. I've skied on Mount Washington before Dec 1 for the last three years. Never walked all the way up, but there may be some skinning through mud involved down low and some water bars to cross carefully on your way down. Your best bet is to give "Ski the Whites" a call (a local shop), and ask for a condition report. Wildcat (a resort) is across the street and opening this week (11/18), so at worst you can do some laps there.