Press Kit

What's new at the Mt Washington Valley Ski Scene for 2010-2011



 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  November 22, 2010

CONTACT:  Marti Mayne, 207-846-6331, info@maynelymarketing.com

 

WHAT'S NEW ON THE MT WASHINGTON VALLEY SKI SCENE

Mt Washington Valley's 13 ski resorts and XC Centers have been busy with changes and upgrades

North Conway, NH - With plenty of building, snowmaking additions and even a consolidation or two, Mt Washington Valley's seven ski resorts and six cross country centers have been busy throughout the spring and summer.  There are plenty of changes and exciting additions to report for Mt Washington Valley's ski scene.


SKI RESORT NEWS

Cranmore Mountain Resort, North Conway, NH

The principals and operators of Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, Brian Fairbank, Joseph O'Donnell and Tyler Fairbank, purchased Cranmore Mountain Resort on June 15, 2010 and have invested nearly $7 million in major upgrades and improvements over the summer.  Among those improvements was the installation of a fixed-grip quad chairlift to replace the South Double. The new lift, a Doppelmayr eco-Drive fixed grip quad, doubles the capacity of the current South Slope lift and occupies the same footprint as the current double chair, at 2,622 foot long. The existing South Double chair was relocated to a new location near the Beginner Basin area to provide additional beginner terrain.

Another highlight for the season is the relocation and enlargement of Cranmore's tubing park. Its lanes increased from seven to ten and feature a new Sun Kid surface lift in addition to a handle-tow lift. The tubing park was relocated to accommodate a new Mountain Coaster installed in the approximate location of the former tubing park. Saturday November 20th, almost a week ahead of its original November 26th opening date. The only other coaster of its kind is currently in operation is at Jiminy Peak in Western Massachusetts. The Mountain Coaster is a year-round attraction that provides an exhilarating experience flying down the slopes of Cranmore, with views to Mount Washington and the Presidential Range. The ride features 2 person sleds that ride on stainless steel tubular rails. Each sled has its own handbrakes and the rider is in control of his or her speed at all times.

 Other on-mountain improvements include a significant investment in snowmaking equipment including the installation of 70 new energy-efficient tower guns. The centerpiece of the $6 million capital campaign is the conversion of the former Arlberg base lodge into a state-of-the-art Children's Center. Its facilities are now reserved for kids enrolled in Cranmore's Penguin and Adventure Camps, and home to the Cranmore Play Room for Young Children. The building housing the Cranmore Fitness Center has been rechristened the "Artist Falls Lodge" after undergoing extensive renovations. It will be modified to accommodate the new Artist Falls Deli serving sandwiches, pizza and beer; plus ticketing for the Mountain Coaster and Tubing Park.

Attitash , Bartlett, NH and Wildcat Mountain, Pinkham Notch, NH:

Peak Resorts announced in October that it has entered in to a purchase agreement with Pat Franchi to acquire all Wildcat Mountain Ski Area assets and attractions in Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire. Parties involved expect to finalize the purchase pending approval by the U.S. Forest Service.  Currently owners of Attitash and 10 other ski resorts, this opened opportunities for combination season pass and ticket options between these two Mt Washington Valley resorts. "Being two of New Hampshire's larger resorts and located in relative close proximity to one another, there is much to be gained in ticket and season pass products that are valid at both Attitash Mountain Resort and Wildcat Mountain," said Peak Resorts Vice-President Kent Graham. "Visitors to our valley and locals alike will now be able to gain greater value and access to the best of each resort's defining attributes and distinctive qualities."

Wildcat:  Peak Resorts will be replacing old snow gun technology at Wildcat Mountain with more productive and energy efficient snowmaking equipment as well as upgrading and expanding the snow grooming fleet this season.  Additionally, new trail mapping will acknowledge two additional trails --"Leo's Leap" and "Sphynx"-- as well as identifying established tree ski areas that had only been proposed in the past. The base lodge will see improvements including the availability of Wi-Fi for guests.

Attitash:
Over the summer Attitash is added a new Mountain Coaster to the resort.  Poised to open at the beginning of the ski season, the ride carries guests up the mountain over 1,400 feet on twin stainless steel rails.  Once at the top, riders descend over 2,800 feet of track through dips, banked turns and straight-aways at rider-controlled speeds of up to 25 mph.  The Mountain Coaster will be open year-round for guests, which means even non-skiers can enjoy the mountain in winter months.

 Bretton Woods Ski Resort, Bretton Woods, NH

This winter skiers and riders will find an additional 30 acres of gladed terrain located on Mt. Stickney.  The glades are the beginning of the long-awaited Mt. Stickney expansion.  The new glades will provide a classic New England backcountry experience.  There will also be a new public slalom course that will have 20-30 brush gates and will be available at no cost to guests.  Bretton Woods Ski Resort opened Monday, November 22, 2010.

 King Pine at Purity Spring Resort, East Madison:

 Continued improvements to the snowmaking system over the summer included the addition of 57 energy-efficient tower guns and two new electric compressors, resulting in a 40% increase in pumping capacity. Other improvements for the upcoming ski season  include new food service equipment, additional rental shop inventory and upgrades to the lodging facilities, plus the new Traditions restaurant and pub at Purity Spring Resort, now open to the public.

Black Mountain, Jackson, NH:

This season, the snowmaking system will see the addition of new energy-efficient tower guns on several trails and the installation of air reduction kits that will reduce the amount of air required for operation by 50%, resulting in a more eco-friendly system.

Jackson XC Center, Jackson, NH:

A new Concept Shop will open at Jackson XC Center with two of the world's leading ski companies, Swix and Gorham Bike and Ski Shop,  offering a place where skiers can experience for themselves the latest skiing innovations, from skis to ski wax to tuning techniques. Swix, a Norwegian manufacturer of ski wax, poles and ski wear and Fischer, an Austrian ski company, will create an educational retail environment where skiers can view and compare an extensive range of companies' product lines. Gorham Bike and Ski, will host the "concept shops" and commit staff and retail space to offer expanded product selections and skier-education opportunities. Fischer Skis VP Peter Ashley stated, "There will be nowhere else in the country where the consumer can see and touch almost the complete line of Fischer skis, boots, and poles. This selection along with the expertise of Gorham Bike and Ski staff will provide the consumer with the knowledge to make the best possible decision on what equipment to purchase or demo."

For more information on skiing, snowboarding, XC skiing and skiing getaways in Mt Washington Valley, be sure to visit http://www.mtwashingtonvalley.org/.  To talk over options or get more information on winter getaways to the Valley, call 108-0DO-SEE-NH (800-367-3364). 

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For high and low-res photos, contact Marti Mayne at info@maynelymarketing.com.