Press Kit
Zip, skate, roll, tube, slide, ride, ski and zoom down trails in Mt Washington Valley in 2010-2011
Skiers and boarders now find new ways to get up and down the mountains in Mt Washington Valley
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 9, 2010
CONTACT: Marti Mayne, 207-846-6331
SKI, SLIDE, RIDE, TUBE AND ZIP AT MT WASHINGTON VALLEY SKI RESORTS
Skiers and boarders now find new ways to get up and down the mountains in Mt Washington Valley
North Conway, NH - When skiing first came to New England, skiers were thankful to have simple tows made from ropes and shovel handles to transport them up the mountain. We've come a long way baby since the days of skimobiles and shovel handle tows in Mt Washington Valley. Nowhere in New England will you find more ways to slip, slide away than in Mt Washington Valley. With seven ski resorts and six cross country centers offering ziplines and canopy tours, three tubing parks, lighted skiing, the SnowCoach up Mount Washington and now two Mountain Coaster rides, those hoping to "go fast" down the mountain are no longer limited to skis and snowboards. Best of all, while the best in gear is still a priority for skiers and boarders, those without skiing or riding experience can now feel the exhilaration of riding, rolling and zipping down the mountain.
Mt Washington Valley offers more ways to go fast down the mountain than any other region in New England. Enjoy a canopy tour then then XC skiing at Bretton Woods one day. Tubing or a ride on the SnowCoach the next day at Great Glen Trails, ride the Mountain Coaster at Cranmore or the N'oreaster Mountain Coaster at Attitash combined with skiing and riding at these legendary mountains, then take to King Pine for tubing and skating plus skiing and cross country trails on another day. Oh yes, for those who can't get enough tubing, Cranmore has expanded their tubing park. Of course each of these mountains also offer skiing and riding, with a combined 250 trails between them.
For those who seek a more pure skiing and riding experience, Shawnee Peak offers skiing by day and under the lights at night. Black Mountain offers a $99 family passport where two adults and two children can ski midweek under $100. Cross Country skiers may want to head to Jackson XC Center, Bear Notch Ski Touring or Mt Washington Valley Ski Touring and Snowshoe Centers, each offering a full list of events and workshops throughout the season.
Here is a complete description of what's offered at Mt Washington Valley's ski resorts:
Attitash offers two mountain peaks offering 69 trails, including 7 with gladed skiing along with terrain parks and two base lodges. Additionally, the new Nor'Easter Mountain Coaster carries you 1,420 feet up Attitash Mountain on twin stainless steel rails, providing spectacular views of the White Mountain scenery before descending on a thrilling 2,880 foot ride down through the forested mountain terrain, dropping 316 vertical feet through a series of banked curves, dips and straight-aways at rider-controlled speeds of up to 25 miles per hour.
Bear Notch Ski Touring includes 70+ km of riverside trails, with waterfalls, flat meadows and challenging hills. The lodge and warming hut offers ticketing, a café and rentals. Take guided tours with a local naturalist every Friday and Saturday and/or learn to ski through the ski school here.
Bretton Woods at Omni Mount Washington Resort
Bretton Woods is New Hampshire's largest ski area with 464 acres of skiing and snowboarding on 102 trails and glades, four terrain parks and 30 acres of all-new backcountry glades. A new slalom course, set with 20 to 30 brush gates and a portable, automatic timer allows skiers to practice their racing skills free. The Canopy Tour, operating year round over Bretton Woods trails and wooded areas descends over 1000 feet of elevation, the tour takes nature-lovers and thrill-seekers across a series of tree-top zip lines., Bretton Woods also maintains a XC ski trail network on the grounds of the historic Mount Washington Hotel and the White Mountain National Forest, the Bretton Woods Nordic Center includes a 100-km trail network.
Known as the family ski mountain, Black is back to the basics - providing skiing affordably for families. With 143 skiable acres offering 44 trails and glades accessed by 4 lifts, Black Mountain continues its Family Passport this winter where a family of four (2 adults and two kids) ski for just $99 midweek and $119 weekdays. This February, Black Mountain is bringing back its Valentine's Day Weekend Chairlift Speed Dating event again, where singles enjoy 5 minute dates while riding up the chair.
A $6 million addition to terrain, snowmaking and facilities marked the news in 2010 at Cranmore. Start with 200 skiable acres offering 54 trails and three terrain parks accessed via 10 lifts. Add the newly opened $1 million Mountain Coaster ride for a thrilling new way to go up and down the mountain. Beyond that, you'll find an expanded 10-lane snowtubing park accessed by two lifts, an indoor fitness center with a pool and climbing wall and a host of family and racing oriented events throughout the season. The base lodge complex includes a restaurant, pub and cafeteria, plus rentals, ticketing and ski school and weekly Cranapolooza events offer a complete line up of fun on weekends.
The Great Glen trail network offers 40 km (25 miles) of cross country skiing and snowshoeing on a system of easy and rolling terrain. Animal tracking scavengers hunts are a daily option, plus skiing with naturalists and moonlight skiing tours too. A tubing hill means even non-skiers can get in on the fun. Thanks to the Mt. Washington Auto Road, if you'd rather ride than ski up Mount Washington in the winter, the SnowCoach offers an above treeline adventure on Mount Washington. A specially constructed all-wheel drive and unique 4-track system allows the SnowCoach to deliver you to the 4.5 mile mark on the Mt. Washington Auto Road for a winter sightseeing experience. For the adventurer in you, the SnowCoach gives you the option to cross country ski, telemark ski or snowshoe down the Auto Road. SnowCoach tours last approximately 1¼ hours and depart daily, weather permitting, from December through March from Great Glen Trails on a first come, first served basis and are weather and road conditions-dependent.
King Pine at Purity Spring Resort
With 17 trails, 6 lifts, easy-to-navigate terrain and a spacious base lodge, families from across New England have called King Pine their winter destination for over 40 years. 44% of the terrain is designed for novice and 31% for intermediate skiers and riders, and lighted trails make night skiing available here too. However, that's not it! Look for a snowtubing park open on weekends and holidays, a skating rink and sleigh rides available, plus an indoor fitness center and pool. The King Pine XC Center and Snowshoe Reserve offers 28km of scenic trails which meander through the Purity Springs grounds and adjacent Hoyt/Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary.
Jackson Ski Touring Foundation
The Jackson Ski Touring Foundation is a community based not-for-profit 501(c) (3) organization, chartered to maintain trails in and around the village of Jackson, NH. The "Foundation" maintains 148 km of trails that are considered the finest cross-country ski trails in the Eastern United States. Foundation trails also connect with Appalachian Mountain Club trails in Pinkham Notch and White Mountain National Forest backcountry adventure trails. The Foundation operates under a Special-Use Permit with the White Mountain National Forest, and with the cooperation of 82 private landowners, and the town of Jackson. The Foundation maintains a courtesy patrol and rescue service. Unlike other XC Centers, everyone using the trails must be a member of the Jackson Ski Touring Club. Skiers may join the Jackson Ski Touring Club on a daily or seasonal basis. Jackson Ski Touring Foundation's educational programs include tours, technique workshops, children's ski games after school, race volunteer workshops, use of sit-skis for disabled skiers, training for disabled skier guides, and waxing demonstrations.
Mt Washington Valley Ski Touring and Snowshoe Center
The Mt Washington Valley Ski Touring and Snowshoe Center is a 501 (c)(3) organization which operates 65 km of trails connecting the Intervale Resort loop to the Village of North Conway. The northern part of the trail network includes easy trails that connect the Touring Center with the Inns along Route 16A in Intervale or take you along the Saco River toward the Village of North Conway. The central section includes easy trails accessed from Inns near the Scenic Vista. The village section of the network includes the trails through Whitaker Woods in the Village of North Conway. The Mt Washington Valley Ski Touring and Snowshoe Center hosts a number of events including the annual Chocolate Festival scheduled each year for the last Sunday in February.
Although it's in Maine, Shawnee Peak is counted among Mt Washington Valley's 7 ski resorts. Located just 20 minutes from North Conway, Shawnee Peak offers 40 trails and 249 acres of skiable terrain accessed by five lifts. Nineteen of those trails are lit for night skiing. A full rental shop and ski school, base lodge with a restaurant and pub, plus a packed schedule of events throughout the year offer families and skiers a great option for day and night skiing and riding.
Long considered among New Hampshire's most scenic mountain with views from the top into Tuckerman Ravine, skiers and riders can access 2,112 ft. vertical in just 6 minutes. Wildcat's 2,000 ft. base elevation and proximity to Mt. Washington produces an average annual natural snowfall of over 200" inches, giving it one of the longest spring skiing seasons. Ski on 47 trails and 225 acres of skiable terrain accessed by four lifts.
For more information on skiing in Mt Washington or planning a skiing, riding, zipping, tubing or rolling getaway to New England's premier vacation land, visit http://www.mtwashingtonvalley.org/ or call 1-800-DO-SEE-NH (800-367-3364).
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