Press Kit
North Conway named most affordable ski destination in the Northeast
TripAdvisor’s Inaugural Ski Destination Cost Comparison Index Reveals Top Resorts in U.S. and Canada Where Travelers Can Hit the Slopes and Save. North Conway comes in most affordable in Northeast and #2 in the U.S.
NEWS FROM MT WASHINGTON VALLEY – 12-20-11
CONTACT: Marti Mayne, 207-846-6331, info@maynelymarketing.com
NORTH CONWAY, NH TOPS LIST OF NORTHEASTS’S BEST BARGAIN SKI HOT SPOTS FOR WINTER WANDERERS
North Conway, NH— TripAdvisor®, the world’s largest travel review site launched its inaugural TripIndex Ski – a cost comparison of 20 popular ski destinations across the United States and Canada last week. North Conway, NH was deemed the least expensive ski destination in the Northeast and the second least expensive destination for skiing in the U.S.
TripAdvisor’s TripIndex Ski presents the combined cost of one night’s hotel accommodation, a basic ski rental package, a one-day lift ticket, a local meal and a bottle/glass of beer at top ski destinations. Salt Lake City, Utah came it as the most affordable ski destination, with a total TripIndex Ski cost of $238.58. Yet North Conway scored just over a dollar higher on TripAdvisor’s TripIndex Ski at $239.88, making the price between the two top contenders negligible. With a price tag of $746, Vail, Colorado emerged as the priciest ski spot in the country.
“For travelers who are looking for a snowy escape, TripIndex Ski provides an easy way to compare the most popular ski destinations across North America,” said Karen Drake, senior director of communications at TripAdvisor. “TripIndex Ski is a useful tool for travelers who are looking to get the best bang for their buck this winter season.”
According to TripAdvisor, the TripIndex Ski prices out the following items in each destination: Per night cost of a hotel (between December 2011 and March 2012 within 5 miles of the destination), cost of a basic ski rental package, cost of a lift ticket, cost of a meal (burger and fries from 3 local restaurants on or near the mountain) and cost of an alcoholic drink (domestic beer at 3 local pubs on or near the mountain).
Prices were collected through a variety of research methods, and apply to travel between December 2011 and March 2012. The ‘basket’ of items is representative of the common items many travelers will purchase while on a ski vacation says TripAdvisor.
The complete TripIndex Ski list can be viewed at: http://www.tripadvisor.com/InfoCenter-a_ctr.TripIndexSkiUS yet here is how costs broke down:
Best Value Ski Destinations in North America
| Destination | Hotel | Ski Rental | Lift Ticket | Meal | Beer | Total cost | |
| 1 | Salt Lake City, UT | $122.30 | $32.67 | $70.67 | $9.31 | $3.63 | $238.58 |
| 2 | North Conway, NH | $121.72 | $37.33 | $69.00 | $8.41 | $3.42 | $239.88 |
| 3 | Taos, NM | $134.04 | $28.00 | $75.00 | $8.67 | $3.83 | $249.54 |
| 4 | Jackson Hole, WY | $148.28 | $36.83 | $85.00 | $10.25 | $3.67 | $284.03 |
| 5 | Snowshoe, WV | $160.94* | $32.00 | $79.00 | $8.66 | $3.67 | $284.27 |
| 6 | Banff, AB, Canada | $159.81 | $36.00 | $73.00 | $12.47 | $5.50 | $286.78 |
| 7 | Stowe, VT | $171.92 | $38.67 | $79.00 | $10.17 | $4.20 | $303.96 |
| 8 | Lake Tahoe, CA | $187.55* | $38.00 | $80.00 | $14.67 | $4.75 | $324.97 |
| 9 | Lake Placid, NY | $251.98 | $35.33 | $79.00 | $11.33 | $3.83 | $381.47 |
| 10 | Killington, VT | $267.22 | $34.33 | $86.00 | $9.15 | $4.17 | $400.87 |
“It means a lot to us to learn that TripAdvisor, a trusted trip planning resource for travelers, has recognized that North Conway and the surrounding region offers an affordable ski destination,” said Janice Crawford, Executive Director of the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce. “With 13 ski resorts and XC Centers all offering great skiing and value, skiers need look no further than the Northeast’s most affordable ski destination this winter,” finished Crawford. All of Mt Washington Valley’s ski resorts are making snow around the clock as temperatures allow and plan to be open for Christmas week (the week between Christmas and New Year). Six out of seven are presently open.
For complete trip planning information for your next ski destination to North Conway and Mt Washington Valley, visit www.mtwashingtonvalley.org. To talk with a visitors’ concierge for trip planning questions call 1-800-DO-SEE-NH (800-367-3364). For further information about New Hampshire, visit the New Hampshire Division of Travel & Tourism website at www.visitnh.gov.
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Please contact Marti Mayne for high-res photos and video footage of North Conway skiing.