Press Kit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 2-6-12

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

FROM CHAIRLIFT SPEED DATING TO CHOCOLATE FILLED SKIING & FEBRUARY VACATION FUN

MT WASHINGTON VALLEY FILLS FEB AND MARCH WITH FUN ON AND OFF THE SLOPES

North Conway, NH (2-6-12) – There’s love in the air and snow on the slopes, plus fun on and off the slopes throughout the rest of the ski season.  Valentines will find plenty of good loving throughout February and the luck of the Irish will be in Mt Washington Valley throughout March too, not just on St. Patrick’s Day. 

For a complete look at Mt Washington Valley’s master calendar of events, with regular updates often, go to www.mtwashingtonvalley.org and click on EVENTS.  From live musical and theater performances to slopeside silliness, there’s something for every taste in events in Mt Washington Valley.  Here are a few of the highlights coming up on and off the slopes in February and March, 2012.

Feb 11: Chairlift Speed Dating at Black Mountain: Looking for love in all the wrong places?  Try finding your mate on the chairlift at Black Mountain on Saturday, February 11^th. This special event gives you 10 full minutes to fall in love or not on the chairlift. The lift line of love will run from 2-4pm. Sign up begins at 12:30pm and is free with purchase of a lift ticket (Hey, it’s a cheap Date...1/2 day tickets available at $30 after 12:30pm). Find your mate and enjoy a drink at the Lost Bo Pub at Black Mountain or next door at the Shovel Handle Pub afterward. Info: 603-383-4490.

Feb 11-12: Ian’s Endless Hockey Game at Ham Arena:  Take part in the endless hockey games to benefit Ian Meserve, local hero and community leader battling melanoma, starting at 8:20 p.m. Feb. 11 and running until 11:30 a.m. Feb. 12. Also endless raffles, food and fun. Cookout on Sunday following final game. Open to hockey players of all abilities, co-ed, over 40, and pond hockey. Sign up as an individual or a team. 100% of proceeds will go to the Meserve family.

Feb 12: Hope on the Slopes – The Race to Beat Cancer at Cranmore: A family-oriented event for skiers, snowboarders tubers and those who want to join in the fight against cancer where participants enjoy the camaraderie of a day on the slopes and also raise funds to support the activities of the American Cancer Society. Registration: 8:30-9:45am- 3rd floor Skimobile Station at Cranmore, Race: 10:00am-12:00pm- NASTAR course, Lunch: 12:30pm (provided by Flatbread Company. For more information and to register on-line visit Cranmore's event calendar.

February 21- March 1:  Winter Carnival at King Pine:  From Silly Slaloms to light parades, family challenges, snowshoe tours and more, each day will feature plenty of family fun on the slopes.  Don’t miss the packed daily event schedule. Visit www.Kingpine.com for complete information.

February 26: 23^rd Annual Chocolate Festival at Mt Washington Valley XC & Snowshoe Foundation: Known by many as the 'Sweetest Day on the Trails", this may be the only day of the year when chocolate indulgence is totally guilt-free at the Mt Washington Valley Ski Touring & Snowshoe Foundation. Chocoholics cross country ski or snowshoe the trails to enjoy chocolate prepared every way imaginable. Count on Chocolate dipped strawberries, chocolate fountains and fondue, brownie sundaes, and chocolate cookies of all kinds are just some of the treats you'll enjoy at the trailside stops between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm. Every participant will have a Festival map and brochure for each trailside business to validate to confirm your stop. Visit each of the trailside stops to enter the drawing for a $200 gift certificate to be used at any participating member business. More treats await the chocoholics that have completed the tour! Present your Festival pass on the day of the event to other North Conway area businesses for more special offers. Tickets are $30 before February 13 and $35 after Feb 13 and available at the Touring Center.  Info: 603-356-9920.

March 3:  Annual Chilly Chili Stroll:  For the past eight years the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce has presented the annual chilly chili cookoff to take the chill out of a March winter day. Once again this year, the event has been spiced up a notch and two simultaneous chili cook-offs will take place with tastings available at both and plenty of festivities throughout North Conway Village. Mark the calendar for Saturday March 3, 2012 for the 9^th Annual Chili Cookoff, and plan a chilly chili day from 11am – 4pm. Businesses throughout North Conway Village have come on board and will offer everything from Chilly Ski Gear to Chilean wines to make this a truly spicy event. A filled passport qualifies you to be a "Judge" for People's Choice and eligible to enter the "Hottest Summer Vacation Giveaway" that will be drawn on April 30. Winners will be announced at the Tequila & Margarita Tastings at Rafferty's at 5:00 pm. As part of the event, the Chamber will host an International Chili Society (ICS) sanctioned chili cook-off at Mount Washington Observatory Weather Discovery Center. The winner of ICS sanctioned cook-off will qualify to compete for cash prizes and awards at the World's Championship Chili Cookoff that will take place in Charleston, WV, October 5-7, 2012. Tickets for Chili & Salsa $15, Kids under 12 $7, under 5 free with paid adult. TO PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE - Order by phone at visitor@mtwashingtonvalley.org.

March 7, 8, 9:  Sled Dogs to attempt summit of Mount Washington: As a kickoff awareness event and fundraiser for the new Non Profit - New Hampshire Sled Dog Rescue, History and Education Center (NHSDRHEC) three dog teams from Muddy Paws Dogsled Kennel will attempt to summit Mount Washington via the auto road.  Two guest seats will be auctioned for the once in a lifetime opportunity to accompany the teams to the summit. A dog team has not attempted to summit Mount Washington since 1932. Info: www.dogslednh.com or 1-603-545-4533.

March 12:  Wildcat’s 100,000 foot vertical challenge: Wildcat Mountain invites marathon skiers and riders to fulfill their adventure fantasies and ski 100,000 vertical feet in an event that has benefitted over $200,000 directly to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of New Hampshire. The 100K Day benefit for Make-A-Wish®, is a dream come true for avid skiers, allowing them to ski non-stop, with no lift lines on Wildcat’s Lynx Trail from early morning ‘til late afternoon. Register online at www.skiwildcat.com.

March 16: Red Parka Challenge Cup Race at Attitash: The 39th Annual Red Parka Challenge Cup Race. Limited to 175 racers. This Pro Style - head to head dual slalom features the best amateur racers in New England. $60 entry includes race, hat, Buffet Party and awesome ski racing! If you don't want to ski, come and watch. Or do the Take 2 & BBQ route - race in the qualifiers and then sit back & watch the finals. Entry deadline is March 13th. Must be 21 years to race. Entry forms available online. The race will take place at Attitash Mountain Resort and all proceeds will benefit the Eastern Slope Jr. Ski Program. Info: www.redparkapub.com.

March 24:  Cranmore Spring Splash: Everyone's favorite spring event is back! Skiers and riders will have a chance to see how far they can make it across the slush pool. Registration is free with a lift ticket or season pass. Participants under 18 must have parent or guardian signature. Singles only – no teams. Tentative schedule: 9am-11am Event Registration- Eating House Deck (Event Den if inclimate weather), 12pm- Event Starts, Awards- Immediately following conclusion of event- Eating House Deck (Eating House Stage if inclement weather).  Info:  www.cranmore.com.

March 24- 25: Maple Weekend at the Sugar Shack in the 100 Acre Wood: Take a tour through part of the sugar bush and check out the cooking operation inside the Sugar Shack. The self-guided tours take about an hour, including a full Sugar Bush and Shack tour, a StoryWalk, and a free taste! Hours: Saturday, March 24 from 10am - 5pm; Sunday, March 25 from 10am - 4pm.  The 100 Acre Wood is located at 41 Observatory Way, Intervale, NH (2 miles north of the Scenic Vista, directly across from Town Hall Road).

And now for a few free or almost free ideas…

Every Sunday morning: Quick Tips at King Pine Join a pro from the King Pine Ski & Snowboard School for a complimentary 1-run Quick Tip (must purchase a lift ticket to participate). Available every non-holiday Sunday from 9-10AM. Look for the Quick Tip tent at the base of the Polar Bear Triple chair lift.

Every Friday night in Feb: Friday Night Lights at Settlers’ Green: Free hot chocolate, bonfire and VIP cards. 4-8pm.

Wednesdays in February - March: Jerry’s Free Ride Wednesdays at Red Parka Pub: Be in the Pub between 6pm – 8pm and as Jerry gives away lift tickets to all of the best ski areas.

Saturdays in February: Audubon Snowshoe Tours at Purity Spring Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary: This guided tour departs from The Mill Indoor Pool & Fitness Center at Purity Spring Resort at 2pm every Saturday. Free for Purity Spring Guests and King Pine skiers with ticket. Complimentary with regular trail pass fee. Weather dependent.

For more information on planning your Mt Washington Valley vacation, visit www.mtwashingtonvalley.org or call 1-800-DO-SEE-NH (800-367-3364) to talk over plans with a vacation planning expert.  To learn more about NH vacations, visit http://www.visitnh.com/.

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