Press Kit
What's new at Mt Washington Valley, NH's attractions, summer 2014
News from Mt Washington Valley, NH – May 27, 2014
Contact: Marti Mayne, 207-846-6331 or PR@MtWashingtonValley.org
EXTREME NEW ATTRACTIONS ADD TO THE THRILLS IN MT WASHINGTON VALLEY, NH
What’s new at MWV Attractions for summer, 2014
North Conway, NH – Now that Memorial Day is behind us, all the attractions are open for the summer in Mt Washington Valley. And the good news is there are a number of new features at Mt Washington Valley’s attractions, making a visit this summer even more fun than ever. From new roller coasters to zip lines, museums, trails, cars and horses, there’s plenty of fresh fun to be had this summer. And you just might find yourself in the longest or most extreme of new thrills anywhere in the country!
Attitash Mountain Resort in Bartlett announced that it will introduce a new ZipTour attraction this summer featuring the Flying Bear and Attitash Aerial Zip Lines. The new ZipTour will carry riders from the summit of Bear Peak to the base of Attitash Mountain. Two major zip line spans are being installed along with a training span. The Flying Bear Zip will be just under 5,000 feet long, reaching heights greater than 400 feet off the ground as it crosses the valley between the two mountains, will currently be the longest single span zip line in the contiguous United States. The Attitash Aerial Zip will be just under 3000 feet long and return the riders to the base of Attitash Mountain. This is the latest addition to the resort’s family of mountainside adventure rides, which also includes the alpine slide and mountain coaster for downhill thrills and New Hampshire’s first free-fall Airbag Jump.
To celebrate its 60th anniversary, Story Land in Glen will unveil a new dinosaur-themed area in the park, featuring Northern New England’s only wooden roller coaster - aptly named the “Roar-O-Saurus.” Rory, “the little dino with the big roar,” leads the 1,242 foot long, 40 foot high coaster that will have riders screaming as they experience moments of gravity-defying air time. The roller coaster will be surrounded by animatronic dinosaurs, confirming Story Land’s famous moniker, “The Land Where Fantasy Lives.” Roarasaurus was recently featured on CNN.com among the top ten intense roller coasters for the summer, noting that for the 12-and-under crowd, this new roller coaster may seem extreme. The roller coaster opened on May 24, 2014 when the park opens for the season.
And speaking of intense and extreme, a new interactive and educational experience at the top of the Mt Washington Auto Road is coming to the summit of Mt Washington in June as the Mount Washington Observatory introduces visitors to a Mount Washington winter through the all-new Extreme Mount Washington experience. A compelling sampling of the “World’s Worst Weather” the museum will offer hands-on, interactive and high-tech exhibits for the entire family. Welcoming over 100,000 visitors each year, Mount Washington Observatory's mountaintop museum has been the most visited museum in New Hampshire. This summer , the museum will be completely reborn as "Extreme Mount Washington”. Stripped down to the studs and entirely re-imagined, the new, interactive experience will deliver the awe and wonder of a Mount Washington winter—the mountain's most extreme season that only a small handful of the peak's 250,000 annual visitors ever get to witness. Through hands-on, high-tech exhibits, Mount Washington Observatory will present a compelling sampling of the "World's Worst Weather" to summer visitors from all over the world. Admission to the museum will be included in the Mt Washington Auto Road toll.
New for 2014, guests can enjoy lunch at Cranmore Mountain Resort’s Meister Hut now serving summer favorites from the grill, before or after exploring the surrounding hiking trails, including the new one mile hiking path to neighboring Black Cap Mountain. Starting June 21 ride the chairlift to the top and enjoy a picnic lunch or lunch at the Meister Hut. Also new for 2014, is C-More’s Rock Mining Adventure. Families can pan for gemstones on the 30 ft. water filled sluice. Mining rough bags will be available for purchase at Sport Thoma Gift Shop and patrons will be able to take home precious keepsakes to remind them of their treasure hunting experience. Cranmore has also opened a new climbing wall. In late October, expect new spine-chilling features at Cranmore’s spooky “Ghoullog” attraction. Monsters, mummies and members of the macabre are invited to participate in the resort’s nighttime Halloween Adventure Race, where competitive lurching and shuffling takes place through the streets of North Conway Village.
Black Mountain will bring back their overnight adventure for this year. You’ll enjoy a ride up the mountain on trails offering breathtaking views of the Mt Washington Valley and Mt Washington then a summit sunset hike at the top of Black Mountain while your guides provide a delicious BBQ for you followed by s’mores around the campfire. Sleep in the mountain top cabin with horses just outside. Awake for a light breakfast then enjoy another trail ride down to the stables. Additionally, Koada has just joined the Black Mountain pack, bringing their total number of horses to eleven!
The Conway Scenic Railroad in North Conway is adding a newly refurbished table car, the “Mt. Webster” to their popular Notch Train excursions that take passengers through spectacular Crawford Notch for some of the most rugged scenery in the Northeast. This is truly dining with a view! Additionally, the Conway Scenic Railroad turns 40 this year, and will celebrate with a big birthday party on August 4th. This is truly dining with a view! Additionally, the Conway Scenic Railroad turns 40 this year, and will celebrate with big birthday party on August 4th.
A new fleet of white water boats has arrived at Great Glen Trails where guided kayaking tours are available. In addition, Great Glen Trails has replaced their fleet of Cannondale and Kona Mountain and Comfort bikes with all new ones for the 2014 season.
The Mt. Washington Cog Railway is making a fifth biodiesel locomotive part of its regular fleet this season, while keeping one old-fashioned steam engine on the schedule for early morning runs. The environmentally friendly, mountain-climbing biodiesels are locally built right at the base of the Cog Railway.
Wildcat Mountain is the newest place for weddings in Mt Washington Valley. Whether the bride and groom walk down the aisle at the base of the mountain or tie the knot above 4000 feet after the entire party rides the Gondola at the top of the mountain, this is one scenic wedding destination. The base lodge is then easily transformed to the perfect wedding reception site where on-site catering offers many possibilities.
Santa's Village has totally updated the "Elf's Lodge". Last year Santa's Village had six Ho Ho H2O changing rooms (3 boys, 3 girls). Now the new Elfs Lodge has 17 universal changing rooms;10 family style and 7 individual. The "Merry Mess Hall" in the new Elf's Lodge has a new updated menu here too.
At Bretton Woods all of July is Family Golf Month. Take your son or daughter out to play on the Omni Mount Washington Golf Club or Mount Pleasant Course for FREE throughout June, with a paying adult.
To celebrate their 20th anniversary at Farm by the River B&B with Stables on West Side Road in North Conway, there are now 20 horses to take riders out on trail rides, carriage, pony and wagon rides.
Additionally, beginning in May you will find the new Fireside Sleigh Rides a short drive from their winter Conway location at Snowycreek Outfitters in Brownfield, NH where horseback rides and wagon rides will be offered through the summer and fall. This is the first year for the newest horseback and wagon ride attraction.
White Lake Speedway in Tamworth has added new games to their arcade. You’ll notice a big difference as soon as you enter, they say!
Clearly, with so many new additions to Mt Washington Valley’s attractions, a summer trip is in order. For a complete listing of all of Mt Washington Valley’s attractions, go to http://www.mtwashingtonvalley.org/thingstodo/attractions.cfm. Visit the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce website at www.mtwwashingtonvalley.org for a complete vacation resources guide or call 1-800-DO-SEE-NH (800-367-3364) for help with planning your itinerary. To plan a New Hampshire getaway, go to www.VisitNH.gov.
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More photos available upon request.