NEWS FROM MT WASHINGTON VALLEY, NH – Jan 29, 2015

CONTACT:  Marti Mayne, 207-846-6331, PR@mtwashingtonvalley.org

CHARITY ON THE SLOPES:  SKI & RIDE FOR YOUR FAVORITE CAUSE

North Conway, NH - While Mt. Washington Valley, NH is a premier destination for your family vacation offering tubing, Alpine and Nordic skiing, snowmobiling, sleigh rides and more, it’s also a hub for skiing and riding events to benefit those in need. This winter, why not combine a great day out on the slopes with a cause that is near and dear to your heart.  It’s a win:win! Heart pumping time on the trail and gifts of heart to help others, just in time for National Heart Month! 

Rounding out the month of January, the Military Salute Day, hosted by Bretton Woods on January 31^st, will honor  those who are serving or who have served in the military. Bretton Woods and New England Disabled Sports (NEDS) at Bretton Woods are offering complimentary lift tickets to those with a valid military ID on January 31, 2015Discounted lift tickets will be available to family members with valid ID too. Additionally, the New England Disabled Sports at Bretton Woods will offer complimentary lessons to all veterans, but an advance reservation is needed.  . NEDS instructors are skilled in teaching those with an array of injuries and disabilities, and some instructors are veterans themselves, proud to offer this service to fellow service men and women. To reserve a NEDS lesson, call (603) 278-3398.

On March 7, 2015 Bretton Woods will also host the Geschmossel, the longest running citizens’ Nordic Race in New Hampshire. This traditional event benefits the New England Ski Museum. It is a forty-two kilometer, classic format cross-country race and is open to the first 400 skiers to register. Admission is $70.00 for adults and $30.00 for Juniors. Racing in a half-marathon version of this race is also available for the same prices, and it all benefits one of New England’s finest ski museums.

Located in the heart of North Conway Village, Cranmore Mountain is always buzzing with events to benefit the Valley’s non-profit organizations. Coming  up on February 8, 2015, Cranmore’s “Hope on the Slopes, Race to Beat Cancer” is in its 37^th year of raising money for the American Cancer Society. Participants can ski, board or tube in teams or individually to help fund cancer research and services  Gathering sponsors for their participation in this gentle fun race. Registration begins at 8:45am and the race begins at 10:00am.  Entrants will enjoy organically roasted coffee by Good Vibes Coffee Roasters and lunch provided Flatbread Pizza. The awards ceremony will take place after lunch at 1:00pm, on the third floor of the Main Base Lodge. 

Later in the month on February 22, the “Jibbin for Jen” charity event will take place to help raise funds for alocal charity, Jen’s Friends. This charity helps to provide financial assistance to individuals battling cancer and their families.  This is a terrain park competition in the Double Feature Terrain Park, so get your boards and twin tips ready. Registration is from 10:30-11:30am and the event will begin at 12:00pm. A minimum donation of $10.00 is requested, but don’t stop there!

Also, supporting the Jen’s Friends Cancer Foundation, Attitash Mountain Resort is hosting the “U Go Girl” race series,  a four-part, family-fun race series throughout the winter. On February 15^th, the third race in the series takes place at Attitash. Registrants can sign up between 8:00am -10:00am and take their place at the race course between 11:00-1:00pm. Registration is $10.00 and 50-percent of the proceeds benefit the Jen’s Friends fund. At the end of the 2014-15 race series, one lucky racer will win a pair of skis, courtesy of K2 skis.

Attitash’s sister mountain, Wildcat Mountain will hold the annual the 1,000 Vertical Foot Challenge to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Rest up for this one, as skiers and riders are challenged to log a total of forty-eight or a maximum fifty, non-stop runs on the Lynx Trail to achieve 100,000 vertical feet over the course of the day. Competitors are also required to raise a minimum of $250.00 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Hampshire. Prizes are awarded for the top fundraisers. Refreshments and snacks will be provided to help keep challengers going throughout the day. Check-in begins at 6:15am and the Lynx trail will be open to challenge participants only. Helmets are required and only forty spots are available for those wanting to enter, so be sure to reserve your spot now. Over the tenure of this race at Wildcat, hundreds of thousands of dollars (checking exact amount with Thomas) has been raised by skiers and riders who went non-stop all day.

On March 21^st, Wildcat will also be the host mountain for AbilityPlus Sports’ Ski-A-Thon. Individuals sign up for $70.00; registration is $35.00 for an Attitash or Wildcat season pass-holder and $250.00 for a team of four. Your entry includes a lift ticket, après-ski party, raffle, and entertainment. Check-in begins at 9:30 am and the après-ski party starts at 3:00pm. 

On February 22^nd, Mt. Washington Valley Ski Touring Foundation is hosting its signature Chocolate Festival, a fundraiser for the ski foundation. This year marks the  26^th Annual Chocolate Festival,  a three-fold trifecta of Nordic skiing, while indulging on sweet confections and raising money for a worthy cause along the way.  Ski or snowshoefrom inn to inn and stop to shop to sample the homemade desserts and chocolate beverages at each stop along the way.  Proceeds benefit trail maintenance, upkeep and general costs of doing business for the foundation. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 on the day of the event. 

Jackson Ski Touring Foundation (JSTF) is also a Nordic ski non-profit dedicated to providing cross-country and snowshoe trails and to providing programs for all ages. By skiing at this foundation and partaking in the many events they host, such as “Friday Gliders” or “Snowshoe with a Naturalist” , your trail pass purchase will directly benefit the work of JSTF. Upcoming events include a benefit dinner(?) at the Red Fox Pub on February 25 to raise funds for the JSTF Junior Ski program on February 25.  What about the Ski Red program taking place throughout the month? 

Great Glen Trails, located in Pinkham Notch is celebrating heart month in February by raising awareness of the fight against women’s heart disease.  =Wear your best red sweater or outfit on February 6^th, from 8:30 – 4:00pm, and receive 50-percent off your Great Glen trail passes, rentals plus a Go Red dress pin.

Great Glen Trails is also honoring Carl Johnson,  a legend at the Outdoor Center who passed away from ALS in 2006, with a Ski-A-Thon fundraiser on March 14^th. To raise money for ALS research, Nordic skiers are encouraged to lap the Great Glen five kilometer course as many times as possible from 12:00 to 3:00pm. Registration is $20.00 and includes a trail pass. All funds will be donated to the ALS Association and there is no limit to the amount of funds individuals can raise, in addition to the entrance fee. 

Shawnee Peak is gearing up for an evening of fun on January 31^st with the MCCP Moonlight Charity Challenge. This friendly competition to supports the Maine Children’s Cancer Program providing services to children in Maine and New Hampshire suffering from cancer and blood disorders. Teams of four, skiers and or snowboarders will race against the clock to achieve the fastest average score on the race course. Prizes will not only be awarded to the fastest team, but also to the top fundraisers. Prizes include, round-trip JetBlue airfare for two to Denver, Colorado paired with two, four-day USSA Gold Passes. Top winners could also earn four tickets to a Red Sox game at Fenway Park including transportation and more. Following the race, participants are invited to the Base Lodge at Shawnee Peak for a buffet dinner, an awards ceremony with surprise guests, live music and dancing in the moonlight. The cost to register is $250.00 per team and includes a lift ticket, event t-shirt and post race diner for four. Individuals can also register for $75 and will randomly be placed on a team. 

Ski all day and sit back and relax in the evening, while supporting Shawnee Peak’s Adaptive Program. On February 16, join the mountain for a live show by comedian Bob Marley in the Great Room. The show begins at 7.30pm; tickets are $25.00 and sold on a first come first served basis, so make sure you reserve your seat now. There will be a cash bar and enjoy dinner at Blizzard’s Pub before the show. 

Fundraising events like these and many others allow skiers and riders to enjoy day on the slopes and trails that is not only great for the valley’s community, but also good for you. We’ve really just scratched the surface for fundraisers in Mt Washington Valley.  For a complete list of all the events in the Valley – both fundraisers and “fun-raisers”, clickhere or go to www.MtWashingtonValley.org and click on EVENTS.

Plan your skiing, riding or charity events trip to Mt Washington Valley soon.  Visit www.MtWashingtonValley.org for a complete guide to lodging, dining, skiing, outdoor adventure and so much more.  If you’d rather talk with a Mt Washington Valley vacation concierge, call 1-800-DO-SEE-NH (800-367-3364). 

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For a complete gallery of Mt Washington Valley, NH photos, go to our online Flickr photo gallery here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mwvchamber/sets/