Press Kit

A packed events calendar for February Vacation Weeks in Mt Washington Valley, NH



News from Mt Washington Valley’s Ski Resorts & XC Centers - February 8, 2017

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

F IS FOR FEBRUARY BREAK AND FAMILY FUN AT MT WASHINGTON VALLEY’S 13 SKI RESORTS AND XC CENTERS

North Conway, NH – With midweek storms bringing snowfall just about every week for the past five weeks, coupled with snowmaking weather throughout the past month, Mt Washington Valley’s 13 ski resorts and XC Centers are poised for one of the best February Vacation periods yet.  Mt Washington Valley’s ski resorts have joyfully gotten as much as 134” of natural snowfall this winter.  Add in a packed events calendar, lodging packages and tax-free shopping, and you have one fabulous place for February break for the whole family.  Check out what’s happening throughout the Valley.

At Attitash Mountain Resort

On Saturday, February 18, Attitash brings back their exciting Skier/Boardercross open to friend and foes with a first-to-the-finish race through berms, jumps and rollers, starting with registration at 8:00am, course inspection at 9:30am and event start at 11:00am.  On Sunday, February 19th, the second in a series of ‘U Go Girl” races takes place to benefit local charity, Jen’s Friends, to benefit cancer patients and their families.  The same schedule with an 8:00am registration, 9:30am course inspection and 11:00am start applies here. On Sunday, February 25, Abenaki Parks Big Air contest takes place with the same schedule, starting with the 8:00 registration.  Stomp your best tricks and walk away with prizes. In addition, there’ll be live entertainment for après ski every afternoon in the Bear’s Den and Ptarmigan’s Pub from February 18-25. 

Check the events calendar here for all the details on these events.

At Black Mountain

February 25th marks Ride & Ski Cardholders Day. There’ll be a special ticket deal for Ride and Ski cardholders, $45 lift tickets!  Not a cardholder, don't worry!  The Ride and Ski Group bring their own party to the Lostbo Pub from 2-5pm, with awesome giveaways and music! Not only is there great skiing all week but the party goes on afterward in the Lostbo Pub.  Tuesday, February 21 is Sam Adams Day and Wednesday, February 22 is Narragansett Day and February 25 is Miller Lite Day.  Grab some gear and swag while enjoying an après ski adult beverage. There’ll be live entertainment nightly in the Lostbo Pub all week, February 18-26 too. For details, visit http://www.blackmt.com/visiting-black/events.

At Bretton Woods at Omni Mt Washington Resort

February Fun Week at Bretton Woods equals three weekends and two weeks of great activities and entertainment for the whole family, February 18-March 5th,both on the mountain and at the Omni Mount Washington Resort.  Some of the activities and entertainment include Movie Matinees, Adult Ski Après, Kids Ski Après, Rubber duck race, family games, DJs and Magic entertainers, Omni Kids Explorers, morning yoga, Paper Airplane Party, a Polar Plunge and so much more! Every night, February 17-23, enjoy their Powder and Pasta Night Skiing event featuring a pasta dinner, with Penne pasta with a classic red Italian sauce or savory white alfredo, topped with your choice of meatballs or grilled chicken. There’s garlic bread included on the side and parmesan cheese on top to finish your night.  $25 includes ticket for night skiing and dinner. For a complete and detailed list of all the events that make up these fabulous Fun Weeks, click here.

At Cranmore Mountain Resort

On February 18th, Cranmore kicks off vacation week with its signature Cranapalooza, including fireworks, a DJ dance party and s’mores. Cranmore will also host music in the square throughout vacation week, and live music daily in Zip’s Pub. On February 18th, take a behind-the-scenes look at Cranmore from their team of ambassadors. Meet at the base of the Skimobile Express at 10:30am. Or, join the hardhat tour of Kearsarge Brook, the new base complex scheduled to be completed in October, 2017. The tours will be held on February 18th and 25th  lead by Cranmore’s President Ben Wilcox and everyone is welcome to attend. Simply show up at the Kearsarge Brook Sales office to get your hard hat. Then demo the latest skis from Sport Thoma for free on Sunday, February 19th! Demos are available next to the retail shop. Of course the Cranmore Adventure Center is open daily throughout the February Vacation weeks.

At King Pine:

Take part in one of two ski and snowboard camps scheduled for Feb 19-25 & Feb 26-March 3.  Overnight Ski & Snowboard Camp at King Pine is a winter tradition at King Pine and Purity Spring Resort since 1939. It’s a full week of fun learning for skiers and riders age 8 – 17 who will love the time and learning on the slopes. In addition, King Pine celebrates February Vacation Weeks with a Winter Carnival Feb 20-24th. Celebrate February Vacation Week on the slopes at King Pine with sleigh rides, snowshoe tours, Silly Slalom and Belly Bag Races, Family Challenge Races and a Kids Light Parade and fireworks.  For more Info on Winter Carnival, click here.  

At Shawnee Peak:

There’s so much going on at Shawnee Peak including live entertainment.  Bob Marley, famous Maine comedian, will perform stand up comedy in the Great Room on Monday, February 20 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $25.  Plus there are beer nights in the Pub with great swag and giveaways Saturdays and Wednesday, Feb 18, 22, 25th with companies like Sam Adams, Harpoon and Blue Point.  The fun continues out on the slopes too.  On Saturday, February 18 demo a pair of Lucid Skis, handcrafted in Maine.  On Thursday, February 23, it’s Family Day; a kid oriented day on the slopes.  All events are free and open to the public including face painting, a scavenger hunt, Character Parade, family obstacle race, skillet toss, sack race, tug of war and pie eating contests. There’ll be prizes galore and all events are free (on mountain events require a lift ticket). The week finishes off on February 26 with the Russ Haggett Memorial Race. Russ Haggett, a 2003 inductee to the Ski Maine Hall of Fame, was Pleasant Mountain's general manager throughout the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s. The Russ Haggett Memorial Race is a family-fun race, for Skiers and Snowboarders of all ages and ability, and a great opportunity for beginners to experience downhill ski racing. Race day registration 8:30am-10:30am. Race fee $15.  Race begins at 11am.

Information on Shawnee Peak’s events can be found at http://www.shawneepeak.com/mountain/shawnee-peak-events/.

At Wildcat Mountain:

Two February Vacation traditions continue once again this year at Wildcat.  On February 21, bring the kids to compete in the Kitty Litter Box Race. Build your own “vessel” to get down the mountain out of cardboard boxes.  Prizes for the fastest, best decorated, best crash and judges choice. Plus this day marks the first Wildcat Cup race with two timed Giant Slalom runs through gates on the Bobcat trail and then a second race day on Thursday, February 23. Then on February 22, it’s the Lunch Tray Luge at Wildcat. This is one day a year that lunch trays are allowed on the mountain. Test your speed on the track at the base of the mountain in heats with the winner of each heat moving on to the next heat until a winner is crowned. Both events are free. On Saturday, February 18th, Wildcat Ski School instructors and Ski Patrol will venture down the mountain with lighted torches starting at 5:30 for the annual Torchlight Parade and there’s a Kids Après Ski Party with crafts treats and movies from 3:30-5:00pm too.  Saturday, February 25th is Crazy Hat Day with prizes for the craziest, Best In Show and other categories, starting at 11:00am in the lawn area (must be present to win). Throughout the week, from March 18-25 there’ll be live music and entertainment in the Wildcat Pub too.

Find out more about Wildcat’s packed calendar at http://www.skiwildcat.com/events-calendar/.

Not to be outdone, many of the Valley’s cross country centers have scheduled fun and cost saving events. 

At Mt Washington Valley Ski Touring and Snowshoe Center:

Bring your skinny skis, snowshoes and appetite on February 26th for the 28th Annual Mt Washington Valley Chocolate Tour. You can Cross country ski, snowshoe, walk or ride the shuttle from inn-to-inn along the Mt Washington Valley Ski & Snowshoe Foundation network for the Sweetest Day on the Trails. Sample chocolate treats at each stop. 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.  Other area businesses also prepare complimentary chocolate treats for festival participants.

To learn more about events at MWV Ski Touring and Snowshoe Center, go to http://www.mwvskitouring.org/events.html.

At Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center

Save on trail passes, SnowCoach tours, tubing and the total trails ticket on Friday, February 17th and Monday, February 27th with the Buy One Get One offer at Great Glen Trails.  Then on Saturday, February 18th and 25th, take your pick of skiing with a naturalist or taking an evening snowshoe tour.  On February 19th and 26th,take a Sunrise SnowCoach Tour and  enjoy the chance of a lifetime to see a winter sunrise from 4200 feet on Mount Washington. The experienced SnowCoach drivers will take you to treeline (weather permitting) at 4,200 feet on the Mt. Washington Auto Road for a chance to watch the sun rise. The SnowCoach leaves promptly at 5:45 am in February from the base lodge, and will not hold back the trip as we need to keep a tight schedule throughout the day for all our guests. Sunday, February 19th is Great Glen Trails’ annual Kids Ski Fest, a day for fun on cross country skis, for kids in grades 1 through 8.  Activities include games on snow, a themed ski tour, and two-person classic relays.  

To learn more about ongoing events at Great Glen Trails, visit http://greatglentrails.com/events.

At Jackson Ski Touring Foundation

Start the February break out right by demoing some new skis.  Friday, February 18th is Fischer Demo Day From 10:00-2:00, featuring: Fischer Twin Skin Skis (X-Lite, PRO, Race, & Race JR) offering superior performance in hard track or icy conditions.  Get in on the 2 hour Tuesday Trekker Tours led by naturalist guide Peter Minich on Tuesday, February 21st and 28th. The group will head out at 10am, returning at noon for a bit of social time by the fire!  Members of the group will now enjoy a hot beverage or a glass of wine and some light snacks upon their return to the base lodge. Each week Peter will lead the group to a different location exploring the snow covered snowshoe trails of our beautiful area! $15 per person. And on Friday, February17th and 24th, join Jackson XC instructors for an afternoon tour of classic skiing for experienced beginner/intermediates on the trails here in Jackson with the Friday Gliders group. Or for an easier, more relaxed time along with an introduction to the sport of cross country skiing, the Easy Sliders program is for who prefer an easier ski.  This group will meet with a professional instructor who will guide you through an afternoon of great skiing, also every Friday.

For more information on events at Jackson Ski Touring Foundation, click here.

At Bretton Woods Nordic Center at Omni Mt Washington Resort

Join the camaraderie of Casual Saturday Nordic Series at Bretton Woods Saturday, February 19 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm.   There will be two distances offered for skiers and/or snowshoers. All abilities are welcome; the race course terrain is suitable for intermediate and advance skiers.  Casual Saturday is an energetic and social way to jump start the weekend on the snow for vacationers, weekenders and locals of all ages.  After the race, the Grille is just a few strides away for food and refreshments.

For more information on events at Bretton Woods Nordic Center, click here.

It’s not too late to start planning your Mt Washington Valley February break getaway.  For information on lodging, skiing, tax-free shopping, dining and more, go to www.MtWashingtonValley.org or call 1-800-DO-SEE-NH (800-367-3364).  To learn more about planning a New Hampshire winter getaway, visit www.VisitNH.gov.

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  For additional photos, visit the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce photo library at https://www.flickr.com/photos/mwvchamber/.