Press Kit
Top ten reasons to choose Mt Washington Valley for your winter vacation
News from Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce – February 13, 2017
Contact: Marti Mayne, 207-846-6331, PR@mtwashingtonvalley.org
TOP TEN REASONS TO VISIT MT WASHINGTON VALLEY OVER DURING WINTER VACATION WEEKS
North Conway, NH – Recently USA Today/10 Best readers voted North Conway among the top five ski towns in America. Unlike any other region in the country, the Mt Washington Valley, NH garnered a second USA Today/10 Best award for Jackson Ski Touring Foundation, voted among the top ten XC Resorts in the country. If this alone isn’t a great reason to choose Mt Washington Valley for your winter vacation, we’ll give you ten more reasons to consider the Valley your premier destination for winter vacations.
13 ski resorts & XC Centers within 40 minutes or less from North Conway
Where else in New England would you find so much variety and terrain than in Mt Washington Valley? With seven alpine ski resorts and six XC Centers, there’s the promise of something for everyone. Look for everything from steeps and deeps to gentle and beginner terrain. There’s back country skiing and snowshoeing, along with scenic wooded trails for XC skiers too. With 13 ski resorts and XC Centers to choose from, Mt Washington Valley offers up the ideal package of choices for skiing families, couples beginners and extreme-seekers than anywhere else in New England.
Plenty of ways to get down the mountain for nonskiers
Not a skier? Fear not. There’s so much going on at our ski resorts and XC Centers that there are plenty of options for non-skiers to enjoy the thrill of the trails too. How about a mountain coasters to take you speeding down the hill at Cranmore Mountain Resort. It’s just about as thrilling as speeding down the hill on skis or a snowboard. Look for tubing parks at the Cranmore Adventure Park, at King Pine Ski Area, Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center, and at Bretton Woods at the Omni Mount Washington Resort. There’s the Soaring Eagle Zipline at the Cranmore Adventure Park and for the ultimate thrill, take in the views from above the canopy of the trees by experiencing the Canopy Tour at Bretton Woods. And for the only winter sightseeing opportunity on Mount Washington, try out the SnowCoach at Great Glen Trails, where you’ll take in the winter views from the warmth of this specially fitted van, going up to as high as 4000 feet on the mountain. And for those who just can’t get enough peddling in the summer, both the Mt Washington Valley Ski Touring & Snowshoe Foundation and Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center allow fat biking on their trails. There are just so many ways to enjoy the mountains in Mt Washington Valley without even strapping on a pair of skis, a snowboard or snowshoes.
Tax free shopping at 200+ shops, boutiques and outlets
Enjoy post-holiday sales and fill in where Santa might have forgotten at Mt Washington Valley’s 200 shops, boutiques and outlets. You’ll find everything from apparel and accessories to zippy gadgets and more. Best of all, it’s all tax-free. There’s no sales tax in New Hampshire.
75 restaurants for après ski and dining
For many, a day of skiing or riding is simply not complete without an evening of après skiing and hearty dining. Mt Washington Valley offers up 75 restaurants, meaning there’s something for every palate – even the pickiest. From Italian to Irish to Indian to American, you’ll find it in Mt Washington Valley. Whether you prefer elegant and fine or casual and inexpensive, Mt Washington Valley’s dining scene has something for everyone. And keep an eye out for the yellow and black fork and plate flags at restaurants indicating membership in The Valley Originals, a group of independently-owned restaurants that give back to the community.
Sledding – with dogs, on snowmobiles and on coasters
When it comes to sleds, there are many options in Mt Washington Valley. Start out with snowmobile rentals at a choice of a businesses throughout the Valley, offering everything from guided tours to hourly, daily and weekly rentals and accessories. With this year’s snow, the trails throughout the Valley will offer seemingly endless terrain for snowmobiling. How about sleds pulled by dogs? Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel offers year-round dog sledding adventures that range from 2 - 50 miles. Participants ages 2 and up are given the opportunity to meet and greet our rescue and second chance sled dogs, help harness and hitch their team and even help drive the sled (at musher discretion for guests and dog safety of course)! And then of course there are several sledding hills in Jackson and North Conway offering up good ol’ fashioned sledding fun. BYO sled!
Sleigh rides
What could be more romantic than snuggling under the blanket of a horse drawn sleigh? The Farm by the River B&B and Stables offers up a variety of carriage and sleigh ride options. Sleigh rides can also be reserved at Bretton Woods/Omni Mount Washington Resort and at Purity Spring Resort too. Many a proposal of marriage have occurred in Mt Washington Valley on these sleighs.
Skating
Show your lift ticket from your day on the slopes or trails at King Pine Ski Area, and you’ll be treated to free skating. Lace up the skates and cruise around Purity Spring Resort’s illuminated, Zamboni-groomed Tohko Dome ice rink after skiing at King Pine. If you prefer the warmth of an inside rink, or are interested in lessons, free skating or pick-up hockey, the Ham Arena offers year-round indoor skating. Weather depending, you’ll also find town-sponsored rinks in North Conway’s Schouler Park and in Jackson too.
From concerts at the Leura Eastman Performing Arts Center and Stone Mountain Arts Center to live performances at M&D Playhouse, Center Stage Theater in Fryeburg, and the Medallion Opera House in Gorham, you’ll find plenty of live entertainment in Mt Washington Valley’s music and theater venues. In keeping with true tradition, plan to attend Hoot Night at Wildcat Tavern, the longest running open mic in Mt Washington Valley for over 30 years or take in one of the bands on weekends at the Red Parka Steakhouse & Pub, Ptarmigan’s Pub at Attitash or the Wildcat Pub. Click here to access the Arts and Cultural Calendar.
For many vacationers, the ski destination is determined by the events happening throughout the week. The Mt Washington Valley events calendar is packed during Christmas and February vacation weeks with everything from fireworks to music, family races, and special train rides. To check out the most up-to-date calendar of events in Mt Washington Valley, click here to go to the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce master Valley-wide calendar.
Plenty of fires to warm your toes by
From cozy inns and B&Bs to larger hotels and resorts with stone lobby fireplaces to outdoor fire pits to cook s’mores by, you’ll find a wonderful fire to warm up next to in Mt Washington Valley. Choose from more than 150 lodging properties – many offering in-room private or lobby fireplaces. You’ll also find fire pits at some of our ski resorts too.
To plan your winter vacation getaway, go to www.Mtwashingtonvalley.org where you’ll find all the resources you need for accommodations, dining, events, shopping, entertainment and more. If you’d like to speak to a vacation planning concierge, call 1-800-DO-SEE-NH (800-367-3364). And to plan a trip to anywhere in New Hampshire, go to www.VisitNH.gov.
# # #
Photos available at the Mt Washington Valley online Flickr library. Simply click here.