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MT. WASHINGTON VALLEY, NH OFFERS UNIQUE WINTER EDUTAINMENT



Mt. Washington Valley, NH There are many winter vacation destinations throughout New England that offer skiing, skating, sledding, and snow sports, but there are no other destinations that offer some of the unique educational and recreational programs you'll find in Mt. Washington Valley, NH. From renowned ice festivals to above tree line winter sightseeing, and snowshoeing with well known naturalists by moonlight you can spend weeks in Mt. Washington Valley seeking unique experiences, and find another each day here. We like to call it “Edutainment”, and we’ve perfected the art of education concealed inside of wonderful indoor and outdoor entertainment.

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CONTACT: Marti Mayne at 1 603-846-6331 or maynely@aol.com

MT. WASHINGTON VALLEY, NH OFFERS UNIQUE WINTER EDUTAINMENT

Mt. Washington Valley, NH – While other New England winter vacation destinations offer skiing, skating, sledding, and snow sports, winter adventure-lovers would be hard pressed to find a destination offering as many unique educational and recreational programs as Mt. Washington Valley, NH. From renowned ice festivals to above-tree line winter sightseeing, then cross country skiing with well known naturalists by moonlight, one can spend every winter weekend in Mt. Washington Valley seeking unique experiences, and find another each day here. We like to call it “Edutainment”, and we’ve perfected the art of education concealed inside wonderful indoor and outdoor entertainment. Below, find a complete schedule of fabulous educational offerings in Mt. Washington Valley this winter.

Remick Country Doctor Museum, Tamworth, NH: Throughout the year, learn about life as it was in the early 1900 through this preserved country doctor's home.  Plenty of workshops offer insight into everything from ice harvesting to maple sugaring the old fashioned way.  At Christmas time,savor and experience the old time delights of A Victorian Christmas at the Remick Country Doctor Museum and Farm in Tamworth, New Hampshire. Tour an exhibit on the history of the Christmas holiday, learn how to make simple and beautiful Christmas crafts, sip wassail and enjoy a homemade cookie or two. Take a leisurely stroll through the historic Captain Enoch Remick House, which will be adorned with toys and festive decorations of the Victorian era. For more information, call 800-686-6117 or visit www.remickmuseum.com

Every Friday usually starting in January: Friday Gliders Social Ski Tour at the Jackson Ski Touring Foundation Join Sally Brassill and Maggie Solomon along with other guest instructors for an afternoon tour of classic skiing for beginner/intermediates on the largest XC trail network in the East. Imagine hours of fun, gliding smoothly through neatly groomed trails, enjoying the company of new and old friends, along with getting some tips & technique pointers as you go. Afterward the group meets at the touring center for stretching, wine, tea and snacks! The group meets every Friday starting Jan 6- March 24, 2006. The tour starts at 1:00 pm and finishes up at about 3:00 pm. Trail passes are required, the program is free; participants are asked to bring water, a trail snack and appropriate attire. For more information, call 800-927-6697 or go to www.jacksonxc.org.

Moonlight Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe Tours under the moonlit trails of the Bretton Woods Cross Country Ski Center and Mt Washington Valley Ski Touring and Snowshoe Center throughout the winter season. These guided tours by ski or snowshoe wrap up with steaming hot chocolate and a crackling fire to recount adventures of the night with new and old friends. Tickets  include a trail pass, the tour and rental equipment if needed. Call 603-278-3322 or visit http://www.brettonwoods.com/ or MWV XC and Snowshoe Center  (603)356-9920f or more schedules, and ticket prices.

Second Weekend in February -  Annual Mount Washington Valley Ice Fest Mt. Washington Valley, New Hampshire is considered one of the best areas in the country for ice climbing. Many who intend to climb Danali or Everest come to the Mt. Washington Valley to train and bone up on technical skills. And, the Mt. Washington Valley is one of the finest waterfall ice climbing destinations in North America. For this reason, Mt. Washington Valley offers more businesses geared toward technical climbing with products, clinics and schools than any other part of the country. Not only are there many locations where firm, climbable ice is formed, there are a number of world renowned climbers who call Mt. Washington Valley their home.  Always held the second weekend in February, featured climbers will conduct advanced climbing clinics. This event is considered to be one of the premier climbing events in the country, a celebration of ice climbing and mountaineering. There will be beginner, intermediate and specialty program clinics plus slide show presentations and more. Call International Mountain Equipment Climbing School at (603)356 7064 or visit www.ime-usa.com for registration and more info. 


Throughout the winter: The Mt. Washington Observatory Edu Trips offer an “extreme” edutainment package for outdoor enthusiasts. In an average summer, Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast, is visited by a quarter million people. In an average winter, only a few hundred make the demanding journey. The mountain's winter secrets are known only to a relative handful of hardy individuals who are willing to endure the challenges and to venture the hazards of what can truly be called the worst weather on earth. Those who are prepared for sub zero cold, hurricane force winds, and whiteout conditions are occasionally privileged to enjoy remarkable vistas of snow covered peaks, the setting sun slipping behind ranges 130 miles distant, and other breathtaking experiences known only to the winter mountaineer. The Mount Washington Observatory Edu-Trip program provides an opportunity for properly prepared individuals to encounter the summit of Mount Washington in winter. The educational value of the visit is enhanced by the instruction in subjects pertinent to the mountain environment offered by experienced instructors. Travel to and from the summit takes place by snow tractor, and overnight accommodations are provided at the summit research facility of the Mount Washington Observatory, whose staff has documented the mountain's meteorological extremes for more than 60 years.

Each trip considers a different main topic, such as the natural history of Mount Washington, glacial geology, mountain photography, mountain weather, or life and work on Mount Washington. Some trips are designed especially for educators, to help them better understand the mountain experience and bring the experience back to their students. Due to the inherent rigors of winter trips on the mountain, certain qualifications regarding fitness, equipment, and minimum age must be met. The Edu-Trips are open only to Observatory members  These overnight trips include snow tractor transportation to and from the summit, overnight lodging, all meals, instruction, and materials. A separate Edu-Trip brochure with more detailed information can be provided upon request. For more information, contact the Mount Washington Observatory at 603 356 8345 or at www.mountwashington.org.


Throughout the winter (weather dependent): The view is spectacular and you can see for miles and miles when you experience above treeline sightseeing at Great Glen Trails. The Mt. Washington Auto Road has been offering summer guided tours to the top of Mt. Washington to travelers from around the world since 1861. The Auto Road along with the Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center is offering winter sightseeing tours to just above tree line on Mt. Washington aboard a specially prepared, 12 passenger van, called The Snow Coach! You can experience winter from atop Mt. Washington accessed from the comfort of a heated van, and learn all about the unique eco systems of this spectacular mountain on the ride up and down.  Each snow coach ticket includes an all-day trail pass for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing and access to Great Glen's snow tubing hill. Rides are weather dependent. Call 1 603 466 2333 for info or visit www.greatglentrails.com Three wonderful inn-based cooking schools offer everything you could ever dream of!

A Taste of the Mountains Cooking School offers the ideal opportunity to learn from some of New England’s best chefs. A Taste of the Mountains is designed for lovers of fine food who wish to broaden their practical knowledge of creative cooking. What started as a small, struggling enterprise in 1980 has blossomed into a (still small) but nationally acclaimed cooking school praised by critics in publications such as Bon Appetit, Southern Living, Yankee Magazine, and numerous trade journals. The cooking school is designed for lovers of fine food who want to expand their knowledge of creative cuisine. For more information, call 800-548-8007 or go to www.bernerhofinn.com. The White Mountains Cooking School is based at The Snowvillage Inn in Eaton, and here, the Chef shares expertise with guests who enjoy learning some tricks of the trade, then eating the fruits of their labors. The emphasis during the classes is on learning basic cooking techniques through a wide variety of international cuisines keeping sound nutrition in mind. This school offers a delightful combination of instruction and relaxation in one of the most beautiful settings in North America. Classes are hands-on. The menus are reviewed prior to dividing students into work groups and then the preparation begins. The camaraderie experienced by the students working side by side in the kitchen is what makes this school so much fun. Call 800-447-4345 or visit www.snowvillageinn.com for more information.

History is preserved at The Mount Washington Hotel. Take a free tour, open to both hotel guests and the public, and learn all about the important role this historic hotel played in establishing the World Monetary Fund, along with inside information on the hotels colorful and celebrated legacy. Tours are held at 10:00 am and 3:00 pm daily. Call 603-278-1000 or go to www.mtwashingtonhotel.com for more details.

For more information on Mt. Washington Valley, NH, visit www.mtwashingtonvalley.org or call 1-800-367-3364 toll free from anywhere in North America for a free guide to the region. # # #