Press Kit
Spring brings these 9 great recreational opportunities to Mt Washington Valley, NH
Good News from Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce – April 19, 2018
Contact: Marti Mayne, 207-846-6331, PR@MtWashingtonValley.org
Nine wonderful things that happen in Mt Washington Valley, NH in spring time
The calendar says it’s spring and soon the weather will follow providing plenty of outdoor recreation, attractions and events only available in springtime in the Valley
North Conway, NH – Ahhhhh! Springtime in Mt Washington Valley. The days are getting longer, the snow is melting, and the waterfalls are rushing. Spring is a special time of year marked by 50 shades of green; a beautiful and vibrant palette provided by Mother Nature. With springtime comes several annual events and recreational opportunities for those ready to get out and enjoy the warm air and outdoor recreation.
Nine great spring things
The Water Falls
Mt Washington Valley, NH received upward of 175-inches of snow during the 2017-18 ski season. With that much snow, imagine how the waterfalls will rush as winter melt feeds rivers around the Valley. Yankee Magazine says Mt Washington Valley’s waterfalls offer "the ultimate rock concert" and best of all, the Valley offers a host of easily accessible locations for waterfall viewing and photo-taking. Waterfall season starts as the snow begins its melting cycle and come May those who love to see the water fall will get a good look as winter trickles turn to rushing falls. The good news is that nowhere in New England are waterfalls as abundant and accessible for viewing as they are in Mt Washington Valley, NH. Click here for a complete list of places to watch rushing waterfalls in Mt Washington Valley.
The rivers run
In the springtime, rivers run high. This is the time of year when kayaking and rafting aficionados take to places like the Swift River to catch Class IV and Class V rapids. Mt Washington Valley offers a number of different kayak and canoe outfitters that offer equipment rentals and guided tours. Be sure to match your level of ability with the swiftness of the rushing rivers at this time of year. Helmets are always suggested!
Tuckerman Ravine season reaches its height
While Wildcat Mountain is still offering skiing, when the lifts close, die hard skiers trade the chairs and gondolas and hoof it up to the ultimate in skiing adventure – conquering the wall on Tuckerman Ravine. Throughout May and June, a virtual caravan of backcountry skiers - and those who love to watch them - will make their way up the Tuckerman Trail to the base of Tuckerman Ravine. It’s here, on the headwall, that spring skiing takes on a new challenge. It’s steep and deep! The hike up the headwall alone is the ultimate journey, and the run down is the reward. For those who wish to take in the colorful spectacle, a hike to the base of the ravine and the famous Lunch Rocks is the perfect viewing spot. Of course, don’t forget to bring the lunch – there are no services or public facilities up here. Once again, helmets are always suggested, and be sure to assess the steepness of this challenging terrain before committing to it. To check the conditions before you go, visit www.mountwashingtonavalanchecenter.org or AMC Pinkham Notch Visitor Center (outdoors.org).
Time for the perfect Trifecta – ski, golf & Bar-b-q
In an ideal spring, for a few days - or if we’re lucky – a few weeks, the weather sets up to create the ideal triathlon of spring sports – ski, shank and sip all in one day! Start out by hitting the slopes at Wildcat, then head to the nearest of Mt Washington Valley’s 11 golf courses and end the day with a bar-b-q and sipping a cold one. They used to call this the gentleman’s triathlon, but we maintain it’s open to everyone who has the energy to go for it. And if the weather doesn’t’ cooperate, the other spring triathlon involves Putt, Paddle (or peddle) and Pound one on the Barbie! Of course, no matter what the weather, you won’t want to miss the ultimate spring BBQ tradition – the 37th Annual Bratwurst Boil and Open House at White Mountain Oil on June 8, 2018.
Attractions open
A number of attractions, like the new Laser Tag Arena at White Lake Speedway, Ham Arena, MWV Children’s Museum, Mystery NH Escape Room, New England Ski Museum, and Mt Washington Observatory’s Weather Discovery Center, stay open all year. Others, like Conway Scenic RR open in April, but the majority of Mt Washington Valley’s family and outdoor attractions open on Memorial Day. As schools wind down, the attractions in Mt Washington Valley gear up and fantasy revives for children of all ages. Click here for a complete list of fabulous indoor and outdoor places to play in Mt Washington Valley, NH.
Runners hit the trails
Mt Washington Valley is a mecca for outdoor competitions, from biking to running events. Visit CompeteMWV to see a complete list of opportunities. Meanwhile, springtime brings out the trail runners and with them come several wonderful events. From May 10 – June 28, The Salomon Spring Trail Running/Walking Series takes place at Great Glen Trails every Thursday for eight weeks. This weekly series involves three course lengths, and racers can walk or run the long, short or mini courses between 3:30-7:00pm on Thursdays. Next up is the annual Race for Reading 5K Trail Color Run on May 26th to benefit the Believe in Books Literacy Foundation. Kids and adults will run/walk a 5K trail course and get colored along the way. All participants will receive a race t-shirt (white, of course!) along with a color packet for the end of the race. Following the race there will be food and entertainment for the entire family. Prizes will be awarded to our top finishers and all kids will receive a medal. June is filled with road and trail races including the “There’s a Black Fly in my Eye” trail race and relay at Great Glen Trails on June 9th and the 11th Annual King Pine Tri & Duathlon on June 2, 2018
The road to the links opens
It won’t be long now before flags go up and golfers hit the 11 courses in Mt Washington Valley. Usually, by early May courses begin to open and by mid-to-late May most of them are welcoming golfers to play. With 11 courses all within 45 minutes or less of North Conway, NH, the road to the links is offers plenty of challenges and variety. To learn more about Mt Washington Valley’s golf courses, visit www.GolfMWV.com . Here you’ll find links to the links and can access each golf course’s websites and social media pages for rates, course maps and updates.
Spring sales a plenty
From Victoria Day to Memorial Day, the sales add to the shopping appeal at Mt Washington Valley’s 200 outlets, shops, stores and boutiques. Add the fact that there’s no sales tax in New Hampshire, and the Valley becomes the ideal shopping destination. It all starts on May 12th with the Half Way to Bring A Friend Weekend at Settlers Green. To celebrate the fact that the annual Shopstravaganza called Bring A Friend Weekend is just 6 months away, on May 12th, Settlers Green will offer a taste of the fun created by this event with giveaways, special event bags and entertainment. From May 18-21, 2018 look for Settlers Green’s Victoria Day Sidewalk Sales, then the following weekend, from May 25-28, it’s time for Memorial Day sales at Settlers Green and throughout North Conway too. Top it all off on June 2 with the long-anticipated Mountain Garden Club’s Spring Plant Sale at the North Conway Community Center. Count on finding treasured and very affordable perennials, annuals, floral baskets and even garden accents cultivated and transplanted with loving care by the members of the Mountain Garden Club. It’s a great way to kick off the summer gardening season.
Take time to smell and buy the flowers at farmers Markets & Home Shows
As spring blooms, crops appear, and the outdoor farmers markets and farm stands start once again throughout Mt Washington Valley. On May 19-20, 2018 tour 5 acres of outdoor space, and 300 vendors at the 18th Annual Home, Garden and Flower Show at the Fryeburg Fairgrounds. Rated as a Top 20 event in Maine by Yankee Magazine, you don’t want to miss all the sights, sounds and smells of spring at this year’s Home, Garden and Flower Show.
To plan your spring getaway to Mt Washington Valley, be sure to visit www.MtWashingtonValley.org or call 800-367-3364 (800-DO-SEE-NH). To learn more about planning a New Hampshire vacation, go to www.VisitNH.gov.
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Photo credit for kayaking photo above: Wiseguy Creative Photography.
Photos available online at the MWVCC Flickr Photo gallery. Click here.
Or request photos from PR@MtWashingtonValley.org.