Press Kit

News from Mt Washington Valley, NH – January 15, 2019

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

Seven great ways to experience adventure on and off the trails in Mt Washington Valley, NH

North Conway, NH – Just because the temps drop, doesn’t mean you have to stay inside!  With 13 ski resorts and XC Centers offering hundreds of trails for everyone from never-evers to thrill seekers, our ski resorts and XC Centers offer something for every level of adventure-seeker – from soft to hard! Click here for a complete update on snow conditions and photos and videos of conditions this week.  Yet, sometimes taking the trail less traveled is the way to find adventure. Here are seven great ways to enjoy outdoor adventure throughout January on and off the trails! Whether on skis, SnowCoach, snowmobile or via ice ax or by following a compass, enjoy one of these unique adventures this winter. 

From the top of the world!   Want to summit the tallest peak in the Northeast this winter in a day? The Mount Washington Observatory’s Winter Day trips offer the chance to get to the top of New England's highest peak in the winter. It starts with a fun snowcat ride to the top of Mount Washington, then spend a day reveling in the mountain's legendary weather and scenery. A highlight of your visit will be a guided tour of the Mount Washington Observatory's famous mountaintop weather station and the opportunity to meet the scientists living and working in this remote outpost. Then, after a hearty, homemade lunch, you'll head back down the mountain before nightfall and have the chance to tell all your meteorologist-wanna-be friends what an adventure you had at the top of the world – well at least at the top of New Hampshire!  For those who want something longer, the Observatory offers Overnight Edu-trips as well.

Atop a wall of ice: Want the thrill of getting to the top using your own two feet and hands, and a sharp ice ax? Mt. Washington Valley is home to three renowned climbing schools - International Mountain Climbing School, EMS and Northeast Mountaineering - all of which offer guided mountaineering and ice climbing trips to Mt. Washington and the surrounding Presidentials. And from February 1 – 3, 2019, Mt Washington Valley celebrates Icefest 2019 when some of the best ice climbers and “chicks with picks” come to Mt Washington Valley for clinics and comradery. Whether you’re brand new to the sport, or a seasoned ice climber, Mt Washington Valley offers a wide variety of terrain, learning experiences and knowledgeable retailers. 

Why stick to the trails? Go backcountry!  Mt Washington Valley offers a wide variety of backcountry terrain for those who wish to go “off piste”. And from March 8-10, learn from the experts at the Mt Washington Back Country Ski Festival.  Whether you're an alpine skier looking to make the transition into the backcountry or a seasoned ski mountaineer, this Backcountry Ski Festival offers an adventure in the White Mountains while you learn new skills during full-day courses. Experienced guides will be leading skiers in sessions geared for different interests and skill levels, such as Intro to Backcountry Skiing; Avalanche Awareness & Rescue; and Ski Mountaineering.  Festival participants can also ski on their own, enjoying beautiful terrain and gear demos, plus there’s plenty of time to swap stories at the après ski social hours and evening events.

From the Seat of a Snow Coach: You’ve heard of sightseeing in the summer, but very often in the colder months. This winter, travel up the Mt. Washington Auto Road via the one-of-a-kind SnowCoach. A specially constructed all-wheel drive and unique 4-track system allows the SnowCoach to deliver you to the world above treeline at the 4.5 mile mark on the Auto Road for an unforgettable winter experience. For the more adventurous, the SnowCoach offers the option to XC ski, telemark or snowshoe back down the Auto Road. SnowCoach tours last approximately 1.5 hours and depart daily, weather permitting, December through March from Great Glen Trails .  For a true adventure in 2019, get in on a sunrise SnowCoach tour, January 20, February 17 , 20 , 24, 2019.  You’ll need to reserve well ahead – these are popular!

From the back of a Dogsled:  Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel, based in Jefferson offers a variety of year-round dogsled rides. Dog sledding tours here range from introductory experiences to interactive clinics, for ages two and up. While our dog sledding adventures vary in duration, they are all designed to be more than "just a ride". Guests are encouraged to be hands on to their comfort level and are given the opportunity to meet and greet sled dogs (we are currently home to just over 70, some of which are rescue and second chance) and help their musher prepare the team for the trail! Call 603-545-4533 for more information or check out their website for more information. 

Experience winter with Redline Guiding: If you’re looking for short-duration, low-key, completely customized outdoor adventures, wilderness educational opportunities, Redline Guiding can offer a wide variety of adventure offerings including hiking, snowshoeing, alpine and Nordic backcountry skiing, 4000-footers, and mountaineering (winter Mt Washington trips).  For those seeking more survival and backcountry options, consider Redline Guiding’s  educational opportunities including wilderness navigation (map and compass), winter hike skills, mountaineering skills, glacier skills, camp craft/backpacking, a hiking introduction, river crossing skills, and a Nordic backcountry skiing introduction.  And believe it or not, if a winter mountaintop wedding is in you plans, Redline Guiding can provide a variety of wedding services. Their senior guide is also a NH Justice of the Peace and will perform mountain-top and wilderness wedding services. Now that’s an adventure!

From the seat of a snowmobile:  Whether it’s gliding through peaceful pine woods, on the state of New Hampshire’s hundreds of miles of trails (which go right through Mt Washington Valley) or across open meadows, Mt Washington Valley is one place with tons of terrain and trails for snowmobile adventures.  Mt Washington Valley is lucky to have many snowmobile outfitters offering rentals, guided tours and sales of sleds and accessories.  And now with all the snow on the trails, the rest of the winter promises to be amazing for guided and unguided tours.

When it comes time to plan your winter adventure, visit www.MtWashigntonValley.org for complete trip-planning resources.  To talk directly with a vacation planning concierge, please call 1-800-DO-SEE-NH (800-367-3364).  To learn more about vacations in New Hampshire, visit www.VisitNH.gov.

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Photos available upon request or visit the Mt Washington Valley online Flickr Gallery for photos.  Above photo credited to Ross Henry.