Press Kit

Check out these ten spring 'tings to do in Mt Washington Valley, NH

Good News from Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce – March 21, 2019

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

Ten Fabulous “Spring ‘Tings” in Mt Washington Valley, NH

North Conway, NH – The advent of spring in most parts of the country means budding crocuses and the start of beach season. Here in Northern New Hampshire, spring is actually split into two seasons: Spring Skiing followed by real spring. The longer days and the warming sun does get the snow melting and the waterfalls rushing, but with more than 210” of snowfall this season, and more expected before it stops, the ski season will extend, much to the glee of die-hard skiers. Spring is a special time of year marked by 50 shades of green, but that beautiful and vibrant palette provided by Mother Nature comes a little later for us in Mt Washington Valley.

With springtime comes several annual events and recreational opportunities for those ready to get out and enjoy the warm air and outdoor recreation.

Ten great spring ‘tings to do in Mt Washington Valley, NH

Spring skiing & skimming

With all the snow at the Valley’s ski resorts, the ski season is predicted to go right into May. Cranmore Mountain resort recently announced their ski season will extend for additional weekends, and Wildcat Mountain has predicted they’ll go until May. Tis the time for pond skimming and spring festivals at all of the ski resorts. Here’s a schedule:

March 23: Spring Splash Bash at Cranmore: How far can you make it across the splash pool? Will you sink, skim or splash? Plus, live music, prizes, giveaways and more! Info: www.Cranmore.com.
March 30: 32nd Annual Beach Party at Bretton Woods Ski Area: Join in for Bretton Woods 32nd Annual Beach Party at Bretton Woods. Spring skiing, live music, BBQ, & après ski fun! Don’t forget about the annual Slush Pool event. Break out the beach attire and hit the slopes for just $35! (Special tickets available at ticket windows and online). Info: www.BrettonWoods.com.
March 31: Pond Skimming and Beach Party at King Pine: End the ski season with a splash! Skiers and riders attempt to cross the man-made shark-pond at the base of King Pine on the final day of the season. Hawaiian shirts recommended! Course inspection at 12:00pm; race begins at 1:00 p.m. Registration form and waiver needed. Info: https://www.kingpine.com/events/pond-skimming.
March 30: Annual Pond Skimming at Attitash: The last event of the season and a rite of passage for skiers and riders who attempt to make it across the pond without falling. If you’re not up to the challenge, no worries. This is a fun event for spectators. For complete schedule, click here.

Tuckerman Ravine & backcountry skiing 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).

And for the ultimate in spring adventure spectator events, taking in all of the spring adventure, don’t miss the Friends of Tuckerman Inferno Pentahlon on April 13, 2019, combining an 8-mile hilly run, 18-mile bicycle course, 6-mile kayak down the Saco River, a 3+ mile hike up Mt Washington, followed by a 1+ mile ski down Tuckerman Ravine. Afterward, a TuckerMAN and TuckerWOMAN are crowed for their amazing fortitude.

And backcountry skiers aren’t just confined to Tuckerman Ravine. In fact, they gather at Black Mountain for the annual 2^nd Annual Wild Corn Shindig on April 6, 2019. The Second Annual Wild Corn Backcountry Shindig fires off this year Come celebrate the backcountry season with a true spring time party all to benefit Granite Backcountry Alliance! Look forward to live music, BBQ, speakers, games like Human Jenga and of course Corn Hole, SKIMO Race, Shovel Race, demos, and more - a can't miss spring time event under the sun at Black. Tickets: http://skireg.com/wildcorn.

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 38^th Annual Bratwurst Boil and Open House at White Mountain Oil on June 14, 2019.

Chomp on Chili

Now in its 16^th year, chili-lovers unite in North Conway for a chilly chili cookoff. While the day may be chilly in North Conway. the chili will be hot-hot-hot for the 16^th Annual North Conway Chili Cookoff, scheduled for Saturday, April 6, 2019 from 11:00am to 3:00pm at the North Conway Community Center. Professional and non-professional chefs along with… new this year… kids, will bring their best so come hungry and ready to enjoy various kinds of chili, cornbread, and more. For those who’d prefer a taste of soup, samplings will be available, and Trail’s End Ice Cream will be on hand selling an alternative to hot chili. It’s a great way to warm up after a chilly winter. Chili Cookoff tickets are $15 for adults, $7 children 12 & under, and ages 4 & under free. Tickets may be purchased online or at the door.

As the Water Falls

Mt Washington Valley, NH received nearly a record-breaking 215-inches of snow during the 2018-19 ski season (at Bretton Woods). With that much snow, imagine how the waterfalls will rush as winter snow melt feeds the rivers and streams around the Valley. Yankee Magazine tells readers that 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.

Watching 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!

Attractions open

A number of attractions, like the 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 (at least for weekends) 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.

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 wardrobe shake up

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 From May 17-19, 2019 look for Settlers Green’s Victoria Day Sidewalk Sales, then the following weekend, from May 24-27, it’s time for Memorial Day sales at Settlers Green and throughout North Conway too. Top it all off on June 1, 2019 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

As spring blooms, crops appear, and the outdoor farmers markets and farm stands start once again throughout Mt Washington Valley. Shop local and enjoy farm to table dining from Mt Washington Valley’s finest farmers.

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.

# # #

Photo of Tuckerman Ravine skiers. Photos available online at the MWVCC Flickr Photo gallery. Click here.

Or request photos from PR@MtWashingtonValley.org.