Press Kit

A recap of new additions, updates and changes in Mt Washington Valley, NH for 2019



Good news from Mt Washington Valley, NH – November 14, 2019

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

WHAT’S NEW IN MT WASHINGTON VALLEY? PLENTY!

From updates and additions at ski resorts to a brand new aquarium, there’s plenty of additions to year-round fun in Mt Washington Valley, NH

North Conway, NH – Construction crews have been busy. Ski resorts and XC Centers have been planning, adding new facilities, and are now open.  The Mt Washington Valley community is excited about the new additions and can’t wait for visitors to experience the recent changes and updates throughout the Valley.

Living Shores, a new year round aquarium in Mt Washington Valley

Story Land may be closed for the winter, planning its upcoming 67th season, but the biggest buzz is the brand new separately-gated attraction, Living Shores Aquarium, which just opened in early November. Located next door to Story Land, this year-round indoor facility houses more than 32,000 square feet of marine life and activities for visitors of all ages.

The new Living Shores Aquarium features four tide pool areas which allow kids and adults to reach into the water and touch sea life from Sea Stars and Hermit Crabs, to Sting Rays and Bamboo Sharks. In addition, a Tropical Rainforest Aviary is fully immersive;  Lorikeets will soar overhead from perch to perch, while Red Footed Tortoises stroll along the rainforest floor. More than ten additional exhibits will provide homes for approximately 100 different species, including brightly colored Caribbean life, freshwater fish found in New Hampshire’s lakes and rivers, plus the well-loved Clown Fish and Blue Tang.  One of the highlights of Living Shores Aquarium is found in the center of the main exhibit floor – an exhibit of the well-loved Asian Small-Clawed Otters. These social, intelligent, and vocal animals are sure to charm everyone with their mischievous antics.

In addition to its aquatic and animal exhibits, Living Shores also features two interactive  stations for exploration and discovery. The Augmented Reality Sandbox adjusts to valleys and mountains dug in the sand, allowing kids to see what kind of marine life lives in the landscape they created. At Draw Alive, children can design and color their own underwater creatures, scan them, then watch as they come alive in a giant wall-sized underwater environment. Both these exhibits are sure to bring out the creativity in visitors young and old.

Living Shores Aquarium will operate year round, offering a variety of indoor, family friendly activities for all visitors to enjoy. For more information on experiences, dining, and more, visit LivingShoresAquarium.com.

Additions and Updates to Mt Washington Valley’s ski resorts and XC Centers

Attitash Mountain Resort & Wildcat Mountain: Attitash and Wildcat were among a group of Peak Resorts ski areas that were purchased by Vail Resorts over the summer.  This means both resorts are added to the Epic Pass, offering skiers access to all 37 Vail-owned ski resorts, which will bring new skiers to the Valley.

Black Mountain:Black Mountain added 52 new next-gen low-energy snow guns and installed a snowmaking control system to increase efficiency.

Bretton Woods - Bretton Woods introduced New Hampshire’s first eight-passenger Gondola that travels at 1,200-feet per minute, debuting for the 2019-2020 ski season. In addition, construction on a 16,000 square-foot on-mountain dining-and-event venue is underway with an anticipated open date of summer of 2020. 

Cranmore Mountain Resort - Phase II of Kearsarge Brook Condominiums at Cranmore Mountain Resort broke ground on August 20, 2019. This represents the second phase of a $50 million development with year-round residences and expanded base facilities and will add 18 new condominiums to the complex.

King Pine:The “Milt’s Place” lodge at the base of the Black Bear triple lift has been renovated at King Pine.

Great Glen Trails : Great Glen Trails’ biggest investment for this winter is the addition of a new SnowCoach. Other improvements to Great Glen Trails Nordic Center include upgrades to their tubing hill and drainage work at the racing facility in the stadium area. 

Jackson XC: Jackson Ski Touring has added four miles of new trails as part of a $400,000 capital campaign, the largest trail expansion and improvement project in the organization’s history.

REI adds new Co-op Store to North Conway’s Settlers Crossing

REI Co-op opened its first New Hampshire store in North Conway on September 27, 2019. Providing a gateway to outdoor adventure in Mt Washington Valley, the 24,779 square foot REI North Conway store will feature a new concept in the retail experience combining outdoor gear, guided outdoor experiences and a wide variety of equipment for rent. 
 
According to an REI press release, “REI North Conway differs from the co-op's traditional retail spaces in that rather than being designed for the products it sells, it is designed first to be a launching pad for outdoor activities – a place where people of all levels of expertise can gather to plan their trip, pick up rentals or a new piece of gear, or enjoy a guided outdoor experience. While most REI stores are located where members live, work and shop, REI North Conway is located closer to where they get outside and play.”

REI will offer workshops, classes and guided day programs in the White Mountains all accessed at the store. For a full list of guided and instructional programs and to learn more, visit REI.com.

White Mountain Hotel & Resort expansion

The White Mountain Hotel & Resort has announced plans for an expansion of the hotel that will feature 40 new superior guest rooms and suites, a new ballroom featuring over 3,000 sq. ft. of meeting and function space, plus a new club house and pro shop for the Hales Location Golf Course.  The new ballroom will accommodate weddings and meeting for up to 220 guests and once completed will be the largest ballroom with an unobstructed view in the area.  The hotel plans to break ground in Spring 2020 with a targeted opening date of June 1, 2021. 

Now that the ski resorts are open, and winter fun is underway, isn’t it time to start planning a winter getaway to Mt Washington Valley to enjoy some of these new options and upgrades?  Visit www.MtWashingtonValley.org for complete trip planning resources or call 800-367-3364 (800-DO-SEE-NH) to talk with a vacation planner.  For more information on New Hampshire getaways, visit www.VistNH.gov.

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Photo shows family fun at the new Living Shores Aquarium. Credit: Living Shores.

Additional photos available at the online Flickr photo gallery, click here