Press Kit

Mt. Washington Valley – a year-round overview

The Mt. Washington Valley of New Hampshire takes in 27 towns that surround Mount Washington, the tallest peak in the Northeast and the pinnacle of The White Mountains of New Hampshire at 6,288 feet. While North Conway, may be the best known of these towns, each one offers a unique addition to this vast vacationland. By summer, the area boasts 15 major family attrations, 12 golf courses open to the public with 150 total holes of scenic golf, hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails, and weeks worth of scenic drives within the scenic 660,000 acre White Mountain National Forest. Touting 7 alpine ski resorts and 6 nordic (x-country) ski and snowshoe centers, and 200 miles of snowmobiling trails, this region of the White Mountains offers more downhill, x-country ski & snowshoe and snowmobiling trails than any other destination in New England.

Yankee Magazine calls the Mt. Washington Valley “Winter’s Home Town”. Men's Journal says it's among the top ten mountain adventure towns and National Geographic named North Conway among the top 25 ski towns in the world this year!  TripAdvisor has named North Conway the #1 most affordable ski destination in the Northeast and the #2 most affordable in the U.S. It’s the ultimate winter vacation destination offering not only world-class alpine and cross country skiing but also snowboarding, ice skating, snowmobiling, snow tubing, horsedrawn sleigh rides, winter hiking and climbing. Located in New Hampshire’s scenic Eastern White Mountain region, the Mt. Washington Valley has it all:
*250 alpine trails
*Hundreds of kilometers of Nordic terrain
*200 Miles of snowmobile trails
*150 lodging properties, including grand and resort hotels, charming country inns and quaint Bed and Breakfasts
*Over 75 unique restaurants and cafes
*200 outlet shops and boutiques, all offering tax-free shopping
* More than 25 family attractions, live theater offerings and summer programs
* 12 scenic golf courses with more than 150 holes.

For alpine skiers, choose from Attitash, Black Mountain, Bretton Woods, Cranmore Mountain Resort, King Pine Ski Area, and Wildcat Mountain, all in New Hampshire, and Shawnee Peak in nearby Bridgton, Maine. Nordic ski areas include Bear Ski Touring, Bretton Woods Cross Country Center, Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center, King Pine Nordic Center, Jackson Ski Touring Foundation and the MWV Ski Touring and Snowshoe Center. Yet there are plenty of ways to enjoy the mountains for non-skiers too.  Both Cranmore and Attitash offer mountain coasters - think roller coaster down a snow covered mountain in the winter, yet these coasters are actually year-round!  Additionally, there's snow tubing, dog sled rides, sleigh rides and more all based on or off the mountains at ski resorts.

There are several fitness centers and spas in the Valley and an indoor ice skating at the state-of-the-art Ham Arena in Conway Village. Outdoor skating can be enjoyed in Schouler Park in North Conway Village, or in the village of Jackson. Ice climbing is popular in this region, with several local climbing schools and shops. For those interested in weather, the Mt. Washington Observatory Weather Discovery Center in North Conway is a must-see while visiting the valley. It is the only museum totally dedicated to weather in the country. And for the younger set, the new Mt. Washington Valley Children’s Museum is the perfect place for inquisitive children up to eight years old, year-round.

By summer, Mt. Washington Valley offers everything from horseback to hiking with plenty of biking, swimming, waterfalls and mountain top adventure in-between. Family attractions abound from trains to planes to automobiles. For the younger set, Story Land and Santa’s Village offer fantasy fun, bringing back families for generations. Those hoping to explore Mount Washington can choose from guided van rides to their own car for trips up the Mt. Washington Auto Road, the first man made attraction in the country. For those who’d rather go by train, a trip to the top of the Northeast’s highest peak on the famous Cog Railroad is always a thrill. The Conway Scenic Railroad is another option for visitors to enjoy the lure of the train, and the Hartmann Model Train Museum is also another great choice for train buffs. Attitash offers a water park, BMX bike course, mountain biking and the Alpine Slide – perfect for families with kids from tots to teens and the new zipline offering the longest continuous ride in the Eastern US. In fact the ski resorts convert to summer adventure in the warmer months. The Wildcat Gondola and ZipRider ride offer a spectacular view right into Tuckerman Ravine and Bretton Wood's canopy tour and scenic chairlift rides are ideal for those who love the thrill of the spill down the mountain or a ride up.  Cranmore's Adventure park offers something for everyone from summer tubing and the Big Swing to Segway tours on mountain trails plus more. Monkey Trunks in Chocorua offers a high ropes course that'll surely thrill all ages and the Bretton Woods Canopy Tour is another thrilling high-in-the-sky ride.  Take a guided moose tour or enjoy a moose scavenger hunt.  It's all here in Mt Washington Valley.

For those looking for a bit of culture or history, the Remick Country Doctor Museum and Farm always has a packed schedule of events offering a glimpse into the history of many of today’s customs, from ice harvesting to maple syruping in the spring to candle and cheese making in the fall. The Valley abounds with live theater, from Tamworth’s Barnstormer Theater – the first live summer stock theater in the country - to the Eastern Slope Players offering a full summer season of musicals. Deertrees Theater is perfect for those looking for a varied schedule from children’s concerts to comedy and the new Stone Mountain Arts Center offers a fabulous year-round venue for everything from folk to jazz. For those seeking a taste of classical, Arts Jubilee Concerts are a wonderful way to enjoy a summer picnic and local Pops under the stars held at Cranmore Resortand Mountain Top Music Center  are perfect for those seeking a touch of the classical.

Mt. Washington Valley sports eleven golf courses, offering more than 150 holes of scenic and challenging golf all within thirty minutes from North Conway, NH. Look for pastoral, rolling courses like the Mountain View Grand’s course also offering spectacular mountain views. Each course from the North Conway Country Club, Wentworth Golf Club and Hale’s Location Golf Course, more centrally set to Androscoggin Valley Country Club and Waumbek Country Club in Jefferson and Indian Mound, Bridgton Highlands Course and Province Lake Golf Course to the South offer their own unique set of clubhouse activities, restaurants and course highlights. The Omni Mount Washington Hotel and Eagle Mountain House, both beautifully restored grand hotels, each offer their own courses open to the public too.  There are even a few mini-golf courses in Mt Washington Valley!

No one comes to Mt. Washington Valley without doing a little shopping. No matter what their interest – from hand-blown glass and hand crafted New Hampshire gifts to athletic, ski and snowboard equipment, it’s here in Mt. Washington Valley. Ice and rock climbers flock to North Conway where there are more outfitters and retailers than just about any other part of the country. With over 200 outlets, boutiques, apparel, gift and antique shops, all offering tax-free shopping, this region of New England is one of the premier shopping Mecca’s in the country.

Lodging comes in all shapes, sizes and budgets too. Choose from full service resorts and conference centers to vacation rentals, condos, motels, country inns and B&Bs, even hostels. There are plenty of choices with every budget accommodated. New to the Valley, a number of indoor water parks are appearing, offering families a year-round chance at indoor swimming while staying at some of the local resorts too. 

Serving as your one-stop venue for lodging, event and vacation planning information is the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce. To help book your vacation, go to www.mtwashingtonvalley.org. You can also call 1-800-DO-SEE-NH (800-367-3364) or write: MWVCC, P.O. Box 2300., North Conway, N.H. 03860 for a vacation planning guide.

We’re delighted to welcome you to Mt. Washington Valley where as our motto reads, “anything is possible”. Please plan to return season after season for more adventure.

Media Contact: Marti Mayne, 207-846-6331, info@maynelymarketing.com.