Press Kit

For Immediate Release
June 2, 2021

Contact: Jaimie Crawford
pr@mtwashingtonvalley.org 

North Conway, NH - All eyes were on this year’s Memorial Day Weekend, after a year of operating within the confines of a global pandemic. While Mt. Washington Valley businesses persevered through the summer and fall foliage seasons of 2020, and ski areas creatively addressed ticketing options and tail-gating during the winter season, summer of 2021 held a lot of unknowns.

With restrictions easing and some going away altogether, people being vaccinated and capacity limits increasing, it was a hard call to make on how this year’s summer visitor would respond to the changes. Memorial Day Weekend also came with a cold-spell this year with temperatures in the 50’s and rain in the forecast.

 Regardless of the weather and the lingering effects of Covid-19, valley businesses reported a strong Memorial Day Weekend. Visitors were eager to get out and enjoy the Mt. Washington Valley, rain or shine. Many visitors are happy to be able to capture a sense of normalcy after a year of being cooped up. The holiday weekend, which signifies the unofficial  kick-off to summer for many, was a way for people to get out and get back to the activities they love to do most in the valley.

In the case of Indian Mound Golf Club, owner Jonathan Rivers, reported a strong weekend. Despite the rain golfers were happy “While the mixed weather pattern was challenging, [the weekend was] better than expected. There we many happy golfers and summer bookings are very strong.” 

Terry MacGillivray of Northeast Polaris Adventures remains cautiously optimistic about summer numbers. While Northeast Polaris Adventures went from 30 side-by-side rentals for Memorial Day Weekend 2020 due to Covid restrictions, to 315 rentals for Memorial Day Weekend 2021, it’s hard to tell if this boom in numbers will sustain itself through the summer. MacGillivray did note that guests had great and appreciative attitudes. This was the first year that Northeast introduced e-bike rentals to ride the Presidential Rail Trail which garnered favorable responses from those that rode the trail.

Terry O’Brien of Red Parka Pub reported “Saturday and Sunday guest counts that beat out 2019.” Showing promise for a strong summer. The restaurant saw a lot of families and first-time guests, which shows interest from new markets, and a chance to introduce the valley and all it holds to a new set of customers. O’Brien also shared that “guests who visited Red Parka Pub were appreciative and shared a kind attitude,” an important thing to note as we enter the summer season.

The Glen House Hotel also saw a strong weekend, with Tom Spaulding, General Manager, sharing that the hotel was nearly full on Friday and Sunday, and fully booked on Saturday. In line with what Terry O’Brien experienced with guests, The Glen House’s visitors were also accepting of Covid-19 restrictions and mask requirements. 

One thing that Spaulding noted that is most likely a pain point for many valley businesses is having an adequate amount of employees. “Staffing issues continue to be a problem which the hotel is dealing with on a day-by-day basis.”

Carol Sullivan, owner of the White Mountain Hotel, echoed Spaulding’s staffing concerns, noting that it would also be a challenge for the hotel. But after a being closed for three months for a complete renovation of the hotel, the hotels re-opening went off with a bang, with the hotel selling out for the weekend. Sullivan thanked her team for rising to the challenge, and working so hard despite the challenges presented by the pandemic.

Weddings, the Fryeburg Academy graduation, and Memorial Day craft fairs also supported this holiday weekend’s success. After being put on hold for a year, in-person gatherings such as these were sure to increase bookings and visitation to the valley. 

Megan Scheid, General Manager of the Eastern Slope Inn, saw strong occupancy and a lot of energy and activity in North Conway village due to the North Conway Community Center’s Memorial Day Craft Fair.

 The responses of Mt. Washington Valley businesses shed a forecast on what sounds like the promise of a strong summer. In preparation for such a busy season, the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the White Mountain Collaborative is increasing its efforts in spreading awareness of outdoor conservation, sustainability, protection, and Leave No Trace principles through the NH State program, “Don’t Take NH For Granite.”

 For more information about visiting Mt Washington Valley during the upcoming summer season, go to www.MtWashingtonValley.org or call 800-367-3364 (800-DO-SEE-NH) .  For more information on New Hampshire vacations, please visit www.VisitNH.gov.

Photo ? Wiseguy Creative of Conway Scenic Railroad