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Western White Mountain Chamber

Basecamp of the White Mountains in New Hampshire

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Family Fun

White Mountains Heroes: New England Disabled Sports (NEDS)

July 10, 2023

new_england_disabled_sports

New England Disabled Sports (NEDS) lives up to its slogan of “Where Boundaries are Broken.” NEDS offers a place for anyone of any ability to be active, and they’re passionate about doing it! 

For those unfamiliar with NEDs, we’ve assembled some helpful details about the great work with help from Terry MacDonald, their Managing Director. 

new_england_disabled_sports

What is NEDS?

NEDS is an organization located at the Loon Mountain Resort and the Bretton Woods Ski Resort that has been nationally recognized for its adaptive sport instruction work with adults and children that have either physical and cognitive disabilities. 

This important non-profit is also a tailored effort for all abilities. “Each lesson is individualized for each specific student – it is not a group lesson. NEDS provides lessons to any individual with a disability, whether it’s a physical or cognitive disability. NEDS relies on donations and grant funds to purchase the most state-of-the-art equipment and to be able to provide affordable sports instruction. NEDS ensures that every person, regardless of ability or financial ability, has an equal opportunity to participate in sports and recreation in their community. We encourage people to think about accessibility and how to make the world more accessible and inclusive,” said MacDonald.

new_england_disabled_sports

Humble Beginnings & Incredible Growth 

When they first started out in 1987, NEDS was known as the White Mountain Adaptive Snow Sports and was a mostly volunteer effort. Since then it has grown by leaps and bounds. 

“We started as a ski/snowboard program only. In 2003, we added summer sports and the Pre-Adaptive Coach (PAC) Program that winter. In 2007, we hit 2,000 winter lessons. In 2009, we built our 4,000+ square foot building and in 2011, it was formally dedicated as The Dr. Bob Harney Sports Center after one of its founders. In 2012, we took over the adaptive program at Bretton Woods. We currently provide approximately 3,500 year-round lessons. We grew from one staff member and six volunteers to five staff members and over 200 volunteers today,” said MacDonald.

As MacDonald noted, NEDS also offers a unique PAC training program for high school volunteers that want to learn about coaching those with disabilities.

“The PAC program is an exceptional opportunity for aspiring coaches who want to learn how to work with adaptive athletes and help them achieve their goals. This program is designed to provide short-term, immediate benefits including healthy, productive winter activities, disability awareness, an interactive and exciting learning environment, new experiences, new friends, and fun!” said MacDonald. 

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A Multi-Season Experience

No matter when people want to get active, NEDS has a program available. 

In the summertime, they offer pickleball, golf, kayaking, standup paddle boarding, cycling, and mountain biking programs. 

“When students accomplish things that they or their parents didn’t think they could ever do and providing sports opportunities for disabled veterans [are the most exciting parts of the NEDS summer camps],” said MacDonald.

In winter, people can participate in alpine skiing, snowboarding, nordic skiing, and snowshoeing. To make these sports accessible to all, they offer state-of-the-art equipment like the monoski, which can help those without lower extremities, the bi ski, which can assist people who have varied limb impairments or balance issues, four track skiing, which is a strong options for people with strength or balance problems along with those who have conditions like cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, post-polio, spinal cord injury, stroke, muscular dystrophy, and spina bifida. 

Those are just three of the innovative tools they use to help athletes adapt, but NEDS actually offers many more.

They also host custom camps for between 10 and 25 people and year-round options for wounded (emotionally or physically) military members. 

new_england_disabled_sports

Living the Mission

The lifeblood of NEDS is the passion that volunteers, donors, and athletes all share for their Mission of “Through sports and recreation, to enhance lives affected by disabilities.” 

“People want to feel good about helping others and making sure there are no financial barriers to keep them from participating in sports and recreation,” said MacDonald.

MacDonald also explained that volunteers are pivotal to their success. “NEDS would not be able to operate without our amazing volunteers and the number of hours they provide to give lessons.”

new_england_disabled_sports

Why They Do This

In the end, the reason they do this work is because it makes a difference. We asked MacDonald to share a few notable success stories and she didn’t disappoint! 

She said, “We recently had a student join us for pickleball who used to be an avid tennis player prior to their injury. They were excited to get back on the court for the first time after their injury and loved it!”

She continued, “A student from overseas was reluctant to join us for kayaking but ended up loving the sport because we made them feel safe and comfortable on the water.”

Having the opportunity to make a positive impact on others and creating a space that is welcoming to diverse abilities is incredibly rewarding to MacDonald and her team.

–

We are proud to have NEDS as a member of the Western White Mountains Chamber and are so in awe of the work that they do. If you’d like to support them, please consider donating, volunteering, or raising awareness by sharing this profile piece. Every contribution helps them make an impact. 

For state-wide information, head to VisitNH.gov

visitnh.gov

Filed Under: Adventure, Ask The Locals, Family Fun, Featured Tagged With: adaptive sports, Adventure, All Ages, family friendly, Family Fun, new england disabled sports, recreation, Seasonal Activities, sports, What to Do, white mountains

Hike Safe, Leave No Trace

June 6, 2023

hike safe nh

Is there anything more soothing to the soul than nature? It has inspired poets, has been the meditative escape of world leaders, and hiking in it is a recreation choice that serves all people from casual walkers to extreme athletes (depending on the difficulty). 

“Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat.” – Laura Ingalls Wilder

“My wish is to stay always like this, living quietly in a corner of nature.” – Claude Monet

“The poetry of the earth is never dead.” – John Keats

“The spiritual uplift, the goodwill, cheerfulness and optimism that accompanies every expedition to the outdoors is the peculiar spirit that our people need in times of suspicion and doubt…No other organized joy has values comparable to the outdoor experience.” – Herbert Hoover

To be sure, nature, particularly the kind that can be found when hiking in the White Mountains region, is something grand to experience, but before you lace up your boots and fill your backpack, consider these helpful tips on how to help preserve nature and yourself. 

hike safe nh

SAFETY

hikeSafe and Hike Safe Cards

The hikeSafe is a program provided by The NH Fish and Game Department and the White Mountain National Forest. Together, they promote a code that all hikers and outdoor enthusiasts should follow to keep themselves safe, and they sell the Hike Safe Card. 

What’s a Hike Safe Card? It’s your ticket out of having to pay rescue costs should the worst-case scenario happen to you. Also, it’s not just for hikers! Any outdoor explorer, casual and up, can purchase one for $25, and whole families are covered when they pay $35.

hike safe nh

How to Avoid a Rescue 

Ideally, you’ll never need a rescue, so to make that event less likely, prepare in advance for your adventure by doing all of the following: 

  1. Be proactive – Before you run off into the wild, take time to find out what the experience will be like (think terrain type, weather conditions, etc.). This will help inform what type of items you’ll need to pack to be comfortable and ready for anything.
  2. Tell a friend or family member – This advice isn’t exclusive to hiking. Tell someone where you are planning to go as well as your expected return time. And, if you are running behind schedule, update that person. This knowledge will help your close contacts sound the alarm if you end up in a bit of trouble.
  3. Go in groups and stay in groups – We know that there are some who will opt to hike by themselves, but in general, it’s always smart to bring someone along. 
  4. Be ready to pivot – Many different factors can disrupt hikes, and that’s perfectly fine as long as you react appropriately to them. If the weather takes a turn or you become unexpectedly tired, it’s time to turn back and take on the hike another day. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
  5. Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst – Rescue services are available, but the best case is to be ready to save yourself. Much of that preparation can be done simply by following the tips above. What you pack and the actions you take could make a major difference, so don’t take the advice lightly.

As noted above, here is an official hiker code you can review here, which inspired our list. 

hike safe nh

ECOFRIENDLINESS

Nature is beautiful, but it’s made much less so by those who harm its natural splendor. That’s why hikers should plan ahead so that they leave no trace. Here are some ways to preserve the natural majesty:

  1. Carry in, carry out – It’s simple, whatever you bring with you should leave with you. The best way to do this is to pack trash bags for all kinds of refuse. If you pack a lunch full of chip and candy bags, keep them on your person and dispose of them at home. If you hike on a dog-friendly trail, bring bags to scoop up their poop and plan to take them with you. This approach will allow others that come after you to fully enjoy the same experience you did.
  2. Pick up after others – Unfortunately, not everyone is going to obey the rules of courtesy, but you can be someone else’s hero (or just Mother Nature’s) by picking up trash along the way. Bring an empty bag and remove what doesn’t belong. That simple action can be a gift to the next hiker and to the earth, plus it will make you feel good inside! Win, win!
  3. Be careful with fire – Burn local (down and dead) firewood, use campfires and fire rings safely, and extinguish fires completely every time.
  4. Keep wildlife wild – Observe animals from a distance, refrain from feeding them, and always store your food securely.
  5. Share the outdoors –Be kind and respectful to everyone you meet or pass in New Hampshire’s great outdoors. If a trailhead or camping area is already crowded, consider a different hike or destination. We all love the outdoors, but we don’t want to “love it to death”.

Learn more about all of the Leave No Trace Principles and more here.

hike safe nh

PREPARE LOCALLY

Did you know that while you prepare you can support our local community? It’s true! Many of the items you need to get ready for a successful, sensational hike are available locally. Here are a few helpful stops you can make. 

  • Mountain Wanderer 
    • Books, guides, maps, and more are all available at The Mountain Wanderer in Lincoln. They sell products that outline everything from the best hike choices to personal journeys. 
    • Visit: Route 112, Lincoln, New Hampshire 
  • Burgeon Outdoor
    • For all your outerwear needs, stop into Burgeon Outdoor. They have a wide selection of men, women, and children that will help you take full advantage of the outdoors in comfort.  
    • Visit: 25 South Mountain Drive, Unit A4, Lincoln, New Hampshire 
  • White Mountain Bagel Co
    • We recommend White Mountain Bagel Co for a prime before-hike breakfast. Their bagels (and everything else) have raving fans. Here’s just one example: 
    • “Good coffee. Good hot chocolate. Bagels were tasty and the few sandwiches my family tried were all fresh. Exactly what you want for a quick, easy breakfast.” – Jeremy A
    • Visit: 25 Main Street, Lincoln, New Hampshire
  • Arnold’s Wayside Diner
    • For a classic diner experience during breakfast or lunch, run on down to Arnold’s Wayside Diner. They serve breakfast all day long, and it’s delicious!
    • Visit: 93 US Route 3, Lincoln, New Hampshire
  • The White Mountain Visitor Center
    • For general information and a host of idea suggestions, there’s no better choice than The White Mountain Visitor Center. Free brochures, a lovely gift shop, and most importantly, a knowledgeable team await your visit. 
    • Visit: 200 Kancamagus Highway, North Woodstock, New Hampshire
  • KS Market
    • KS Market is a top choice for all kinds of things including snacks, drinks, and gas. They even have a self-serve car wash, camping, RV, and car supplies, and a dump station. Honestly, whatever you might need, before or after a hike (or for any kind of White Mountains adventure) is likely there. Make sure to stop in!
    • Visit: 85 Main Street, Lincoln, New Hampshire
  • Chutters 
    • While you can certainly get plenty of snacks at some of the previous places we suggested, if you’re really craving candy, Chutters is the place for you. They have the world’s longest candy counter filled with everything from your wildest dreams. It’s truly a can’t-miss.
    • Visit: 43 Main Street, New Hampshire

Are you ready to go? There’s so much to see and do! Just remember to prepare, be safe, and be eco-conscious. We must all work together to help keep the world as wonderful as possible.

For state-wide information, head to VisitNH.gov

visitnh.gov

Filed Under: Adventure, Hiking, Outdoor, Year Round Tagged With: Adventure, All Ages, Attractions, Fall, Family Fun, Franconia Notch, Lincoln, outdoor activities, Seasonal Activities, Summer, What to Do, white mountains

The Unofficial Western White Mountains Ice Cream Guide

May 23, 2023

ice cream

While there are many signs of summer, none are quite as satisfying as that first lick of a local ice cream cone. And the second taste. And the third…honestly, we can’t get enough. We want you to enjoy as much ice cream as humanly possible in summer 2023, so grab your friends and family and take an unofficial ice cream tour of the Western White Mountains area with us! 

Maple Haven

If ice cream is a part of your seasonal camping enjoyment, you simply can’t beat Maple Haven’s ice cream. Their window is located inside the campground where you can also experience Side StrEatz Restaurant, Mooseilauke Brook, paddle-boating in the pond, and more. You can visit their ice cream window Sunday-Wednesday from noon-8 p.m. or Thursday-Saturday from noon-9 p.m.

Tripadvisor reviewers absolutely love Maple Haven:

“We enjoyed the Ice Cream every night we could,” – Chris M

“The ice cream was a good – a nice, refreshing treat after a day of hiking in the White Mountains,” – AmiLou

Visit: Maple Haven Campground, 109 Lost River Rd, North Woodstock, New Hampshire

ice cream

Coneheads

Coneheads is all about the unique factor. Their claims to fame are many, but some notable ones are:

  1. They craft about 50 flavors on-site
  2. They offer ice cream, yogurt, and sugar-free options
  3. They use locally grown items like berries for their renowned Berry Garcia and walnut halves mixed with New Hampshire Maple syrup for their Maple Walnut
  4. They provide three local restaurants with exclusive flavors they don’t offer on their own flavor board

Visitors can also see how it’s made! Visit the Coneheads Ice Cream Factory and watch first hand how their delicious product is created.

You can start enjoying ice cream at Coneheads on Memorial Weekend, or in general after Father’s Day. 

Visit: 104 Main Street, North Woodstock, New Hampshire

ice cream

Restaurant Specialities and More

  • Woodstock Inn Brewery:
    • Baked Banana Blast – Try this famous homemade dessert. ‘Banana baked in a puff pastry with brown sugar topped with vanilla ice cream, strawberries, hot fudge, and whipped cream. Takes 10-15 minutes to cook, so don’t order if you’re in a hurry :)’
    • Wicked Witch’s Waffle – Ice cream for breakfast? You bet! Enjoy a waffle topped with vanilla ice cream, strawberries and whipped cream.
  • Chutters: You can really go all out when you make ice cream sundaes at home if you stock up on almost any topping you can imagine from Chutters.
  • The Common Man: Ask about their daily flavor of Common Man-made ice cream!
  • Polly’s Pancake Parlor: Order your French Toast with ice cream for a special treat.
  • One Love Brewery: Who doesn’t love a Brownie Sundae? Try theirs which comes with vanilla ice cream for the perfect after dinner delight.

No matter where you choose to get your first cone of 2023, we know it will be wonderful, and we are fairly confident that it won’t be your last. Enjoy this summer to the fullest by trying them all. 

For state-wide information, head to VisitNH.gov

visitnh.gov

Filed Under: Dining Tagged With: dessert, Dining, family friendly, Family Fun, Ice Cream, Seasonal Activities, Summer, white mountains

Get Your Thrills On in the Western White Mountains – Summer

May 4, 2023

Are you an adrenaline junkie or fueled by awesome adventures? The Western White Mountains is the perfect destination to experience year-round adventurous activities. From skiing and dog sledding in the winter to downhill mountain biking and off-roading in the summer, you’ll experience all sorts of thrills that will leave you coming back for more. Choose from a variety of day tours or weeklong adventures to fill your next vacation itinerary.

Loon Mountain Resort

Loon Mountain is a popular place during the winter months, but did you know it’s open during the summer months as well? Enjoy a 1.3-mile scenic ride to the summit of Loon Peak in their four-person Gondola Skyride. At the end of the ascent, enter a high alpine world of refreshing breezes and stunning mountain views encompassing adventure and an array of summit activities. Test your agility, strength and speed in the Wild. Ninja Wild is an outdoor ninja course packed with wilderness-themed obstacles that puts kids (and adults) to the test. Loon also has an impressive downhill mountain biking trail network and bike park!

 

alpine adventures zipline nh

Ziplining (and more!)

A fixture on Main Street Lincoln, Alpine Adventures provides year-round fun for people of all ages. The Thrillsville Challenge Course is a self-guided ropes course designed with bridges, cargo nets, rope ladders, a treehouse, and much more! It’s fun for all ages and a great add-on to the other adrenaline-filled activities that Alpine Adventures has to offer on their private mountain. Alpine Adventures is most known for its zipline courses and unlike other places in the White Mountains, Alpine has two different zipline tours with varying degrees of length and speed. If high flying fun isn’t quite your speed, the Off-Road Adventure Tour in the Pinzgauers is an exciting way to explore Barron Mountain. And don’t miss the new Side x Side off-road tour where you can explore Barron Mountain in your own Kawasaki Teryx KRX 1000s. There are very few places in the world you can ride in a 6×6 Swiss Army Pinzgauer, Zipline across a 1500’ ravine 240’ above the ground at speeds up to 60 MPH, and challenge yourself at an aerial course.

Mt. Washington Cog Railway

The Cog is the first mountain-climbing cog railway in the world and takes riders to the 6,288′ summit of Mt. Washington. With an average grade of 25% (some sections approach nearly 38%), it’s also the second steepest! Motive power is primarily provided by a fleet of seven powerful biodiesel locomotives, each custom designed, built and maintained on site. And with a nod to its steam heritage, the railway also continues to operate a pair of coal-fired steam engines in the warmer months, both well over a century old. The round trip to the summit and back is just under 3 hours!

DirtVentures

DirtVentures offer guests exciting ATV adventures and fresh air – which they say, will make you want to move here immediately! Like their snowmobile tours, there are options for both beginners and experienced riders. Get ready to get dirty!

 

 

 

Downhill Mountain Biking

Loon’s Bike Park is a network of over 7.2 miles of terrain located at Loon Mountain Resort. A work in progress, the mountain plans to offer over 25 miles of downhill and cross-country biking trails once completed. Whether you’re new to the sport or an old pro, this is a bike destination for all riders to enjoy. No gear? No problem! Loon rents equipment and also offers beginner lessons to help you get started.

team oneil rally school nh

Rally School

Live out your Fast and the Furious dreams with Team O’Neil Rally School in Dalton. Founded in 1997, Team O’Neil is an off-road driving school offering courses in rally driving, winter driving, and off-road driving for people looking for a unique experience. The facility has 583 acres with a road course consisting of corners, blind crests, and other features that you’d only see in the movies. Each course lasts approximately one to five days depending on the course and what you hope to learn. As your lessons conclude, you’ll get to take one of the specially designed cars out on the course to test your new knowledge and experience the thrill of a lifetime!

Dog Sledding

Experience the thrill of being pulled by a team of dogs through the woods and fields of the White Mountains. Muddy Paws Dog Sledding provides year-round dog sledding fun for all ages. During the summer and fall months, Muddy Paws offers snowless tours where you ride in a wheeled cart, so no matter what time of year you visit the White Mountains, you can give lots of belly rubs to the hardworking sled dogs!

For state-wide information, head to VisitNH.gov

visitnh.gov

Filed Under: Adventure, Ask The Locals, Attractions, Family Fun, Featured, Outdoor, Summer Tagged With: Adventure, Attractions, Cannon Mountain, dog sledding, Family Fun, Loon Mountain, rock climbing, team o'neil, What to Do, white mountains, Zipline

The Legacy of the Old Man of the Mountain

May 3, 2023

 

Everywhere you look in New Hampshire, you’ll see one of the Granite State’s iconic landmarks – the Old Man of the Mountain. It’s featured on the New Hampshire license plate, road signs, and even the state quarter! But how did the Old Man of the Mountain become part of New Hampshire’s legacy and what happened to him?

Old_Man_of_the_Mountains_by_moonlight

The Birth of the Old Man of the Mountain

Located in Franconia Notch, the Old Man of the Mountain is also known as the “Great Stone Face” by the Abenaki and “the Profile.” To understand where he came from, we have to go back thousands of years to the Wisconsin glaciation and the ice age. For centuries, glaciers over a mile thick covered New England. When the temperatures began to warm, the ice started a thawing and freezing cycle that created erosion in the granite bedrock that shaped the unique features of the Old Man of the Mountain. The Old Man overlooked Profile Lake from 1,200 feet above and was approximately 40 feet tall and 25 feet wide.

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The Life of the Old Man of the Mountain

The Old Man of the Mountain was first discovered and written about by white settlers in 1805 when Francis Whitcomb and Luke Brooks were surveying the area for the Notch road. While farmers frequently traveled over the road to the markets in Boston, no one had seen the Old Man due to the dense underbrush. Luke Brooks woke up in camp early one morning and went to Profile Lake to gather water for breakfast and saw the reflection of the granite face of the Old Man in the lake.

Of course, the legacy of the Old Man of the Mountain predates white settlers by hundreds of years. Known as Stone Face, the Abenaki believe that a human named Nis Kizos was born during an eclipse. He became a great leader and met a beautiful Iroquois woman named Tarlo at a Kchi Mahadan and fell in love. Tarlo had to return to her village to care for her sickened family and Nis Kizos promised he would live at the top of the mountain waiting for her. Tarlo waited day and night for her through the winter, but unfortunately, Tarlo dies in her birth village from the sickness. Gezosa, Nis Kizos’s brother, went to retrieve Nis Kizos in the spring but he was nowhere to be found. As Gezosa was descending the mountain, he looked back and saw that Nis Kisoz became part of the mountain as a stone face to continue looking for his love.

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The Old Man of the Mountain became famous across the country because of Daniel Webster who famously wrote: “Men hand out their signs indicative of their respective trades; shoemakers hang out a gigantic shoe; jewelers a monster watch; and the dentist hangs out a gold tooth; but up in the Mountains of New Hampshire, God Almighty has hung out a sign to show that there He makes men.”

Even Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote about the Old Man in his 1850 “The Great Stone Face.” In 1869, President Ulysses S. Grant visited the Old Man. Over the decades the stone formation began to deteriorate. Governor Rolland H. Spaulding began efforts to preserve the Old Man in 1916. In 1945, the Old Man became the official New Hampshire State Emblem and in 1965, a state highway worker named Niels F.F. Nielsen, Jr. became the unofficial guardian of the Old Man of the Mountain. He became the official caretaker in 1987 followed by his son, David Nielsen, in 1991.

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The Fall of the Old Man of the Mountain

Over the years, the harsh White Mountains weather started to damage the rock formation. In the 1920s, a crack in the Old Man’s forehead was repaired with chains. In 1957, more extensive “surgery” was conducted on the Old Man to save his iconic granite face. Despite many years of repairs, the Old Man of the Mountain collapsed between midnight and 2:00 am on May 3, 2003, leaving the residents of the Granite State to mourn its most iconic symbol.

Despite the loss of the Old Man of the Mountain, its legacy lives on in the White Mountains. On the first anniversary of the collapse, the Old Man of the Mountain Legacy Fund (OMMLF) installed coin-operated viewfinders near the base where you can see before and after of how the Old Man of the Mountain used to appear. OMMLF completed the Old Man of the Mountain Memorial along the Profile Lake walkway in September 2020 so the Old Man’s legacy could live on forever for future generations to enjoy.

20 Years Since the Fall

May 3rd, 2023 marked 20 years since the fall of the Old Man of the Mountain. While the “Great Stone Face” will never be the same, it seems that the iconic site still holds a special place in visitor’s hearts.

Museum and Historic Site

Today you can visit the Old Man of the Mountain museum and historic site in Franconia Notch State Park. Take Exit 34B off I-93, drive towards Cannon Mountain and then follow the signs. At the museum you’ll discover historic memorabilia and photos about the care, repair and promotion of the state’s official symbol. The museum is open May through late October and admission is free. At the Profiler Plaza historic site you will experience the interactive sculpture that allows you to “see” what the Old Man of the Mountain looked like. There are also several informational plaques located along the trail with history of the mountain and species that were found in the area.

For state-wide information, head to VisitNH.gov

visitnh.gov

Filed Under: Ask The Locals, Attractions, Family Fun, Featured, Hiking, History, Outdoor, Year Round Tagged With: Attractions, Cannon Mountain, Family Fun, Franconia Notch, history, white mountain history, white mountains

White Mountain Bicycle Week: Explore the Mountains on Two Wheels

May 2, 2023

Ride into the White Mountain Bicycle Week  and Explore on Two Wheels this Memorial Day weekend. New Hampshire is now home to not one but two awesome bike weeks to enjoy. Starting May 27th, the small mountain towns of Lincoln, Woodstock, and Franconia Notch are coming together to celebrate everything bicycle-related in the Western White Mountains while supporting regional non-profits. Whether you prefer the road or the trail, there is something for all cyclists during White Mountain Bicycle Week.

White Mountain Bicycle Week runs from Saturday, May 27th through Saturday, June 3rd. Each day features a special “Featured Ride” or bicycle-related event that will give you a chance to try many of the various biking trails and routes throughout the Western White Mountains. Many of the rides are led by local business owners and cycling enthusiasts. Downhill mountain biking will also be available at Loon Mountain at their state-of-the-art downhill mountain biking course. And stay tuned for over four miles of new terrain opening up later this summer!

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Throughout the week, many activities support local non-profit organizations like The Bridge Project and Lincoln Woodstock Friends of Recreation. The Bridge Project supports those who are vulnerable in the Lincoln-Woodstock communities by connecting them with individual and group support networks. Lincoln Woodstock Friends of Recreation promotes community involvement and support for the broadening of services and activities for all ages in the community.

 

WhiteMtnBicycleWeek1

Bike Week also supports the environment and encourages people to try commuting by bicycle to either work or school throughout the week. For those that live a little too far away from work (or over the mountains!), you can park at one of the local participating “safe parking lot” locations and ride your bike from there.

WhiteMtnBicycleWeek4

The White Mountain Bicycle Week is an inclusive event and children and adults who might not be able to ride a traditional two-wheeled bicycle can enjoy a bike ride using adaptive equipment with New England Disabled Sports. Check out their cycling schedule here.

WhiteMtnBicycleWeek2

As the White Mountain Bicycle Week gets closer, more information on the featured rides and other events will become available. May is a beautiful time to visit the Western White Mountains and exploring the region on two wheels is a great opportunity to get closer to natural beauty while getting a little exercise!

Sponsored by InnSeason Resorts Pollard Brook

On a mountainside across from Loon Mountain is New Hampshire’s only Five-Star condominium resort, bordering 750,000 acres of the White Mountain National Forest. InnSeason Resorts Pollard Brook has 133 rooms, all 1 to 3 bedroom suites with kitchens, whirlpool baths and either a balcony or patio. Check out their newly renovated movie theater, indoor pool & hot tub, and outdoor pool & hot tub! Featuring year-round lodging with daily activities for the whole family, InnSeason Resorts Pollard Brook is the perfect basecamp for a trip to the Western White Mountains.

 

 

For state-wide information, head to VisitNH.gov

visitnh.gov

Filed Under: Adventure, Events, Family Fun, Featured, Summer Tagged With: Adventure, bicycle week nh, Events, Family Fun, Seasonal Activities, What to Do, white mountain bicycle week, white mountain bike week, white mountains

The History and Bright Future of the Hobo Railroad

March 20, 2023

hobo railroad

Have you heard about the Hobo Railroad? It’s celebrating its 35th year! This incredibly popular attraction is a one-of-a-kind train experience that you can have during spring, summer, fall, and winter right in the beautiful White Mountains region. 

In honor of its anniversary, we sat down with Jennifer Franz to learn all about it.

hobo railroad

The Beginning of the Hobo Railroad

The track that is currently utilized by the Hobo Railroad dates back to the 1800’s. At that time it was owned by the Boston, Concord, and Montreal Railroad. 

Franz says, “It was used as one of the primary routes north for tourists making their way from cities like Boston, Hartford, and New York to the pristine lakes and mountains of northern New Hampshire as well as to points further north including the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and Montreal, Canada.”

She continues, “In the early 1900’s the rights to the rail line were sold to the Boston and Maine Railroad who kept the line active between the Lakes Region and Lincoln, New Hampshire in support of the paper mills and other businesses that depended on passenger and freight service.”

However, the passenger service level dwindled with the rise of automobiles and the creation of highways in the 1950s, and by the 1970s when the paper mills closed, freight service was no longer needed and shut down completely. At that point, the rail line was purchased by the State of New Hampshire and eventually offered for lease.

The railroad lease opportunity was music to Ed and Brenda Clark’s ears! In the 1980s the couple reached an agreement with the State of New Hampshire and created the Hobo Railroad, which opened in Lincoln, New Hampshire on June 15, 1987. 

Franz says, “The Clarks have continued to operate and grow the railroad operation successfully for the past 35 years. Brenda, Ben, and Jennifer share the responsibilities of daily operations. The economic development of this area was completely due to the development of the rail line.”

The Past and Present

Many have ridden the rails over the years and it may interest new riders to know that back in 1987 a ticket cost just $5! Today, the costs are still very affordable. Adult tickets are $22, child tickets are $17, and toddlers (age three and under) are absolutely free.

Other changes include the addition of two other locations in the Lakes Region and a fourth location called Rail Bike Adventures.  

While some things like costs and locations have changed, much hasn’t. Franz says, “We pride ourselves in keeping with a traditional, vintage railroad experience.” 

hobo railroad

Vintage Charm

The Hobo Railroad uses restored vintage coaches to take passengers around the area. The first four cars did some traveling on their own all the way from Hoboken, New Jersey! Then other 1950s MBTA cars from Boston, Massachusetts joined the team. 

Franz says, “All the cars were restored on property in Lincoln, New Hampshire by the Clark family and their employees.”

hobo railroad

So Much to See

Have you heard the song “Over the River and Through the Woods”? Well, that’s essentially the route that the Hobo Railroad runs. Riders are taken quite literally over the Pemigewasset River and through the stunning woods. 

“Along the way, passengers can expect to see trees, the river, and if you’re lucky, the wildlife in the area,” says Franz. 

But there’s more! Franz continues, “You also get glimpses of the mountains, wildlife, campers, kayakers, and canoers.”

There’s a lot to see and each season offers something new and special.

hobo railroad

Train Experiences by Season

The Hobo Railroad operates from late May through October and again from Thanksgiving through mid-December. We recommend you come back during each season because there are advantages to each. 

The season of renewal is all about fresh sights. Franz explains, “Passengers get a ride through the forest and watch as the trees and plants emerge from their winter slumber. In the spring the wildlife becomes more active, especially the birds.”

While in spring the Railroad sticks to weekends only, summer really heats up with seven-day service and Nature by Rail on select Thursdays throughout the season. 

“Passengers will see the trees and flowers in full bloom. Many people are out fishing, tubing, or kayaking in the river. People enjoy camping along the riverbed. In the summer, the wildlife you may see includes birds, deer, turkey, and bear,” says Franz. 

Unsurprisingly, fall is a favorite time to ride the rails! The foliage views in New Hampshire are legendary and the Hobo Railroad offers a whole new vantage point. 

Franz says, “The fall foliage season allows passengers to see the changing of the leaves. In the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the foliage colors are vibrant reds, oranges, yellows, and greens.”

As the temperatures get lower, the Hobo Railroad begins to offer a special kind of winter magic. Franz explains, “During the winter, passengers watch as the river freezes over, the mountains become snowcapped, and we begin to get light dustings of snow.” 

And as winter moves toward the holidays, there’s even more fun to be had. Franz says, “During late November-December, we run our Santa Express trains (weekends only) which offer a unique experience to visit with Santa and enjoy some good old-fashioned family time. At the beginning of the ride, elves go through the cars and hand out letters to Santa. On the ride back towards the station, Santa goes through the cars and hands out gifts to each child, and collects the letters to bring to the North Pole. After the ride is over, there is a family photo opportunity with Santa.” 

hobo railroad

A Perfect Souvenir 

If you want to bring home a piece of the train ride, there’s no better place to get one than the Hobo Railroad’s very own gift shop. Franz says, “Some of the most popular items in the gift shop include: die-cast toy trains, hand-blown glass Christmas ornaments, and sweatshirts/t-shirts.”

Be a Part of the Hobo Railroad’s Future 

Customers can’t get enough of the Hobo Railroad. Franz says, “We have many repeat customers. We have generations of families who come back to visit us.” 

Whether you’re a first-time rider in this, the 35th season, or a seasoned one from 1987, we hope you’ll join the Clarks starting on Memorial Day Weekend 2023. 

For state-wide information, head to VisitNH.gov

visitnh.gov

Filed Under: Adventure, Attractions, Family Fun, History, Year Round Tagged With: Adventure, All Ages, Attractions, Dinner Train, family friendly, Family Fun, history, Hobo Railroad, Lincoln, Seasonal Activities, What to Do, white mountain history, white mountains

Get Out & Get Active: Winter Getaways in the White Mountains

February 6, 2023

snowshoe

December and January have come to a close, but there’s still quite a long stretch of winter ahead of us here in New Hampshire. While lots of people will choose to hibernate under a mound of covers or fly off to warmer climates, the White Mountains offer an affordable, fun, nearby weekend escape for couples, friends, and families. More specifically though, it’s a snowboarding, skiing, snowshoeing (and more) paradise!

In fact, the only difficult part of planning an active winter vacation in the Whites is choosing from the wide array of places to stay and play. Don’t worry though, we’ve outlined some of the best options along with some of the benefits of each to make your getaway both easy to plan and memorable.

Loon Mountain Resort

If you’re a skier, snowboarder, or any other kind of winter warrior, you’ve likely heard of Loon Mountain Resort. However, if this is your first attempt at a more active winter, you might not be aware that they offer a comprehensive group of rental equipment that will help you make the most of the snow. 

Ski and snowboard rentals are offered starting at the low cost of just $59 and are suitable for all levels of experience. 

Loon Mountain Resort boasts the most terrain in New Hampshire, offers both private and group lessons, and has opportunities for different types of snow-based fun like snow tubing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sno-go, and even gondola skyrides. There really is something for everyone at this destination.

More to Do: Loon Mountain is certainly a top winter fun destination, but did you know that you can take specialized snowshoeing tours? We highly recommend them.

snowshoe

Adair Country Inn and Restaurant

The Adair Inn is as pretty as a picture. Even their website features a charming watercolor of this quaint spot. 

While staying at the Adair anytime can be lovely (there’s birdwatching, walking trails, and many other options), winter is an especially advantageous time as they run a pre-Valentine’s Day special. Stay with them any night before the 16th of February and you could save 30%! 

And if your goal is a more outdoor-focused winter break, consider their snowshoe getaway option (offered in January, February, and March). What could be more romantic than the option to snowshoe on the Inn’s 200 acres with your sweetheart? 

More to Do: If by chance 200 acres isn’t enough for you, just slightly past the Inn and Restaurant’s own land is the Rocks Estate, a 1,400-acre forest reservation.  

snowshoe

Franconia Inn

Franconia Inn has everything a winter enthusiast could wish for. They even have their own cross-country ski center! Pick this inn if you love ice skating, tubing, and snowshoeing – they have 25 miles of groomed trails! 

Not convinced? Check out this review about a winter stay…

“I have been going to the Franconia Inn since I was a young child. Absolutely love this gem of an inn. Very historical inside and lovely views outside. Just stayed for the weekend again this past weekend. Excited to stay at The Inn again this winter and go cross-country skiing on the property. Loved it!” –Lizzy A

More to Do: There are lots of great snowshoeing and hiking trails in Franconia including the Skookumchuck Trail. It’s rated as “hard” on AllTrails, it also scores 4.5 stars. If you’re looking for a winter challenge, take it on for yourself!

Owls Nest

Golfers and other athletic enthusiasts already know Owl’s Nest Resort is a top pick for a stay in the White Mountains area, but did you know that you can also enjoy snowsports there? 

One unique factor for this destination is that some of your winter play can take place on their golf course itself! Whether you’re into cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, this is the place to experience 18 holes in a whole new way. 

Believe it or not, these are just a few of the top overnight spots to take advantage of in the White Mountains region. There’s no end to the winter possibilities, so try them all! 

More to Do: While you can certainly snowshoe at Owl’s Nest itself, you can also take a ride over to Alpine Adventures where you can take a guided tour across their 300 acres. 

snowshoe

The Notch Hostel

If you’d like to take getting active to a whole new level, consider The Notch Hostel, which markets itself as “your White Mountains Base Camp.” It’s a 30-person capacity space where you can stay in both shared or private rooms. 

Simply put, this is the place for you if you want to network with fellow hikers, bikers, and other like-minded souls. 

More to Do: Some other inns boast major trails, but this one is next to…all of them! Situated just minutes from New Hampshire’s peaks, you won’t find a better location for winter hiking.

RiverWalk Resort at Loon Mountain

Guests of RiverWalk Resort at Loon Mountain can sign out a pair of snowshoes from the Adventure Concierge free of charge! And as the resort name suggests, the RiverWalk trail is a great place to explore.

Venture out to their backyard and find the stone pathway that leads directly to the Pemigewasset River behind the resort. Follow the trail along the river where several benches are placed along the way. If you brought your four-legged friend along (they offer pet friendly suites), this is the perfect spot to get them out and about.

More to Do: Extend your adventure by venturing over to the J.E. Henry Trail which also follows alongside the river. Enjoy the quiet and calming 1 mile walk through the forest. Or take a quick drive to Lincoln Woods Trail and explore this 2.9-mile out-and-back trail that is wide and flat with incredible views.

snowshoe

Nearby Must-Visits

If you’re looking to thaw out for a few hours in between snow-centric activities, but still keep to that winter theme, here are some nearby musts:

  • The New England Ski Museum | 2628 White Mountain Hwy, North Conway, NH 03860
  • The Museum of the White Mountains | 34 Highland St, Plymouth, NH 03264
  • The Frost Place | 158 Ridge Rd, Franconia, NH 03580
  • The New Hampshire Ice Castles | 24 Clark Farm Rd, North Woodstock, NH 03262

There are so many incredible ways to get active during the winter in the White Mountains. Snowboarding, snowshoeing, skiing, and other fantastic options are just a short drive away…

We hope to see you in our neck of the woods soon! And remember, the Western White Mountains Chamber of Commerce is always here to provide additional information and ideas.

For state-wide information, head to VisitNH.gov

visitnh.gov

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Adventure, Family Fun, Franconia Notch, Loon Mountain, outdoor activities, outdoor fun, Seasonal Activities, Snowshoeing, What to Do, white mountains, Winter

NHSCOT’s Second Annual Great Kilt Skate

January 6, 2023

Don your tartan and join us on the ice for NHSCOT’s Second Annual Great Kilt Skate, Sunday, February 5 from 2 – 4pm at White Park in Concord, NH. Enjoy Scottish tunes, hot chocolate and coffee, and perhaps a few other surprises too! The Great Kilt Skate began in Canada in 2015 and now extends to the US, with New York City and Concord, NH being the first two American cities to host this very lively Scottish event.

Many thanks to Concord, NH Parks & Rec for partnering with NHSCOT for this event. We hope you’ll join us! Learn more at https://nhscot.org/events/second-annual-great-kilt-skate/.

Tagged With: family friendly, Family Fun, Ice Skating, outdoor activities, Outdoor Winter Activity

Ice Castles New Hampshire: A Frozen Wonderland

January 1, 2023

For Ice Castle ticket information and purchasing please visit their website.

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During the cold and snowy New England winter months, it can be tough to adventure outside. Unless you’re a skier or snowboarder, you might think winter is best spent reading a book next to the fireplace until the mercury starts to rise again in the spring. But, the famous Ice Castles in New Hampshire will make you put on all the layers and head to the mountains.

new england ice castles

Ice Castles became famous in 2011 when founder, Brent Christensen, crafted his first icy masterpiece in his front yard at his home in Utah. Not only was the ice castle a hit with Christensen’s six kids, but also the whole neighborhood who came to play in the ice. Since 2011, Ice Castles has grown to five locations across North America where kids and adults of all ages can enjoy the pure joy and happiness of the Ice Castles experience.

ice castle lincoln nh

Did you know that New Hampshire’s Ice Castles is one of the first ice castles in the country? In recent years, the Ice Castles New Hampshire moved to it’s permanent location in North Woodstock on Clark Farm Road. This location has allowed the crew to create larger, more interactive experience for all its guests, as well as the opportunity to add fun, new winter elements each year.

ice slide

Every year, Ice Castles look a little different, and that’s all due to its lead designer – Mother Nature. Each ice castle weighs about 25 million pounds and takes a team of 20 to 40 artisans to create over the course of many weeks. Every night, the artisans harvest 5,000 to 12,000 icicles, which are then individually sculpted into existing ice formations. The newly placed icicles are then drenched in water to solidify. Each ice castle is about one acre in size and is lit with colorful LED lights for a magical experience.

ice castle

Along with experiencing the wonders of Ice Castles, the New Hampshire location also offers caverns and caves, ice slides and snow tubing, sleigh rides and a mystic forest light walk through an enchanted forest lined with elaborate ice sculptures. Sleigh rides are available for an additional charge and may be purchased when you reserve your tickets online. New this year is the Polar Pub. Belly up to a frosty ice bar for a winter themed hot or cold beverage.

While it’s always hard to predict the opening date of Ice Castles due to Mother Nature, construction of Ice Castles will start as soon as the daytime temperatures begin to drop below freezing, and it takes about two months to build.

NH ice castle

Parking is free at the new location, but on the weekends and holidays, parking may be limited due to the number of people trying to visit. Only a limited number of tickets are sold daily, so it’s best to purchase tickets ahead of time online. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit icecastles.com/new-hampshire.

The Western White Mountains are home to a wide array of lodging options, dining options and fun winter activities like snowtubing, ice skating, skiing, snowshoeing and more. Make a trip out of it! Just make sure to plan ahead. The best time to visit is mid-week when there are less crowds and better lodging rates.

For state-wide information, head to VisitNH.gov

visitnh.gov

Filed Under: Adventure, Attractions, Family Fun, Featured, Multigenerational Travel, Outdoor, Winter Tagged With: Adventure, Attractions, Family Fun, Ice Castle, Seasonal Activities, What to Do, white mountains, Winter

NHSCOT’s Hogmanay Celebration

November 18, 2022

Don your tartan and join NHSCOT in celebrating Hogmanay on Sunday, January 1, 2023. This family-friendly New Year’s Day celebration has something for everyone!

Dress in warm layers to enjoy lively activities and spirited competitions both indoors & out. Dance to the music of Rebel Collective and the Pipes and Drums of NHSCOT. Toast a s’more by the fire, test your skills at Stramash, a popular Scottish strategy board game (we’ll teach you how to play), show off your footwork in a Highland Fling or try your hand at street curling or the Haggis Throw. Lots of family-friendly activities planned.

The evening will conclude with a “torch”-lit parade led by our chosen Hogmanay Royalty, a toast to Scotland at 7pm (midnight in Scotland) and singing Auld Lang Syne.

Purchase your tickets and revel the New Year Scottish style: https://nhscot.org/events/hogmanay/.

Tagged With: All Ages, Events, Family Fun, New Years, Wineries, winter activities

North Country Center for the Arts: 2022 Summer Season

July 22, 2022

jeans playhouse - north country center for the arts

Nestled along the banks of the Pemigewasset River lies one of northern New England’s premier performing arts centers. The North Country Center for the Arts dates back to the mid-1980s when local business leaders and community members came together to explore the possibility of creating a community performing arts center in the Millfront Marketplace in Lincoln. In 1986, the North County Center for the Arts (NCCA) was officially born.

In the summer of 1986, the NCCA produced its first event under a tent at the Mill at Loon Mountain. The two-month-long Children’s Theatre Festival was a huge success and the NCCA hired Van McLeod, the first Producing Director. The following summer, the NCCA transformed the former paper mill in Lincoln into the Papermill Theatre. During its first season, the NCCA performed Carnival, Harvey, Deathtrap, and Cabaret.

jeans playhouse - north country center for the arts

After over 80 professional productions, the NCCA performed its final summer season at the Papermill Theatre in 2009. The old paper mill building was demolished that fall, making way for the new facility that is now known as Jean’s Playhouse. Jean’s Playhouse was officially opened in July 2012 and included performances of The Wedding Singer, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and A Grand Night for Singing. The new playhouse is named after long-time NCCA supporter and local leader, Jean Hallager, and is celebrating its 10th anniversary of opening in 2022!

Unlike the Papermill Theatre, Jean’s Playhouse allows for year-round productions and has three different branches of operation – Our Mainstage productions, produced in-house; Our Presenting Acts, such as comedians, musicians, and films; And our Education programming, including IMPACT Touring Children’s Theatre and the StageSetters Youth Program.

The IMPACT Touring Children’s Theatre includes the following 2022 shows: Lost in Wonderland (July 13th @ 10am), Neverland (July 20th @10am), Little Red Riding Hood (July 27th @10am), Return to Oz (August 3rd @10am), Jack & the Beanstalk (August 10th @10am).

jeans playhouse - north country center for the arts

The summer 2022 season will kick off in July with the weekend-long outdoor concert – The Sound of Music. The concert was held in 2021 and it was such a hit that NCCA is bringing it back for round two in 2022!

The first show of the season, Cabaret, is only fitting. First performed by NCCA in 1986, the NCCA will be performing Cabaret yet again. Cabaret is your classical musical that focuses on the hedonistic nightlife at a seedy club in pre-WWII Berlin. If you’ve never been to a musical, Cabaret is a great one to see – check it out from July 14th-30th!

Next up is Mamma Mia! Written by British playwright, Catherine Johnson, Mamma Mia! Is based on the songs of ABBA. If you liked the movies, then you don’t want to miss the musical! Mamma Mia is running from August 4th-20th.

The summer season ends with Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps. The play is a parody of a murder mystery and is performed by a cast of four with each actor playing multiple roles. Laughs will be had from August 25th-September 3rd!

jeans playhouse - north country center for the arts

The Labor Day Comedy Show will continue NCCA’s comedic theme on Sunday, September 4th at 7:30pm with Greg Boggis hosting fantastic, Boston-Based comedians Paul Nardizzi and Emily Ruskowski.

The 2022 Fall Season at NCCA is sure to be an exciting one. Kicking it off is the 2022 Crafted Concert Series, running on Saturday September 24th, Saturday October 1st, and Saturday October 8th. Shows will be at 7:30pm while food trucks and craft beverage vendors (sponsored by Woodstock Inn Brewery & Rhythm Craft Beverages) will be occupying the parking and green areas outside during the afternoon hours prior to the shows. Be sure to add NCCA to your list of stops during these prime leaf-peeping weekends!

October brings the Columbus Day Weekend Comedy Show on Sunday, October 9th at 7:30pm and the Ghost Light Haunted Attraction, running October 21st-30th. Stay tuned for more details on these events!

Sneak peeks for Winter Programming include the StageSetters Youth Show, running November 11th-13th, A White Mountains Christmas, running December 3rd & 4th, and the Annual Warren Miller Extreme Ski Film on Friday, December 30th.

The best and most affordable way to see the 2022 shows is through purchasing a summer season subscription. The First Call Subscription gives you one ticket to each of the four summer productions for the most affordable price. It gives you access to the best seats as well! If you can’t commit to the whole season, you can purchase the First Call Pairs, which is two tickets to any one of the main stage summer shows.

Has all this excitement got you feeling hungry? NCCA has paired with numerous local dining establishments to offer “Dinner & a Show” deals. Read more here!

jeans playhouse - north country center for the arts

It’s rare for small mountain communities to have an award-winning performing arts center that attracts performers from all over the country and world. If you can’t make one of the shows this summer, you can support the NCCA through their Annual Fund or by volunteering as an usher.

The famous Irish playwright, Oscar Wilde, once said, “I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being.”

Discover the magic of the theatre this summer at the North Country Center for the Arts.

jeans playhouse - north country center for the arts

For state-wide information, head to VisitNH.gov

visitnh.gov

Filed Under: Attractions, Events, Family Fun, Year Round Tagged With: Attractions, center for the arts, Family Fun, jeans playhouse, north country center for the arts, performance arts, performing arts center, Seasonal Activities, theater, What to Do, white mountains

Get Your Thrills On in the White Mountains – Winter

June 24, 2022

Are you an adrenaline junkie or fueled by awesome adventures? The White Mountains is the perfect destination to experience adventurous activities. From skiing and dog sledding to a professional car rally school and taking a train up the snowy slopes of Mt. Washington, you’ll experience all sorts of thrills that will leave you coming back for more. Choose from a variety of day tours or weeklong adventures to fill your next vacation itinerary.

Ziplining (and more!)

A fixture on Main Street Lincoln, Alpine Adventures provides year-round fun for people of all ages. The Thrillsville Challenge Course is a self-guided ropes course designed with bridges, cargo nets, rope ladders, a treehouse, and much more! It’s fun for all ages and a great add-on to the other adrenaline-filled activities that Alpine Adventures has to offer on their private mountain. Alpine Adventures is most known for its zipline courses and unlike other places in the White Mountains, Alpine has two different zipline tours with varying degrees of length and speed. If high flying fun isn’t quite your speed, the Off-Road Adventure Tour in the Pinzgauers is an exciting way to explore Barron Mountain. There are very few places in the world you can ride in a 6×6 Swiss Army Pinzgauer, Zipline across a 1500’ ravine 240’ above the ground at speeds up to 60 MPH, ride down a four-story ramp in a snow tube onto a BigAirBag Stuntzone, and challenge yourself at an aerial course.

Mt. Washington Cog Railway

With multiple daily departures to their recently expanded Waumbek Station throughout the winter, the Mount Washington Cog Railway is now a YEAR-ROUND attraction! Clear-weather panoramic views from the southern Presidentials to the Canadian border are simply spectacular. Comfortable warming huts on elevated decks, a blazing firepit, and hot refreshments round out a truly unique opportunity to experience Mount Washington (and the world’s first mountain-climbing cog railway) in the winter. Schedule, details and much more at www.thecog.com

SledVentures

SledVentures offers guided snowmobile tours suited for every ability from the beginner to the expert. When conditions are appropriate, their tours run every day. They supply you with the newest top of the line Ski-Doo 600cc snowmobiles and protective, new winter gear (please check with SledVentures to ensure they have your specific needs). Their newest tours are Franconia Notch Over The Top Tour and the Mega Midweek Mountain Adventure tour, and their most popular tour is the Bog Pond/ Franconia Notch tour. They also offer private tours and Sled & Stay packages with some of the local hotels and resorts.

Rally School

Live out your Fast and the Furious dreams with Team O’Neil Rally School in Dalton. Founded in 1997, Team O’Neil is an off-road driving school offering courses in rally driving, winter driving, and off-road driving for people looking for a unique experience. The facility has 583 acres with a road course consisting of corners, blind crests, and other features that you’d only see in the movies. Each course lasts approximately one to five days depending on the course and what you hope to learn. As your lessons conclude, you’ll get to take one of the specially designed cars out on the course to test your new knowledge and experience the thrill of a lifetime!

Skiing and Riding

Home to Olympic gold medalist, Bode Miller, Cannon Mountain is New Hampshire’s highest ski area standing at 4,080 feet. With 97 trails and glades and the longest vertical drop in the state, Cannon Mountain attracts skiers and snowboarders from around New England and beyond every winter. Cannon has three terrain parks where you can progressively work on your big air tricks to wow the crowds of onlookers or just your friends on Instagram. Make sure you hashtag Cannon Mountain! Cannon Mountain is located within Franconia Notch State Park and during the warmer months, it’s a great place to hike.

Known as one of New England’s best ski mountains, Loon Mountain is a favorite among families for its skiing and resort amenities. The mountain offers 61 trails and glades of varying difficulties and from atop the 3,050-foot summit, you have panoramic views of the White Mountains. While the resort is geared more towards beginner and immediate trails, Loon Mountain has quite a few black diamond trails that will get your heart pumping. Angel Street is one of the most notorious black diamond trails offering devilish pitches that pass underneath the Gondola. There’s great tree skiing on North Peak with Walking Boss Woods and Bucksaw. For those with goals of competing in the X Games or just like to show off their tricks, Loon has six different terrain parks and the only superpipe in New Hampshire.

Dog Sledding

Experience the thrill of being pulled by a team of dogs through the snowy woods and fields of the White Mountains. Muddy Paws Dog Sledding provides year-round dog sledding fun for all ages. The 1.5 Hour Tour is the most popular – where you’ll have the opportunity to meet the sled dogs and then embark on a five-mile ride. Make sure to give all the good pups lots of belly rubs!

For state-wide information, head to VisitNH.gov

visitnh.gov

Filed Under: Adventure, Ask The Locals, Attractions, Family Fun, Featured, Outdoor, Winter Tagged With: Adventure, Attractions, Cannon Mountain, dog sledding, Family Fun, Loon Mountain, rock climbing, team o'neil, What to Do, white mountains, Zipline

Family Fun at Clark’s Bears

June 9, 2022

 

It’s not every day you can see dancing bears. Clark’s Bears started from humble beginnings in 1928 and has since grown to one of the White Mountain’s biggest family-friendly attractions. Nestled along the banks of the Pemigewasset River along Route 3 in Lincoln, Clark’s has an abundance of activities for the young and young at heart. 

ed clark

Over 90 Years of History

Clark’s Bears first opened as a roadside attraction by Florence and Ed Clark in 1928. “Ed Clark’s Eskimo Sled Dog Ranch,” featured guided sled dog tours for travelers visiting the White Mountains. Originally from Westchester County, New York, Ed Clark spent three years in Labrador managing raw fur trading posts where he fell in love with sled dogs. Upon his return to New York, Ed brought home a sled dog team and quickly realized New York wasn’t the place for a sled team. Ed and Florence fell in love with the White Mountains and the Clark family still calls it home today.

In 1931, Florence and Ed purchased their first Black Bear and added the famous Black Bear Show to their growing trading post. It wasn’t until 1958 when the Clarks started the White Mountain Central Railroad that the family business started to grow into the modern day park that you see today. Over 90 years later, Clark’s Bears is a family affair. It’s not uncommon to see over 20 family members working at the attraction during the height of the summer.

wolfman

Family-Friendly Attractions

Clark’s Bears is fun for the whole family! With a variety of rides, shows, and museums, there’s something for everyone at Clark’s. First introduced in 1973 by the longtime employee, Leon Noel, the infamous Wolfman is eager to please in his unruly ways. Just hop on board the White Mountain Central Railroad and look for the famous backwoods recluse and all his antics.

On a hot summer day, cool off on the Anaconda Escape, a 300-foot waterslide comprising of lots of twists and turns, drops, and plunges. If you’re not soaked yet, head over to the Water Blaster Boats for even more splish, splash fun. You’ll definitely want a towel after this ride! Climb to new heights on the Old Man of the Mountain Climbing Tower, a 30-foot replica of the famous Old Man of the Mountain.

clark trained bears

Let your feet rest and jump on a Segway for a ride through the park. Clark’s is home to the nation’s first Segway park. Just watch out for the Wolfman! Merlin’s Mystical Mansion will be sure to turn your world upside down and the Yandong Chinese Acrobats will make you question your own flexibility. Catch a crowd-pleasing show full of high-flying tricks and contortions. And, of course, you can’t miss the Bear Show at Clark’s! Two baby girl cubs have been added to the bear family. Make sure you check out the how the adorable new additions have grown this summer!

Take a stroll down Main Street to visit one of many museums and eateries in the picturesque Victorian town. The brick American Museum is full of old-time Americana treasures, like steam and gas engines and old advertising from yesteryear. For car enthusiasts, you don’t want to skip Avery’s Garage with its fully-restored 1931 LaSalle Touring car and Mobil gas pumps. You’ll find antique horse-drawn fire engines at the 1884 Pemigewasset Hook and Ladder Fire Station.

After all the exploring and fun, you’ll be ready to fill your belly. For something hearty, stop by the Whistle Stop Snack Bar for burgers and fries, sandwiches, and more. Pullman’s Lunch has pizza, sandwiches, and paninis. For the classic summer treat, visit the 1890s themed ice cream parlor, Peppermint Salon, for an ice cream sundae. Boxing fans will be excited to hear that part of the bar is from Sharkey’s Tavern’s 145-foot bar in Boston.   

On your way out after a long day of fun, stop by Clark’s Main Gift Shop to pick up a few souvenirs to remember your trip to Clark’s Bears. There’s something for everyone and many of the items are made in New Hampshire and the United States.  

Plan Your Visit

Clark’s Bears is open from Memorial Day through Columbus Day weekend. Days and hours vary so check out their website for more details!

For state-wide information, head to VisitNH.gov

visitnh.gov

Filed Under: Adventure, Attractions, Fall, Family Fun, Spring, Summer Tagged With: Bear Shows, Clark's Trading Post, clarks bears, clarks trained bear, family friendly, Family Fun, Seasonal Activities, train rides, What to Do, white mountains

Basecamp Lincoln/Woodstock: Discover the Western White Mountains

January 18, 2022

lincoln new hampshire

The Western White Mountains are New Hampshire’s outdoor playground offering an abundance of year-round activities. From world-class skiing to brag-worthy hikes to unique dining, the area has something for everyone to enjoy. Make our home your basecamp for experiencing it all!

The Greater Lincoln/Woodstock is a great home base for exploring the White Mountains for multiple reasons, but perhaps the most important is its location to I-93. The drive up to the Western White Mountains is an easy two-hour ride north from Boston (depending on traffic). We are also fortunate that our area is home to an abundance of accommodations ranging from campgrounds to hotels to condos and more. Check out our list of lodging options on our Stay Page and base yourself in the Western White Mountains where all of our favorite places to visit are just a short drive away!

franconia notch nh

Franconia Notch

One of the most beautiful sections of the White Mountains is found in Franconia Notch just up I-93 from North Woodstock. Home to Franconia Notch State Park and Cannon Mountain, the region is an outdoor paradise for adventure lovers.

Franconia Notch State Park is New Hampshire’s most visited state park and for good reason – there’s a ton to do! It’s home to the unique geological feature, Flume Gorge, along with Echo Lake, and Cannon Mountain’s Aerial Tramway. Cannon Mountain, home to Olympic gold medalist, Bode Miller, has the highest skiable peak in New Hampshire. Franconia Ridge is a bucket list-worthy hike offering stunning views of the Western White Mountains and beyond.

littleton nh

Littleton and Bethlehem

A quick 20-minute drive north up I-93 brings you to the small mountain towns of Littleton and Bethlehem. During the Industrial Age, Bethlehem was a popular summer resort destination for wealthy city dwellers in search of fresh air. While many of the grand hotels of yesteryear no longer exist, the picturesque town is well worth the visit.

The small town of Littleton is a bit of a hidden gem packed with tons to do. Its Main Street is award-winning and boasts of locally owned and operated restaurants, cafes, and shops. For beer lovers,  enjoy a variety of beers along the Ammonoosuc River. If you have a sweet tooth, make sure you visit Chutters, with the world’s longest candy counter, or enjoy one of some best baked goods in New England. Littleton is also home to PRKR MTN Trails, a network of over 25 miles of mountain biking and multi-use trails, so don’t forget your bike on your visit here.

north conway nh

North Conway and Mt. Washington Valley

The Mt. Washington Valley has long been the major destination area of the White Mountains. The eastern side of the White Mountains is home to North Conway, Conway, and Jackson with multiple alpine and Nordic ski areas, 11 golf courses, family attractions, and lots of tax-free outlet shopping.

North Conway is home to Settlers Green with over 70 tax-free outlets where you can shop for clothing, sporting goods, home goods and more. Whatever you need, you’ll probably find it in Settlers Green. Additionally, the village of North Conway is home to many locally-owned boutiques and specialty shops.

The Mt. Washington Valley region is home to many other resorts and ski areas. Of course, the Mt. Washington Valley is home to the famous mountain and the surrounding Presidential Range. Hiking is world-class and attracts thousands of people every year. Instead of hiking or driving to the top of Mt. Washington, The Cog Railway is a unique experience.

Lakes Region

The Lakes Region area of New Hampshire is less than a 45-minute drive away from the Lincoln/Woodstock area. On those hot summer days where all you want to do is cool off in the refreshing waters of New Hampshire’s largest lake, head down I-93 to the Lakes Region area.

Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest draw to the region, there is so much to do along the shores and out on the water. Take a scenic tour on the M/S Mount Washington or sunbathe at the many beaches along Lake Winnipesaukee. Weirs Beach is one of the most popular, but there are others to enjoy. For more information on New Hampshire’s Lake Region, visit the Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce.

white mountains new hampshire

Whether you’re coming to the Western White Mountains for outdoor adventures, the arts, or just a quiet break from the hustle and bustle of the city, the Greater Lincoln and Woodstock area is a great location to serve as your basecamp while you experience it all throughout the larger region.

For state-wide information, head to VisitNH.gov

visitnh.gov

Filed Under: Adventure, Attractions, Family Fun, Outdoor, Shopping, Year Round Tagged With: Adventure, Attractions, bethlehem, Family Fun, Franconia Notch, lakes region, littleton, mt washington valley, north conway, Seasonal Activities, What to Do, white mountains

Railway to the Moon: The Mount Washington Cog Railway

December 17, 2021

mount washington cog railway

Known as the “railway to the moon,” the Mount Washington Cog Railway is the world’s first mountain-climbing cog railway. Attracting tens of thousands of visitors every year, the trip up Mount Washington via the Cog Railway is a unique experience that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

Located on the western side of the famed mountain, the Mount Washington Cog Railway departs from the Marshfield Base Station near the Omni Mount Washington Resort. The railway runs year-round delivering visitors to the 6,288-foot summit (or near treeline during the winter months) for a three-hour round-trip tour.

mount washington cog railway

The History

Celebrating 152 years, the Cog Railway was opened to passengers in 1869. However, the beginning of the railway dates back to 1857. Sylvester Marsh, a native of New Hampshire, left his successful career in the meatpacking and grain drying industries in Chicago to move to Boston. Marsh, who struggled with indigestion and other ailments, sought the fresh air of the White Mountains like many wealthy people of the Industrial Age.

The idea of the Mount Washington Cog Railway was born from a mishap. Marsh and a friend set off to hike Mount Washington. Known for some of the worst weather in the world, the weather quickly turned from a beautiful summer day to a life-threatening storm above the treeline. The story goes that Marsh and his friend barely survived by crawling on hands and knees to the Tip Top House.

While spending the night on New Hampshire’s tallest peak, Marsh vowed to build a safer way for visitors to reach the summit. Due to Mount Washington being on state land, Marsh needed to go in front of the New Hampshire State Legislature for a charter. He went in front of the Legislature in 1858 where he was laughed at and jokingly awarded a charter with the promise that once he reached the summit of Mountain Washington, he would continue building a “railway to the moon.”

Building a railroad on the side of a steep mountain is almost impossible. The average grade of Mount Washington is 25 percent with some spots at almost 38 percent. To overcome the steep grade of the terrain, Marsh designed a railway that was built entirely on an elevated trestle system. This meant the tracks would be above ground level. To this day, the Cog is the only railway whose mainline is built entirely above ground level and the second steepest railway in the world (the steepest is the Pilatus Railway in Switzerland).

Again, due to the steep terrain, a traditional railroad was out of the question. Instead, Marsh applied the cog gear and rack technology to create the first mountain-climbing railway. Cog and rack technology is very similar to the sprocket and chain on a bicycle, but it had never been applied to mountain-climbing locomotives and railways before Marsh. Cog gears are located under the locomotive engine, which engages the rack (a spooled center track fixed to the train tracks and looks like the chain on a bicycle). As the cog turns, the locomotive can pull itself forward on the rack and up the mountainside.

Construction of the Cog was delayed by the Civil War that broke out in 1861. A fun fact about Marsh – before he moved back east from Chicago, he got himself into a little land dispute. He hired Abraham Lincoln as his lawyer, which was the last case Lincoln took before becoming the President of the United States.

After the Civil War ended, the first Cog Railway was built relatively fast. The first locomotive called “Hero” was built and delivered from Boston. Due to the locomotive’s unique design, it quickly became known as “Old Peppersass” because its vertical boiler resembled a pepper sauce bottle. The first 600 feet of track was built quickly over the Ammonoosuc River and was used as a presentation to government officials and investors in August 1866.

Before Marsh could begin building the actual railway he had to clear-cut dense forest and turn that timber into lumber to build the trestles and log cabin office. After his investor presentation, Marsh hired over 300 men to continue building the railway to the summit. By summer 1868, the crew reached the halfway point where the mountain transitions from its forests to above treeline sub-arctic tundra. To overcome the harsh and boulder-strewn area, Marsh built the famous “Jacob’s Ladder” that you can experience yourself on a trip on the Cog.

The first official ride of the Mount Washington Cog Railway occurred on August 14, 1868, and the railway has run regularly ever since except for World War I and World War II. Trackwork was completed by the next Spring, and Peppersass reached the summit of Mount Washington with passengers on July 3, 1869 – a feat that not many people thought Marsh could do!

mount washington cog railway
Wayne Presby

The Modern Times

Today, Wayne Presby is president of the Mount Washington Railway Company, after purchasing it from Ellen Teague in 1983. Over the years, Presby has made significant investments in modernizing its equipment, infrastructure and operations. Under his leadership, the Cog added a new passing track and hydraulic switches, enabling as many as seven trains to run at a time. Recently, a massive re-railing project resulted in heavyweight, 100lb rail replacing lightweight rail first installed in the late nineteenth century. Re-railing the entire 3 mile route with heavyweight rail ensures a smoother, quieter ride, a stronger track system, and less routine maintenance. Opening in 2021, a new 35,000 square foot maintenance facility once again brings year-round repair, fabrication and storage of the locomotives, coaches and other rolling stock back to the Marshfield campus. Previously, equipment was trucked up to a temporary facility in Berlin for winter maintenance. Mr. Presby’s stewardship of the railway has guaranteed that many generations of visitors will continue to enjoy this remarkable operation far into the future. 

About the Trains

The Cog was a steam railway exclusively from its inception until 2008, when the first custom designed and built biodiesel locomotive rolled out of the engine shop. Today, motive power is provided primarily by 7 of these powerful machines, and, in the warm weather, two vintage steamers. MW2, built in 1875, and MW9, built in 1908, were both fabricated at the Manchester (NH) Locomotive Works. Steam trips at the railway are very popular, and often sell out months in advance. 

mount washington cog railway

Take a Ride

To truly understand the long history and engineering feat of the Mount Washington Cog Railway, you need to book a ride on the railway. A roundtrip ride on the Cog is about three hours. The ride up and down the mountain takes approximately one hour each leaving you an hour to explore the summit of Mount Washington. In clear weather, the Mount Washington State Park at the summit provides 360-degree views of the Presidential Mountain Range from the Observation deck of the Sherman Adams Building. The adjacent Tip Top House Museum, where Marsh first developed his seemingly crazy idea for a railway on Mount Washington, provides a glimpse into 19th century life at the top of New England. Like Marsh, visitors may also experience a small dose of some of the world’s worst weather!

Trains run 7 days a week, year round, with destinations at lower elevations once the summit closes for the winter in late October. With limited seats on the train, it’s important to book your tickets in advance especially during the summer and fall months. You don’t want to miss your opportunity to experience one of the world’s great rail adventures, and New Hampshire’s Premier Attraction since 1869! For schedule, tickets and much more, please visit thecog.com.

mount washington cog railway

For state-wide information, head to VisitNH.gov

visitnh.gov

Filed Under: Adventure, Attractions, Family Fun, History, Outdoor, Uncategorized, Year Round Tagged With: Adventure, Attractions, cog railway, Family Fun, mount washington, mount washington cog railway, train, Train Ride, What to Do, white mountains

Biking in the Western White Mountains

June 10, 2021

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The Western White Mountains is an incredible hub for cycling with miles of mountain biking trails weaving throughout the forest, a paved recreational path with stunning views of the mountains, and brag-worthy road cycling routes. Plus, each year we host White Mountain Bicycle Week! Celebrate New Hampshire’s other bike week with the communities of Lincoln, Woodstock and Franconia Notch as we pedal through the great outdoors to support regional non-profits. So, what are you waiting for? Pump up your tires, fill up your water bottle, and hit the trails or road for some two-wheeled fun!

Mountain Biking

Catch a ride on the Northeast’s most technological advanced lift, the Kancamagus 8, and get ready to hit the trails at Loon! Opened in 2019, the new purpose-built downhill mountain biking trails at Loon Mountain are epic! Designed and built by the people who built Highland Mountain Bike Park in Northfield, New Hampshire, the Loon Mountain Bike Park offers a huge variety of freeride, technical, and cross country trails over 9 miles for every level of riders. Learn more about Mountain Biking at Loon.

For the more experienced rider, day passes are available online. If you’ve never been downhill mountain biking then the Your Turn lesson, rental, and ticket package might be just for you. The Whistle Stop Bike Center at Loon Mountain offers downhill, cross-country mountain bike, and e-bike rentals for whatever trails you choose.

If you’re looking to get off the beaten path in the White Mountains, hit the six miles of cross-country trails through the forest of lower Black Mountain along the banks of the Pemigewasset River. The East Ridge Trails are open to the public and can be accessed near the Whistle Stop Bike Center. Drive north on I-93 and check out Franconia Area Nemba and Profile Trails. where the terrain is more rocky and technical. Stay at the Franconia Inn and you have direct access to the trails for fat biking and mountain biking year round. Just a bit further north in Littleton is PRKR MTN Trails offering 22 miles of hand-built mountain biking trails for all abilities. And just a little bit further over the border in Vermont is Kingdom Trails. If you’re looking for a mountain biking mecca then you have come to the right place!

Road Cycling

While the mountain biking trails in the Western White Mountains are incredible, we can’t forget about road cycling. If you love to climb, then we have you covered! Cyclists from all over New England come to Lincoln every year to compete to earn bragging rights by riding all 34 miles of the Kancamagus Highway. If you have ever driven the “Kanc” then you know it’s one tough ride, but at least it’s beautiful! From the Conway side, the first 16 miles are relatively easy with a slight grade, but after that, you’ll start climbing towards the sky. The last stretch to the top of the Kancamagus Pass is about a 7% grade and then it’s downhill all the way to Lincoln.

For the overachievers or just the cycling fanatic, the Tour de Notches is one of the legendary New England rides for road cyclists. Start from Main Street in Lincoln and climb north through Franconia Notch on Route 3. In Twin Peaks, take a right on to Route 302 where you’ll ride past the beautiful Mount Washington Hotel and Bretton Woods through Crawford Notch. In Bartlett, take another right on to Bear Notch Road where you’ll climb for five miles to the Kancamagus Highways. By the time you’re done, you rode 77.3 miles and climbed over 5,300 feet in elevation. Make sure you rehydrate with a cool beverage at one of the many breweries or wineries in the Western White Mountains!

Paved Bike Paths

If you have young kids or just prefer a more leisurely ride on a paved path, the Lincoln/Woodstock area is home to a few paths. The Franconia Notch Recreation Path runs 8.7 miles through Franconia Notch State Park and passes some of the park’s most famous attractions. While there is a little bit of climbing on the path, it is relatively easy for any age and riding ability. The Lincoln Loop from Loon Mountain to downtown Lincoln is another great paved, family-friendly loop for all ages. The two-mile path follows along the Pemigewasset River.

Fat Biking

fat biking

When the snow starts to fly, you don’t have to put your bike away or ride the dreaded trainer in your basement! Fat biking has become very popular in the White Mountains in recent years thanks to groomed trails and local bike shops carrying these bikes that are outfitted with super-wide tires. Both Profile Trails in Franconia and PRKR MTN in Littleton groom miles of trails and many of the local trails. Just like the Lincoln Woods Trail which are great for fat biking.

Hit the Trails or Road This Year

Life is better on two wheels with the wind in your hair (under your helmet of course!). Whether you are a complete newbie or an experienced cyclist, the Western White Mountains offers something for everyone when it comes to biking. We hope to see you on the trails or roads soon!

For state-wide information, head to VisitNH.gov

visitnh.gov

Filed Under: Adventure, Family Fun, Outdoor, Year Round Tagged With: Adventure, bike trails, biking, Family Fun, fat biking, Franconia Notch, Loon Mountain, Mountain Biking, road cycling, Summer, What to Do, white mountains

Explore the White Mountains with your camera and win prizes!

October 30, 2020

Here’s your chance to explore White Mountain back roads and small towns, support local businesses and win prizes with the White Mountains 100-Mile Challenge.

100 mile challengeThe six chambers and associations of the White Mountains region have collaborated to create the White Mountains 100-Mile Challenge, an exhilarating new way to explore the White Mountains, take photos and win prizes.  Offering the ultimate reason to explore the back roads, beautiful vistas, and local businesses throughout the White Mountains region of New Hampshire, the White Mountain 100-Mile Challenge offers the ideal socially distanced itinerary for a day trip, overnight, or longer vacation.  Simply explore the historic markers, attractions, shops, restaurants, lodging, recreation businesses on the list, take photos, and upload them to your own social media and WhiteMts100milechallenge.com, and you may just win one of 100 prizes including a future vacation to the Whites.

 

Here’s how it works: Download the challenge list of stops, ranging from locations like breweries, local historic markers, shops, ski areas, B&Bs, hotels, spas and more in any of the White Mountain communities listed. Take a selfie or group photo at each one of the stops. Then upload your photo to your social media channels with the hashtag #WhiteMts100Miles.  Once you’ve visited ten of the business categories on the list anytime between Oct 13-Dec 6, 2020, upload your photos to WhteMts100milechallenge.com here and enter to win prizes. Enter as often as you want, as long as you upload ten photos at a time.

The White Mountains 100-Mile Challenge started on Tuesday, October 13th, and ends at midnight on Sunday, December 6th, 2020.  All photos submitted should be taken on site during this time period in order to be eligible. Weekly winners will be announced every Friday beginning October 23rd. The grand prize winners will be chosen Monday, December 7th. All winners will be notified by email.

More than 100 prizes will be awarded over the duration of the challenge along with one grand prize – an Omni Mt Washington Hotel getaway and a White Mountains Attractions Pass for the summer or fall of 2021. Other prizes include items from participating businesses.

“The White Mountains 100-Mile Challenge offers a fun way to discover the communities in the White Mountains between fall and winter,” said Kim Pickering, Executive Director of the Western White Mountains Chamber of Commerce and program co-coordinator.  “With interest high in getting outside to explore in a socially distanced way, this program will encourage visitors and residents to safely visit and engage with businesses in the White Mountain region through a scavenger hunt style itinerary,” she added.

Communities participating in the White Mountain 100-Mile Challenge are represented by the newly formed consortium of the White Mountains Collaborative including the six chambers of commerce in the White Mountains region, White Mountain Attractions Association and Ski New Hampshire. The communities included in the White Mountain 100-Mile Challenge include Plymouth, Waterville Valley,  Campton, Thornton, Lincoln/Woodstock, Woodsville, Bath, Littleton, Lisbon, Franconia, Sugar Hill, Bethlehem, Twin Mountain, Bretton Woods , Whitefield, Jefferson, Jackson, Bartlett, Glen, North Conway, Conway, Chocorua and Tamworth.

Funds for development and promotion of the White Mountain 100-Mile Challenge were made possible by a  special program called the Chamber of Commerce Partnership Assistance Fund, created by the NH Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief and Recovery (GOFERR) to support collaborative efforts among chambers that were ineligible for CARES Act funding through other programs.

To learn more about the program and each chambers’ involvement, contact any of the participating members listed below.

White Mountains Attractions Association

Ski New Hampshire

Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce

Franconia Notch Regional Chamber of Commerce

Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce

Littleton Area Chamber of Commerce

Main Street Littleton

Western White Mountains Chamber of Commerce

Twin Mountain-Bretton Woods Chamber of Commerce

For state-wide information, head to VisitNH.gov

visitnh.gov

Filed Under: Adventure, Attractions, Dining, Events, Family Fun, Hiking, Indoor, Lodging, Multigenerational Travel, Outdoor, Relaxing, Shopping, Winter Tagged With: 100 mile challenge, Adventure, discover, explore, Fall, Family Fun, prizes, What to Do, white mountains, win, win prizes, Winter

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159C Main Street
North Woodstock, NH 03262, USA

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Lincoln, NH 03251

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