North Conway, NH – Winter is gearing up in Mt Washington Valley as ski resorts and XC Centers open, ice forms, and backcountry hiking and skiing plans get underway.  The recent snowfall really put the icing on the cake with up to 7” of new snow.  The White Mountains surrounding the Valley offer seemingly endless recreational opportunities within an easy drive for much of the East Coast.  This winter will be unlike others, however, as the pandemic is still in place.  It’ll be more important than ever to “know before you go” to the Valley as Covid restrictions include mandatory reservations at some ski resorts, social distancing and mask wearing by all, plus limited access in some cases.  Be sure to have a plan and complete gear for your winter adventure before you come, and that starts with checking the place you plan to play.  The Granite State Safe campaign helps educate those visiting New Hampshire this year with the basic tenants of travel to the region, yet all visitors should take their planning a step further by contacting the business(es) they plan to visit and checking their safety protocols so each person coming to the Valley will be fully prepared.

With so much to do in and around Mt. Washington Valley this winter, social distancing is entirely possible.  Here’s a list of ways to enjoy the outdoors and still maintain your distance from others.

Snowshoeing – The best thing about snowshoeing is that it’s easily accessible and if you can walk, you can snowshoe.  Choose to head to the trails at any of the six XC centers, or head out into the woods to create your own trail.  Snowshoe rentals and sales are available at most of the XC Centers. 

Fat biking – Your days of biking no longer must be confined to spring, summer and fall. Both Great Glen Trails and Mt. Washington Ski Touring & Snowshoe Foundation have opened their trail networks for fatbikes. Need gear? Stan and Dan Sports plus the Great Glen Trails rental shop offer fat bike rentals and equipment to purchase, and both have geared up their fleets for the 2021 winter, expecting strong interest this season.

Skiing – There’s a good reason that North Conway – at the center of Mt. Washington Valley – has been named the #1 ski town in North America. With 13 ski resorts and XC Centers, there is more skiing terrain here than anywhere else in New England. From steeps and deeps, glades to groomers and easy peasy for first-timers, you’ll find the kind of terrain you seek in the Valley.  Plan to enjoy winter with plenty of room for social distancing at the seven ski resorts and six XC Centers.  Need lessons?  They’re available for all levels. Would you like to rent or purchase ski equipment or apparel?  You’ll have multiple options at Mt. Washington Valley’s tax-free ski shops on and off the mountains.  Be sure to check with the ski resort or XC Center where you plan to go.  Reservations may be needed and limits on ticket sales may be in place to insure adequate space for safe social distancing.

Tubing – Another reason that Mt. Washington Valley makes the ideal winter destination with plenty of opportunities for social distancing is the alternative activities for non-skiers at the ski resorts.  Look for lighted tubing hills at King Pine Ski Area, Cranmore Mountain Resort and Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center.  While Mom and Dad are skiing, the non-skiers in the family can enjoy going up and down the hill on inner tubes made for snow sliding.  Masks are required and tickets may be limited to allow for distancing to ensure that this will be a safe and fun activity for the whole family this winter.

Winter hiking – With 700,000 acres of White Mountain National Forest surrounding Mt. Washington Valley, the options for winter hiking are seemingly endless.  It’s best to join a guided tour or go with an experienced winter hiker and bring all the necessary gear.  The AMC Highland Center and many of the winter hiking tour guides offer guidance, gear rental, and ideas for the best places to go.  This is one winter activity where it’s important to know before you go, and be prepared before hitting the trails.

Snowmobiling – From Pelham to Pittsburg and right through Mt. Washington Valley, New Hampshire offers 7,000 miles of snowmobile trails and not one leads to your office! Corridor 19 trails surround and wind through Mt. Washington Valley. These snowmobile trails are made possible through the partnerships with thousands of landowners who generously open up their land for the recreation of snowmobiling along with State Parks throughout New Hampshire. Countless club volunteers work tirelessly to construct and maintain this vast trail system, including the Mountain Meadow Riders, who groom and maintain the Corridor 19 trails surrounding Mt. Washington Valley.

Trail running – Trail running has increasingly become a popular sport in the Valley, as the Mt. Washington Valley Trails Association is dedicated to the creation of a sustainable off-road non-motorized trail network in the Valley. Focused on trails designed for mountain bike, trail running and backcountry (non-groomed) cross-country ski use, the MWV Trails Association and the White Mountain Milers – the region’s dedicated running club – offer both events and terrain perfect for those dedicated to outdoor trail running.  This is an ideal way to enjoy nature while staying distanced from others too, even in the winter.

Guided winter tours – Hoping to get out into the mountains this winter, but not sure of your ability or gear for winter adventures?  Choose from a number of guided programs and instructional workshops. With programs adapted to meet all Covid protocols, learn everything from basic winter hiking and backcountry skiing skills to frozen waterfall rapelling, ice kiting and other mountaineering adventures. 

Ice climbing – Mt. Washington Valley is considered one of the best ice climbing destinations in the East Coast.  The abundance of terrain coupled with the number of ice climbing schools and outfitters in the Valley make it the perfect place for ice climbers from beginners to expert. Outfitters like Ragged Mountain Equipment are ideal places to shop for gear and get great advice. Also, many other winter guiding companies offer day-long or multi-day programs to introduce those interested to the world of ice climbing in the Valley. 

For more information on planning a safe and socially distanced trip to Mt. Washington Valley, be sure to check the chamber’s website at www.mtwashingtonvalley.org. Full contacts and resources for trip planning are found there.  In addition, to learn more about your visit to New Hampshire, go to www.VisitNH.gov.

North Conway, NH – The Northern notches of Mt Washington Valley were blessed with a foot or more of snow that came from the powerful punch delivered by Mother Nature in last weekend’s Nor’easter. All regions of the Valley received some snow allowing Bretton Woods Ski Resort, Cranmore Mountain Resort, and Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center to open for the weekend. With 7 ski resorts offering more than 250 trails and 6 XC Centers offering 450km of XC terrain plus extensive back country skiing in the White Mountains, Mt Washington Valley anticipates high demand for skiers, riders and first-timers this winter in the Valley. There’s no skiing destination within a one-day drive of millions of Americans that offers so much varied terrain. Plus, North Conway – at its center – was voted the #1 ski town in North America by USA Today’s 10Best readers.  The Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the White Mountains Chamber Collaborative and Granite Backcountry Alliance want to be sure all winter outdoor adventurers stay safe this winter. The first step to a safe winter experience in Mt Washington Valley is to know before you go. 

All of the ski resorts and XC Center are adhering to CDC, state of New Hampshire and USSA skiing guidelines.  This generally means wearing masks while skiing and riding, maintaining social distancing at all times and planning your trip by reserving tickets in advance.  A full explanation of each ski resort and XC Center’s guidelines and description of what’s new for the season is linked below.

This ski season it will be even more important to “know before you go” because some ski resorts are requiring reservations for skiing.  In addition, with the summer as our indicator, the tourism community anticipates a number of first-time skiers, riders, snowshoers and winter adventurers to visit Mt Washington Valley.  Knowing the protocols before coming will ensure safe and enjoyable visits the first and every subsequent time they visit.

RESOURCES TO  HELP SKIERS STAY SAFE AND KNOW BEFORE THEY GO:

There are a number of guides and safety programs that have been developed to educate visitors on the rules of travel and new safety guidelines for winter adventure in the Valley.  Be sure to read these and plan accordingly.

Covid Safety Protocols and What’s New at Mt Washington Valley Ski Resorts & XC Centers: Click here for the full update for each ski area and Nordic Center for Covid-19 safety programs and changes. 

The Granite State Safe campaign was developed to share best practices with those visiting the White Mountains region on how to keep themselves, other guests, and residents safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Granite State Safe Program is outlined at GraniteStateSafe.com. Tips about advance trip planning, masks and social distancing, cleanliness and sanitizing, and being kind to others are explained in an easy to read and clear format on the website and through the campaign.  In addition, short 15-second videos are available for viewing which reiterate these messages.  It’s the program’s intent that the videos will be shared by members of the six chambers participating in the White Mountains Chamber Collaborative to help expand the campaign’s message.

#SkiKind – In collaboration with the Winter Wildlands Alliance and avid backcountry skiers, Granite Backcountry Alliance has adopted the Backcountry Responsibility Code, marked by the hashtag #SkiKind.  This mantra, along with other reminders like #SkiNoTrace and #SkiAware will help to keep the backcountry accessible and safe for all.  Together the organizations involved have developed a digital toolkit that can be used by all winter adventure lovers to remind people to be #SkiSmart and #SkiRespectful among other key focuses this year.  As we learned throughout the summer, the backcountry beckons those who’ve been inside, and this will be true this year too.  To avoid overcrowding and to protect the backcountry, avid outdoor recreationalists are asking everyone to post reminders to be kind, aware, safe and self-reliant this winter, and this toolkit offers digital graphics for posting.

Advice for Backcountry Beginners – Backcountry skiing is growing exponentially in popularity not only in the White Mountains but in mountain wilderness throughout the world.  This is a sport that isn’t entered into without some important preparation and gear. Knowing this, avid backcountry skiers have  worked together to compile advice for first-timers. They’ve created a 32-page guidebook entitled Tips for Beginning Backcountry Skiers to measure whether this adventure is right for the first-timer. The purpose of this digital guide is to help those who are new to backcountry ski touring, or considering taking it up, to sort through many of the decisions that they will have to make to embark safely on the adventure. In the guide, tips on safety, gear, technique, trip planning and group management are all covered.  The guide is available as a free, downloadable, 32-page PDF file only. Simply click here to complete an order form and you’ll be able to access and download the book.

Covid-19 testing is available at Memorial Hospital in North Conway for all who live in or visit Mt Washington Valley. Memorial has recently announced increased testing hours to 8:00am – 6:00pm seven days a week. Memorial Hospital will perform the PCR (molecular) test which continues to be the most accurate. Even with growing testing demands, patients are still getting results in less than 72 hours. Appointments must be made for testing. Please call 603-356-0673 to schedule an appointment. People who call after hours or on the weekend should leave a message. A scheduler will return the call.

For a complete planning guide to visiting Mt Washington Valley, go to www.MtWashingtonValley.org.  Here you’ll find a complete directory to places to stay, play, dine, shop and more.  To learn more about New Hampshire vacations, go to www.VisitNH.gov.