King Pine Is Open!

Best Ski-In and Ski-Out Resort – New Hampshire Magazine’s Best Of NH 2017

Discover your winter tradition and enjoy a ski vacation at King Pine and Purity Spring Resort with family and friends. Winter fun on and off the slopes and choose from a variety of Purity Spring Resort slopeside, mountainside and lakeside lodging options.
Available Ski & Stay package includes accommodations, resort amenities, breakfast, lift ticket, XC skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating & more. Midweek non-holiday stays also include complimentary snowtubing and night skiing!

When booking a weekend stay, ask about our “Weekend Extender” special. Add a Thursday or Sunday night stay to your weekend reservation and receive 50% off that additional room night! Call us at 800-373-3754 or 603-367-8896 to book prime spot accommodations and dates today.

Winter Fun That Fits Everyone –

Order Gift Cards Today To Have In Time For Holidays

Whether its skiing, snowboarding, snowtubing, ice-skating, sleigh rides, snowshoeing, cross-country, lessons, rentals, seasonal programs and more, a King Pine gift card is your one-stop shop for winter fun this holiday season.

A Snowgun Salute To You – Military Appreciation Specials

We thank those who have served and are serving our country. All Active, Retired & Veteran United States Military Service Men & Women can ski or ride for FREE until December 24, 2017. Military I.D. required, see this and other military discounts offered this season on our specials page.

Limited Knee-Hi Seasonal Program Spots Available

King Pine’s Knee-Hi seasonal programs have been teaching generations of skiers and you can enroll your child today in our affordable programs while space remains. Our midweek Knee-Hi programs for ages 4-7 include lift access with lesson and discount season passes for enrolled seasonal program participants also available.

Cranmore Scores with Weekly Knockerball this Summer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Rebecca Deschenes
Media@Cranmore.com

NORTH CONWAY, NH – Knockerball North Conway will be making its Cranmore debut this July on Tuesdays and Fridays throughout the summer. The “Grand Opening” will be part of Cranmore’s Americana Celebration on Tuesday, July 4th.

Organized “KnockerSoccer” games will take place in an 80ft by 40ft inflatable arena at the base of Cranmore’s North Slope. Open to guests 48” and up, 3 rounds of 4 minute games are played with up to 30 players during each time slot. Games start every half hour starting at 10am until 4:30pm. A variety of organized games can be played based on the number, size and age of participants.

A Knockerball is an inflatable ball with inner handles and adjustable shoulder straps, which is worn like a backpack. The ball is designed with multiple sheets of a higher grade durable TPU plastic and tension cups and cords, which allows participants to knock each other around without feeling trauma from the blow. Knockerball or “bubble soccer” has been gaining traction in Europe, Australia, Japan and elsewhere.

“We introduced KnockerBall to the Mount Washington Valley last summer and have seen a huge increase in popularity of the game.” said Matthew Milliken of KnockerBall, North Conway. “We guarantee a great time, and games normally break down into absolute laughter- it’s hysterical to watch and play.” he continued.

“We continue to seek ways to enhance our summer events and are excited to offer this unique and fun game as an ongoing piece of our events calendar.” said Cranmore President and GM, Ben Wilcox.

KnockerBall is valid with the purchase of a $13 Cranmore single ride ticket, or $65 6-pack of transferable tickets. A $10 upgrade can be purchased as an add-on to a Mountain Adventure Park, Aerial Adventure Park, Combo ticket or Summer Season Pass. Tickets can be purchased at Cranmore’s Ticket Office. Games are supervised and monitored at all times by trained staff to ensure safety of participants. Closed toed shoes are required. Games may be suspended due to heavy rain, high winds and thunder and lightning. For more information, visit http://www.knockerballnorthconway.com/.

 

Howie Wemyss to be Honored as Grand Marshal of 2017 Subaru Mt. Washington Hillclimb

Lincoln, NH – Officials with the Sports Car Club of New Hampshire, organizers of the 2017 Subaru Mt. Washington Hillclimb planned for July 6-9, 2017 at the Mt. Washington Auto Road in Gorham, NH, are proud to announce that Howie Wemyss, General Manager of the Mt. Washington Auto Road, has accepted an invitation to serve as the Grand Marshal of this year’s Climb to the Clouds.

Wemyss has served as General Manager of the oldest man-made attraction in the United States since 1987 and was instrumental in bringing the Mt. Washington Hillclimb back in 1990 after a 29 year hiatus. Having first been run in 1904, the Climb to the Clouds as it’s often referred, is the oldest automotive hillclimb in North America.

Joining the Mt. Washington Auto Road in 1977, Howie Wemyss started his career as a Stage Driver giving guided tours to the summit of Mt. Washington for a number of years before being asked to assume the General Manager’s position in 1987.  Always fascinated with the history of the Auto Road, Wemyss stated recently “I was particularly impressed with Bill Rutan’s 13 minute, 9 second record run from 1961, a record I would talk about on every tour I gave as a Stage Driver. He was a legendary figure in our minds. Shortly after becoming General Manager I was approached by Frank Jost, who at the time was working at the new car museum in Intervale, NH, about putting together an antique car race.  I started getting excited about the possibility of racing here again after all those years – even if it was a vintage race.  We hadn’t gotten all that far in planning when Robert Brotherus appeared in my office one day, wanting to talk with me about a full blown race. He had somehow gotten legendary rally driver John Buffum’s ear and expertise and was able to present a pretty compelling story to a very willing audience. After much internal discussion, in 1990 we brought back this amazing race.”

Since the 1990 Climb to the Clouds, which attracted twenty or so drivers to Pinkham Notch to test their skills against the mountain after a 29 year hiatus, the event has grown exponentially thanks to Wemyss’ guidance and vision, along with the constant support of the owners of the Mt. Washington Auto Road.

Throughout the 1990s, the hillclimb continued to grow, attracting as many as 60 top notch road race, rally and hillclimb drivers from across the United States and Canada for each event as well as a growing crowd of spectators.  New records were set along the 7.6 mile course – first by local rally driver Tim O’Neil from Whitefield, NH in 1990 when he set a fastest time of 7 minutes 45 seconds piloting a rare all-wheel-drive Volkswagen Rally Golf. Record times continued in 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1995 – with multi-time Canadian rally champion Frank Sprongl recording a time of 6 minutes, 41.99 seconds in 1998 driving a 400 horsepower Audi Quattro S2 – a record that would stand for thirteen years.

In 2004, in recognition of the centennial of the first hillclimb on Mt. Washington in 1904, the race was resurrected as a vintage only event that gathered over 25 vehicles with past Mt. Washington hillclimbing and auto racing history.

In 2011, the Climb to the Clouds was seen as one of the key events needed in a summer long celebration in support of the Mt. Washington Auto Road’s 150th anniversary.  With organizational assistance from the Sports Car Club of New Hampshire and Vermont SportsCar, the Mt. Washington Hillclimb roared back to life after ten years attracting nearly 75 cars and drivers from across the United States, Canada and Europe.  This time, multi-time Rally America National Champion David Higgins from the Isle of Man set a new record time of 6 minutes 11.04 seconds driving a Vermont SportsCar-prepared 2011 Subaru WRX STI for Subaru Rally Team USA.

With the excitement for the race now rekindled, Wemyss met with members of the Sports Car Club of New Hampshire to discuss the possibility of bringing the Nation’s oldest hillclimb back to Mt. Washington every three years or so.  In 2014, with 80 teams making their way to Pinkham Notch from across North America and the United Kingdom, yet another record was set on the Northeast’s tallest peak – a blistering fast time of 6 minutes, 9.09 seconds set again by Subaru Rally Team USA’s driver, David Higgins, along with his talented co-driver, Craig Drew, driving their 2014 Subaru WRX STI.

In 2017, Wemyss and his talented team at the Mt. Washington Auto Road will once again work with the Sports Car Club of New Hampshire to welcome back 80 teams to Green’s Grant in Pinkham Notch, just 8 miles south of Gorham, NH, when the Subaru Mt. Washington Hillclimb returns to the Auto Road July 7-9, 2017.  With 18 or more states represented as well as the countries of Romania, Finland, Scotland, Ireland, Canada and Australia, as well as the United States of America, the event will be the most international automotive hillclimb the Mt. Washington Auto Road has ever held.

“The history of this event is wonderful”, stated Wemyss. “It’s a unique race that appeals to a niche of people who want to challenge themselves on this road, and we’re happy to have people be able to take on that challenge. But aside from that we can’t do this without it making sense from a business prospective – so we hope to do well financially and/or get great publicity that will help make sense of the fact that we close the Road to the public for two half days and one full day in July.” When asked what his hopes were for the 2017 Subaru Mt. Washington Hillclimb, Wemyss replied, “A safe event, great weather, happy sponsors, organizers and fans – and a sub six minute run!”

Set for July 7-9, 2017, the Subaru Mt. Washington Hillclimb will serve as a 3-day motorsports festival filled with a variety of motorsports-oriented activities for all ages including a vendor area, historic car displays and a possible autograph session topped off by the return of the Subaru Mt. Washington Hillclimb along the 7.6 mile Mt. Washington Auto Road on Sunday, July 9, 2017.

For more information regarding the 2017 Subaru Mt. Washington Hillclimb, including the events history and list of record times or how to purchase spectator tickets to view the race from the base area or along the course visit http://mtwashingtonautoroad.com/climb-to-the-clouds.

Cranmore Mountain Race

Compete in the Cranmore Mountain Race, one of the oldest races in the USATF-NE Mountain Circuit, in iconic North Conway on Saturday, June 3rd and Sunday, June 4th. The course, situated on Cranmore Mountain’s 170 acres, 2000 foot elevation, and 1200 feet of vertical rise from the base, is a traditional “up & down” loop. Each “lap” in this race is approximately 5 kilometers and the USATF Mountain Running Championship race is two laps equaling approximately 10 kilometers in distance. Participants start at the base of the mountain and race up to the summit before racing back down to the base.

Schedule of Events

• Friday, June 2nd from 3-6pm: Optional Early Bib Pick-Up
  Tuckerman Brewing Company, 66 Hobbs Street, Conway
• Saturday, June 3rd: USATF Mountain Running Championship

  7:30 AM: 1-Lap Race (non-USATF Championship)* [does not count toward the USATF-NE Mountain Circuit]

  8:45 AM: USATF Mountain Running Championship & CRA Mountain Running Championship* (Men)

  10:30 AM: USATF Mountain Running Championship & CRA Mountain Running Championship* (Women)

• Sunday, June 4th at 11am: Hair of the Dog Hillclimb
  This is a new event consisting of a mass start ascent only race. The race will start at the base and finish at the Meister Hut on the summit of Cranmore Mountain. Enjoy the race and a rowdy crowd of revelers awaiting you at the finish line with beverages and lunch items for purchase, as well as raffles and a chairlift ride back to the base of the mountain.

Day of event entry is available for this race, but interested participants may also register online prior to the event. Pre-registration (3/2-6/1) costs $45 per person and event day registration costs $55 per person or $45 per person for the 1-lap race. To pre-register, visit http://www.acidoticracing.com/cranmore-mountain-race/#.WS7cBWjyvIW.

 

Cranmore Mountain Race/US Champs Course Preview with Mika the Husky Pup

2017 Chili Cook-Off and Feelin’ Good 5K Race

Saturday, April 8th is the time to shake off the winter chills and join us for a fabulous foodie event to kick off our Spring season here in Mt Washington Valley! There will be plenty of chili and cornbread to keep you fueled for a day of fun, festivity, and a 5K race, plus North Conway Village shopping and the event’s  Red Hot Stops where you can find treats and shopping deals.

This is the first year of the Feelin’ Good 5k Race through the White Mountain Milers. Burn some calories before indulging in chili and cornbread samples at the Cook-Off and explore beautiful North Conway Village by running or walking in the race! The race kicks off at Schouler Park in North Conway at 9:30am, where participants will race around the village and near Cranmore Mountain, finishing back at the park. Awards will be given to the top three overall runners and walkers.

The Feelin’ Good 5K is open for registration through White Mountain Milers and the RunReg website. The Race Fee is $35 per person and includes your entry to the Chili Cook-Off, access to the After Party at Abenaki Trail Restaurant, and store discounts at the Red Hot Stops.

Event Schedule:

• 8:00AM – 5K Registration/Bib pick up
• 9:15AM – 5K Registration tent is closed
• 9:30AM- 5K Race begins
• 10:45AM – Race Award Ceremony
• 11:00AM – Chili Cook-Off Doors open 
• 3:00 PM – Chili Cook-Off Ends
• 4:00PM – Chili Cook-Off After Party & Award Ceremony

About the Annual Chili Cookoff

Hosted by the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce, the annual Chili Cook-off has featured the culinary creations of professional chefs, individuals, local organizations, and nonprofits for many years. What started with just a few vendors has now grown to more than 40 vendors. Hundreds of hungry chili fans will fill The Village of North Conway tasting the best of the Valley’s chili recipes.

The Many Ways to Enjoy the Day

There are so many ways to participate in the fun at the Annual Chili Cook-Off! Professional and non-professional chefs are welcome to register their team for their chance to win fabulous prizes and bragging rights. Chef registration is open and filling up fast! For more information, please review the 2017 Chili Cook-Off Chef Guidelines.

There are a variety of sponsorship opportunities available for businesses to promote their brand. Sponsorship packages vary in cost and exposure and there are packages available for nonprofits. For more information, please review the 2017 Chili Cook-Off Sponsorship Packages document or contact the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce.

In this event, ticket holders are judges, too! In purchasing tickets and sampling many delicious chili and cornbread recipes, ticket holders are in control of the “People’s Choice” vote. Ticket holders will receive three different colored tickets for use as ballots – one for Best Chili, one for Best Cornbread, and one for Best Display of Theme.

Event Tickets and More Information

Tickets for the Chili Cook-Off are $15 for adults and $7 for children, with free admission for children under 3. Interested parties may purchase Early Bird tickets by contacting the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce, and tickets will be available on the day of the event for the same prices at the ticket booth.

There are lodging package agreements available for interested lodging properties in the area as well. Contact the Chamber for more information.

For more information on the Chili Cook-Off, visit http://www.mtwashingtonvalley.org, call the Chamber at (877) 948-6867 or (603) 356-5701 or email Visitor Services at visitor@mtwashingtonvalley.org.

Rock, Hit, and Dodge Saturdays at the Home Run Sports Training Center

Visit the Home Run Sports Training Center in Conway, New Hampshire on Saturdays from 5-7pm for full access to their facility. Families are welcome to unlimited hitting in any tunnels that aren’t currently rented for the time slot, and unlimited dodge-ball on the indoor turf field.

The Home Run Staff energizes the atmosphere with unlimited music appropriate for all ages, and families are welcome to bring their own refreshments for their family to enjoy in the Home Run Center’s party room. This event incorporates the whole family for an affordable price of $20 per family.

For more information or to sign up, visit Home Run Sports Training Center on the web at www.homerunconway.com or call (603) 447-2000.

Home Run Baseball League Open House

Home Run Sports Training Center in Conway welcomes you to an open house for their Summer Baseball League on Saturday, February 18th from 12-2pm. The league is for youth aged 13-15. Come meet the league officials and coaches and see what the program is all about!

The sports training center is a 9600 square foot indoor facility with high quality, professional instruction to help improve player’s skills. They offer individual lessons, classes, batting rentals, and more. Training is available for all age groups and the center offers training for a variety of sports, including soccer, softball, and baseball.

For more information, visit Home Run on www.homerunconway.com or call them at 603-447-2000.

Children’s Evening Program on Valentine’s Day at Home Run Sports Training Center

Valentine’s Day is coming, and Home Run Sports Training Center in Conway wants you to relax this Valentine’s Day with their evening kid’s program. Bring your child or children 12 and under on Tuesday, February 14th from 4pm-7:30pm where they will enjoy a night of fun games and activities so you can enjoy an adults-only date night!

The cost for this program is $20 per child. Availability depends upon daily staffing, so please schedule in advance. For more information, visit Home Run Sports Training Center online at http://www.homerunconway.com or call (800)-447-2000.

44TH Geschmossel Classic Nordic Ski Race at Bretton Woods

The 44th Annual Geschmossel Classic Nordic Ski Race will take place on the Ammonoosuc trail network at the Bretton Woods Nordic Center on Monday, January 16th, 2017. The race, originally staged in the winter of 1972-73, is one of New England’s oldest citizens’ races. Originally a 6-kilometer race on terrain groomed by a homemade track sled pulled by a rope from a grooming machine, the Geschmossel Race is currently a 15-kilometer classical style Nordic ski race and is part of the ZAK Cup Series.

The schedule for the race is as follows:

Monday, January 16, 2017

• 8:00am – 10:00am
  Registration
  Bretton Woods Nordic Center
• 10:00am – 11:00am
  Bill Koch League (BKL) Fun Event Registration
  Bretton Woods Nordic Center
• 11:00am
  Mass Start
  Bretton Woods Nordic Ski Area
• 12:00pm
  Bill Koch League (BKL) Fun Event Start
  Bretton Woods Nordic Ski Area
• 1:00pm – 2:30pm
  Awards Ceremony
  Bretton Woods Nordic Center

Registration costs are $20 per person under the age of 23 and $30 per person over the age of 23 if you register before 5:00pm on January 15, 2017. Those who wish to register after this time can expect to pay $35 per person under the age of 23 and $50 per person over the age of 23. In addition to event entry, the registration fee includes:

• Trail Pass for the day of the event
• Awards celebration following the race
• Pre-registered skiers may ski at the Bretton Woods Nordic Center for $15 a day from Jan. 2 – Jan. 15

Please call the Bretton Woods Nordic Center at 603.278.3322 for more information. To register online, please visit this page by January 15th, 2017. Day-of registration is available but at a higher cost.

The Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce wishes you luck in the race, but with winter fun in the Mt. Washington Valley, we’re all winners! For more information on winter fun in the Mt. Washington Valley, visit the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce website or call Visitor Services at 800-367-3364.

Great Glen Trails Weekly Mountain Bike Series Set to Begin July 5th

The M&M Assurance Mountain Bike Series, an 8-week mountain bike race series for all abilities and ages, will begin Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at Great Glen Trails. The weekly series will take place from 3:30 – 7:00 p.m. every Tuesday through August 23, 2016.

Riders compete against the clock in a fun, “easy-going” series with long, short or even “mini” courses available. The courses are mainly on well-maintained carriage roads along with some single track at Great Glen Trails, located at the base of the Mt. Washington Auto Road.

Racers are timed each week and results are posted within 24 hours online at greatglentrails.com. Riders who complete 5 out of 8 weeks will be eligible for a prize lottery at the wrap up pot luck dinner/barbecue and awards party.

Costs for adults for the series is $60; kids (ages 17 and under) are $30; and single races are just $12 for adults and $7 for kids. On race days, the trails at Great Glen will close at 3:30 while bike rentals will be available until 2:00 pm. Registration can be done in person or online at greatglentrails.com.

Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center, in Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire,is found at the base of the Mt. Washington Auto Road. Offering an abundance of outdoor activities for people at all skill levels, the Center has programs and resources for adventure in every season in the White Mountains. For more information, visit GreatGlenTrails.com.

 

Wentworth Golf Course Offers Great Greens and Mountains Majesty

By Kathy Bennett

Friday, May 20, 2016

Another Friday night, another twilight round of golf at one of the Valley’s spectacular courses. This evening’s round brought us to the Wentworth Golf Course in Jackson, NH (http://www.wentworthgolf.com/). A favorite of both locals and vacationers alike, the Wentworth Golf Course is located just over the covered bridge on Route 16A.

The Wentworth course was in great condition, especially for this stage of the season. The mild winter was kind to this and all the other golf courses in Mount Washington Valley, lucky for us local duffers getting in as many early season rounds as possible. Bug dope is still a necessity, although the slight breeze kept them at bay – for the most part.

If you haven’t played the Wentworth, you are in for a treat. How many courses can boast not one but two covered bridges on and adjacent to the greens? The front 9 are those you see from Route 16, and features their iconic red covered bridge, constructed in the 1990s for golfers to cross the Ellis River.  The real deal, a historic covered bridge that carries both car and pedestrian traffic from Route 16 over to Route 16A into Jackson Village, can be seen from the 7th green. Take a moment to enjoy the view before proceeding to the next tee box.

The back 9 features longer and more difficult terrain. Be sure to stop at the Wentworth’s Madeline’s at the turn and grab snacks, sandwiches and refreshments before taking on the challenges for the 2nd half of your game.

Like many of the courses in the Valley, half the fun is drinking in the incredible natural beauty surrounding you as you play. The Wentworth is no exception. In addition to the Ellis River and covered bridges, breathe in the mountain vistas around you. Look to the northeast and you can catch the tippety-top of Black Mountain, Jackson’s own hometown alpine ski area. Look slightly to the south and east to see a steep slope populated with houses – that’s the remains of the Tyrol Ski Area, which closed in the 1980s.  And of course, to the north, you’ll find Mount Washington and the Presidential Range. Behind you on the 5th and 6th holes are Iron Mountain and Duck’s Head mountains.  With so many mountains majesty, it will be hard to keep your eyes on the ball (in case you need another excuse for your game).

 

 

 

 

Great Glen Trails Opens for Season with Weekly Running / Walking Series

Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center will kick off the spring season with the Salomon Spring Trail Running and Walking Series beginning Thursday afternoon, May 12. The Great Glen trail system is also open for trail running, Nordic walking and bird watching.

The Salomon Spring Trail Running and Walking Series, a weekly trail race series for all abilities and ages, will take place each Thursday for eight weeks. Racers can run or walk the long, short or mini courses at their leisure anytime between 3:30 and 7:00 p.m.

Early season hours at Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center are in effect beginning Memorial Day Weekend: 9am – 5pm.  Great Glen Outfitters also opens weekends for the summer season on May 28 offering the latest in outdoor apparel and accessories for trail running, mountain biking, paddling and more.

The Salomon Spring Trail Running and Walking Series is an 8-week series held every Thursday from May 12 through June 30, 2016. Competitors can challenge themselves on a Mini (1.6k), Short (3.3k) or Long (5.4k) in either the running or walking divisions. Placement prizes are awarded in each category, and the series wraps up with an awards party and prize raffle. Competitors that compete in 6 of the 8 weeks are qualified for the raffle.

For more information about the Salomon Trail Running Series, current trail conditions or Great Glen Outfitters, call 603.466.2333 or visit www.greatglentrails.com.