North Conway, NH – Cranmore Mountain has been closely following guidelines set by the State of New Hampshire in preparation for the start of its 83rd season.  Guests can expect to see changes in procedures and policies for the resort’s winter operation, with an emphasis on face coverings, physical distancing, and reservation system for food and beverage outlets.

One of the biggest changes the resort has made this season is moving all ticket and product purchases online to cranmore.com.  To minimize crowding at the resort, a limited number of lift tickets will be available each day.  Guests are encouraged to plan ahead for best availability when it comes to when they want to ski, as weekends and holiday/vacation periods will be in high demand.  Lift ticket prices will fluctuate based on day of arrival and will be valid from lift opening until 4pm.  Twilight Tickets will be available from 4pm – 8pm on Saturdays and daily during holiday/vacation periods, with night skiing on up to 5 trails off the South Quad chairlift.

Though there will be restrictions on the amount of day tickets available, season pass holders will be able to use their pass, direct to lift, whenever their pass is valid.  To ensure that the resort will not have to implement restrictions on season pass use, season pass sales were shut off on November 1, apart from the NH College Pass and new Midweek Pass.

The Happy Trails Season Pass Assurance Program will give current passholders the option to transfer their pass to the 2021/22 season for any reason, if done prior to December 1, 2020. 

“Fortunately, skiing is a very conducive sport during COVID because it’s outdoors.  The environment of skiing is something we feel we can safely deliver to our guests, especially with the new procedures and policies we have put into place for the season,” said Cranmore President and GM, Ben Wilcox. 

“Safety is truly our top priority at the resort.  We want to ensure our guests that they are coming to a safe environment when they’re visiting the resort, and we want our staff to feel the same way when coming to work,” he continued.

While lodges will be open this winter, capacity for all buildings will be limited.  Guests should arrive to the resort ready to hit the snow by booting up in their car and leaving all personal items behind.  Bag check and storing personal items in the lodges will not be allowed this season.  Indoor traffic patterns have also been modified to manage guests flow in more congested areas.  

90-minute private learn to ski and snowboard lessons will be available for kids ages 6 to 12 and adults ages 13+, with the option to add up to 3 people of a similar ability, for a small group lesson.   60-minute one-on-one “I Wanna Ski or Snowboard” lessons will be available for children ages 4 and 5.  Physical distancing will be practiced throughout all lessons, with no physical assistance from the instructors to the student.  All guests taking a lesson will be required to undergo an online health screening and temperature check prior to arrival.  Same day reservations for lessons will not be available. 

Equipment rentals will be available, but must be reserved online, at least 48 hours prior to arrival.  Equipment will be fully sanitized and pre-teched for the guests to pick up, during their designated pick-up time. 

The Tubing and Mountain Adventure Park will be open Friday – Sunday, and daily during holiday and vacation periods, operating with limited capacity.  Tubing and Mountain Adventure Park rides will be sold separately in 2-hour time blocks.  The Mountain Adventure Park includes rides on the Mountain Coaster, Soaring Eagle Zip Ride, and Giant Swing. 

While guests do not have to wear a face covering while skiing or snowboarding or while seated in a designated dining area, they will be required in many areas at the resort, including:  at all times in all indoor facilities, in lift and attraction lines, while riding and unloading chairlifts, on all Mountain Adventure Park attractions and outdoors at the resort when physical distancing of six feet or greater cannot be attained. 

All dining options have been modified for the season as well to adhere to state guidelines. Reservations will be required for all indoor resort restaurants, and access will be based on availability.  Guests are encouraged to pack food, incase facility capacity has been reached.    Seated, full-service dining will be available in Zip’s Pub and Grill, and grab and go options will be available in Legends Grill in the Main Base Lodge, the Summit Meister Hut, and Sliders at the Artist Falls Lodge.

A new takeout window on Zip’s Deck, and Chili Mac Express in Schneider Square will be available for guests looking to grab something to go.  A new addition to winter dining options, Food Truck Alley, located off the back side of the Main Base Lodge will feature local food trucks, Cheese Louise, and Tin Can Co.  Food Truck Alley will be open on weekends and during holiday and vacation periods. 

For more information on resort hours of operations, projected opening day, conditions, and policies, visit cranmore.com or call 1-800-SUN-N-SKI.

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Cranmore Mountain, located in North Conway in the White Mountains of New Hampshire just 2.5 hours from the Boston area, is a 4-season family resort known for its ski school, sunny, south-facing slopes, and a festive atmosphere geared for skiers and non-skiers alike. In addition to terrain for all levels, the resort features activities such as NH’s #1 Snow Tubing Park, a year-round Mountain Adventure Park, and new down-hill mountain bike park.

Cranmore is engaged in a $50 million base area redevelopment plan that includes many improvements, including Kearsarge Brook Condominiums, offering 2 and 3-bedroom units as well as many amenities that are transforming Cranmore into a leading, full-service resort. For more information on Cranmore Mountain, Kearsarge Brook Condominiums, and more, visit www.cranmore.com or call 1-800-SUN-N-SKI.

Are you looking for ways to keep the holiday spirit alive this year?

While social distancing mandates have changed the landscape of celebrating this season, valley businesses are forging ahead to bring a creative spin to holiday fairs, holiday dinners and holiday lodging specials in New Hampshire!

Below are just a sampling of what is being offered to celebrate the holidays in the Mt. Washington Valley. Be sure to check back often for updates!

“Holidays at The Cog” features holiday decorations at Waumbek Station, homemake chocolate chip cookies made by Santa’s elves and more!

Do-it-Yourself  Program Wreath Making Kits from Tin Mountain Conservation Center! While Tin Mountain is unable to offer its usual winter greens wreath making program this year, it is excited to offer wreath making kits!  The kits will include a wreath ring, wire, balsam greens, bow, accessories and – of course – instructions in the form of an instructional video! Kits are available starting Tuesday, December 1.

Supplies are limited so reserve yours today online at www.tinmountain.org or by calling 603-447-6991. Cost: $30 for Tin Mountain members, $35 for non-members

Enjoy a good ‘ol fashioned Christmas at Snowvillage Inn with a two-night stay featuring everything you need to get in the Yuletide spirit! Going on from December 4^th – 6^th and 11^th – 13^th 2020, each stay features a cozy guest room, fireside cocktails, breakfast with homemade muffins, local coffee and more. Holiday wreath making and the opportunity to cut your own Christmas Tree round out the festive weekend. Enjoy great dining at Max’s Pub in the inn, shop locally and tax-free for loved ones this season and find a moment to get the perfect holiday card photo.

Tuckerman Brewing Company is hosting a Local Artisan Fair & Tree Lighting on Saturday, November 28th, from 1-4pm.
Talented creators in the Mount Washington Valley will transform Tuckerman’s outdoor beer garden into a cheerful, safe, and socially distant venue for local artisans and the perfect place for you to do a little holiday shopping. Have a beer and pick unique gifts for loved ones this holiday season while supporting these local businesses. A festive tree lighting at dusk will top off the whole afternoon.
Brewery Open: 12-6pm
Artisan Fair Open: 1-4pm
Tree Lighting: 4pm
Live Music with the Riley Parkhurst Duo: 2-5pm

Shannon Door Pub is hosting a smaller version of its regular artisan fair. More details to come!

Christmas Dinner Dine-In or Take-Out options are available as well!

Mountain View Grand – 877-685-9121
Red Parka Steakhouse & Pub – Open Christmas Eve til 8 pm, 603-383-4344
Max’s Restaurant at Snowvillage Inn – Open Christmas Eve 4:30-8:30
Cigar Shenanigans – Open Christmas day for beverages & cigars
Eagle Mountain House – Open Christmas Eve 5:00-8:00 pm and Christmas Day 4:00-8:00 pm. Reservations required 800-966-5779

Coffee  – when you travel one of the it’s one of the biggest needs to fill. Where do you go to get the best cup? Do they serve food? What about milk alternatives – do they offer almond milk? What’s their atmosphere – are they artsy, more sensible, rustic?

We have you covered. We’ll take you through the Mt. Washington Valley’s coffee shops so you’re completely prepared the next time you spend the night with us in the valley. For a complete list of cafe’s in the valley, click here. 

Frontside Coffee Roasters: Chill is the only way to describe the vibe of this coffee shop. Run by an energetic husband and wife team, you’ll find large-scale pieces of art hanging, custom skateboards bolted to the walls, an outdoor and dog-friendly patio, and a tv that displays a rotation of extreme skiing and mountain biking montages. Most importantly, you’ll find coffee that is roasted by the owners.

Featuring a fleet of classic coffee drinks from a latte to a cortado to a chai-fu (chai with a shot of espresso) to drip coffee, your caffeine fix will be met here. Non-coffee options include tea, kombucha, and craft sodas. Fresh, handmade donuts, muffins and cakes are delivered from local bakeries daily; and if you’re lucky you might be able to snag a “Mr. Pretzel” giant soft pretzel on delivery day. Bagel sandwiches, oatmeal, gluten-free treats, and smoothies are also on the food menu.

Frontside Coffee Roasters also serves up beer and wine. It’s a perfect stop before a hike to grab a bagel for the ascent and perfect place to end a hike for a cold beer.

White Mountain Cider Company: This culinary institute features casual fine dining with a menu created by Culinary Institute Trained Chef, Theresa Stearns. While the Cider Co. – so lovingly called by locals – has a phenomenal dinner that should be enjoyed by all while on vacation, it also features a market.

The Cider Co.’s market features prepared meals to go, snacks, coffee and a breakfast and lunch menu to made to order. What stands out the most are its cider doughnuts and fresh pressed cider that makes a grand entrance every fall. It’s the perfect stop to grab lunch on the way to your hike and the perfect way to celebrate making it to the top of the peak with a fresh pressed cider and piping hot cider doughnut on your way home.

The Metropolitan Coffee House: Featuring two locations, one in North Conway Village and one in Settlers’ Green Outlet Village, you’ll have your every coffee need met here. Specialty coffee drinks cover all the bases from drip coffee to cappuccino’s to frappe’s. They also highlight their Nitro Coffee which is their specialty cold brewed coffee on tap that’s infused with tiny nitrogen bubbles. The bubbles give the coffee a foamy texture, like beer. Nitro coffee pours out of a tap. As the nitro pours out, it cascades into the cup, separating into a darker and lighter brew, with a thick, foamy top. It looks and has a similar texture to a Guinness beer.

The Met brews with Good Vibes Coffee Roasters coffee, roasted right in Conway, NH.

The Met also has an extensive menu of bagel sandwiches appropriately named after Mt. Washington Valley landmarks, such as “The Saco” made up of a cheesy egg, avocado, tomato and bacon topped with a dab of sriracha sauce. Every morning six varieties of muffins and croissants are baked and freshly baked bagels, made right in North Conway are delivered.

Lunch at The Met offers hot panini’s, cold sandwiches and salads. Gluten-free options for bagels, treats and breads are also offered.

J-Town Deli and Country Store: This is your classic stop for packing all the essentials for your outdoor adventure. Serving up larger than life breakfast and lunch sandwiches and hot coffee drinks from drip to lattes, J-Town also offers the amenities of a country store. Stop in for small grocery items, camping needs, already made dinners and a selection of over 30 beers and 100 wines. They’re a necessary stop for all of your Mt. Washington Valley adventure. 

Dunkin Donuts:

Dunkin Donuts is worldwide, but with 5 locations in the Mt. Washington Valley, you don’t have to travel far to find their coffee near you!

WalMart, North Conway Shaw’s, North Conway
Route 16, Glen
Stateline Store – Center Conway
Route 16, North Conway

They have everything from donuts, bagles, and other baked goods, breakfast sandwiches, and a variety of iced and hot beverages.

There are lots of perks for loyal customers so check out what they offer at your local shop.