Great Glen Trails Snow Coach  Photo: Crispin Battles/Great Glen Trails
What a difference a year makes! Winter 2017 has been outstanding in Mt. Washington Valley with early and significant snowfall. This month’s edition of Vacation Inspirations will let you in on some of the insider secrets to enjoying the best the North Conway area has to offer, no matter how you like to get around in winter, like our famous Snow Coach up Mt. Washington!  The biggest tip we can give you now? February is peak season for winter visitor and “No Vacancy” signs are common so plan ahead and make your reservations today for your winter getaway.

Lisa Eastman
Your Valley Concierge
Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce
Outdoor Adventures

When you go exploring on a snowmobile, you’ll see places you’d never see by car, foot or ski.  If you’ve never tried it, you owe yourself the exhilaration of riding through the woods, up mountain trails and on adventures you’ve only dreamed of. Our friends at Mountain Meadow Riders are a non-profit dedicated to your snowmobiling experience. They groom trails and publish frequent trail reports so you know exactly what to expect for the day on the maintained trails throughout the Mt. Washington Valley Area.

Arts & Culture Adventures
American Idol was just the beginning … Alex Preston will be live and in concert on Sunday, February 12th at 6:00 pm at the Medallion Opera House in Gorham (20 minutes north of Jackson via Route 16). Tickets are only $12.00 and can be purchased online.   
 
Alex Preston is a 23-year-old singer-songwriter from New Hampshire who plays over twelve instruments, ranging from the guitar to the violin, and writes his own music.
Shopping Adventures
There are some days when it’s nice to just sleep in and then take a leisurely approach to shopping for the day. Here, we nominate two of our favorite shops for browsing:

Zeb’s in North Conway Village, longest candy counter and most New England specialties in an authentic general store setting. Enjoy a Coke in a glass bottle and browse the maple section for a sweet afternoon.

White Birch Books, where you can peruse the shop owner’s list of recommended reads, find local music CDs and discover easily the best selection of local authors and outdoor adventures. We have to recommend Tom Eastman’s History of Cranmore Mountain as the best choice for a leisurely February day in front of the woodstove. Signed copies available only at White Birch!
Purity Spring Resort is like a Currier and Ives illustration come to life, with Saturday Sleigh Rides 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Prefer to self-propel? Try ice skating, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and alpine skiing, all in one little gem of a place just minutes from the hustle of North Conway. Space is limited, so call ahead for reservations.
Take up Nordic skiing! Dog-friendly Bear Notch Ski Touring in Bartlett will make a believer out of you. Their lovely trails wind along the river, through the woods, and they are famous for their yummy, hot soup selections in their rustic base lodge. Buy a two day pass because it will take you that long to explore all the trails they have to offer. Not a Nordic skier? Their lessons and rentals will get you going.
Waterfalls in winter? Sure, why not! Many of the waterfalls featured on our Waterfalls page on our website make for a stunning winter hike with the spectacular pay off of a frozen waterfall and its snow covered surroundings. Pick 7 and make it a week of waterfalls! Probably the easiest to reach is the popular Diana’s Baths in Bartlett. Park at its trailhead and walk in the .6 miles. Depending on the weather, you can wear hiking boots, micro-spikes or snowshoes. A more rugged hike in is Arethusa Falls, further north on Route 302. You’ll never forget the sight of the highest falls in NH in frozen form.