Spring in the White Mountains
By Tom Eastman
NORTH CONWAY NH — It may look like an early springtime in your back yard, but in Mt Washington Valley, old man winter just delivered another month of great skiing! While snow totals varied from the late February storm, resorts in the notches saw as much as 50 inches of new snow during the last snowfall. We’re thinking that since March came in like a lamb it will go out like a lion, so plan on skiing right into April. For you die hard skiers, remember, when the resorts close, the Tuckerman season begins. Plan to throw the clubs in the car and ski, putt and pound a few cold ones all in one day. We call that a Gentleman’s (and gentlewoman’s too!) Triathlon, and it’s only available in Mt Washington Valley, N.H.
Upcoming highlights:
• Family Fun Days in the 100-Acre Wood: March 13, 20, 27. 100 Acre Wood, 41 Observatory Way, Intervale, NH (directly across from Town Hall Road, 10:30 a.m. Family Outdoor Activities on the “Trails in the Wood”; 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Indoor Entertainment in the “Theater in the Wood.” Outdoor activities will include guided tours along the river and through the Wood, animal tracking, geo-caching, and family-friendly race series. Indoor activities will include movies, puppet shows, music, dance and more! FMI: 356-9980 or www.believeinbooks.org.
• March 14: N.H. Ski Area Mascot Jam: C’more, Cranmore’s Penguin mascot hosts the state’s first ever ski area mascot jam. Starting at 11 a.m., mascots will compete in a variety of events for top honors, including a tubing hill race, obstacle course run and dance off. FMI: 800-sun-n-ski or www.cranmore.com
• March 14: Granite State Snowshoe Championship presented by Redhook: The nine individual snowshoe races are collectively organized as a series at Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center in Pinkham Notch. Each race has its own race director and event management. FMI: Race Director Chris J. Dunn at chrisjamesdunn@hotmail.com or 466-2333
• March 14: Crash Dummy Launch Contest: The Dummy Launch will be a day of crashes and laughs as teams design, build and decorate the best dummies to be launches off the huge snow mass on the East Slope at King Pine in Madison. Dummies are due at the ski area by 11 a.m. for judging. Dummies will be on display until 12:30 p.m. and will then be brought to the launch area. The explosive show will begin at 1 p.m. Registration form needed. FMI: 800-373-3754 or www.kingpine.
• March 19: Red Parka Challenge Cup Race: The longest running Pro-style Amateur dual slalom race in the country - if not the world. The best racers from all over New England compete in this exciting event. Applications are available online. Divisions include: Women, Veterans and Super Veterans, as well as the Men’s Division for those under 40. All proceeds benefit the ESSC Junior Ski Program. FMI: 383-4344 or rpp302@redparkapub.com
• March 20: Attitash Spring Mania On-Snow Golf Tourney (374-2368).
• March 20: Shawnee Peak Spring Fling Beach Party (207-647-8444).
• March 21: King Pine and Purity Spring Resort Cardboard Box Derby (367-8896).
• March 25: Black Mountain (383-4490; 383-4344) 10th annual Red Parka Pub Downhill Regatta.
• March 27: Attitash Spring Mania Mogul Jam (374-2368).
• March 27: Black Mountain (383-4490) annual Spring Splash - pond skimming, barbecue and deck party.
• March 27: Cranmore (356-5543) Mountain Dew Spring Splash.
• March 27-28: March Maple Madness: Join the Bed & Breakfasts Inn Mt. Washington Valley for our annual March Maple Madness on Saturday March 27 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Sunday March 28 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Visit historic inns of MWV, taste maple treats, learn about maple sugaring and participate in the Maple Madness March “sapenger” hunt. Tickets are available through lodging packages at participating members or for $15 pp on Saturday, March 27. FMI: 877-466-2399 or www.bbinnsmwv.com