MID-SEASON STORY IDEAS FROM

NEW HAMPSHIRE SKI RESORTS

NORTH WOODSTOCK, NH, FEBRUARY 2009 -  It's another classic New England ski season in New Hampshire.  Regular storms and extended cold weather have made for excellent skiing and riding across the state.  With a deep snowpack and at least two months of skiing and riding left in the Granite State, there's still plenty of time left to take advantage of fresh story ideas. 

Below are a variety of unique stories that may peak your interest.  If you want to pursue any of these, please contact us; we will help facilitate getting you the details and/or contacts necessary to complete your work.

Black Mountain, Jackson - For those single skiers and riders out there, Black Mountain is hosting Chair Lift Speed Dating on Valentine's Day!   Participants are paired up, then head to the triple chair for their eight-minute date ride.  After their run, if they have not yet found true love, they return to the pub to be paired up again.   Ladies participating in the event ski for free after 12:30.   All others pay regular ticket price ($39 full day and $26 half day).  Participants must be age 21 and older.  There will be games and prizes awarded all afternoon in the pub for things like 'best pick-up line'.  An aphrodisiac menu will be offered in the pub and the bartender will be serving love potions.  There will also be live music performed by The Monkey Fist Incident. 

Loon Mountain, Lincoln - Working at a ski area is something many folks dream of doing.  Many enjoy the fresh air, fun environment and being out on the snow.  One of the toughest jobs at a ski area is making snow.  Many younger employees brave the cold temperatures, dark nights, heavy lifting and long hours to be a snowmaker; it's almost a badge of honor.  Loon Mountain has one snowmaker that breaks the age stereotype -- at over 63 years old, Jack Daly bucks the trend.  Jack continues to add to an already colorful lifetime by staying active out on the hill.

King Pine, East Madison - King Pine is always looking for new ways to be a fun place for kids and families.  To expand its offerings, the area is now offering on-snow sled dog clinics especially for kids ages 5-15.  The series of 90-minute clinics (held February 25-26) offer an exciting opportunity to learn the basic fundamentals of sled dog racing.  Clinics entail discussions ranging from sled handling and different racing breeds involved in the sport to harnesses, dog sleds and demonstrations on how equipment is used.

Waterville Valley, Waterville Valley - On March 28 Waterville Valley will host the Vintage Goggle, Straight Ski and One Piece Beach 'n Bumps Party.  Guests can dust off the one-piece suit, straight skis and old goggles all day at Waterville Valley for random fun prizes.  There will also be an old fashioned bump contest to be held on Valley Run's Rock Island mogul field.  An apres ski fun and fashion party will be held at Buckets with a Rock'n Beach Party on the deck.

Most ski areas have spring pond skimming events.  This year Waterville Valley is upping the ante on April 4 during its pond skimming event.  In addition to the regular festivities, a sky diver will drop from 11,000 feet and attempt to skim the pond as well.

The Balsams Wilderness, Dixville Notch - Skiers and snowboarder aren't the only ones who are happy when it snows in New Hampshire; snowmobilers share their love for the white stuff.  The Balsams Wilderness is located in northern NH, which is in the heart of snowmobile country.  On April 4 the area will host a series of vintage snowmobile events as part of Spring Mountain Madness.  Among the events are a closed course race, a hillclimb, and water crossing. 

Wildcat Mountain, Pinkham Notch - On March 2, Wildcat Mountain will host the 6^th Annual 100k Vertical Challenge to Benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Hampshire.  Up to 40 skiers or riders can participate in this fun and grueling fundraiser.  Participants will attempt to ski or ride 100k vertical feet throughout the day via the Lynx Trail.  Last year's event was able to raise over $30,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Hampshire.  An awards pasta dinner is held following the completion of the event.

Ski NH is the statewide association representing 37 alpine and cross country resorts and more than 200 lodging properties in New Hampshire.  For more information on ski areas, lodging packages, and updated winter events at Ski NH mountain resorts, call Ski NH at (800) 88-SKI-NH (800-887-5464) or visit the Ski NH website at www.SkiNH.com.  For statewide media relations assistance, visit the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism's media room at http://visitnh.gov/media/ or contact Mr. Tai Freligh at 603-271-2343, option #2.

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