FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact Information:
Karl Stone: 800-887-5464 x202
Alice Pearce: 800-887-5464 x203
Email: media@SkiNH.com
Download Release: www.SkiNH.com
SKI NEW HAMPSHIRE RESORTS COMPLEMENT SCENIC DRIVES
NORTH WOODSTOCK, NH, MAY 2008 - With mountains, lakes, and seacoast all within a few hours' drive, it's no wonder New Hampshire is known for its spectacular natural beauty. Many visitors choose to explore the state's highways and backroads, experiencing all that it has to offer. While enjoying these scenic routes, travelers are bound to pass several Ski NH resorts, which provide an excellent opportunity to get out of the car and enjoy some outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities.
The central part of the state is where you'll find Ragged Mountain, on Rte. 104 in Danbury. When the snow melts, Ragged Mountain turns into a golfer's paradise, with a scenic 18-hole championship course. Heading east, visitors will land in the heart of New Hampshire's Lakes Region with Gunstock on Rte. 11A in Gilford. Gunstock offers mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, paddle boating, mini-golf, and many other activities.
Traveling up I-93 offers the best of both worlds with incredible scenery and stress-free driving. At exit 26 you can head towards White Mountain Exploration at Tenney specializing in rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, hiking and more as part of Eastern Mountain Sports Exploration Schools. Continuing north, exit 28 leads travelers onto Rte. 49 to Waterville Valley. This scenic ride ends in a valley surrounded by 4,000 foot peaks and offers more than 60 miles of mountain bike and hiking trails, with lift service on Snow's Mountain. There's also a 9-hole golf course, skate/BMX park, water sports, and many other activities around the resort's Town Square.
Further up I-93 visitors are rewarded with views of Cannon Mountain and Franconia Notch. Just south of the Notch at Exit 32 is the renowned Kancamagus Highway (Rte. 112), featuring Loon Mountain with scenic gondola rides, mountain biking, and more. Those choosing to continue northward on I-93 enter Franconia Notch, home to the Old Man of the Mountain Historic Site and Cannon Mountain's Aerial Tramway.
Cannon's tram whisks guests to the summit, with magnificent views of the Franconia Range and Echo Lake. Walkers or bikers can really take in all there is to see in Franconia Notch on the State Park's recreation path.
Only minutes from Cannon Mountain and Franconia Notch is the Sunset Hill House. At the Sunset Hill House you'll find 360 degree views, including vistas of Franconia Notch and the Presidential Range, along with the state's longest operating 9-hole golf course.
From Franconia Notch, Rte. 3 north will bring you to the Mountain View Grand Hotel, where you can enjoy a fine meal, a drink on the deck, or a round of golf with incredible views in all directions. Just south from there, Rte. 302 east travels past the historic Mount Washington Resort. Activities there include golf, tennis, swimming, horseback riding, and hiking. Rte. 302 continues through Crawford Notch to Attitash, offering scenic chairlift rides, two alpine slides, four waterslides, mountain biking, horseback riding, and more. Past Attitash is North Conway, known for its tax-free outlet shopping, local handicrafts, restaurants and active nightlife. Or, guests can reach the base of Mount Washington by taking Rte. 16 north before reaching North Conway. This passes Wildcat Mountain with its scenic gondola ride, Ziprider zip-line, and nature hikes. Next up Rte. 16 is the Mount Washington Auto Road and Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center. This is an opportunity to summit Mount Washington by vehicle. Great Glen Trails also offers mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, and more.
Just past North Conway, East Madison is the home of Purity Spring Resort off Rte. 153. Purity Spring is famous for its family atmosphere and summer camps. There are a variety of water sports, nature tours, and many other outdoor activities offered.
In the northern reaches of New Hampshire, The BALSAMS Grand Resort rests at the base of Dixville Notch on Rte. 26. The BALSAMS has long been known as a place to get back to the simpler pleasures of life. The remote setting is the ideal place to play some or all of 27 holes of golf and tennis, or enjoy hiking, biking, or just relaxing with a book by the lake or on the veranda.
A drive through the southern part of New Hampshire could include a stop at Mount Sunapee, on the shores of Lake Sunapee, which offers lift-serviced hiking on certain weekends and several special events.
New Hampshire truly offers some of North America's most scenic byways. Combine this with the multitude of activities available and it's easy to see that New Hampshire offers a great vacation for guests of all ages.
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 recreation facilities, lodging packages, and updated summer and autumn 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 www.visitnh.gov under Travel Industry.
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