Mt Washington Valley Vibe - Winter 2019/20

Winter 2019/20 | Volume 3: Issue 11

Winter 2019/20 arts c ultur e

e v e nt s

food

h i sto r y

l i b a ti o n s

m u si c

peopl e

shops1

Over 80 different Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars. Non-GMO, gluten free, and no preservatives or added sugar.

Visit us in North Conway Village or Settlers Green next to the White Mountain Cupcakery!

FIND SOME FASCINATING OLIVE OIL FACTS AND OUR RECIPE COLLECTION AT NCOLIVEOIL.COM.

(603) 307-1066 • www.ncoliveoil.com Settlers Green & 2730 White Mountain Highway, No. Conway, NH 2 MWVvibe.com

INDULGE LOCALLY-OWNED FLAVORS AND CREATIONS.

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t’s all original and it is all here at Settlers Green and Settlers Crossing. Coffee and cupcakes, sandwiches and salads, or kick back with a creative cocktail or craft beer. Pick your pleasure at one of six local establishments and find the flavor that fits you. Learn more and scroll menus at settlersgreen.com/eat.

White Mountain Hwy, North Conway, New Hampshire Winter 2019/20

settlersgreen.com

888-667-9636 3

FROM THE EDITOR

FOUNDER/PUBLISHER/CREATIVE Dan Houde dan@wiseguycreative.com MANAGING EDITOR Cam Mirisola-Bynum SUPPORTING CREATIVE Ryan Smith SALES MANAGER Chris Pacheco ads@mwvvibe.com

DISTRIBUTION / CIRCULATION Mt Washington Valley Vibe is published four times annually and is available for pick-up, free of charge, in over 250 locations throughout the White Mountain Region of New Hampshire and into the communities of Western Maine.

Earlier this season, annual voting took place around the country for Best Ski Town in North America. After two years with the honors, USA Today voted North Conway the second-best ski town in North America, while a huge congratulations goes to Bethel, Maine for taking first place!

What exactly are the credentials to be considered a Best Ski Town? Obviously skiing is at the top of the list, but certainly après skiing, dining, lodging, and history need to be considered. Well, we certainly have all of that, plus some.

The Valley region offers 13 alpine and cross-country centers within 30 minutes of North Conway; 16 resorts to choose from within 60 minutes!

Add in backcountry skiing, which is growing faster than any other sport in the region. And lets not forget about the big boy, Mount Washington, and all the recreational winter opportunities the Presidentials have to offer.

We certainly have some of the very best après happening regularly at the alpine resorts–with live music, events, and of course, fantasic foods and libations. If you’re looking for lodging, the Valley has dozens of unique motels, resorts, B & Bs, country inns, slopeside, lakeside, and hundreds of AirBnB’s to choose from. History? Well, can the ski history get much richer?

A scan through these pages can back that up.

My point? How fortunate are we to live in an area that has, not one, but two, of the best ski towns in America just outside our doors? Seems to me the bigger question is: how in the world do we find enough time to do it all?

Happy trails!

Dan Houde - dan@wiseguycreative.com

MWV Vibe can also be found in select retail shops, dining establishments, lodging properties, and grocery stores throughout the same area.

If your business, or one you know, would like to make MWV Vibe available to customers, please contact us.

8 Spring 2019 | Volume 2: Issue 2019 | Mt Washington Valley Vibe Summer Volume 3: Issue 9

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without the written permission of: WISEGUY CREATIVE MEDIA 126 Allens Siding Road, North Conway, NH 03860 ADVERTISING For advertising, feedback, and subscriptions, call (603) 986-5761 or email info@mwvvibe.com www.mwvvibe.com

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Fall 2019 | Volume 3: Issue 10 COMPLIMENTARY

2018/19

Winter rts a

culture

events

food

history

people

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shops

arts

culture

events

food

history

libations

music

people

shops

SUBSCRIPTIONS & BACK-ORDERS

MWV Vibe is printed quarterly and offers a great way to keep up with some of your favorite interests in the Valley. An annual subscription is just $30 and past editions are $10 (includes mailing).

Subscribe online at MWVvibe.com, send an email to info@mwvvibe.com, or mail to 126 Allens Siding Road, North Conway, NH 03860. Makes a great gift, too!

MWVvibe.com

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estled within the towering White Mountains of New Hampshire, a splendid array of terrain, attractions, and après awaits you.

Generations of adventurous souls have carved their stories upon this special mountain. A fresh canvas of corduroy and powder lays before you, waiting for your story to be written in the snow.

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estled within the towering White Mountains of New Hampshire, a splendid array of terrain, attractions, and après awaits you.

Generations of adventurous souls have carved their stories upon this special mountain. A fresh canvas of corduroy and powder lays before Winter 2019/20 you, waiting for your story to be written in the snow.

ATTITASH.COM ATTITASH.COM

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WINTER 2019/20 • CONTENTS 42 - BACKCOUNTRY SKIING

70 - SNOWMOBILING

92 - CHINOOK HISTORY

FEATURES

28 AN ALLIANCE OF EATERIES

58 SNOWMAKING: BLACK MOUNTAIN

16 WINTER WEATHER OUTLOOK

34 CAMP ROBBERS OF THE WHITES

64 PERFECT LEARNERS: XC KIDS

By Ed Bergeron

By Lori Steere

By Matt Maloney

By Dan Houde

20 WHITE MNTN BREWS & NEWS

By Clem McAuliffe

24 WINTER ON THE FARM

By Liz Freierman

By Jake Risch

By Brian Wade

78 ALL ABOARD THE SNOW TRAIN

58 SNOWMAKING: PAST TO FUTURE

By Sue Wemyss

70 RIDING THE WHITES

by Birch Malotky

42 BACKCOUNTRY SKIING

By Jeff Leich/Ian Jarrett

18 7 OUTDOOR APPS TO CONSIDER 40 WINTER TREE ID

By Jeff Leich/Ian Jarrett

By Phil Franklin

92 CHINOOK OF WONALANCET

By Lauren Clem

ON THE VIBE COVER

REGULAR DEPARTMENTS 8 WINTER EVENTS 10 A LIGHTER LOOK 11 BOOK REVIEW 12 SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT 13 PROBLEM SOLVERS 14 WHITE MOUNTAIN ART 25 LOCAL FARMS & FOODS 98 HISTORY: DID YOU KNOW?

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Winter Splendor in the Valley Cover art by Zach Johnsen.

Zach is a graphic artist from Colebrook, NH doing work under the name Zenvironments. From his studio in the Great North Woods, you can find him drawing and painting every day, crafting exaggerated spirit creatures and other “enlightened environments.” View his work at www.zenvironments.com.

MWVvibe.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Birch Malotky, North Conway, NH Birch is an independent journalist writing at the intersection of science, recreation, and the environment.

Outside of work, she is most often climbing or reading.

Jake Risch, Conway, NH As a North Conway-based freelance writer, backcountry skier, and whitewater kayaker, Jake is also a founding member of three MWV non-profits, president of Friends of Tuckerman Ravine, vice president of the White Mountain Swiftwater Rescue Team, and on the board of the Granite Backcountry Alliance.

Clem McAuliffe, Bartlett, NH Clem, owner of Vista Bev & Market in Intervale, loves beer. He loves talking about beer, reading about beer, writing about beer, and of course, drinking beer. All who enter the store quickly understand the benefit of asking, “Clem, what am I drinking today?”

Lori Steere, North Conway Lori is a front yard gardener, health coach, and raw chocolatier at local farmers’ markets. She teaches cooking workshops on brewing kombucha, the art of lactofermentation, medicinal dandelion wine, and healthy fuel for athletes.

Matt Maloney, Jackson, NH Matt is a teacher naturalist at Tin Mountain Conservation Center in Albany, New Hampshire.

Formerly the Adirondack Mountain Club’s coordinator for interpretive programs, he has a degree in Environmental Education from Antioch in Keene, NH.

Lauren Clem, Madison, NH Lauren has spent her weekends and vacations in the Valley for as long as she can remember. She enjoys meeting the people who make the area tick and any story that requires her to put on her hiking boots. When she’s not exploring the White Mountains, she writes for a local newspaper in her home state of Rhode Island.

Jon Nicolodi, North Conway Jon Nicolodi works for the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Colorado Outward Bound School, and Kroka Expeditions, training staff or running expeditions in wild, remote places. He can often be found reading, writing, woodworking, climbing, or keeping his old truck running, sometimes by pushing it.

Phil Franklin, Bartlett, NH Phil moved to Bartlett from CT in 2014. Being active in the community, Phil is on the Board of Directors of the Bartlett Historical Society, the chairman of the Bartlett Planning Board, and is on the board of his local homeowner’s association. In a very active retirement, his other interests include photography, cycling, hiking, and writing.

Aurora Winkler, Fryeburg Aurora Winkler is a working abstract painter and entrepreneur. She lives in Fryeburg with her long-time boyfriend Daniel, and their two excitable English Labrador sisters, Shugar and Boona. You will likely find her down by the river or painting in the studio yurt on their land in Denmark, Maine.

Sue Wemyss, Randolf After competing in the 1984 Winter Olympics in crosscountry skiing, Sue began coaching skiers, continues as Ski School director at Great Glen Trails, and most recently received her U.S. Ski Association Level 100 Coaches Certification for Cross Country. As a published writer, she prefers writing about cross-country skiing most and is also an active outdoor enthusiast.

Brian Wade, Freedom Brian is a native Vermonter that lives in Freedom with his wife Susan, kids Addison and Lucas, and black lab, Kona. He is a firefighter for the city of Portsmouth and co-owner of Lakeside Landscaping in Freedom, NH. Brian is an avid skier, ski patroller at Black Mountain, and can be found snowmobiling and exploring the White Mountains with his family.

Liz Freierman, Bartlett, NH Liz Freierman owns and operates Highwater Farm with her wife Rachel and their child, Asa. You can find them on the farm in Bartlett, NH or selling berries, veggies, pies, and more at the Jackson Farmers Market.

Additional Contributers - Jeff Leich, writer - Ian Jarrett, writer - Jake Jacobson, writer - Jesse Wright, writer/research - Ed Bergeron, writer/research - Bob Cotrell, research - Andrew Drummond, photography - Pat Quinn, photography

INTERESTED IN JOINING THE VIBE TEAM?

Our writers, researchers, and photographers are the key to the success of MWV Vibe. If you reside locally or have ties to the Valley and would like to offer your creative talents, please contact us at info@mwvvibe.com.

Winter 2019/20

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WINTER 2019/20 • EVENTS There’s nothing quite like wintertime in the Mt. Washington Valley! We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, please call ahead to confirm dates, times, location, and other information.

Winter 2020: Modern Beekeeping & The Ancient Honey Bee January 5 – April 26, 2020 Become a beekeeper in 2020! Carroll County Adult Education is offering a 15-week course for $150 for non-GED students, held on Sundays beginning at 12:30 p.m. at 680 White Mountain Highway, Tamworth, NH. The course is free for students enrolled in a diploma class through Carroll County Adult Ed. Contact athena@athenasbees.com • (603) 323-5100 Cranmore Mountain • Cranapalooza Saturdays and daily during vacation periods, December 28, 2019 – March 7, 2020 • 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Enjoy Cranmore’s family après celebration in Schneider Square with a dance party with DJ Bobby Freedom, outdoor games, s’mores making, and special appearances from Cranmore’s penguin mascot, C-more! www.cranmore.com • (800) SUN-N-SKI Great Glen Trails • Women’s Winter Escape Saturday & Sunday, January 19-20, 2020 Women’s Winter Escape at Great Glen is a unique chance to learn and take part in a variety of activities with other women in small groups, providing personalized attention from expert instructors.

XC Skiing, snowshoeing, and yoga are just some of the offerings for the weekend. www.greatglentrails.com/winter-escape • (603) 466-3988 Great Glen Trails & Mount Washington Auto Road Sunrise SnowCoach Tours • Mondays, January 20, February 17, February 24, 2020 See an unforgettable winter sunrise at treeline from the comfort of the Mt. Washington SnowCoach. Experienced SnowCoach drivers take you to treeline (weather permitting) at 4,200 feet on the Mt. Washington Auto Road for a chance to watch the sunrise.

Trips leave promptly at 6:30 a.m. in January, 5:45 a.m. in February, and 5:30 a.m. in March, from the base lodge. www.greatglentrails.com/sunrisesnowcoach • (603) 466-3988 16th Annual Ice Harvest and Winter Carnival • Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm • Saturday, February 22, 2020 • 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Discover the historic New England tradition of ice harvesting.

Celebrate winter with outdoor activities and witness ice blocks being hand-cut from the farm pond, then floated, lifted, transported, and finally, stacked and stored in the ice house. With farm animals, winter games and crafts, demonstrations, and more.

Severe weather date: Sunday, February 23, 2020. www.remickmuseum.org • (603) 323-7591 Great Glen Trails • Ski, Shoe & Fatbike to the Clouds Sunday, March 8, 2020 • 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

This challenging event takes place at Great Glen Trails and the snow-covered Mt. Washington Auto Road. Long referred to as “North America’s Toughest 10K,” the Ski, Shoe & Fatbike to the Clouds course has an average grade of 12% over the last 6K as you climb the final 2,200 vertical feet. While there will be competitors who are seeking to make or break a record, for others it is the ultimate way to personally test themselves in one of nature’s most spectacular environments. www.greatglentrails.com/ski-shoe-fatbike • (603) 466-3988

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New Hampshire Maple Weekend Open House • Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22, 2020 • 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Learn about historic and modern methods of maple sugaring.

Watch demonstrations of Early Abenaki Indian sap-boiling practices, the boiling technique used in the traditional sugar bush, and Doc Remick’s handmade backyard boiler. Step into the Maple Sugar House and learn how a modern evaporator works; sample a maple treat. Maple syrup and Remick-made maple goodies are for sale while supplies last. Plus, meet and greet spring animals and enjoy the farm grounds. Demonstrations take place on Saturday only. www.remickmuseum.org • (603) 323-7591 Attitash Mountain Resort • Grandstand Mogul Jam Saturday, March 28, 2020 Slide back to the 80s with Attitash’s Grandstand Mogul Jam! This is a family-friendly event open to all levels of mogul skiing expertise. Competitors in the best of two runs format will be judged on turns, line, and air. Break out the neon and turn up tunes because this event gets radical! www.attitash.com/events • (877) 677-SNOW Attitash Mountain Resort • Ptarmigans Pub Entertainment: Motor Booty Affair • Saturday, April 4, 2020 • 2:30 – 5:30 p.m.

This free event is perfect for the family to get their groove on! Motor Booty Affair has been dubbed “The Ultimate Disco Party Band,” and the music is some of the most infectious and danceable of all time. Nothing is better after a day on the slopes than throwing on the bell-bottoms and getting down. The party happens in the base area, weather permitting. Check out the Attitash events calendar for more information. www.attitash.com/events • (877) 677-SNOW Wildcat Mountain • Cat Scratch Fever Saturday, April 11, 2020 • 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Show off your wild style and shred this fun, freeride spring event.

It’s not a freestyle event, but wow the judges with your best tricks and speed to be crowned with the top prize, “Cat’s Meow.”

Competitors and spectators are invited to gather and cheer for their favorite tricks. Give your legs a break with an outdoor beer garden and BBQ, weather permitting. Are bumps not your thing?

Join in from 9 – 11 a.m. for on-snow disc golf on Cheetah. No matter where you are, a party atmosphere will surround you. www.skiwildcat.com/events • (888) SKI-WILD Wildcat Mountain • Wildcat Pond Skim Saturday, April 18, 2020 • 1 – 2 p.m.

Get ready to get wet and have some fun in the springtime. This event is just as good for the spectators as it is for the competitors doing their best to make it across the pond. Dress in your most radical garb—costumes suggest, not required—and help celebrate another amazing season at The Cat. www.skiwildcat.com/events • (888) SKI-WILD Cranmore Mountain • Hannes Schneider Meister Cup Race Saturday, March 14, 2020 This fundraising event benefits the New England Ski Museum, celebrating skiing history! The event includes a Dual GS race for skiers and riders of all ages and abilities, vintage fashion show, all-day music by the Bavarian Brothers Band, and more! www.cranmore.com • (800) SUN-N-SKI MWVvibe.com

Winter 2019/20

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A LIGHTER LOOK AT VALLEY LIFE By Jake Jacobson

Fat Squirrels?

Better Pack Another Layer

I keep a terrarium full of woolly bears on my kitchen counter. I’ve got a daily regimen of measuring their orange bands.

Twice a day, with entries into a spreadsheet that I pore over for any signs of a positive trend. As a carpenter, I typically trust my trusty tape measure down to the 16th of an inch ... but not for this. This is work only to be trusted to the calipers and the micrometer ... to the thousandth. They don’t seem to appreciate my technique, but I feed them well and offer them daily encouragement, so I guess it’s a wash.

Why, you may ask? Well, everyone knows that the woolly bears predict the winter. The narrower their orange bands, the more glorious snow we can expect. If they happen to be fuzzier than “normal”— whatever level of baseline fuzziness that may be—it’ll just be colder than normal.

This is great news for the snowmakers, but not so much for the tree skiers like me.

Of course, you can’t just put all of your trust in the woolly bears. You’ve got to cross-reference with the other branches of science. When did the geese gather up and head south? How about the monarch butterflies? When did the snowy owl come back? How fat are the chickadees? Have your local ants been marching in a line or merely meandering?

How high are your hornets’ nests? What about your muskrat holes? Bet you don’t even know where your muskrat holes

are. How thick were your cornhusks this summer? How numerous and thick were the fogs in August? Are your cows’ necks particularly hairy? ARE YOU EVEN PAYING ATTENTION?!?!

The acorns have been incredibly abundant this year, which is promising, as one slip and fall hazard is a good indicator for the next. But as for squirrel activity, it’s a non-starter. If I were to regularly forget where I’ve put half of my groceries, you’d be ill-advised to see my shopping habits as an indicator of anything but fiscal irresponsibility.

I did see two woodpeckers sharing a tree, but in this economy, who can really blame them? And those pigs gathering sticks? I’ll chalk it up to a Groupon for midpriced protection against big bad wolves.

I have, however, killed an inordinate number of crickets on my hearth. Enough to inspire blizzards.

As for the raccoon tails? Let’s just say they don’t lend themselves to measurement nearly as readily as the woolly bears, and I’m not current on my rabies vaccination, so I guess I’d better leave that one to the experts.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of science ... but my copious research has led me to believe that it’s more of an economic phenomenon. My conclusion: snowfall is INVERSELY proportional to the amount of money I’ve spent on ski equipment!

New boots? Freezing rain every Thursday.

New goggles? Never even got to wear them before they got scratched in my ski bag.

And as for the new powder skis? I’d rather not talk about it.

Suffice to say that my gear purchases are directly responsible for the January thaw and bare ground in February.

So, for the greater good and the local economy, I hereby announce the sale of my ski quiver. From my all-mountain daily drivers to my mid-fat sports model to my epic “are you sure they’re not waterskis” flotation devices—no reasonable offer will be refused. I’ll even throw in a beat-up pair of cross-country skis if UPHILL skiing’s your thing.

I can think of no better sure-fire way to bury this glorious valley in knee-deep goods than to leave myself totally ill-prepared to enjoy it.

Taking one for the team. You’re welcome.

Expect delivery in May. Jake Jacobson is a contented cynic and a stand-up comic from Brownfield, Maine.

Follow Jake at Facebook/standup.guy.33 or Twitter@StandupGuyJake for show dates and humor. Follow him into the woods for secret powder stashes.

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LOCAL BOOK REVIEW By Laura Cummings, White Birch Books

The Amazing History of the 10th Mountain Division America’s Elite Alpine Warriors

Just out and in time to make for perfect winter reading is the new book, The Winter Army: The World War II Odyssey of the 10th Mountain Division, America’s Elite Alpine Warriors, by Maurice Isserman. As an historian who also teaches the history of mountaineering, Isserman has broadened the story of the 10th Mountain Division to include its inception, the training, the actual fighting in Italy toward the end of the war, as well as the impact these men had when they returned to their civilian lives—an impact we feel keenly here in the Mt. Washington Valley.

At the beginning of World War II, the U.S. Army had two cavalry divisions and no mountain troops. The German Wehrmacht, in contrast, had many and used them to great advantage. Also, early in the war, the Finns showed the extreme importance of mountain troops by holding off a numerically superior

Thankfully, that was never necessary, but the idea was still a sound one—and from it, the 10th Mountain Division was born.

The call went out to find skiers, mountaineers, and outdoorsmen. Ivy League students, park rangers, Olympic skiers, and European refugees brought their skill sets to training camp, and by the time they deployed to Europe in 1945, they were a tight-knit unit.

Isserman has done his homework and done it well. The book is filled with archival photos throughout, as well as journal entries or letter excerpts from on-the-ground soldiers. It conveys the language and feeling of the time better than any dry history. And, of course, there are the actual battles across the ridges of Italy where the Germans had blocked any Allied advance and held the decisive upper hand. The costs were high for the division. In less than four months

These are the men who came back and impacted the ski industry by working at and starting ski resorts, such as Vail and Aspen, and they also had a huge impact in our region. Various recognizable names from Mt. Washington Valley pop up throughout the book, which makes the story resonate more.

Soviet attack for much longer than anyone thought possible. They were able to do this because they had adapted to the environment they were fighting in—using ski troops who would launch devastating attacks and then silently disappear into the snowy surroundings.

In early 1940, before the U.S. was even in the war and with no idea of its outcome or direction, four men sat inside a Vermont inn, and looking ahead at every possibility, decided that the U.S. Army needed their own mountain troops. Their initial thoughts were to safeguard the northern borders of the country should things go increasingly wrong in Europe and the war come to North America.

Winter 2019/20

at the front, the 10th suffered the highest casualty rate of any U.S. division in the Italian campaign.

The Winter Army is a historical read that serves as a military history as well as a sports history. These are the men who came back and impacted the ski industry by working at and starting ski resorts, such as Vail and Aspen, and they also had a huge impact in our region. Various recognizable names from Mt. Washington Valley pop up throughout the book, which makes the story resonate more.

So when you walk along the 10th Mountain Division Trail in Fryeburg, or when the annual Hannes Schneider Meister Cup Race is held at Cranmore

each March, thanks to this book, you’ll know that much more about the brave men of the 10th, what they went through, and what a difference they made in the Valley … and in the world.

Laura Cummings owns and operates White Birch Books, an independent, full-service bookstore serving the Mt. Washington Valley and beyond.

Celebrating 25 years!

(603) 356-3200

PO Box 399 • 2568 White Mt Hwy North Conway Village, NH 03860 Just south of the park

info@whitebirchbooks.com www.whitebirchbooks.com 11

SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Tell us about your unique Valley business at info@mwvvibe.com.

STAY MWV

STAYMWV

In 2016, STAY MWV formed around the goal of ensuring that young folks in our region can affordably establish themselves and place down roots here in rural NH. This is an increasingly uphill battle, with higher wages pulling folks away from rural NH, at least until their student loans are paid off or down.

Still, this small but dedicated group of young people is actively seeking tangible solutions to today’s student loan debt crisis. They work to fundraise for their annual “Student Loan Assistance Program” and raise awareness about the issue both within our region and throughout NH. The mission of STAY MWV (Supporting Active Young professionals of Mt. Washington Valley) is “to attract and retain a vibrant and engaged young professional population in the Mt. Washington Valley.” Together with their partners, STAY MWV has awarded over $40,000 in student loan assistance funds to young people in our region over the past five years.

If your local scholarship program would like to get involved, please contact Jessica Wright and the STAY MWV Committee at staymwv@ gmail.com. If you are a young professional who is dedicated to living their best life in the MWV and would like assistance with your student loan debt, please keep on the lookout for the STAY MWV application to open in April.

STAY MWV PARTNERS INCLUDE: • • • • •

Rotary Club of North Conway Kiwanis Club of the MWV Conway Area Lions Club Mountain Garden Club White Mountains Community College

For more info, call (603) 356-5701, or visit www.stayandthrivemwv.com.

ULTIMATE CANINE ADVENTURES The Mt. Washington Valley’s Ultimate Canine Adventures (UCA) provides your dog(s) with an experience like no other! Owner, Lori Emery believes that dogs are happiest when they are balanced routinely with both regular exercise and socialization.

Adventures include hiking, running, and skiing through the mountains, trails, and open fields around the Valley. Your dog is guaranteed to be tired and content because UCA’s goal is to expend energy, decrease boredom, and promote healthier behaviors.

UCA offers two to three hours—and guaranteed at least one hour of vigorous exercise—and can customize the adventure to meet your dog’s needs. Lori has been an animal lover since childhood and her company has blossomed from the combined passions of running, love of dogs, and being an outdoor enthusiast.

ultradogwalker

ULTIMATE CANINE ADVENTURES Highlights • Custom-designed adventures to fit your dog’s needs • Pick-up/drop-off within 10-mile radius of North Conway • Dog walking • Dog sitting

For more info, call (603) 986-1192, or visit www.ultimatecanineadventures.com.

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PROBLEM SOLVERS OF THE MWV

By Jon Nicolodi

A Little Nose Love with faceGlove “Working in Grand Targhee, one of the snowiest resorts in the world, it became apparent that ski masks were the essential piece of gear that most people wanted improved.” Kevin Bourque, founder of the faceGlove.

“What industry do I most want to be in for the rest of my life?

What is the biggest problem facing people in that industry?

Is it something I can fix?” These were the questions Bourque had at the time, and since then he’s thrown himself full speed into the answers he found: a) he wants to work in the ski industry; b) all the face masks on the market block breathing and fog up ski goggles; c) he could fix this. We sat down in his shop that doubles as his bedroom in North Conway to talk through how he found the solution.

How did the idea for faceGlove take off?

“I knew I wanted to be an inventor, and I was ski bumming in Grand Targhee, one of the powder skiing meccas of the West. It just hit me while working in the ski shop. All the ski masks are awful, no one wears one, no one wants to wear one. I knew I could design something that would not get in peoples’ way. Why does nobody have anything over their noses? They cover everything else that’s cold, but not the nose.

Around 2013 I filed a provisional patent, writing pages on ski face mask design, why existing designs don’t work, why my ideas would work. One idea came through that process.”

How are faceGloves original?

“It’s so simple. A little piece of fabric on the inside folds down, the tip of your nose nestles in it, and then the straps go around your ears. It has a little wire around the brim that you can shape to your nose. The softshell is much lighter, much warmer than neoprene; and there’s a second line I’ve developed that’s thermo-moldable.”

What’s it like being a creator in this Valley?

“I won a contest in 2017 with the Mount Washington Valley Economic Council, winning a loan that I needed to finish filing the patent when the business wasn’t at a point where most standard institutions would give it a loan. Some of my first prototypes were made from scrap from the Ragged Mountain Equipment basement or from Titoune Meunier, of Wild Things. And I’ve been bouncing ideas and designs off Titoune from the very beginning. I’d have a problem and take it to her, and I think she’d know the answer before I knew it, but she’d ask the right questions, plant the seeds, and wait Winter 2019/20

for me to get there. There are creators, inventors, and tinkers all over this Valley. And every part of it is somehow connected.”

You can purchase faceGloves online (www.outeru.com) or at your local Valley gear shop. When not pursuing his creative ambitions, Bourque bartends at the Thompson House Eatery and skis, chasing powder with a well-protected nose.

Kevin Bourque • (603) 998-0701 www.outeru.com

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ART IN THE VALLEY

By Aurora Winkler, photos by Pat Quinn

Strong Women Move Mountains A Woman’s Art Collaborative

A Woman: strong, confident, peaceful, attentive, protective, loving, and wise. Trustworthy, nurturing, yet fierce. With abilities to heal, create, and govern justly.

Melanie Barash Levitt of Jackson Art Studio & Gallery and 10 other local female artists have come together and collaborated on a large painting. Their intention is to bring additional awareness surrounding women’s rights, education, empowerment, and the environment through the arts. The collaborative painting symbolically references these achievements and may provoke the question: what is it like being a woman in today’s world?

The completed painting will be unveiled this March, as the cornerstone piece, in a juried art show titled “Strong Woman Move Mountains: A Woman’s Art Collaborative,” featuring an additional 30 female artisans. Proceeds from the featured collaborative painting will be split and donated to charities, one local and one national.

The women collaborating on this painting chose to depict the goddess Athena as their muse and role model for this project. Athena is the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law, and justice, strategic warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill. She is said to be accompanied by an owl, which they have also included in the painting, a long-time symbol for knowledge, wisdom, perspicacity, and erudition.

The message these women are putting out in the world, through their artwork, is meant to inspire and encourage others, not only to collaborate on other meaningful messages our community, our nation, and civilization should address, but to encourage all women to reach for the stars, follow their dreams, be limitless, find their individual courage, and know where to get support.

Stay tuned for location, times, and specific dates of this exciting upcoming 2020 show. The Woman’s Art Collaborative will be issuing a press release and advertisements will go out closer to the opening date!

If you have any questions, feedback, or want to volunteer, email Melanie Barash Levitt at melanie@jacksonartnh.com.

14 MWVvibe.com

MWV ART GALLERIES Surroundings Art Gallery 12 Main Street, Sandwich, NH (603) 284-6888 www.surroundingsart.com

Gallery 302 112 Main Street, Bridgton, ME (207) 647-2787 www.gallery302.com

White Mountain Photography 95 Main Street, located inside Snowflake Inn, Jackson, NH (603) 374-6050 www.whitemountainphoto.com

League of NH Craftsmen North Conway 2526 White Mountain Highway, North Conway, NH 603) 356-2441 www.northconway.nhcrafts.org

Harvest Gold Gallery 1082 Main Street, Center Lovell, ME (207) 925-6502 www.harvestgoldgallery.com AJP Fine Art 55 Louisa Drive, Center Conway, NH (781) 534-3849 www.ajpfineart.com Roger C. Williams Fine Art 125 Main Street, Lovell, ME (207) 925-3380 www.rogerwilliamsfineart.com Louise Perry of Vintage Frameworks 28 Norcross Circle, North Conway, NH (603) 356-7711 www.vintageframeworks.com Artworks 132 White Mountain Highway, Chocorua, NH (603) 323 8041 www.chocoruaartworks.com

White Mountain Artisans Gallery 3358 NH-16, North Conway, NH (603) 356-6546 www.facebook.com/pages/ White-Mountain-ArtisansGallery The Cassidy Gallery at Jackson Village 10 Seavey Street, North Conway, NH (603) 662-2074 www.cassidygallery.com Main Street Art! Gallery 16 Norcross Circle, North Conway, NH (603) 356-7711 www.mwvarts.org

Nathan Macomber Glass Studio 480 Eaton Road, Conway, NH (603) 447-1825 www.macomberglass.com

Edge of Maine Art & Framing 182 Main Street, Brownfield, ME (207) 935-2817 www.edgeofmaine.com

Gateway Gallery & Gifts 32 Exchange Street, Gorham, NH (603) 466-9900 www.gatewaygallery.biz

Patricia Ladd Carega Gallery 69 Maple Street, Center Sandwich, NH (603) 284-7728 www.patricialaddcarega.com

St. Kieran Community Center for the Arts 155 Emery Street, Berlin, NH (603) 752-1028 www.stkieranarts.org

Cook Memorial Library 93 Main Street, Tamworth, NH (603) 323-8510 www.tamworthlibrary.org Winter 2019/20

Get pre-qualified before you shop: • Understand how much you can afford • Show Realtors & sellers you’re a serious buyer • Move the mortgage process along smoothly

Plus, it’s fast & free!

Let Northway be your guide.

therightmortgage.com 16 branches throughout NH, including six from Berlin to West Ossipee!

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Jackson Art Studio & Gallery 155 Ridge Road, Jackson, NH (603) 387-3463 www.jacksonartnh.com

Erik Koeppel Fine Art P.O. Box 325, Jackson, NH (603) 383-7062 www.erikkoeppel.com

Fryeburg Harbor Antiques and Fine Art Gallery 506 Harbor Road, Fryeburg, ME (207) 925-2848 www.fryeburgharbor.com

CAN’T WAIT TO GET HOME?

Corrections needed for this listing? Please email info@mwvvibe.com.

Carol is absolutely wonderful!

She was knowledgeable, respectful, professional, and efficient.

I would highly recommend Carol to my family and friends.

Western Maine Lakes & Mountains Carol Chaffee, REALTOR® www.carolchaffee.com (207) 240-1641 • Fryeburg, ME 15

WINTER WEATHER OUTLOOK: 2019/20

By Ed Bergeron

WILL THE SNOW SHOW UP? What will winter 2019/20 snowfall bring to the Mt. Washington Valley? With under 10� as of mid December, we’re off to an average start. We barely exceeded the 44-year November average of 4.7 inches. Many local ski areas have had early opening dates; in the case of Cranmore Mountain, which was a record early opening.

What does an average winter snowfall look like in the Mt. Washington Valley? It can vary quite considerably. Higher elevations on Mount Washington often have snow during October that adds beautiful contrast to fall foliage. Skiable snow comes with snowmaking supplemented by natural snow in mid to late November.

It generally happens first at Wildcat or Bretton Woods, which have high base elevations of about 2,000 feet. Cranmore Mountain has the lowest base elevation of about 500 feet, so skiable snow there generally happens in late November to early December.

Snowfall throughout the Valley increases significantly after November, with the 44-year December average being 18.2 inches. The maximum December snowfall was 40.8 inches in 2007 and the minimum was 2.8 inches in 1992. This generally means that all ski areas are in full operation by the Christmas holidays and snowfall and ground snowpack continue to increase until mid-March, when spring melt typically begins.

While the annual average snowfall has declined from over 100 inches in the early weather records in the Mt. Washington Valley (MWV) to 85.3 inches now, natural snow supplemented by improved snowmaking should continue to provide dependable skiing, which, as we know, is very important to the MWV economy.

Ed Bergeron is a local weather observer, trustee, and previous executive director of the Mount Washington Observatory. He hosts the Morning Weather Show each day at 7:45 AM on 93.5 WMWV FM.

Provided by the National Weather Service Forecast Office - NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data

MISSING DATA MISSING DATA

MISSING DATA

MISSING DATA

MISSING DATA

INCHES

LONG RANGE FORECASTING RESOURCES

Curious as to what the pros think the upcoming winter and spring will look like? Check out these resources provided to us by the National Weather Service: www.weather.gov/hun/climateforecast or www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/multi_season/13_seasonal_outlooks/color/churchill.php 16 MWVvibe.com

COMFORTABLE WINTER TOURS TO TREELINE ON

MOUNT WASHINGTON Just 20 minutes north of North Conway

GreatGlenTrails.com 603-466-3988

COMFORTBLE TOURS TO TREELINE TO AN EXTREME WORLD ON MT. WASHINGTON!

Book your trip online!

Visit the Extreme World Above Treeline!

SnowCoach tours on the Mt. Washington Auto Road run daily, departing from the cozy Great Glen Trails base lodge.

Scenic Trail System

Family Fun

SnowCoach Tours

Best Nordic Ski Shop

Base Lodge & Cafe

Ski-In

Ski-Out

Trailside Lodging at The Glen House Hotel — Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at The Notch Grille

Come explore over 45 KM of uncrowded, family-friendly trails at the base of Mt. Washington Winter 2019/20 Skiing Cross Country

•

Snowshoeing

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Snow Tubing

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Winter Fat Biking

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Nordic Ski Shop

•

17 Restaurant

Vibe’s Choice

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FIRST AID, HEALTH & FITNESS First Aid - (Android, iOS: Free) www.redcross.org • 10,000+ ratings • 4.5 stars

By Dan Houde

APPS TO CONSIDER

FOR YOUR WINTER ADVENTURES As much as some of us hope to get away from technology, especially when outdoors, there’s no doubt that phone apps can be helpful in many ways. We shouldn’t ever put ourselves in a position where we need to rely on them, but today’s apps give us access to vast amounts of well-presented, accurate, real-time data.

Armed with knowledge, and in some cases never before available, many apps offer the potential to roam faster, farther, and at times, more safely into the backcountry than ever before.

Many of these apps are free, but some charge for additional features ... and may be worth the annual rate. But be warned that once you buy up, be careful to choose to opt out of “auto-renew” or you’ll be charged again the following year. Either way ... let us know about your favorite at info@mwvvibe.com for our next edition!

While there’s nothing quite like staying up-to-date on backcountry medicine through a professionally taught class like those available through the locally based SOLO (www.soloschools.com), thanks to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, now you can have ready access to basic medical knowledge with the First Aid app. Preloaded content means you can study up on the basics before heading out.

Latest update: Version 2.8.0 (Nov 18, 2019) • 46 MB

NEW! FUN WINTER DISCOUNTS FOR ME AND NH KIDS WinterKids - (Android, iOS: Free) www.winterkids.org • 5 ratings • 4 stars

A phone app that aims to keep kids healthy doing things they like at a discounted rate? We like it! The WinterKids app is full of free and discounted winter activities such as alpine skiing and XC skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, tubing, and more.

Deals can be found for kids ages 5-17 who live in ME and NH, many offering special family days as well. A family membership gives a family of five access to redeem these offers at each recreational area. Memberships cost just $35 and are valid through 10/31/20.

Latest update: Ver 1.3.0 (December 23, 2019) . 11.5 MB

SKI/SNOW REPORTING, WEATHER FORECASTING OpenSnow (Android, iOS: Free) www.opensnow.com • 415 ratings • 4.7 stars

With a bit more focus on weather and forecasting, the OpenSnow app has been downloaded over 50,000 times. You’ll get quick access to ski forecasts, mountain cams, and write-ups on the latest storm systems; and get detailed forecasts, with details and science behind the weather, on a level that non-meteorologists can understand. For $20 annually you can get hourly and daily forecasts for your area and plenty more cool features.

Latest update: Ver 3.1.3 (October 14, 2019) • 21 MB

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WEATHER, PLANNING Weather Underground (Android, iOS: Free/upgrade) www.weather.com • 391k ratings • 3.7 stars

Weather Underground displays accurate hyperlocal forecasts, coming with easy-to-read interactive radar, satellite maps, and severe weather alerts.

Data from user-owned weather stations fills in the missing information between airport weather stations, so you receive hyper-accurate statistics about your area. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the app’s notifications for first and last light, as opposed to just sunrise and sunset. The app is free, and ads can be turned off for $1.99 annually.

Latest update: Ver 5.10 (November 19, 2019) • 35 MB

SPORTS, SKIING, DISCOUNTS Liftopia - (Android, iOS: Free) www.liftopia.com • 0 stars • 0 Ratings

NEW APP ALERT! Liftopia works directly with hundreds of ski areas across the planet to bring discounts to your phone for booking before you go. Save on lift tickets, lessons, rentals, and lots more at over 200 resorts. How does it work?

Ski resorts give Liftopia datespecific, exclusive prices throughout the season, and the app sends you the best deals from the resorts. Extra features include the ability to save your favorite ski resorts as well as updated snow condition information for your go-to ski spots.

Latest update: Version 1.1.0 (Jul 11, 2019) • 32.48 MB Winter 2019/20

GPS, MAPS, TRAFFIC ALERTS & WEATHER NAVIGATION Waze - (Android, iOS: Free) www.waze.com • 7,660,023 ratings • 4.5 stars

Most of us by now have not only heard of Waze, but may already be “wazers” for some time. The app tells about traffic, police, crashes, and can even alert us about the best time to leave for our planned destination.

But just released, Waze can now show snow conditions in real-time, warning you if the road you plan to take, to the mountains perhaps, hasn’t been plowed! The new feature can be found on the Hazards menu under Weather—just look for the Unplowed Road report.

Latest update: Version 4.57.2.0 (Dec 4, 2019) • 82 MB

CRACKLING FIRE, SLEEP, OR ROMANCE INDUCER Romantic Fireplaces - (Android, iOS: Free) 3,628 ratings • 4.6 stars

At the end of the day in the mountains, there’s nothing quite like the warming sounds of a crackling fire. So if that cheap Airbnb you rented for the weekend didn’t come with a real fireplace, we have the answer. This app allows you to choose from multiple fireplace settings, with various crackling sounds, and if you’re really bored, you can even watch how the fire gradually consumes the firewood. Fall asleep slowly or create that intimate moment to wrap up that special day in the Valley.

Latest update: Version 1.0.5 (October, 2019) • 46 MB 19

By Clem McAuliffe

GAME ON, WINTER!

These Brews Are in it to Win it!

On a windy Halloween night, I was driving home, only to be surprised by an entertaining line of leaves somersaulting across the street ahead of me. I imagined they were

Keeping in the spirit of the night, I paternally slowed to a stop and let the litter of leaves cross. As my window lowered, I lingered to let some stragglers cartwheel past to catch their herd that had cluttered into a swarm along an old wooden fence.

Dreamily, I sat listening to them wrestling and rustling as they rifled through their

One second it was a mild colorful fall day in Oz; then, Mother Nature lays on the horn and its 18 degrees in Kansas. And I was not ready, I blame it on Halloween coming so late this year. Luckily, the local brewers were better focused than I and are duly prepared for winter. Whether you want to pace yourself, so you last long

Bring a six-pack to the company Christmas party and maybe you’ll get lucky enough to be pretzeled with Pat from accounting. tiny trick-or-treaters and amused myself as to why they all wore similar leaf costumes.

“Slower than a slinking slug, able to blow over tall buildings; look up in the sky: is it a bird, a plane? No, it’s Leaf-Man! Fighting a never-ending battle for truth, justice, and photosynthesis.”

bags of booty. Images of my youth flickered in my mind like I was flipping through photos. I could even smell the candy corn!

Then, someone honked at me—rightfully so! Just as abruptly as that driver’s horn snapped me back to reality from my warm Halloween memories, so did winter’s toll.

enough to make it to the end of a Monopoly marathon, or just cuddle up with a crossword, there’s beer for any activity.

First move goes to Tuckerman Brewing with First Tracks. This is their new winter seasonal. Just like getting in a first tracks run, this session IPA is a smooth,

Ground Level Stout Hobbs Tavern & Brewing Co. Boneshaker Brown Moat Mountain Brewing Co.

First Tracks IPA Tuckerman Brewing Co.

Salinity Now! Hobbs Tavern & Brewing Co.

Hornets Nest Saco River Brewing

easy glider of a beer. This crisp, clean hop-forward SIPA shows the best of the Simcoe and Citra hops, plus locally grown barley from Shady Elm Farm in Conway, NH. At 4.9% ABV, you can keep your hand steady to extract the funny bone without getting buzzed. If your night activities require less dexterity, you can deal yourself four-of-a-kind of the 6288 Stout. These new cans open with a slight roastiness and a mellow maltiness. Then, this 6.2% winner takes the pot with a mouthfeel like pocket aces. New cans means new art work from the lovely Hanna Lucy. To fill out their hand, Tuckerman has an ace-inthe-hole that they keep close to the vest. There’s 50 Cent Day IPA, which is a juicy hazy NEIPA that is available in cans at the Tuckerman Tasting Room (TTR). If you plan to pick up some, check their website or Facebook page first so you can double down with some cornhole, open mic night, or catch one of the awesome live concerts.

It’s important to be able to play with others as demonstrated by the new collaboration between the Moat Mountain Brewery and the Woodstock Inn Brewery. I don’t yet know exactly who did the brewing or what they used to do it, but I have been clued in as to the name of this killer brew: Kank Hopper India Pale Lager. To further investigate the mystery beer, you need not check the study or the library, simply roll your way to either restaurant. Whichever you

choose, there are plenty more brews to check off your list. Woodstock’s Wassail Ale is a cleaner take on the traditional spiced ale recipe. This strong 8% ABV winter warmer is a surprisingly easy drinking amber that could sneak up and club you with a candle stick if you’re not careful.

Moat Mountain also has a heavy hitter in their winter seasonal Imperial Stout. Their 9% ABV hit man doesn’t toy around with ropes or lead pipes.

It’s straight to the revolver. Luscious dark roast and chocolate malt notes blend to bluff you into a false sense of security. Before you know it, BLAM! It’s Colonel Mustard in the Billiards Room and game over!

Typically, I find meddling very annoying, but the medaling Hobbs Tavern is up to is the complete opposite, and in fact, quite noteworthy.

For the third year in a row, Hobbs has been kinged. This year it was their Back Road Brown Ale that won Gold at the 23rd Annual Great International Beer, Cider, Mead, and Sake Competition in Bridgeport, CT. Unlike the back roads in NH, this brown beauty is as smooth and inviting as the polka dot play mat of Twister. Bring a six-pack to the company Christmas party and maybe you’ll get lucky enough to be pretzeled with Pat from accounting. To help break the ice, Hobbs has a new Belgian Golden Strong that’s standing tall and ready to roll. This big brew with a crisp, clean Pilsner malt backbone and a hint of

6288 Stout Tuckerman Brewing Co.

JUST HOW GOOD ARE OUR VALLEY BREWERS? The local homebrew group “IBU” [Interstate Brewers Union] has once again taken the “People’s Choice Award ... for the 3rd year in a row! The award was given out at the 23rd Annual New England Homebrewers Jamboree, typically held at the Tamworth camping Area, Tamworth, NH, in late summer. Congrats gentlemen!

Old Course Porter Saco River Brewing

Imperial Stout Moat Mountain Brewing Co. Manley Milkshake IPA Rek’•Lis Brewing Co.

Wik-id NEIPA Rek’•Lis Brewing Co.

BACKYARD BREW BRAINTEASE I often take for granted how the beer on my dinner table got there. Mostly, I imagine a bunch of brewers drinking beer and playing games while stirring a pot of boiling brew. Then, abra-cadabra!, there’s your beer. But, of course, I realize it’s not all fun and games. Brewing great beer for the public and getting it to them takes a lot of hard work, cooperation, and passion. So, thanks to all the dreamers, brewers, and drivers that bring our beer from the point of conception to the joys of consumption. Now, please pour a pint as you ponder this puzzle that promotes the products of our local purveyors.

DOWN 1 Cranky 2 One type of dog chew 3 A large container for storing beer 4 Where you buy beer 5 Short for India Pale Ale 8 Solo wild canine 10 Edge of the glass 12 Sour German wheat beer 13 Metal swine (voted best NH Brewery) 14 For Sure!

15 6-______ 17 Defensive ditch 19 Lodge for singers 20 Deceiving hairstyle 22 Capacity to recover quickly 23 On this Thursday, you post old pictures 25 Moat says “_____ no beer” 28 Def Leppard drummer 29 Bethlehem, NH Brewery 30 Flight takeover 32 Inferno hosting Ravine 37 What the Czechs drink 38 Beers 40 Local blueberry favorite 42 The Island of Bourbon Barrel 44 Stout Quality of a NEIPA 45 16 oz

ACROSS 3 6 7 9 10

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Counter-top protectors Mt. Washington’s nickname Noisy sandal Famous music festival Beer that sounds like a woodcutter Sailing canine We’re done until tomorrow Bunny does it Tiny gulp A sweet and sour Belgian

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19 Steep cliff at the end of a valley 21 You’ll find these in fresh powder 24 Continuing result of an AC on 26 Warheads’ flavor profile 27 Short for International Bittering Units 31 ___bo Pub at Black Mountain 33 What you’re holding now 34 An ore forge 35 The cause and solution to all my problems 36 Tyson

37 Camping’s first task 39 Short for Russian Imperial Stout 41 You tap this 43 Guinness, 6288, Squirrel Tail, e.g.

44 West Ossipee draughter 46 Former Austrian currency 47 The finest profession in all the land 48 Barrel aged for two ______ (ANSWERS ON PAGE 54)

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citrus will keep you calm even as the blocks are being knocked out around you. Even if you can’t remember your left hand from your right foot, at 9.11% ABV, this is a beer you will never forget.

Next to spin the dial of Life is Rek-lis Brewing, based in Bethlehem, NH. Already with a carful of screaming suds, Rek-Lis has made room for their newest beer, Root to Rose, a 6% Pilsner dry-hopped with locally foraged rose hips. Added bonus: $1 per beer will be donated to Root to Rise, a nonprofit perma-culture foundation. The good karma created from these generous donations will surely let them climb that ladder all the way to the top. But to stay on top, you have to avoid those chutes and be thinking at least two moves ahead, which they have with their Queen of a Beer, Madame Noir. This double digit stout—10% ABV!—has been aged for one year in Pinot Noir barrels. Complex yet subtle, this powerful piece can move in any direction across your palate. With dark roast, smooth malts and a finish with grip, you had better keep your eye on her, for she’s liable to take your knight. To win you must expand, and Rek-Lis is in it to win it. The new brew house means cans and growlers will always be available. Plus, the new bar tallies their tap total to 24 handles, yippee! So, take

SAVOR THE HOPS.

a chance and go directly to Rek-Lis (do not collet $200, if you pass GO).

Hidden in plain sight on Route 16 is Seadog Brewing. You may know about their flagship Blue Paw blueberry ale or the delicate Sunfish wheat with hints of peach and grapefruit. What you probably don’t know is they have been sandbagging cask ales in that big red barn. They keep it cool, shuffling through beers, such as the Engine 3 Saison, White Horse Ledge IPA, or their future-tongue-fun Chocolate-Cherry Porter (with a twist ... wink ... wink ...). This meld will melt the snow off your boots before the bang-bang shrimp arrives.

Lastly, don’t risk missing Saco River Brewing in Fryeburg, Maine. Still slinging a savvy slew of brews, Saco is slowly stealing the hearts of beer lovers across the map. In their mission to rule the beer world, they deployed two new DIPAs in a classic pincer move. The first, Ripple Effect, is unfiltered and full of hazy hoppiness. While the other’s name is classified and full of Lupalin espionage. If that wasn’t enough, they can sink your battleship with shots fired from their barrel-aged imperial Old Course Porter at 9.6% ABV.

Before I leave to go act out Elmer Fudd hunting rabbits, let me say thank you to all the players that made this game night possible.

Clem McAuliffe, owner of Vista Bev & Market, loves beer. He loves talking about beer, reading about beer, writing about beer and, of course, drinking beer.

All who enter the store quickly understand the benefit of asking, “Clem, what am I drinking today?”

V

S TA

(603) 356-5084 • Intervale

RELISH THE FLAVOR.

Come by to say hi to BOOMER!

TAP INTO THE HIPPEST EATERY! Thirty ever changing craft beers on tap Seasonal street food layered with local products and international flavors

• Over 500 Craft Beers • Make Your Own 6-Pack • Just South of Storyland

Tap into your inner beer lover!

www.barleyandsalt.com Settlers Green Streetside, 1699 White Mountain Highway, North Conway, NH 03860 • (603) 307-1037 Winter 2019/20

(603) 383-4800 779 ROUTE 16, GLEN, NH 23

Patch Farm photo

Hosac Farm photo

WINTER ON THE FARM

Hosac Farm photo

By Liz Freierman

While there is much real work to do, this is the aspect of winter farming that makes the rest of the year possible for us. It is the pause to remind us that we love what we do, are inspired by it, and long to do it once again.

I

t’s 6 o’clock on a Wednesday night in November, pitch black, and the first snow is coming. The neighborhood is bustling with the sounds of leaf blowers and chainsaws. In every yard there seems to be some sort of activity happening. In our own yard and farm, we work quickly to harvest leeks, broccoli, kale, Brussel sprouts, and green tomatoes. The sounds around us are reassuring as we spend the last hours of the season gathering what we can from our beds. We are lucky this year that the season stretched so far into the fall. Last year’s snow came almost a month earlier and didn’t leave until spring. That’s the thought on all of our minds as we race the night towards the end of the farming season. Will we see the ground again?

The next day is all rain, and though we are grateful for the reprieve and happy to tidy a few more corners of the farm in the stolen time, we were maybe secretly hopeful that the snow would come and we would have to admit defeat until spring. That we’d have to take a break from the endless cycle of turning and amending soil, planting, weeding, harvesting, selling, and preserving.

The snow finally comes during the night, surprising us all with its sudden realness. Asa, our almost 2-year-old, is ecstatic while watching the glistening snow outside our window at 5 a.m. We feel both pride in the stoke for winter we have fostered all summer and fall and a yearning to go back to sleep on this cold dark morning. The stoke wins and we head outside in the

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WHERE TO FIND LOCAL FOOD DURING THE WINTER SEASON It’s easy to eat local in the summertime. Farmers markets and farm stands can be found relatively easily and are stocked with all your favorite veggies and just about every kind of delicacy you can imagine.

Although the choices drop during the colder months there are still lots of locally grown goodies to pick from. Here’s where to find them!

Winter Farm Stands Fly Away Farm Offering organic sourdough bread, their own jams, potatoes, shallots, onions, carrots, beets, chicken, pork, black Angus beef, handcrafts, such as soaps and wreaths. Winter offerings available by order or at Lovell Farmers’ Market.

142 South Barbour Road, Stow, ME (207) 446-7352 • flyawayfarmmaine@gmail.com Grand View Farm Route 16 farm store open daily, now through the end of the Christmas Season, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Offering trees, wreaths, garland, centerpieces, crafts, jam, maple syrup, and more!

564 White Mountain Highway, Conway, NH (603) 960-2199 • www.facebook.com/gvfarms1 Naylen Farm Self-serve farm stand is open throughout the year offering eggs, chicken, heritage pork, goat meat, maple syrup, and honey. If the barn door is open, the store is open.

930 West Side Road, Conway, NH (603) 986-0544 • www.naylenfarm.com Patch Farm Open daily, sun-up to sun-down, featuring organic eggs, chicken, and forest-raised pork, and vegetables to-order. 570 East Main Street, Denmark, ME (207) 939-1493 • facebook.com/patchfarm.me Winter 2019/20

Takeout and call ahead seating

603.356.4470

flatbread company Inside the Eastern Slope Inn, 2760 White Mountain Highway North Conway, NH 03860 25

Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm Open Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. offering eggs, maple syrup, beef, pork, and lamb. Both ground meat products, as well as various cuts, for sale by the piece.

58 Cleveland Hill Road, Tamworth, NH (603) 323-7591 www.remickmuseum.org The Sandwich Creamery The Creamery stays open year round with seasonal flavors. Winter offerings include fresh and aged cheeses: cheddar, smoked cheddar, brie, caerphilly, coulommier, and three flavors of spreads. And ice cream!

130 Hannah Road, North Sandwich, NH (603) 284-6675 sandwichcreamery@aol.com Sherman Farm Open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Featuring farm-raised beef and pork, milk in glass bottles, and locally handmade crafts.

2679 E. Conway Road, Center Conway, NH (603) 939-2412 www.shermanfarmnh.com Top of the Hill Farm Featuring pasture-raised beef, pork, and lamb available all year, as well as eggs and maple syrup. The farm stand is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. year round. At the Exeter and Rollinsford Seacoast Eat Local Markets in the winter, as well as the York Winter Market.

50 Martin Hill Road, Wolfeboro, NH (603) 817-0620 topofthehillfarm@metrocast.net White Gates Farm Self-serve farm stand open year round, featuring chicken, pork, beef, and eggs, as available. Year-round events and lodging on the property, as well. Check out the “Pizza in the Greenhouse” series on select Saturdays all winter long!

2153 Cleveland Hill Road, Tamworth, NH (603) 662-7538 • www.whitegatesfarm.com Weston’s Farm & Market Farm stand in Fryeburg open daily through Christmas Eve, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., offering a large selection of decorated wreaths, garland, and kissing balls, as well as gifts, books, holiday wines, and baked goods. Cut-your-own and pre-cut Christmas trees.

48 River Street, Fryeburg, ME (207) 935-2567 • www.westonsfarm.com

Winter Farmers Markets BRIDGTON Organic vegetables, chicken, pork, and eggs, grass-fed meats, grass-fed dairy: milk, cheese, yogurt, kefir, jams and jellies, locally roasted coffee, fresh-baked bread.

Saturdays 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Runs through April 20, 2020.

214 Main Street; Bridgton United Methodist Church www.facebook.com/Bridgton FarmersMarket/ LOVELL Offering organic sourdough bread, artisan pastries, cookies, meat, produce, handmade soaps, jewelry, therapeutic-grade essential oil products for body and cleaning, holiday gifts, wreaths, and more. The Lovell Farmers’ Market takes place at the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library on Main Street in Lovell, Maine every 2nd and 4th Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information, contact Shelby Monroe at (207) 925-3177, or head to www.hobbslibrary.org.

TAMWORTH The Tamworth Winter Farmers’ Market is held at the Tamworth Town House, 27 Cleveland Hill Road (the main street through Tamworth Village) every week (except November 30) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through the end of the year; and then periodic Saturdays January through March.

Dates: • November 2, 9, 16, and 23 • December 7, 14, 21, and 28 • January 4 and 18 • February 1, 15, and 29 (leap year!)

• March 14 and 28 Contact Bob Streeter at (603) 323-2392 with any questions, or go to www.tamworthfarmersmarket.org.

WOLFEBORO Convenient on-site parking and easy access for all. Fresh vegetables, raw milk, artisan cheese, honey, pastured meats, baked goods (including gluten free), poultry, eggs, handmade soaps, and selected crafts, all from the local area. In addition to great local products, the market sponsors a DOUBLE SNAP program, which offers double benefits to carriers of the Electronic Benefits Card (EBT).

Open on the first and third Saturday of each month from November 2 through

May 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the First Congregational Church of Wolfeboro, 115 South Main Street.

Contact info@wolfeboroareafarmersmarket.com. www.wolfboroareafarmersmarket.com Foothill Farm Alliance Winter CSA A collaboration of five farms in western Maine and New Hampshire, the Foothill Farm Alliance offers fresh veggies from November through February. Every other week, CSA members go to one of four meeting points, visit with the farmers and other members, and pick up their veggies.

A typical share includes storage crops like garlic, onions, and winter squashes, as well as fresh greens, such as spinach, head lettuce, mustards, and herbs. Late season inquiries are okay!

Pick-up locations are in North Conway, Center Conway and Ossipee, New Hampshire and Gorham, Maine. Details at www.foothillfarmalliance.com.

Retail Outlets

• Spice & Grain, Fryeburg, ME • The Other Store, Tamworth, NH • Farm to Table Market, Ossipee, NH • The Local Grocer, North Conway, NH For more local food opportunities, keep in touch with local food advocacy group, Mt. Washington Valley Eaters & Growers (MWVEG). Find them on Facebook or reach out directly to Jesse at jwright@usvlt.org.

MWVEG, is a group of farmers and local food advocates working together to build a vibrant local food system in the greater Mt. Washington Valley.

For additional information on local farming, pickup a copy of the Local Farm Guide, a grassroots form of cooperative marketing and public education tool. www.mwveg.com.

Find an additional listing of all the NH winter markets, visit www.agriculture.nh.gov.

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early morning light to explore in the snow and try all of the things to do with snow that we’ve been reading about in the warmer months: trying on skis, attempting to make snowballs, practicing shoveling.

We all take a breath to enjoy this sudden change of the seasons. The snow continues sporadically over the next 24 hours. We watch it come down and marvel at the seasons of New England, each so entirely different from the next. The

in the night. And while there is much real work to do, this is the aspect of winter farming that makes the rest of the year possible for us. It is the pause to remind us that we love what we do, are inspired by it, long to do it once again.

We will start seeds inside at the end of February—and then we are off and running once again, little time to think, little time to plan. Winter is the chance for our brains (and spreadsheets) to catch up to our hands. I can only imagine what win-

face-numbing wind and snow make it almost impossible to remember the feel of warm soil under bare feet, the intense hope and joy of watching the first seedlings push into the sunlight.

The bones of the last kale and broccoli in the garden will have to wait—forlornly fossilized in the snow. The soil tests we were supposed to do this fall will have to wait. The weeds and the ground cover we didn’t get to will have to wait. We have done all we can, and for now, we are out of time. Now is the time for resting, for recharging, for planning.

Many, many farmers, even those in this rugged climate with its relentless snow and cold, find ways to farm through the winter with the use of tunnels and heated greenhouses.

Those of us who live here are very fortunate to be able to find fresh local food year round. However, on our small farm (at least for now), we take the winter off from farming. Our cellar is stocked with leeks, garlic, Brussel sprouts, and squash; our freezers are overflowing with cubes of kale and pesto, bags of tomato sauce, corn, and berries; our pantry is stocked with dehydrated tomatoes and jars of chutney and relish. We love being able to eat what we have grown throughout the winter—and make a contest of trying to eat all that we have put away. All of that bounty leaves us plenty of time for the real work of farmers in the winter: planning.

The winter season is not what you focus on when you dream about becoming a farmer. In the short months between that first snow and the time when we will once again push seeds into warm soil, there is still much to be done, even if you are not growing. There is the business side of things: finalizing profit and loss sheets, calculating future expenses, paying taxes, and reparations. There are the books to read, which were carefully selected and passed around throughout the summer, but have been waiting for the pause in seasons for a chance to crack the spines. And then there is the planning—trying to implement new systems, test new crops, different row configurations, scheduling when each crop will be planted, transplanted, harvested. Winter is the time for making resolutions, for vowing to be more thorough, to document more, waste less, and imagine a November when everything is tidy well before the first snowfall.

The spring garden grows in the farmer’s mind throughout the winter, untethered to the realities of time and money.

It is inspired by books read, by conversations had over potlucks, by workshops attended, by dreams that wake you

ter must be like for farmers who grow year round—no break in the cycle, no stolen moment of quiet to watch the snowfall and know that you’ve done all you can.

Many, many farmers, even those in this rugged climate with its relentless snow and cold, find ways to farm through the winter with the use of tunnels and heated greenhouses. Those of us who live here are very fortunate to be able to find fresh local food year round.

Winter 2019/20

Liz Freierman owns and operates Highwater Farm with her wife, Rachel, and their child, Asa. You can find them on the farm in Bartlett, NH or selling berries, veggies, pies, and more at the Jackson Farmer’s Market, when open. You can also find them online at www.highwaterfarmnh.com.

Local, fresh, and Fun for Everyone!

Located on main street in the heart of North Conway village, we are your neighborhood restaurant serving up fresh, local and delicious food in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

(603) 356.4747 • ChefsBistroNH.com 2724 White Mountain Hwy, No. Conway Village, NH 27

AN ALLIANCE OF EATERIES

Committed to Community Imagine a group of locally owned and operated restaurants with a purpose to promote, nurture, and protect independent restaurants in the Mt. Washington Valley. Expand that vision to them sharing a commitment to their community by supporting local businesses and by donating a percentage of profits to local organizations, charities, and activities.

Formed in the mid-1980s with only seven members, the Valley Originals (VO) is a non-profit organization that began with a mission to preserve the delicious food and great beauty of our beloved Mt. Washington Valley (MWV). Consisting of owners of pioneer MWV restaurants, some being area staples now for 40, 50, even 60 years—Merlino’s Steakhouse, Red Parka Steakhouse & Pub, Delaney’s Hole in the Wall, Horsefeathers, Shannon Door Pub, Decades Steakhouse & Pub, and Fandangle’s (the last two, no longer in business)—these entrepreneurs recognized a need to protect the integrity of local dining against the growing influx of franchise restaurants flanking small towns in rapid numbers all over the U.S. Instead

By Lori Steer

of competing with one another, they are nurturing the local economy and have fostered an inclusive atmosphere for locally owned and inspired eateries to thrive.

These favorite Valley restaurants—now a much larger group—have become landmarks loaded with local history and family memories, while maintaining a passion for excellence in food and service.

MEMBERSHIP This group takes membership very seriously. In order to be eligible to join, each prospective establishment must be locally owned and operated, of course. All members are required to uphold quality products, high customer satisfaction, and a unique dining experience—which is why it is essential that an owner always be on the premises during operating hours. Each business must have at least three years’ operating experience, and to “proudly display the Valley Originals flag” in a distinguished location for patrons to easily recognize. Once you know it, you can’t miss the bright yellow-gold banner with a familiar fork and plate logo. Once associated, everyone is included in all printed material and website advertisements— providing logos, business profile, and contact information—and must agree to

participate in all Valley Original sponsored marketing programs, as well as group donations and fundraising.

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS Besides the basics, there are more requirements most people may not be aware of.

As a group, one common goal is to ensure other local businesses thrive as well. All members must agree to purchase 70 percent of their resources and services from the VO preferred vendor list. Many of the businesses on the list are local, or they are companies that will source locally, as well as offer group discounts or “kickbacks.” For example, because of their unified buying power, one major distributor has obliged their requests for more locally sourced products, also refunding the group 2 percent back on their purchases. One hundred percent of this refund is sent straight to the Valley Originals donation bucket—to be donated to local community non-profits.

They are thrilled to be using their influence to give back to the beautiful Mt. Washington Valley they “live in and love.”

The members of the Valley Originals know that they can use their capacity as an organization to support other local businesses in a big way. Imagine the impact 25 restaurants all committed to using a small

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local print company for their flyers can have, for example. Or 25 big accounts with the local propane provider, local trash collector, local web designer, local bookkeeping company. This consciousness creates a synergistic dynamic, directly putting money back into the pockets of community members who may be friends, neighbors, and customers, alike.

Keep in mind, as an organization, the goal of the Valley Originals is not to have all of its members meld together into “cookie-cutter” businesses. Every restaurant has its own unique vision, signature, and style. They are free to manage their own costs and food purchases any way they wish. While members are not required to purchase ingredients from local farms, the practice is certainly encouraged, and demand can be more easily met on a smaller scale. Some businesses have taken this very seriously, being more focused on sourcing local food and products than others, with many of the VO eateries using as many small family farms as possible. If you would like to know more about who is purchasing local food, check out your favorite Valley Originals restaurant website for information.

INTEGRITY AND LOCAL LOVE A final requirement is that members must participate in all Valley Originals fundraising efforts, as well as community donations.

One of their goals is to “channel

partnership is continuously working together to ensure money generated at their 25 restaurants is spread back out into the community that supports them.

An easy way for this to happen is for every member to fulfill a minimum donation of 21 gift certificates valued at $25 each, per year, to local fundraising groups.

This does not count toward the discount gift certificate sales (of which all of those gift certificates are also donations), which is a local favorite, taking place four times a year.

Upcoming donations on the radar for the winter include a yearly monetary donation of $500 to each of our seven local food banks, as well as cash donations to Angels & Elves, and students of Nordic and downhill ski programs.

It’s also time for the end-of-year clean out, when the donation coffers are emptied. There is no carry-over from year-to-year, and VO will gladly find a place or two to unload any leftover funds before beginning a new calendar year.

They are always approached by new causes looking for support. There are over 200 local organizations that have received cash or gift certificate donations from the Valley Originals throughout the years. While the list of non-profit organizations they help is too long to show here, you can visit their website for more information. In recent years, VO has been able to give back over $300,000 annually to the community—with well over a million

In recent years, the Valley Originals has been able to give back over $300,000 annually to the community—with well over a million dollars total in the last five years alone: $1,500,675, to be exact. Yes, those numbers are correct—these people mean more than business. efforts and resources of the independent restaurant community to help improve the quality of life in the Mt. Washington Valley.’’ They want to make sure every member can keep up with their mission statement for donations, which is that “100 percent of donations go back to local people in need.” This Winter 2019/20

dollars total in the last five years alone: $1,500,675, to be exact.

Yes, those numbers are correct—these people mean more than business.

MEMBERSHIP BY DESIGN By limiting membership to 25 businesses, this ensures the

Hosting national acts in the foothills of the White Mountains in an intimate timber-frame barn. Serving dinner by reservation before concerts. Open year round.

Booking weddings and functions, too!

OUR CALENDAR FOR 2020 ...

ADDING SHOWS DAILY! Jan. 17 Jan. 18 Jan. 24 Jan. 25 Feb. 1 Feb. 7

Susan Werner Roomful of Blues -SOLD OUT Juston McKinney Dave Maillett Richard Thompson Solo Acoustic True Blues with Corey Harris and Cedric Watson - In support of WMPG Feb. 14 Gaelic Storm Feb. 15 Shemekia Copeland Feb. 21 JigJam - Irish bluegrass Feb. 25 Mardi Gras with Heather Pierson Band - sounds of New Orleans Feb. 27 Bob Marley Feb. 28 Ghost of Paul Revere Feb. 29 Alana MacDonald (of Devonsquare) March 3 Robert Cray Band March 6 Lankum March 7 Los Lobos March 13 Glen Phillips and Chris Barron March 14 St. Paddy’s Dimming of the Day Dinner - Carol Noonan Trio, Erica Brown & Josephine County March 20 Tim Gearan March 21 Kat Edmonson March 26 Birds of Chicago - FREE SHOW April 17 Stone Mountain Song Stage April 18 Mike Farris April 23 Junco CD Release Concert April 25 Judith Owen May 16 DuoDuo Quartet - night of music, song, dance May 21 Matt Nakoa - FREE Show May 22 The Mammals May 29 & 30 Judy Collins July 10 An Evening with Tom Rush - accompanied by Matt Nakoa July 11 Paula Poundstone July 14 & 15 We Banjo 3 July 31 David Bromberg Aug. 14 Paula Poundstone

StoneMountainArtsCenter.com Just 15 minutes from North Conway (207) 935-7292 • Dugway Road, Brownfield, ME 29

ABOVE: The Valley Originals happily support all Mt. Washington Valley student sports, year round! Happy Nordic team skiers shown above with VO water bottles!

ABOVE RIGHT: Terry O’Brien (owner of Red Parka Steakhouse & Pub) and Wally Campbell, executive board member and “go-to-man” for the VO!

organization is manageable. The Valley Originals can guarantee its unwavering standards are never watered-down, overlooked, or compromised. Executive member Genn Anzaldi, owner of J-Town Deli & Country Store in Jackson, describes how there is a waiting list of other wonderful, local restaurants wishing to join VO, and the current limit could always grow if approved by a member vote in the future. They want to make sure everything is done right, with slow and steady progress. There is plenty of information shar-

they agree with all requirements—and will be able to meet them. The voting process then begins, first with the executive board, then on to members at the January meeting. All members are subject to member approval. If you are approved, you are then free to give and receive the many benefits of being a Valley Originals affiliate.

REACHING OUT BEYOND MEMBERS Twice a year, the Valley Originals hosts open-house events, which are gatherings where all the local lodging and VO business partners One of their goals is to channel efforts and resources are invited of the independent restaurant community to help to attend.

These fun improve the quality of life in the Mt. Washington Valley. events serve They want to make sure every member can keep up with as platforms their mission statement for donations, which is that 100 for the Valley Originals percent of donations go back to local people in need. to thank all the lodging partners (all ing, discussions on a large range of topics, lodging in the MWV area) for sending their and voting at the quarterly VO meetings, guests to be VO guests, as well. Helping where full attendance is required, as all to keep “our” guests happy while visiting members are encouraged to freely express our Valley to ensure they return again, and their ideas and opinions. The application again. These “lodging partners” are not process is quite lengthy.

VO members but are unique and original To start, a potential member must businesses in the area. An ever-growing first approach the Valley Originals with list of the lodging partners is listed on the a request. They will meet with an execuVO website. tive board member and discuss a list of With over 600 individuals employed required qualifications and must decide if among the 25 restaurants, employee con-

cerns are also something the group takes seriously. Their main concerns are housing, livable wages, employee benefits, and good working conditions. The Valley Originals members have hosted open seminars addressing minimum wage issues here in the MWV, encouraging discussions with anyone concerned. They also hold a seat on the local housing coalition. They are always looking for ways to offer employee benefits, as well.

CHOOSE AN ORIGINAL The innovative members of the Valley Originals have joined together to keep the Valley original, in a place where nationally recognized chain restaurants and businesses are constantly trying to push their way in. Many of these restaurants are classic landmarks that have not changed a bit, serving as cornerstones in our town: mandatory stops for travelers looking to soak up some familiar ambiance when they visit, regular meeting places for local residents who want to enjoy a night out, a great breakfast or lunch gathering. Whether a weekly or seasonal visitor, you can rely on stepping into your favorite Valley Original aprèsski tavern, sports pub, café, or breakfast place, to find that cozy atmosphere, unique family recipes, and friendly faces you expect year after year. You can choose to spend your money on a full-circle dining experience, each one as unique as the mountains surrounding them.

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25

600 INDIVIDUALS

RESTAURANTS There are 600 individuals employed among the 25 restaurants.

180 10k ORGANIZATIONS

CERTIFICATES

So far this year, the Valley Originals have donated to over 180 organizations, given away 10,000 gift certificates, and helped over 10,000 community members!

135 FOOD BAGS PER WEEK

In the Mt. Washington Valley, our local elementary schools receive 135 bags each week throughout the school year, containing two breakfasts, two lunches, and three dinners for the weekend.

Winter 2019/20

31

HOW THE VO SUPPORTS LOCAL FUNDRAISERS So far this year, the Valley Originals has donated to over 180 organizations, given away 10,000 gift certificates, and helped over 10,000 community members! Here are a few organizations you may recognize that regularly receive sponsorship from the Valley Originals: JEN’S FRIENDS – 2019 donation: $15,000+ Jen’s Friends Cancer Foundation provides supplemental financial assistance and other resources to cancer patients and their families who are residents of the Mt. Washington Valley who may be underinsured, financially challenged, or uninsured.

This alleviates some of the financial burdens they may face, allowing them to focus on fighting cancer and healing. Their annual Climb Against Cancer in September is a great way to get out and support local families. Absolutely 100 percent of the money raised goes directly to help cancer patients. They are currently assisting 70 local families. www.jensfriends.org KENNETT HIGH SCHOOL CULINARY PROGRAM AND CAMP – 2019 donation: $6,000+ In addition to supporting the Kennett High School Culinary Program by being board members, donating food to be prepared by the students for events, helping source equipment, and always looking for interns from the culinary program. They also support one of seven different week-long camps offered at Kennett Middle School each summer. Culinary Camp gives

students a hands-on education to every aspect of working in a professional kitchen—from choosing a meal, preparing food, cleaning up the kitchen, and everything in between. Culinary Camp has two phases: one focused on baking, the other focused on meals. The Valley Originals has been a long-time sponsor.

KENNETT ATHLETIC BOOSTER CLUBS – 2019 donation: $3,000 The mission of the Athletic Booster Clubs is to encourage and support Kennett Middle School and High School athletic teams, cooperate with school administrators in promoting the best interests of the athletic programs and athletes, and foster a sense of school and community pride through athletic programs at both schools. They encourage sportsmanship, leadership, enthusiasm, and proficiency in sports, presenting an award annually to an outstanding athlete in each sport. https://sports. kcsd.org/booster-club STARTING POINT – 2019 donation: $3,000 This is a non-profit, providing services for victims of domestic and sexual violence in Carroll County. With seven full-time staff members, one part-time staff member, and over 30 volunteers, they provide over 15,000 hours of service to the community each year. They provide shelter, a 24-hour support line, advocacy, support groups, education and prevention programs, and legal accompaniment. Their annual, sold-out Boots-n-Bling Gala is a huge fundraiser sponsored by VO. The Valley Originals member, Black Cap Grille, is hosting a Dine to Donate for Start-

Celebrating 26 Years!

Maple Syrup Penny Candy Snacks & Munchies Beverages Apparel Home & Kitchen Soaps, Scrubs & Lotions Toys & Games Maple Candy Specialty Foods Gift Baskets

LOCATED IN THE VILLAGE OF NORTH CONWAY • ZEBS.COM •

(603) 356-9294

32 MWVvibe.com

ing Point on January 7th from 5 to 9 p.m. www.startingpointnh.org ANGELS AND ELVES – annual donation: $3,000+ Operated by the Kiwanis Club of the Mt. Washington Valley, our local Angels and Elves helps families unable to provide gifts for their children for Christmas.

Through fundraising and solicitation of sponsors, over 700 children receive a minimum of eight wrapped gifts of winter clothing and toys each holiday season. www.mwvkiwanis.org/angels-and-elves-frequentlyasked-questions END 68 HOURS OF HUNGER – 2019 donation: $3,500 This is a national, public non-profit, with the goal to relieve food insecurity some school children face between the time they leave school on Friday afternoon and return to school Monday morning. In the Mt. Washington Valley, our local elementary schools receive 135 bags each week throughout the school year, containing two breakfasts, two lunches, and three dinners for the weekend. Meals are also given to the Conway Head Start program, and Kennett Middle School and High School food closets. The Valley Originals holds an annual Dine to Donate fundraiser for the month of May that benefits our local End 68 Hours of Hunger chapter. www.end68hoursofhunger.org

Thanks

to the patronage of our guests we have donated... $333K ★ $309K ★ $316K ★ $269K ★ $239K 2018

2017

2016

to worthwhile local charitable organizations!

1

Almost There

16

Black Cap Grille

17

Cafe Noche

18

Albany • 603-447-2325 2

3

5

Christmas Farm Inn

Discount Gift Certificate Sales This event can be found online at www.thevalleyoriginals. com, where you choose from a limited supply of donated gift certificates discounted at 30 percent off, for each of your favorite VO restaurants. The most direct way to say “thank you” to loyal customers, you can purchase a $50 gift certificate for $35, or a $25 gift certificate for $17.50, with every penny generated from this quarterly event going directly into the VO donation fund. The gift certificate raises an average of $8,500 each time it is held.

Dine to Donate VO members individually host Dine to Donate fundraisers and several host other fundraising events, anything from Bingo for a Cause to simply having a donation bucket for a local cause. The only Dine to Donate Valley Original Member Wide is in May, to support the National End 68 Hours of Hunger campaign. Ok, what does this mean? One facet is that for the duration of the campaign, there is a breakfast, lunch, or dinner special dedicated to the designated cause. So if you purchase a Dine to Donate meal, a portion of that meal is donated to that non-profit.

To impart an old bit of wisdom: “The more things change, the more they remain the same.” I think most of us would agree, this truth applies best to no other place than Mt. Washington Valley.

And we like it that way.

6

Delaney’s Hole In The Wall Horsefeathers

Joseph’s Spaghetti Shed J-Town Deli & Country Store

Jackson • 603-383-8064 10

Margarita Grill Glen • 603-383-6556

11

Max’s Restaurant & Pub at Snowvillage Inn Eaton • 603-447-2818

12

McGrath’s Tavern

N. Conway • 603-733-5955 13

Merlino’s Steakhouse N. Conway • 603-356-6006

14

Moat Mountain Smokehouse

N. Conway • 603-356-6381 15

Notchland Inn

Shannon Door Pub The Shovel Handle Pub Jackson • 800-677-5737

22

Thompson House Eatery Jackson • 603-383-9341

23

White Mountain Cider Company Glen • 603-383-9061

Glen • 603-383-6680 9

Shalimar Of India Jackson • 603-383-4211

21

N. Conway • 603-356-6862 8

Red Parka Steakhouse & Pub North Conway • 603-356-0123

20

N. Conway • 603-356-7776 7

Priscilla’s

Glen • 603-383-4344 19

Deacon Street

N. Conway • 603-356-9231

Oxford House Inn North Conway • 603-356-0401

Conway • 603-447-5050 Jackson • 603-383-4313

2014

Fryeburg • 207-935-3442

N. Conway • 603-356-2225

4

FUNDRAISERS HELD BY THE VO Everyone wins with a Valley Original fundraiser!

2015

24

Wildcat Tavern

Jackson • 603-383-4245 25

302 West Smokehouse & Tavern Fryeburg • 207-935-3021

In addition, the VO also donates over $13K in member gift certificates to over 180 Organizations/Charities in the MWV area, each year! We also strive to work with local farmers and local producers of high quality products whenever possible.

Hart’s Location • 603-374-6131

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The Beloved Canada Jay May Also Steal Your Heart

By Matt Maloney

WiseguyCreative.com photo

N

o matter the season, hikers familiar with the higher summits of the White Mountains, know there tends to be a rapid transition in climate zones in the region. From the warmer climbs of the surrounding valleys, the forest rises rapidly amongst sugar maples, birches, and other hardwoods. A determined hiker—before too long—reaches the damp, mossy boreal forest of spruce and balsam fir trees. In the warmer months, the air fills with the cleansing, aromatic scent of these conifers. The hiker may be aware of the changing forest and smells, but often unbeknownst is a change in the types of creatures that inhabit this evergreen forest high on the slopes.

Among the creatures a visitor to the boreal forest of our higher mountains may encounter is the gregarious “Canada Jay.” Also known as a “Gray Jay” or as a “whiskey

a wonderful thing to watch, reminiscent of the way an owl glides and perches at night.

If you happen to be munching on a lunch or snack, the Canada Jay is sure to swoop down on any morsel you drop. As such, these beautiful white and gray birds are often seen by lunching hikers in the White Mountain high country above 3,000 feet. But don’t take the sighting of one for granted. The White Mountains of New Hampshire represent a tiny piece of the spruce and fir forest habitat that is much more common in northern Canada and Alaska. In fact, 73 percent of Canada Jays breed in the Canadian forest of spruce and fir. These spruce/fir forests are known as boreal forests, after Boreas, the Greek God of the north wind.

In the eastern U.S., boreal forests are primarily found at the higher elevations of the White Mountains, Adirondack

Jack” back in the day, the Canada Jay usually first captures a hiker’s attention through a high squeaky, chattering whistle or one of many of the other sounds and chirps it emits. In addition to these many sounds, Canada Jays are also good mimics and can imitate many other bird sounds, such as that of a hawk.

If you’re able to locate the source of these sounds, you might catch a glimpse of the Canada Jay. If you catch it in mid-flight, you’ll see a bird about the size of a blue jay gliding ever so slowly and with hardly a sound. It’s as if you were watching a newly fallen autumn leaf floating through the air. Then it will just as softly fall down onto a new perch, often a dead snag. This slow, soundless glide is

Mountains in New York, the Green Mountains in Vermont, and in the higher elevations and swamps and bogs of the northern Maine woods. Our White Mountains are but a small sliver of their typical Canadian habitat, which is found over a thousand miles to the far north. For this, we are very lucky to be able to see Canada Jays so far south.

The boreal habitats of the White Mountains are truly island realms of scented evergreens and unique wildlife.

The first time I ever encountered a Canada Jay was as a college student hiking in the White Mountains for a weekend with my brother. I remember seeing the slightly unfamiliar birds and wondering if they were some kind of blue jay with the wrong color pattern. They do, after all,

If you happen to be munching on a lunch or snack, the Canada Jay is sure to swoop down on any morsel you drop. As such, these beautiful white and gray birds are often seen by lunching hikers in the White Mountain high country above 3,000 feet.

WiseguyCreative.com photo

Courtesy photo

The deceptively cute Canada Jay is one of the most intrepid birds in North America, living in northern forests year round and rearing chicks in the dark of winter. Highly curious and always on the lookout for food, Canada Jays eat just about anything, from berries to small animals. Although we prefer to keep them wild, they may even land on your hand to grab a raisin or peanut.

Winter 2019/20

35

closely resemble a blue jay in size and general shape. But the ghostly colors of white and gray or charcoal are, in fact, good diagnostic markers. They are also cloaked in a very thick layer of downy feathers that leaves them well prepared for northern winters. This gives them a very fluffy appearance when seen up close. You won’t hear those familiar loud piercing cries that blue jays make either. Just squeaks and chattering sounds. The location where I saw my first Canada Jay was at the Zeacliff lookout, overlooking the Pemigewasset Wilderness. I’ve seen them in the same location several times since, as many hikers lunch at that wonderful vista, to the delight of the Canada Jay or “camp robber.” Please don’t feed them, though. It’s always a good idea to keep wildlife “wild” and not dependent on human handouts.

Another spot I encounter them frequently is the junction of the Crawford Path and the Mizpah Cut-Off trail below Mount Pierce.

Canada Jays have many interesting characteristics that can make them quite endearing. They often travel around in family groups and will mate for life with the same partner. I can personally recall coming upon a family of Canada Jays in a large bog in the Adirondacks where there were juveniles and adults mixed together. The juveniles are a charcoal color all over and stand out amongst their more ghostly patterned parents.

Canada Jays breed and start building a nest in the dead of

winter. At some point in February or March, a female will lay a clutch of two to five eggs. Only one of the juvenile birds will stick around all summer. The smaller bird or birds are eventually driven out by the larger bird who remains with the parents until it can find a suitable territory of its own. If you see a Canada Jay while hiking in the White Mountains, keep close alert—there may be a full flock coming your way.

Like most of the other corvid family members, which include jays, crows, ravens, and magpies, Canada Jays seem to have a relatively high level of intelligence. They show off some of that intelligence with their ability to store food intentionally and then come back for retrieval at a later date. They have extra sticky saliva that allows them to stick food morsels behind the platy bark of spruce trees for later retrieval. Perhaps they have great memories, as they have very low mortality rates in the harsh winter months. Although they are known to sometimes seek lower elevations in winter, I have personally seen Canada Jays at treeline in the middle of winter and have regularly run into them at close to 4,000 feet at that time of year. Anyone who has faced the harsh winds and cold of high elevations in winter can appreciate the hardiness of these birds!

Canada Jays will eat a varied diet of insects and other invertebrates, small rodents, berries, and even bird eggs. They

Anywhere within the boreal habitat of the White Mountains, usually found above 3,000 feet, is good to look for Canada Jays.

WiseguyCreative.com photo

36 MWVvibe.com

Dan Strictland photo WiseguyCreative.com photo

TIN MOUNTAIN INFO AND EVENTS Tin Mountain Conservation Center (TMCC) offers environmental education programs for school children, adults, and families that foster greater awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the natural environment.

Programs, camps, and trails are offered at their 228-acre Field Station in Jackson as well as the Nature Learning Center in Albany, NH, which also serves as headquarters.

Throughout the calendar school year, Tin Mountain provides environmental learning programs tailored to the curricula of participating schools. Last year, 6,000 students and teachers in 17 schools in NH and ME participated in TMCC activities.

Summer camps in four locations serve hundreds of children. While younger children enjoy day camps, older campers enjoy a variety of week-long biking, hiking, and canoe adventures.

For adults and families, TMCC offers Community Nature Programs—a series of slide shows, hikes, lectures, and field trips featuring local natural history experts.

Program fees, grants, membership fees, fund drives, and a growing endowment, managed by the New Hampshire Charitable Trust, support Tin Mountain.

Tin Mountain Conservation Center 1245 Bald Hill Road, Albany, NH (603) 447-6991 • www.tinmountain.org 2020 EVENTS • Please check online for updates Film Screening: More Than Honey Monday, January 6, 7 p.m.

Biomimicry Thursday, January 16, 7 p.m.

Canada Jays have many interesting characteristics that can make them quite endearing. They often travel around in family groups and will mate for life with the same partner. will also eat just about anything a hiker leaves behind, including meat. In fact, one of the old names for Canada Jays was “venison hawk.” This is a reference to their habit of raiding logging camps for morsels back in the days when lumberjacks lived out in the woods for weeks at a time in temporary logging camps. In all probability the origins of the name “camp robber” came from the vast timberlands that Canadian lumberjacks roamed; but if you hike the trails of the Pemigewasset Wilderness area within the White Mountain National Forest, you will traverse many areas of boreal forest suitable for Canada Jays while passing many remnants of long-gone logging days, including old logging camps.

The Pemigewasset was known for its forest of tall, straight spruce trees, and although those forests are now second-growth and often have reverted back to fast-growing birch and other deciduous trees, the boreal landscape up high remains a great habitat to find the Canada Jay. Other boreal bird species of note one may encounter in the White Mountain’s boreal forest include the spruce grouse, saw-whet owl, Lincoln’s sparrow, black-backed woodWinter 2019/20

Boreal Birds Field Program Saturday, January 18, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Meet at Grants Shop ‘n Save, 9 US-301, Glen, NH Youth Art Program: Wildlife Sketching Saturday, 18, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Life Below the Ice Thursday, January 23, 7 p.m.

Winter Tracking Classroom session: Thursday, February 6, 7 p.m.

Field session: Saturday, February 8, 9 to 11 a.m.

New Hampshire’s Declining Bird Population Thursday, February 13, 7 p.m.

Family Snowshoe Saturday, February 15, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Unless another location is specified, all above programs will be held at the Nature Learning Center, Tin Mountain, Bald Hill Road, Albany, NH.

37

RANGE MAP

CANADA JAY SIGHTINGS MAP - WHITE MOUNTAIN REGION Map Generated from eBird Observations (Year-Round, 2014-2019) ebird.org/map/gryjay

Canada Jay Perisoreus canadensis ORDER: Passeriformes FAMILY: Corvidae

OTHER NAMES FOR CANADA JAYS • Camp Robbers • Whiskey Jacks • Gray Jay pecker, blackpoll warbler, yellow-bellied flycatcher and the boreal chickadee. Bring a good field guide in your backpack, as encounters with these birds come at unexpected times!

Anywhere within the boreal habitat of the White Mountains, usually found above 3,000 feet, is good to look for Canada Jays. This habitat of our highest mountains will reward your climbing efforts in many ways—through the wonderful smell of balsam fir and spruce, occasional vistas of mountains from outlooks, and perhaps if you’re lucky and patient, with a look at that beautiful flyer on silent wings known as the Canada Jay. Matt Maloney is a teacher naturalist at Tin Mountain Conservation Center in Albany, New Hampshire. Tin Mountain Conservation Center (TMCC) offers environmental education programs for school children, adults, and families that foster greater awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the natural environment.

THREE MORE BEAUTIFUL BOREAL BIRDS As you walk White Mountain trails above 3,000 feet, you may encounter other boreal birds besides Canada Jays.

One of the most exciting birds to come upon is the spruce grouse.

When sighting this bird, you may be astounded by its seemingly tame MDF photo behavior.

You can slowly walk right up to the bird, and just when it seems as if you could reach out and touch it, it alights and flies away. Just a bit. An old name for the spruce grouse was “fool’s hen” in regard to its tame nature. The more common ruffed grouse flies away as if shot out of a cannon when an unsuspecting hiker rounds a trail bend. Unlike the ruffed grouse with its camouflage brown and beige feathers, a male spruce grouse has much darker feathers and a prominent red brow over its eye.

The black-backed woodpecker male has a distinctive yellow cap on its head that distinguishes it from all other common woodpeckers, along with a solid black back. It’s our only strictly boreal species of woodpecker.

(The three-toed woodpecker looks similar, but is only found in far northern Maine with rare exceptions.) They are usually found picking for food under the bark of a dead spruce or fir tree snag. If you see a black woodCephas photo pecker with a yellow cap, you can be sure it’s a black-backed.

Another distinctive boreal species you may come across is the boreal chickadee. If like most folks, you’re familiar with the “chick-a-dee-deedee!” call of the familiar black-capped chickadee, you may recognize a call that sounds similar but a little off, like a chickadee with a head cold perhaps.

Indeed, the boreal chickadee has the same basic call as a chickadee, just with a very nasal tone. The cap is brown instead of black, as well; another very important diagnostic difference. These are true birds of northern climes and their nasal tones may well scold your passing even on a winter day up in the high country.

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Joe Klementovich photo

How well do you Know your Winter Trees?

Think Three Bs by Birch Malotky

A

s the year’s blaze of fall foliage peels away from the landscape, so too does the heat and vibrancy of the season cool into early winter. “Stick season” appears like an apparition, mixed in portent, fleeting in occupancy. Then, as surely as the leaves each year, the snow falls, settles, accumulates. The land, it seems, quiets. And yet the apparent stillness of winter belies life pulsing below the surface: big mammalian hearts beat out their slow rhythms buried in snow, families spend long evenings tending the wood stove, bare trees sip at summer reserves of nutrients. In the Mt. Washington Valley, a gallant citizenry fights the cold with oversized jackets, hearty fare, and an unrelenting commitment to the outdoors. A steady stream of hikers, snowshoers, and skiers cross the landscape, experiencing the singular beauty that winter in the Whites has to offer.

While rime ice and hoarfrost adorn the upper slopes of the White Mountains, turning familiar peaks into fantasy, the forests below take on a more subdued character. Bare branches spread above wide trunks, a lattice of brown replacing a canopy of green above quiet, snowy trails. While less showy than fall, less obtrusive than summer, less swollen with beginnings than spring, trees in the winter assert themselves with an austere insistence, line drawings rendered bold and precise.

Compared to other seasons, during which trees sprout clues about their identity from every branch, strew the forest floor with nametags, as it were, winter trees may also seem to us covert, almost secretive. A once familiar forest of red maples and big-tooth aspen may dissolve into gray trunks and skeletal limbs, one indistinguishable from the other. But with a few simple tools, this same familiarity may be regained in winter, each tree on a favorite snowshoe or ski track greeted

by name. The “three Bs of winter tree ID”—bark, branching, and buds—offer themselves as a guide to our winter trees, with the depth and direction of exploration entire up to us.

Branching: Opposite or Alternate?

Branching refers to species-specific patterns in the way twigs grow off the main branches of a tree. Deciduous trees are either opposite, growing across from each other, just like your arms, or they are alternate, which means they are staggered along the branch, taking turns growing on one side, then the other. Though not seen in winter, the way a tree branches will also be the way it buds, and the way its leaves grow on the twigs. Because opposite branching is far less common than alternate, it helps narrow the possibilities when trying to identify dormant trees. If you see an opposite branching tree, it is either a maple, ash, or dogwood. Coniferous trees, on the other hand, branch in a whorled pattern, radiating out from all sides of the trunk.

Buds Can’t Lie

The look of a tree’s bark varies with its age, health, and growing conditions. A tree’s branching may deceive you if a maple’s “partner” twig has broken off due to freezing, wind storms, or fungal damage, making it appear alternate. Buds, however, will always tell you about the tree they are growing on, if you read them right. Though small and often high in the canopy, these are the most accurate tool for winter tree ID. A field guide or search engine will likely aid you as you begin to study the size, shape, and color of the various species buds. But soon you will know by heart that beech buds are long and lance-like, while red maples have scaly, reddish buds, and oak buds cluster at the end of each twig. Happy budding!

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NAME THE BARK

A

Can you match the photos to the species?

B

C

1. Red spruce (Picea rubens) Gray-brown to reddish-brown, red spruce bark is thin and scaly.

2. Balsam fir (Abies balsamea) Thin and gray with many resin blisters that emit an aromatic sap when popped.

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

3. Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) Cinnamon red to gray, hemlock bark is thick and ridged.

4. Pitch pine (Pinus rigida) One of the only pines that can sprout from its trunk, pitch pine has thick, red-brown plates with deep furrows.

5. White pine (Pinus strobus) White pine have thick grey bark with fissures that deepen with age, forming irregular blocks.

6. Red maple (Acer rubrum) Light, gray, and smooth when young, red maples develop furrowed, almost shaggy bark when mature.

7. Yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis) Shiny, bronze to gray bark that peels horizontally in thin, curly strips.

8. White or paper birch (Betula papyrifera) Bright white bark with dark lenticels that peels in thick layers to reveal orange inner bark.

9. American beech (Fagus grandifolia) Thin and gray and almost skin-like on any age tree, beech bark is normally strikingly smooth, but beech scale disease has pocked the bark of many New Hampshire trees.

10. Ash (Fraxinus americana) Gray bark with distinctive, diamond-shaped furrows.

11. Black cherry (Prunus serotina) Mature black cherry bark breaks into dark, small plates with raised edges that are often described as “burnt potato chips.�

12. Red oak (Quercus rubra) Wide, flat-topped ridges with shallow, reddish furrows.

Note: most tree species have smoother bark when young, which develop their characteristic ridges, plates, furrows, etc. as they age.

1. H 2. J 3. E

4. D 5. C 6. K

7. G 8. A 9. I

10. B 11. F 12. L

Winter 2019/20

41

GBA courtesy photo

First Tracks into

White Mountain Backcountry The common backcountry thread is a desire to get away from the crowds, infrastructure, amenities, and safety net of the resort. It is getting back to skiing as a means of travel and exploration, to efficiently move through wild winter landscapes and interact with nature in its element.

But the backcountry requires self-reliance, preparedness, and good judgement. Whether you’re taking your first steps off the groomers or your next steps into high country, we’ll cover what you need to know and offer resources to work with here.

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A Human-Powered Snowsports Primer

W

By Jake Risch

e’re in a remote corner of the White Mountains following a solo track through 18 inches of fresh snow, headed for a little blue line on our map scrawled on the side of one of the region’s 4,000-foot peaks.

We are grateful for the nameless adventurer who has broken trail for us this morning. As we climb upwards, sliding one ski in front of the other, zig-zagging through hardwood stands and snow-laden softwoods, we alternate between friendly small talk and silent reflection. Settling into the rhythm of the skin track, my mind wanders from anticipation of reward

10,000 backcountry skier and snowboarder visits to the local glades they developed, contributed $1M in local spending, which supports 16 local jobs.

We eventually catch the lone splitboarder and join forces, rotating trail-breaking duty as we push on to a GPS waypoint marking the traverse into the goods. The reward at the end of the climb was worth it. We quickly layer up, transition to ski mode, grab a quick snack, and begin the descent through a tight maze of krummholz. As we descend, the shots between trees get wider, with every turn eventually opening up into a classic New England brook bed. We

waiting at the top, to excitement about exploring this new zone, to the realization that I am perfectly content in this moment. Moving through the mountains, in deep snow, on a pair of skis with synthetic skins stuck to the bottom is satisfying on an evolutionary level.

Modern Nordic backcountry, telemark, alpine touring, and splitboarding gear provide unprecedented mobility, performance, and comfort and are fueling a boom in human-powered exploration away from the snow guns, grooming machines, and mechanical lifts of the resort. An economic impact study commissioned by the Granite Backcountry Alliance (GBA), a North Conwaybased non-profit focused on promoting and advocating backcountry skiing in the region, estimates that nearly

take turns making fresh tracks through 2,500 vertical feet of bottomless powder. For our mixed crew, on alpine touring (AT), telemark, and splitboarding gear, we prove that there are friends on a powder day, especially in the backcountry—and what a day it was.

GBA courtesy photo

Modern Nordic backcountry, telemark, alpine touring, and splitboarding gear provide unprecedented mobility, performance, and comfort and are fueling a boom in human-powered exploration away from the snow guns, grooming machines, and mechanical lifts of the resort.

Winter 2019/20

What Is Backcountry Skiing?

Backcountry (BC) skiing/snowboarding exists along a spectrum, ranging from exploring gentle rolling terrain along the fields and streams of the valleys on one end and climbing and skiing off of remote steep exposed peaks on the other. The common backcountry thread is a desire to get away from the crowds, infrastructure, amenities, and safety net of the resort. It is getting back

43

First Tracks into

White Mountain Backcountry The freedom and solitude of the backcountry come with responsibility.

When BC skiers leave the organized trail networks behind, they also leave behind the safety net of an organized ski patrol. to skiing as a means of travel and exploration, to efficiently move through wild winter landscapes and interact with nature in its element. The backcountry requires self-reliance, preparedness, and good judgement.

Backcountry Nordic skiers explore ski trails, hiking trails, farm fields, and closed Forest Service roads around the Valley. Lightweight telemark gear offers more support for trails with a more sustained downhill pitch. AT gear, telemark gear, and splitboard allow uphill mobility with full downhill performance to explore backcountry glades, historic ski trails, and the alpine terrain of the Presidential Range. Ski mountaineering adds technical winter climbing and mountaineering equipment to ascend and ski off of big peaks and steep technical lines.

Exploring Beyond Groomed Nordic Trails

The Mt. Washington Valley (MWV) has many options for Nordic skiers to get off of the beaten track, away from the crowds, and enjoy this winter wonderland. Beginners and experts alike can find solitude exploring fields, forests, and river valleys.

Equipment

Backcountry Nordic gear excels in variable conditions by offering increased floatation, stability, durability, and mobility. BC Nordic gear allows skiers to step out of the established track and leave the groomed trails behind. The two main systems for BC Nordic are backcountry cross-country (BC XC) and light telemark.

BC XC gear is best for exploring flat and rolling terrain and is sturdy enough to handle some extended downhills. Light telemark gear is great for longer, more sustained climbs and descents.

NORDIC SKIS BC XC skis are wider than classical XC skis and have metal edges. The wider skis provide more float in soft and

powder snow. Metal edges offer control on hardpack and icy conditions. The waxless fish scale bases common to BC skis and optional “kicker skins” increase uphill traction.

NORDIC BINDINGS BC XC bindings are more rugged than their classical counterparts. Standard systems include NNN BC and 75mm “3pin” light telemark bindings. With a wider plate to stand on, the NNN BC standard offers a more stable, durable platform than classical NNN bindings. The timetested 75mm light telemark binding offers increased control on descents.

NORDIC BOOTS BC XC boots are sturdier and warmer than typical XC boots. They will have more ankle support and often have integrated gators. Nordic boots only work with compatible bindings.

SKI POLES BC ski poles are slightly shorter than classical ski poles for better maneuverability and have wider baskets for increased purchase in powder snow.

IN YOUR PACK The “13 Essentials,” cell phone, emergency satellite communicator.

Where to Go

The opportunities for exploration with BC Nordic gear are limitless. Options include hiking, snowmobile, mountain bike, and ski trails, class VI and closed forest service roads, farm fields, and frozen ponds.

OUR FAVORITE NORDIC ROUTES INCLUDE: • Nanamocomuck Ski Trail – Bear Notch Road to the Albany Covered Bridge • Town Hall Road (winter closure) – Out and Back from USFS Gate • Marshal Woods – Multi-use trail network on the West Side Road • Avalanche Brook Ski Trail – Pinkham Notch Visitor Center to Jackson Village • Wildcat Valley Ski Trail – Summit of Wildcat Ski Area to Carter Notch Road

The 13 Essentials The 10 essentials have been modified by many groups over the years.

We reached out to Redline Guiding for their recommendations and were provided with this updated list. Add in additional safety equipment required by weather, duration, and location of your tour.

1. Map, compass, and/or GPS* 2. Extra clothing* 3. Extra food/water* 4. Headlamp(s) + spare batteries* 5. First aid kit 6. Whistle, noise maker 7. Knife/multi-tool 8. Lighter, fire-starter 9. Cord or rope 10. Rain pants/jacket (seasonal) 11. Tarp or bivy 12. Foam sleeping pad 13. Varied protection* * A pared down list of mandatory items may suffice on shorter adventures.

This list was provided by Redline Guiding, an independent guiding agency located in Intervale, New Hampshire .

Safety Considerations

The freedom and solitude of the backcountry come with responsibility. When BC skiers leave the organized trail networks behind, they also leave behind the safety net of an organized ski patrol. Once called, help can be hours away. In the event of an injury or gear malfunction, be prepared to self-rescue or hunker down and survive in the cold until help arrives.

• Carry extra dry layers, appropriate and warm for the weather, including a puffy coat.

• Basic first aid skills are helpful and advanced wilderness first aid training is worth it.

• Understand where cell phones work, and when traveling in a cell dead zone, consider carrying a satellite emergency communication device like the Garmin InReach™.

• Communicate the plan, including itinerary and expected return, to family or friends.

• On multi-use trails, be mindful of blind corners and make room for snowmobiles or fat bikes.

(CONTINUED ON PAGE 48)

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Community Advice - Nordic backcountry NATE HARVEY Describe a perfect day in the backcountry.

I really like shorter missions—being able to get to the route in less than 30 minutes and return home for a meal. I’m partial to 9 to 12 inches of fresh; you know, like the dry fluffy stuff that dreams are made of. A two-hour jaunt that is mostly downhill! Also, I’d prefer to have my hound with me–so it’s gotta be a dog-friendly tour.

What is your experience/skill level?

I am an avid Nordic and alpine skier—as in seven

LISA MCCOY Describe a perfect day in the backcountry.

The perfect days for touring are when there are a few inches of fresh, light snow, with blue skies and cold temps. It’s amazing to me that you really don’t need a whole lot of coverage for Nordic backcountry skiing (as you would on AT), as you aren’t carving into the terrain quite as much as you would on a steep slope. I seek trails that have ups and downs with moderate grades and typically go out for roughly two to three hours on a tour.

What is your experience/skill level?

I am relatively new to the free-heel world; I grew up alpine skiing, and about five years

Winter 2019/20

days a week for the past 30 years. My backcountry experience is pretty limited. Off-piste skiing is attractive to me, but I recognize the dangers and try to ski with others that are more knowledgeable than me. I’d say I am a master of crud skiing.

What is your favorite run to share?

Avalanche Brook is cool.

What do you use for gear?

NNN BCX6 Boots. Waxless skis around 90mm in the tip; 1/2 kicker skin if needed. Light and fun.

Any advice for newcomers to the sport?

Don’t wait for the perfect conditions mentioned above. Ski all terrain. Ski in the rain.

Ski ice. Ski up and ski down. Do it again and again. This is New Hampshire—gotta go ski when you can.

ago got an AT set-up so I could start explor ing different glades and chutes. Just this past year, I got a Nordic backcountry set-up so I could go adventuring in the woods and hills around the Mt. Washington Valley with my dog, Scout. Learning to Nordic ski has been awesome; it’s opened up a whole new world of playing in the snow for me.

What is your favorite run to share?

I work at Great Glen Trails, so I’ve really loved doing the Aqueduct Loop on my lunch break!

What do you use for gear?

Fischer BCX6 boots and Fischer S-Bound 98 Crown skis with a kicker skin, if necessary.

Any advice for newcomers to the sport?

I am a newcomer! But I’d say don’t be afraid to ask for advice and questions. Talk to people, find out what they like, and DEMO! There are all sorts of opportunities out there.

45

First Tracks into

White Mountain Backcountry

Backcountry Gear A closer look at some recommended backcountry gear to consider. Please support local when possible.

The Fischer Excursion 88 Crown/Skin - Nordic

parlor skis - tubeshooter

The Fischer Excursion 88 provides stable touring with full-length metal edges for control on steep terrain, and its offtrack crown waxless pattern grips and glides when climbing in a wide range of snow conditions. Just add a 650mm long Fischer EZ Skin when you need more climbing power.

Parlor is Boston-based, offers a custom fit and graphic with every purchase, and all its boards are available as splits. The Tubeshooter offers a smooth ride accompanied by incredible edge hold for deeper carves and has a ton of pop that floats effortlessly in the powder.

TECH SPECS Sizes •169, 189cm Dim • 88-68-78 @189cm Weight • 5lb 3oz @189cm Base • Waxless

Nordic rocker allows the tips to open for increased float and easy turning in variable snow conditions.

TECH SPECS Sizes • 144, 150, 156, 162cm Dim • 315-260-292 @156cm Radius • 7.3m Stance • 500-620m @156cm

A directional twin that handles all that the East Coast has to offer, from ice to powder.

Locally at Great Glen Trails • (603) 356-3042 • greatglentrails.com

Tyler Grees - tyler@parlorskis.com • ParlorSkis.com • (413) 348-1108

DPS - The Wailer 106 Tour1

BLIZZARD ZERO G 105 - Rent ‘em!

The 106 Tour1 is ultralight and polite in the skin track. The beautifully crafted Wailer T106 C2 puts together the brand’s strongest traits: the ski is impressively lightweight, has a great shape for smooth operation on the downhills, and a premium construction that’s built to last.

TECH SPECS Sizes •168, 178, 185cm Dim • 133-106-122 @178cm Radius • 18mm @178cm Weight • 6lb 6oz @178cm

Made for soft snow, surprisingly versatile; backcountry touring, all-mountain

Lots of updates for 2020, and featuring plenty TECH SPECS of carbon for a stiffer feel and a lightweight Sizes • 164, 172, 180, 188cm paulownia wood core with a longer radius. The Dim • 134-105-120 @188cm Zero G 105 feels comfortable in powder, yet Radius • 18, 20, 23, 24m versatile enough to handle spring corn, and the Weight • 7 lbs. 2.75 oz @188cm unexpected melt-freeze crusts we get in the Whites.

Surprisingly strong, lightweight, and stable ski that can be pushed hard in the backcountry

Locally at Ragged Mountain • (603) 356-3042 • RaggedMountain.com • dps.com

Available to rent at Ski The Whites/Black Mountain, Jackson, NH • SkiTheWhites.com

LIBERTY - Origin96

ICELANTIC Mystic 97 - womens - Rent ‘em!

The award-winning Origin96, excels in the backcountry by providing stability in varied conditions while still retaining a playful personality on hardpack and powder alike. With a refined early-rise tip profile, and a bamboo, poplar, and carbon fiber core, the Origin 96 is truly a one-ski quiver.

Tech Specs Sizes • 171, 176, 182, 187cm Dim • 130-96-118 @176cm Radius • 17.5M @176cm Weight • 7lb 7oz @176cm

Handmade in Denver, CO, the Mystic collection features women’s specific backcountry touring skis and breathtaking graphics. Featuring 31cm of tip rocker, 5mm of camber underfoot, and a slightly rockered tail that allows the ski to pivot effortlessly, but is still flat enough for utilitarian use.

TECH SPECS Sizes • 155, 162, 169cm Dim • 129-97-113 @162cm Radius • 16m @162cm Weight • 6 lbs. 2.8 oz @162cm

Nimble, light, and stable in all conditions with a swing weight sweeter than a maple latte.

A hard-charging yet playful ski built for women in a light, durable package.

Locally, Carter Davidson - carter@libertyskis.com • Libertyskis.com • (866)-SKI-Liberty

Available to rent at REI, North Conway •rei.com • IcelanticSkis.com • (603) 356-0475

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Plate Bindings Tyrolia Ambition 12 AT Excellent for lift-accessed backcountry or short tours, the Ambition 12 is a lightweight frame touring binding that melds alpine-like ease of use and durability with uphill skinning capability.

Available locally at Ragged Mountain, IME, EMS

Transformer Salomon S/Lab Shift MNC AT The ultimate hybrid—with all the efficiency you need on the uphill and all the capabilities of a traditional alpine binding for high performance on the descent.

Available locally at Ragged Mountain, IME, EMS

RENTAL EQUIPMENT/DEMOS Whether you’re getting into the backcountry for the first time or your looking to develop new skills, renting equipment can help identify which gear to buy, and at the very least, save a bunch of money.

These local shops can set you up with everything that you need!

Ski The Whites - Jackson, NH www.skithewhites.com mtnGEAR - Glen, NH www.climbingrentals.com REI – North Conway, NH www.rei.com

Splitboard Karakoram Prime Connect Uses Active Joining Technology; spring loading the bindings to your solid or split snowboard, giving you instantaneous response for arcing carves or navigating the burliest terrain without sacrificing feel, comfort, or flex.

Available online at SplitBoardBindings.com

tech bindings Marker Kingpin 13 AT

CONSIGNMENT/USED GEAR

Light enough for adventurous touring but tough enough to use as daily drivers, the Kingpin 13 gets it done with a weight of only 758 grams per foot. Perfect for aggressive backcountry skiing.

Available locally at Ragged Mountain, IME, EMS

Heading into Avalanche Terrain? get the gear - get the training Any steep slope that is wide enough for ski turns can generate an avalanche. Follow the advice from KBYG (page 52) ... and be ready. Buy or rent the gear ... and learn how to use it.

BLACK DIAMOND STINGER CRAMPON

GIRO DISCORD HELMET

PIEPS DSP SPORT BEACON V3

G3 SPEED TECH PROBE

BLACK DIAMOND ASCENSION STS CLIMBING SKINS

WATERTIGHT FIRST-AID KIT

FUEL UP! Located just across the street from IME is the North Conway House of Jerky!

Another good way to save is to consider consignment gear. You’ll find good equipment at a lower rate and also be doing your part in reusing and recycling.

The consignment shop at IME has AT and telemark ski gear, backpacks, ice axes and tools, climbing shoes, climbing gear, snowshoes, tents, sleeping bags, tons of clothing, and lots more. Ragged Mountain has most of that, plus more alpine and cross-country gear. REI sells consignment gear online as well.

IME - North Conway NH www.ime-usa.com Ragged Mountain Equipment Intervale, NH www.raggedmountain.com

G3 AVITECH SHOVEL

LEKI HAUTE ROUTE SKI POLE

Winter 2019/20

47

First Tracks into

White Mountain Backcountry

Ditching the Chairlift & Earning Your Turns

Courtesy photo

Getting a hold of AT, telemark, or splitboarding gear opens up a world of adventure beyond the boundary of the local ski resorts. The Presidential Range, which is the birthplace of extreme skiing, is most East Coast skiers’ first introduction to steep alpine terrain and offers up technical ski mountaineering lines that challenge world-class athletes. The historic Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) ski trails and glades developed by GBA are popular spots for newcomers and veterans alike. Alpine touring offers quality skiing over quantity, fresh tracks days after the storm, and freedom of expression in the mountains.

Equipment

Modern AT, telemark, and splitboarding gear combine exceptional downhill performance with the ability to “skin” or ski uphill using synthetic climbing skins. AT gear unlocks at the heel, allowing a Nordic stride for climbing. On the descent, the binding heels lock down, enabling traditional alpine ski turns. Telemark gear is the traditional choice for balancing uphill and downhill performance.

Modern tele-gear has features that improve both. Splitboard snowboards split in half longitudinally to work as skis going up and as a snowboard going down.

Community Advice: SKIS Any alpine all-mountain or powder ski paired with an AT or telemark binding works in the backcountry. Purpose-built AT skis are lighter and often have holes in the tips and tails to assist in building an improvised rescue sled. Typical waist widths range from 85mm to 120 mm.

Narrower skis are more efficient going uphill and skiing variable snow. Wider skis offer more float in powder snow.

Splitboards are purpose-built. Many snowboard companies are now offering split board versions of their popular boards. Voile offers a DIY kit to turn any snowboard into a split board with the help of a table saw.

BINDINGS AT bindings fall into three major categories: frame, tech, and transformer.

Frame bindings mount a traditional alpine step-in binding onto a frame with a pivot point in the front and a locking mechanism in the heel. Frame bindings retain all of the performance and safety features of alpine bindings and do not require specialized AT boots. They are the heaviest of the three, and because they require lifting, the weight of the binding off of the ski with every step is the least efficient going uphill.

Tech bindings have a set of steel “pins” that clamp down into special steel inserts in the toes of purpose-built AT boots. In uphill mode, the heel shifts free of the boot, allowing the boot to rotate on the pins.

Tech bindings are the most efficient uphill.

The steel-on-steel connection and lack of mechanical parts minimizes friction and resistance while climbing. Tech bindings weigh significantly less than frame bindings and all of the weight remains on the ski when climbing. Each company has slightly different heel mechanisms. The original tech design connects to the boot heel with spring-loaded posts that fit into special grooves. Other tech heel designs are similar to step in alpine bindings.

Transformer bindings are hybrids of the two systems. This new category of binding performs like a normal step-in alpine binding on the descent but “transforms” through origamic feats of engineering to

ANDREW DRUMMOND Describe a perfect day in the backcountry.

Hitting the trifecta with bluebird weather, good snow, and great company. It’s rare that these all align, but being able to travel in the high alpine on skis is a remarkable experience that I seek each winter.

What is your experience/skill level?

I’ve been backcountry skiing for nine years now and would consider myself an expert in skill and knowledge of our local terrain, but I’m always learning and observing each year.

What is your favorite run to share?

Sluice in Tuckerman Ravine has been a favorite of mine for its sustained steepness and exposure to warm sun, given its southern exposure.

What do you use for gear?

I’m a huge fan of backcountry-specific alpine touring gear. I’ve been skiing on Fischer skis for 13 years and they make excellent skis for all conditions. Their Travers boot really changed the backcountry experience for me because of the comfort level, allowing me to put in back-to-back eight-hour days; boot fit is king when it comes to picking out gear.

Any advice for newcomers to the sport?

Go to a local shop and see the wide range of gear available. It’s important to gain a few reference points in fit, weight, and performance. I try to get customers on the gear before they buy it so they can be 100 percent satisfied with their investment. Second is to get a local guide to take you out in the backcountry. They will cover everything from trip planning to safety, and know the best spots to go!

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Alpine touring in the backcountry KRISTEN ERICKSON Describe a perfect day in the backcountry.

The closest to perfection I’ve experienced was skinning up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail to Hermit Lake at night in the middle of a powdery snowstorm, followed by skiing the Sherby by headlamp, making fresh tracks with awesome friends.

What is your experience/skill level?

I’m a beginner. I still have a lot to learn—especially if I want to hang with my son.

KATELIN NICKERSON Describe a perfect day in the backcountry.

A perfect day in the backcountry would have more encounters with wildlife than with people. Skin track conversations would be positive, stimulating, and potentially involve making up alternative song lyrics. This day would be challenging either through endurance or terrain, or both.

What is your experience/skill level?

I have been skiing in the backcountry for about 10 years. I am BETHANN SWARTZ Describe a perfect day in the backcountry.

I can’t have a perfect day in the backcountry without great partners.

For group-dynamic and decisionmaking purposes, I generally like to keep my group on the smaller side.

A perfect day can vary from skiing laps in the woods to climbing and skiing a technical line that gets me a little puckered on the way up. The common variable that all my nearly perfect days have is being outside with good people and everyone returning to the car in one piece.

What is your experience/skill level?

I would describe myself as a very experienced backcountry skier. I spent two winters as the AMC caretaker at Hermit Lake at Tuckerman Ravine. During that time, I was not only able to ski nearly every day, but I also spent a lot of time heading into the field with the USFS Snow Rangers and learned a lot from them. I have been able Winter 2019/20

What is your favorite run to share?

I had the most fun and laughs on Doublehead, including falling over backwards on a steep incline on the way up and into a brook on the way down.

What do you use for gear?

New last season: Rossignol Soul 7 skis with Dynafit ST Radical bindings and Scarpa Freedom boots. Prior to that, my son’s handme-down monster Blizzards with hefty bindings. What a relief!

Any advice for newcomers to the sport?

Start with short trips and work up to longer excursions. You need to preserve some strength to turn on the way down.

Duct tape and moleskin to attempt to ward off blisters.

comfortable in steep terrain and variable conditions. I have completed AIARE level 1, and wilderness first aid training.

I am proficient with basic ski mountaineering skills.

What is your favorite run to share?

Hard to say—wherever the conditions are right for the day and objective.

What do you use for gear?

Scarpa F1 boots, Black Diamond Helio skis, Dynafit Speed Radical bindings. A good pair of softshell pants and a Patagonia Nano-Air Hoody.

Any advice for newcomers to the sport?

Enjoy the process and keep good partners you respect and trust.

to glean skills from my partners and have taken my skills out to the volcanoes of the Cascades in addition to skiing throughout the Northeast. Along with my skiing skills, I push myself to be knowledgeable in other backcountry areas, such as taking my Avalanche Level 2, being a Wilderness First Responder, and an EMT. What is your favorite run to share?

Aww, man. This definitely depends on the day, but I’d have to say that I have had a lot of fun, interesting, and special days skiing Dodge’s Drop.

What do you use for gear?

I always have my beacon, shovel, probe, crampons, and ice ax when I’m heading into avalanche terrain. As far as my set up, I mostly use my Dynafit Beast skis with Dynafit Radical bindings, Pomoca skins, and Scarpa Gea RS boots. My Patagonia R1 Hoody is a must. I always have Skratch hydration mix on long days and have a soft spot for Swedish Fish.

Any advice for newcomers to the sport?

ASK QUESTIONS. Make sure you like your boots and they fit well.

49

First Tracks into

White Mountain Backcountry offer tech performance on the way up. As of now, only Salomon and Marker are offering bindings in this category.

Telemark bindings have traditionally been the go-to binding for backcountry travel. Modern telemark gear offers a free pivot mode for reduced friction when climbing that locks for controlled telemark turns. There are even niche tech-tele hybrids available on the market.

Splitboard snowboard bindings can be quickly disconnected and reoriented for either uphill or downhill travel.

BOOTS All AT and telemark boots have a walk/ski mode that allows the upper cuff to rotate freely when hiking, and locks forward for downhill ski performance. Most AT boots have Vibram soles for traction and agility when rock hopping and hiking.

AT boots exist on a spectrum that trades downhill performance (stiffness and cuff height) for uphill performance (weight savings, range of motion). Any snowboard boot will work in a split board binding. Purpose-built boots are available that incorporate a walk mode, Vibram soles, and the ability to use step-in crampons.

POLES Any alpine ski poles will work for touring as long as they have “powder baskets.” Race baskets are useless in deep, soft snow.

Adjustable ski poles allow a longer pole length on the way up

LOCAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTING BACKCOUNTRY SKIING AND SEARCH AND RESCUE Want to give back? These local nonprofits support gathering and broadcasting critical weather and safety information, develop and maintain the backcountry zones, and support search and rescue efforts in the region.

Mount Washington Avalanche Center www.mountwashingtonavalanchecenter.org Granite Backcountry Alliance www.granitebc.org Friends of Tuckerman Ravine www.friendsoftuckermanravine.org White Mountain Avalanche Education Foundation www.wmaef.org Mount Washington Volunteer Ski Patrol www.tuckerman.org Mountain Rescue Service www.nhmrs.org Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue www.avsarnh.org Appalachian Mountain Club NH Chapter Ski Committee www.amc-nh.org/committee/ski Mount Washington Observatory www.mountwashington.org

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Community Advice: Getting Youth into backcountry skiing snowboarder who uses a splitboard in the backcountry.

When North Conway’s Eric Derby first got into backcountry skiing, little did he know that his twin daughters would soon be following in his footsteps, er … ski tracks. Eric moved to the Valley from Bethel, Maine in 1995 to work at Attitash, and to continue his love for the sport. We sat down with Eric and the girls to learn a bit more about how they all got into backcountry skiing.

When did the girls begin to alpine ski?

Eric: They were 2 years old.

And when did they begin showing interest in backcountry skiing and skinning?

Eric: Probably about two years ago.

They watched me doing it growing up, and we’ve boot hiked since they were around 6 years old. At some point I think they just finally realized it’s easier.

What are some of the biggest challenges in getting and keeping kids interested?

Eric: I’d say it’s probably just physical ability at such a young age—and patience.

What would you recommend to other parents hoping to get their kids into backcountry skiing?

Eric: Baby steps. We started on the first pitch of North Slope at Cranmore, then on to South Slope. Then we skied up the Auto Road when it opened in May to ski the snow fields on Washington. Since then, they’ve skied Tuckerman and in the Great Gulf.

What do you like the most about backcountry skiing so far?

Shannon: I like getting exercise by doing something I love and having fun doing it. I also love skiing down after working hard to get there.

Dylan: My favorite part about backcountry skiing is being able to send it on fresh powder that not many other people in the Valley know about. I also love experiencing new and hidden terrain throughout the Valley. There’s something special about working for your turns that I find super rewarding What do you like the least?

Dylan: Nothing!

Shannon: Probably having to switch over my bindings from uphill mode to downhill without gloves or mittens on and getting my hands get really cold and stiff.

What would you recommend for other kids your age (ish) interested in getting into backcountry skiing?

Dylan: For other kids who want to get into backcountry skiing, I say: do a little research, find some cheap, used gear that you can try out and just go for it. It doesn’t matter how good you are at first or what type of gear you have; all that others notice is that you are out there working for your turns and sending it.

Shannon: Find someone to skin with that you will have a lot of fun with and there will be no pressure. For me, my dad was a huge part in getting me into skiing, but our family friend, Amanda Tulip, was the person who got me really interested and made it fun for me.

We then turned to the girls to find out how they feel about their young backcountry skiing career. Both girls are 16 years old, and while Shannon is a skier, her twin sister Dylan is a

Winter 2019/20

51

Know Before You Go—

ADVICE FOR TRAVELING IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN

“Know Before You Go” (KBYG) is a free avalanche awareness program developed by the Colorado Avalanche Information Center and Utah Avalanche Center. Not much science, no warnings to stay out of the mountains, no formulas to memorize. In one hour, you will see the destructive power of avalanches, understand when and why they happen, and how you can have fun in the mountains and avoid avalanches.

For more information, visit www.kbyg.org.

1. GET THE GEAR • Always carry a beacon, probe, and shovel • Turn your transceiver on at the car and keep it on until you are back in the parking lot • Consider riding with an inflatable pack to stay on the surface in an avalanche • Practice, practice, practice • Carry gear and supplies to survive an injury and long evacuation • Be able to communicate with your partners 2. GET THE TRAINING • Take an avalanche awareness and rescue class • Learn how to provide first aid to an injured member of your party • Keep your skills current 3. GET THE FORECAST • Go to www.mountwashingtonavalanchecenter.org and get the forecast before you go out • Note the expected avalanche problems and identify the appropriate tactics for a more Nordic stride and the ability to shorten the poles when attaching them to a backpack. For splitboarding, threepiece break-apart poles are available that offer the lowest possible profile when attached to a pack on the way down.

IN YOUR PACK The “13 Essentials,” cell phone, camera, emergency satellite communicator, basic material to build a rescue sled, avalanche gear (beacon, probe, and shovel); if there is any possibility that you will travel in avalanche terrain, ski crampons, and crampons and an ice axe or whippet, if your tour includes boot packing up steep snow slopes.

Where to Go

Until recently, options for backcountry skiing in the Mt. Washington Valley were limited to the alpine terrain of the Presidential Range, established historic backcountry ski trails, and elusive guarded secret stashes.

Enter GBA. GBA has organized the BC skiing com-

• Do the research: maps, terrain, and reports from others • Plan your tour: set objectives/restrictions based on prevailing conditions, group desires and capability; reach group understanding and consensus; let someone know the plan and expected return time 4. GET THE PICTURE • Be aware of hazardous or changing conditions

• Recent avalanche activity

• Changing wind, snowfall, and temperature

• Cracking or collapsing snow

• Recent wind deposited snow • Compare observations to the forecast

• Does it match? Reassess often • Use test slopes

• Low consequence

• Representative aspect and elevation • Be aware of any groups above and below • Never intentionally trigger an avalanche unless you are sure the area below is clear • Group Dynamics

• Is anyone outside their comfort zone?

• Is the group discussing options and concerns?

• Identify safer and more hazardous terrain and minimize your exposure 5. GET OUT OF HARM’S WAY • Only one person on a suspect slope at a time

• Don’t help a buddy find a lost ski or get unstuck in

hazardous terrain

• Cross or ride suspect slopes one at a time • Don’t stop in an area exposed to avalanche hazard • Watch each other, eat lunch, and regroup out of the way of a potential avalanche • Stay in voice and visual contact with your party • Don’t enter closed areas or any place undergoing mitigation work • Know what terrain traps are and avoid them

munity, advocated with landowners, secured permissions, and turned out volunteers to develop gladed backcountry ski zones around the region. The MWV now has BC skiing options both in and out of avalanche terrain just minutes from downtown North Conway.

The MWV has great options for ski touring that stay out of avalanche terrain. The zones below are great choices for fresh powder days when the avalanche danger is elevated or for newcomers who have not yet taken an avalanche awareness and rescue course.

OUR FAVORITE ROUTES INCLUDE: • Maple Villa – GBA Glade in Bartlett, NH ~1,700’ • Baldface Glades (without the “Nob”) – GBA Glade in Chatham, NH ~2,000’ • Black Mountain Ski Trail – CCC Ski Trail off of Carter Notch Road • Doublehead Ski Trail – CCC Ski Trail in Jackson • Sherburne Ski Trail – CCC Ski Trail accessed from the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center (CONTINUED ON PAGE 56)

52 MWVvibe.com

Leave No Trace & Reducing Impact It’s important to be respectful of the backcountry. The Center for Outdoor Ethics and the Winter Wildlands Alliance collaborated on “Leave No Trace” ethics for backcountry snow sports. The organization is an alliance of over 100 grassroots environmental organizations and backcountry partners that formed in 2000, dedicated to promoting and preserving winter wildlands and a quality, human-powered snowsports experience on public lands through education, outreach, and advocacy.

Following these seven principles will preserve and protect the backcountry experience that we all love.

Get more info at www.winterwildlands.org/ leave-no-trace-ethics-longform.

Leave No Trace Ethics/ Backcountry Snowsports Get involved LNT.org

1. PLAN AHEAD AND PREPARE • Practice safety first • Know where you are going • Know your own and your group’s limits, and minimize risks 2. TRAVEL ON DURABLE SURFACES • Stay on deep snow cover whenever possible 3. DISPOSE OF WASTE PROPERLY • Pack-it in, pack-it out 4. LEAVE WHAT YOU FIND • Leave only tracks 5. MINIMIZE CAMPFIRE AND HUT IMPACTS • Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a lantern or headlamp for light • Leave huts and cabins in better shape than how you found them

NEW & USED GEAR FOR ENJOYING THE MOUNTAINS • • • •

HIKING BACKPACKING CLIMBING BACKCOUNTRY SKIING

6. RESPECT WILDLIFE • Observe wildlife from a distance • Never feed wildlife or leave food behind to be eaten • If you choose to bring your dog, keep it under control and do not let it harass wildlife 7. BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHERS • Respect landowners, both public and private • Respect other skiers/riders and all other users • When ascending trails, keep clear and yield to downhill traffic; when descending, always stay in control; go one at a time; and slow down near others • Respect designated areas, signs, and wildlife

Winter 2019/20

(603) 356-7013 • IME-USA.com 2733 White Mtn Hwy, No. Conway, NH 03860 53

GRANITE BACKCOUNTRY ALLIANCE 2019 ECONOMIC IMPACT ANALYSIS Last winter (18/19), GBA commissioned SE Group to conduct an economic impact study of the three newly completed backcountry glade projects closest to the Mt. Washington Valley. SE Group placed trail counters at the trailheads of the Maple Villa, Baldface, and Crescent Ridge glades and surveyed GBA membership to understand travel and spending habits driven by the glades.

This data was analyzed using the MGM2 model developed by the National Park Service to estimate the economic impact of recreational assets.

The results of the study included: • 9,798 visits across all three zones (December 1 through April 30) • $954,000 in total sales activities • 15.7 full-time-equivalent job positions supported • $120,100 in tax revenues (federal, state, local) “These glades are drawing people from all over the Northeast. We can see this in discussions with our customers, many coming to ski trails and terrain they have never visited before. Many of these people drive for more than three hours, usually requiring an overnight visit and meals, etc., during their stay. The GBA has made a serious impact on winter recreation visitation here in the Valley.” Ragged Mountain Equipment—Intervale, NH

Open Daily at 11am (603) 733-5550 6 1464 Mountain Valley Blvd, No Conway White Mountain Highway

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Backcountry skiing and snowboarding is proving to be a significant economic driver for communities that support human-powered recreation.

From people who have done what they teach

Courses include Wilderness First Responder, EMT, Wilderness EMT, Advanced EMT, Wilderness Medicine Bridge Course, Wilderness First Aid, and more.

FROM PAGE 22: Answers to the BACKYARD BREW BRAINTEASE.

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Uphill Travel Policies At Valley Alpine Areas

Earning Your Turns on the Groomers

“You’re going the wrong way!”

“Lifts are open!”

You’re going to hear it, so you may as well get used to it. Aside from the comments, there’s simply no better way to prepare for the backcountry than a couple of laps at one of the local alpine resorts. It’s a workout and it gets you and your gear ready before heading out into the backcountry.

Uphill skiing, also referred to as “skinning,” is the practice of climbing up a mountain slope (alpine or backcountry) on skis fitted with special bindings and adhesive skins that line the bottom of the skis to provide grip on the snow. At the top of the mountain, you peel off the skins, lock in, take a good look around, and off you go ... you just “earned your turns.”

But each resort has its own policies and you need to respect the opportunity given to you.

When in doubt, ask ski patrol for the safest route up the mountain.

Attitash Mountain Resort - Not allowed at any time Black Mountain - www.blackmt.com/uphill-policy Bretton Woods - www.brettonwoods.com/alpine/uphill_policy Cannon Mountain - www.cannonmt.com/mountain/uphill-policy Cranmore Mountain Resort - www.cranmore.com/The-Mountain/

Resort-Information/Uphill-Travel King Pine Ski Area - www.kingpine.com/uphill-policy Shawnee Peak - www.shawneepeak.com/faqs/uphill-skiing-policy Wildcat - www.skiwildcat.com/mountain-stats

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55

First Tracks into

Andrew Drummond photo

White Mountain Backcountry

GUIDE SERVICES Backcountry skiing requires participants to have sufficient skills, gear, and training.

Hiring a guide helps to ensure preparedness.

Synott Mountain Guides www.newhampshireclimbing.com/ backcountry-skiing-ski-mountaineering Redline Guiding www.redlineguiding.com/adventures/ backcountry-skiing Northeast Mountaineering www.nemountaineering.com/ski-2/ backcountry-ski-touring Mountain Life International Splitboard instruction and guiding www.mountain-life-international.com GROUPS Cross Country Skiing in the North East

Avalanche Terrain

Avalanches are possible on slopes over 30 degrees and typically occur on slopes of 35 to 50 degrees. Any steep slope that is wide enough for ski turns can generate an avalanche. Larger and more connected slopes will produce larger and more destructive avalanches. Lowerangle slopes in the run-out of start zones are still considered avalanche terrain. Regularly skied avalanche terrain in the Mt. Washington Valley includes: Gulf of Slides Ski Trail – CCC Ski Trail accessed from the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center (The top of GOS ski trail crosses multiple avalanche paths) South Baldface and Baldface Nob – The alpine terrain above the Baldface Glades Gulf of the Slides – Southernmost ravine on the east flank of Mount Washington Tuckerman Ravine – The “Birthplace of Extreme Skiing” Other areas – All other above treeline alpine terrain and slide paths around the White Mountains.

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Backcountry Touring in the North East Friends of Tuckerman Ravine (FOTR) Northeast Backcountry Skiing and Boarding B/S/T North East Noobskis

Safety Considerations

There are no ski patrollers in the backcountry. BC skiing/riding parties should be trained and equipped to deal with injuries. Rescue, once called, will likely be hours away.

• Carry enough warm layers to stay warm while waiting for rescue.

• Wilderness first aid training and the knowledge and ability to improvise a hasty rescue sled could save a life.

• Avalanche awareness and rescue training is essential for traveling in avalanche terrain.

• Understand and follow the principles of “Know Before You Go.” • Carry a beacon, probe, and shovel— and practice searching for and digging out victims.

• Carry crampons and an ice axe when skiing the steep gullies and bowls of the Presidential Range.

Eastern Mountain Sports Schools www.emsoutdoors.com/skiing Chauvin Guides International www.chauvinguides.com/ winter-programs/skiing/ AVALANCHE COURSES IN THE MT. WASHINGTON VALLEY Understanding where and how avalanches happen and what to do when they do is an essential skill for backcountry skiing. We are fortunate in the MWV to have multiple worldclass mountain schools with excellent avalanche awareness and rescue courses.

International Mountain Climbing School www.ime-usa.com/imcs Chauvin Guides International www.chauvinguides.com/ avalanche-programs Synnott Mountain Guides www.newhampshireclimbing.com Northeast Mountaineering www.nemountaineering.com Mooney Mountain Guides www.mooneymountainguides.com Eastern Mountain Sports Schools www.emsoutdoors.com/ avalanche-training Mount Washington Avalanche Center www.mountwashingtonavalanche center.org/avalanche-safety Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School www.acadiamountainguides.com/ winter/snow/

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Courtesy of New England Ski Museum

Courtesy of New England Ski Museum

SNOWMAKING: FROM THE BEGINNING ...

By Jeff Leich, New England Ski Museum

EXCERPTED FROM JOURNAL OF THE NEW ENGLAND SKI MUSEUM, ISSUE 112 s World War II came to a close in 1945, three engineers who had worked on the F-4U Corsair airplane at the Stratford, Connecticut plant of the Chance Vought division of the United Aircraft Corporation, saw an opportunity to use a wood-metal laminate

to the three, and they created their ALU60 skis, made of two layers of aluminum.

These were followed by the more flexible True-Flex skis, but their sales dropped precipitously in the snowless season of 1949-1950.

By this time, existing ski trails built by the Civilian Conservation Corps before the war on Mohawk Mountain had been expanded and supplemented by Walt

that Ellis had seen used at the Salisbury jump on January 8, by using ice chipped from blocks and spewed by blowers. The 1,300-foot-long Pinnacle trail was the site, and it and the two rope tow lines that served it were covered with enough pulverized ice to provide skiing for a weekend. This proved to be cumbersome, slow, labor-intensive, and unprofitable, yet ultimately effective enough that

material developed for aircraft wings to be put to use in the civilian world as skis. Wayne M. Pierce, Jr., Arthur R. Hunt and David M. Richey collaborated on the Metalite ski under the Chance Vought brand, and manufactured 1,000 samples, which received decent reviews. When the company declined to move into ski manufacturing, they formed their own company, TEY Manufacturing, to build skis of a different design. Chance Vought would not license the Metalite technology

Schoenknecht, who had leased sufficient land from the state forest to establish a ski area for the 1948 winter season. That was a good winter for snowfall in northwestern Connecticut, and Mohawk operated for 12 weekends and turned a profit of nearly $10,000.

The winter of 1949 was a disappointment as weather turned warm in January 1950. Schoenknecht, and his ski school director Frank Ellis, decided to employ a method of surfacing ski jumps

crowds of skiers appeared on the otherwise bare slopes of Mohawk, and press reports spread the story around the state.

Before joining the Marine Corps during the Second World War, Schoenknecht had worked at the Chance Vought aircraft factory, and during this time he knew Wayne Pierce. In the snowless winter of 1950, sales of TEY’s skis had slowed appreciably, when Wayne Pierce conceived a method of making snow by combining pressurized water and compressed air

A

“We had a spray gun nozzle and a 10 horsepower [sic] compressor that had been used to paint the skis and I brought in some garden hose,” wrote Hunt decades later. “We put everything inside a plywood box on a Christmas tree-type stand.” As the temperature dropped at dusk, snow crystals were produced. “The three of us took turns watching the thing all night and by morning we had a 20-inch pile of snow over a diameter of 20 feet.”

58 MWVvibe.com

FAR LEFT: Wayne Pierce, Dave Richey, and Art Hunt look over their early snowmaking prototype in 1950.

The trio of engineers was in the ski business building skis, when sales had stalled during a snowless winter. Using a paint sprayer and garden hose covered in a plywood box, the group made a significant amount of snow on March 14, 1950 at their Milford, Connecticut factory.

LEFT & BELOW: These photos show the snowmaking nozzle developed by TEY Manufacturing in use at Grossinger’s in New York, the first major commercial system that was installed in 1952. Water was pumped through the center nozzle into two streams of compressed air.

The original TEY nozzle had one central water jet and two air jets. TEY became a division of Skyworker, which is the manufacturer’s name on this nozzle from the late 1950s. The rare early snowmaking fitting was installed at Black Mountain in Jackson, New Hampshire, which had installed a system by 1957-58.

projected into freezing temperatures. “I know how to make snow!” he declared to his partners, Dave Richey and Arthur Hunt, on the morning of March 14, 1950, and the trio set to work putting together a system to test Pierce’s theory at their small headquarters on Ford Street in Milford, Connecticut.

“We had a spray gun nozzle and a 10 horsepower [sic] compressor that had been used to paint the skis and I brought in some garden hose,” wrote Hunt decades later. “We put everything inside a plywood box on a Christmas tree-type stand.” As the temperature dropped at dusk, snow crystals were produced. “The three of us took turns watching the thing all night and by morning we had a 20-inch pile of snow over a diameter of 20 feet.”

The three TEY engineers wasted no time in notifying the press about their invention. Hunt called a newspaper in New Haven, and their story was picked up by the wire services. On March 16, 1950, a front-page story by Pat Harty ran in the Boston Globe, and a Bridgeport newspaper ran a photo of the partners squatting in their 20-foot pile of snow behind their mysterious plywood box connected to Winter 2019/20

two lengths of garden hose. Arthur Hunt wrote that the story was on the front page of the Wall Street Journal. Lowell Thomas mentioned the breakthrough on his national radio broadcast. The invention of a system to make artificial snow was certainly not kept secret.

A larger scale demonstration project was needed, and Mohawk Mountain was the natural site, given the absence of other ski areas near Milford at the time, and the relationship between the TEY partners and Schoenknecht. In the early fall of 1950, Schoenknecht contacted Larchmont Farms of Lexington, Massachusetts, a supplier of irrigation pipe and equipment, to provide the pipe and fittings needed to combine with TEY’s nozzles. The owners of Larchmont, Phil and Joe Tropeano, visited the TEY office and expressed interest in working on snowmaking systems with them, until sometime in December 1950, when they apparently came to realize that a nozzle of their own design would make snow, precluding their need to work with TEY. Arthur Hunt, in a 1957 memo, dated Larchmont’s break with TEY at about the time that TEY applied for a patent on their process, December 14, 1950. A short time later, the Tropeanos called in Boston Herald ski writer Henry Moore, who published a story on December 23 describing how the Larchmont partners “discovered that the ‘fog nozzle’ they developed for saving crops from frost can be made to change its spots and produce a snow storm.” An experimental Larchmont system was set up at Mount Sunapee in New Hampshire almost immediately, according to Moore’s article.

Initially, there wasn’t much interest in this peculiar new technology called snowmaking. TEY installed systems at Mohawk, Split Rock Lodge in Pennsylvania

(near today’s, Big Boulder), and Grossigner’s in New York’s Catskill region.

Larchmont put in their own installations at Fahnestock, New York and Bousquet’s in western Massachusetts. In the spring of 1956, TEY was developing an aerial boom truck called the Skyworker, and in seeking more capital, sold their business to the Emhart Manufacturing Company.

Skyworker became a division of Emhart, and while proceeding with the boom truck, Emhart installed snowmaking at Laurel Mountain in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, Mount Holly in Michigan, and Moonridge Country Club at Big Bear Lake, California. Emhart also had the resources to follow up on the original TEY patent, and brought a lawsuit for patent infringement

Courtesy of Black Mountain, Jackson, NH

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against Bousquet’s, which, in turn, sued Larchmont. However, it was Larchmont that had the scale to install snowmaking on the dimension necessary to cover significant areas with artificial snow, while Wayne Pierce and his partners were increasingly focused on their aerial lift business. Emhart sold its snowmaking patent to Larchmont in 1959, and exited the business that Pierce had invented in 1950.

Little, if any, thought was given to climate change in the early 1950s when Wayne Pierce pioneered the technology of snowmaking. Seventy years later, the technology is critical to the ski business, and promises to become even more important if temperatures continue to rise. A recent study concludes that most existing ski areas in the U.S. will continue to be viable to mid-century with modern snowmaking technology, with viability requiring 450 hours of temperatures below 28 degrees F before the end of December. The outcome is less certain by 2090, especially under more pessimistic carbon reduction scenarios. Regardless of future uncertainty, the discovery and development of snowmaking in southern New England is now, by far, the most significant factor in the present and future sustainability of the ski industry in this country, and the world.

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Wayne Pierce filed for the first patent for snowmaking in December 1950. Pierce and his companions, operating as the TEY Manufacturing Company, worked with agricultural irrigation supplier Larchmont Farms of Lexington, Massachusetts to install several early systems.

The Tropeano brothers, owners of Larchmont, had the necessary scale to build large systems and purchased the Pierce patent in 1959. New England Ski Museum.

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...TO THE FUTURE Although the key ingredients for turning the ski slopes white have remained the same— cold temperatures, water, and compressed air—the ski industry’s approach to the process of making snow has evolved quite significantly.

Mt Washington Valley Vibe reached out to HKD Snowmakers, Natick, MA., and spoke with vice president, Ian Jarrett.

“Today’s snow guns must use as little energy as possible to freeze droplets of water. A great deal of R&D has been targeted at refining the technology of snow to reduce its economic burden on the industry and the environment.”

Ian Jarrett, VP, HKD Snowmakers

What are the top reasons for recent updates in snowmaking technology?

“The high cost of energy—more specifically, electricity and fuel—has had the most dramatic impact on the evolution of snowmaking technologies. The days of the energy hungry and deafening snow guns have all but disappeared. Today’s snow guns strive to be efficient, productive, and versatile.”

How does our environment and recent climate change affect changes in snowmaking?

“Suitable temperatures for making snow are becoming harder to come by. Not only do snowmaking systems need to operate effectively at higher ambient temperatures, they also need to be more productive with the fewer hours that are available. The demands of the skiing customer have also affected snowmaking system and snow gun development. Reliable, early, quality skiing puts pressure on the mountain’s operations to do more with less.”

Are there other factors that may not be as obvious to the general public generating concern to the industry?

“Yes, the availability of individuals willing to make snow is dwindling. Labor (or lack thereof) has become quite a challenge for mountain operations. Operating 200 plus snow guns at a time poses quite a challenge across North America. Snowmakers are and will continue to be the heartbeat of the snowmaking process.”

What does all this mean to the most recent advances in snowmaking equipment manufacturers?

“Snowguns are measured by cost-per-acre foot of snow. It takes a fixed volume of water to produce 1 foot of snow on an acre of ski terrain. The lower the cost, the better for the bottom line and the environment. Today’s snow guns must use as little energy as possible to freeze droplets of water. A great deal of R&D has been targeted at refining the technology of snowmaking to reduce its economic burden on the industry and the environment.

Is automation becoming more of a focus?

Manufacturers of snowmaking equipment have been focused on various levels of automation to effectively leverage the abilities of the snowmakers. Increased automation will enable snowmakers to be more efficient, more productive, and safer.”

HKD Snowmakers is a North American-based company that manufactures and supplies energy-efficient snowmaking technology. The HKD team is driven by the demand for performance, operational ease, and reliability; and offers a product line which includes air/water, fan, automation technology and system control software.

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VINTAGE MEETS THE FUTURE AT BLACK MOUNTAIN Story and photography by Dan Houde

F

rom the earlier days in the 40s and 50s to the current modern-day advances in snowmaking engineering, one thing that is apparent is that there were no handbooks to refer to along the way as snowmaking guns were being designed, manufactured, and developed. The only limitations were creativity, and experimentation was the name of the game. Many of the snowmaking tools and techniques developed in earlier decades can still hold their own, with the exception of the high efficiency

of uphill, free-heel skiing. Thanks to the likes of Ski the Whites and Granite Backcountry Alliance (GBA), Black has become home to a shop dedicated to outfitting backcountry enthusiasts, an evening uphill ski series, and post-event, volunteer backcountry trail maintenance gatherings.

Seebeck, who hopes to take over operations within a few years from current owner, John Fichera, agreed to show us around the base shop where we discovered just how valuable some of these

and superior technology of the guns made today. Certainly, the days of the “energy-hungry” and deafening old snow guns of the 60s and 70s have all but disappeared. But have they?

Earlier this season, we met up with Wade Seebeck, operations manager at Black Mountain in Jackson, NH. It turns out that Black, one of the few remaining independently owned ski areas in New Hampshire, not only has one of the largest collections of vintage snow guns in the region, but most of their inventory is still used regularly in day-to-day snowmaking operations.

Black Mountain, which offers 45 trails, five lifts, and top-tobottom snowmaking, is widely known for its vintage feel on the trails and within the base area. Black was home of the first overhead cable ski lift in the country and played an early role in bringing snowmaking to the region. In the past few years, Black Mountain has experienced a resurgence of sorts, but in the form

old energy-hungry, yet productive, snow guns can still be.

Although Black has invested regularly in high-energy tower and fan guns over recent years, it’s the older guns that continue to do most of the heavy lifting, or shall we say, heavy blowing, around the mountain. Many of the trails from the summit and on the eastern side of the mountain are of the “classic, New England-style” long, narrow, and windy type. These trails are perfect candidates for some of the vintage-style guns Black uses regularly, such as the Snow Giant and Baby Snow Giant, made by Ratnik Industries. These giant, cannon-like guns are heavy-duty beasts and can literally scream results.

“The Ratnicks are perfect for our some of our narrow trails delivering a very tight spray and up to a 70-foot spine of snow.

When conditions are right, we know it,” grinned Seebeck, “From the base you’ll hear this distinct drumroll sound up on the

Although Black has invested regularly in high-energy tower and fan guns over recent years, it’s the older guns that continue to do most of the heavy lifting.

Black Mountain operations manager, Wade Seebeck, talks about the gun he refers to as the “original snowmaking gun,” the Canadian Ringer Turret MN2. The Turret is the only one of its kind at Black, and is used primarily in wide open areas like the top of Blacks Triple Chair area.

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mountain, and you just know that the ‘Rats’ are firing in tune with each other and pounding out a ton of snow.” The Ratniks can be mounted on tripods or placed up high on towers, but are best when mounted on sleds and towed behind snowmobiles to increase mobility.

Dozens of Ratniks are scattered around the shop, but equally impressive are the SR Lab 7s. Seebeck explained how Black acquired these unique looking guns from Sunday River in Bethel, Maine. “Back when Sunday River was in full expansion mode in the early 80s—with Les Otten at the helm—these guns were developed specifically for the River and there were probably well over 2,000 of them throughout the resort. They have the ability to make an enormous amount of snow—perhaps more than any other gun made to date,” Seebeck said. “It does in two hours what the Ratnick does in eight; and in a much larger area that spreads about 20 feet wide at the base and up to 50 feet long. We’ll blow massive wales with these guns and then walk them up atop of the piles and continue up high.”

Further into the shop we find a pile of small Omichrons snow guns, which literally looked as old as they probably are. Likely developed in the early 60s, these smaller and more mobile guns were more efficient than others. “The Omichrons were great for putting down a heavy base layer, and they used less water and air, making them perfect for smaller businesses like hotels and cross-country areas,” explained Seebeck. “I consider them to be

Winter 2019/20

the first super-E guns available, but the snow quality was more like grey matter than white, powdery snow. They are perfect for building base, but not the best at making skiable powder.” Another advantage of the Omichrons was that they could be fine-tuned at the head of the gun itself, as opposed to only at the hydrants.

The Omichrons did have a tendency to ice up, which helps to explain the visible scars on each one. Snowmakers would come along and bang on them with bars to loosen up the ice.

Additional guns, which Seebeck called “rangers,” leaned against the back wall and were destined to be installed as additional tower guns joining the high-efficiency HKD towers already in place strategically around the mountain. These tower guns, plus the handful of fan guns purchased in recent years, gives Black a good mix of old and new.

When Seebeck eventually takes over in a few years, he hopes to—with proper funding and permitting—not only add more terrain to the east and southwest sides, but to extend the current triple chair to the true summit and preferably bring the base of the lift closer to the lodge to improve accessibility.

Of course, all these plans are also weather and economy dependent and the key will continue to be identifying the best tools at hand to get the results needed to keep up with the ever-changing demands of the ski industry. If what we’ve seen in the past few years is any indication of what Seebeck is capable of, the future of Black Mountain is promising and in good hands.

Canadian Ringer Turret MN2

Ratnik Baby Snow Giant II

Ratnik Snow Giant II

Canadian Ringer Turret MN2

SR Lab 7

Omichron 63

PERFECT LITTLE LEARNERS 64 MWVvibe.com

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING WITH KIDS

By Sue Wemyss

Gone are the days of over-teaching and critique, replaced instead with smiles and encouragement.

I

’ll admit it, when I first heard from the gym teacher that we were going to continue including the kindergarteners in the beginners’ cross-country ski program at the local elementary school, I wasn’t thrilled. I had experienced working with the kindergarten classes the previous winter and found a big difference between the 1st-graders’ and the kindergarteners’ direction-following ability when it came to playing games on skis or doing simple relays. Trying to line up the younger group for a relay activity had been like trying to line up earthworms. As soon as I got one child in place, and moved on to lining up the next, the first one had wiggled away. Moving back to re-position the first one, and the second one wiggled away. You get the picture.

Anyway, for the second winter, I showed up at the school playground for our first on-snow session with the kindergarten children. The playground surface was pitted with little footprints from an active recess. Not the ideal

Winter 2019/20

surface for beginning skiers to learn the feel of kick-andglide that delights so many of us with its smooth, rhythmic sensations. I had also learned from experience that the system of attaching the particular set of skis we had been generously provided, was challenging to secure to kindergarten-sized feet. (These skis have a strap-on binding system, so kids are wearing their personal snow boots, as opposed to specialized cross-country boots and bindings.) With about 20 five-year-olds anxious to move on the snow, I decided to start by attaching just one ski to one of their boots. This allows them to move over the snow by scootering—pushing off their non-ski foot, then gliding on the other ski-mounted foot. (This is a great development exercise for skiers of all ages.) I, too, kept one of my skis off, to model scootering, with its kick-and-glide over the snow.

There is a very small slope on the far side of the playground. This was a magnet for the kids. As soon as they had

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They tried, sometimes they fell, they tried again.

Perfect learners ... Children engaged in an activity for their own interest and satisfaction, internally motivated. their one ski on, they headed across the flats to the hill. I saw no use fighting this desire to be on that hill, so as soon as I had the last kid equipped, I scootered my way over to the hill as well.

The kids all figured out how to get to the top of the little hill, no instruction needed. I skied down the hill on my one ski, balancing on one leg. It was challenging for me to stay upright, and I have been cross-country skiing for over three decades. They all tried it. Just about every one of the 20 kids fell. No problem.

They got right up and resumed their efforts at trying to make it down the hill on one ski. I didn’t need to say anything. They were engaged in each of their own personal challenges. Falling did not phase them or deter them. They just kept going up and down the hill, completely occupied with this activity; completely absorbed in it.

Perfect learners. That is what I feel I was seeing. Children engaged in an activity for their own interest and satisfaction, internally motivated. From what I could see, there was an absence of constant evaluation that can often turn into self-criticism.

They tried—sometimes they fell—they tried again. I really didn’t need to say anything, and limited my comments to “good try” and “good effort.” The chance to put their second ski on was met with much enthusiasm, and they eagerly headed back to the hill, to try with two skis. Many experienced a higher rate of remaining upright all the way to the bottom of the hill. What we adults might term “success.” Maybe a better gauge of success for young kids? Whether they want to do it again. This class was content to stay outside as long as the schedule allowed, and many seemed happy about the opportunity to get back on skis the following week.

Cross-country skiing can be a really fun and engaging outdoor activity for young kids. The equipment is lightweight and the binding attachment gives great flexibility for movement. I always suggest starting kids off without ski poles. (I think starting adults without ski poles is best too, actually!) Kids are used to moving on their two feet, and poles can complicate and hinder natural movements on the snow.

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As the scenario above shows, interesting terrain is a big attraction; kids like to go down hills, unless they have developed some fear. It is important that the environment is safe for new skiers with limited skills. A little hill with a straight run-out, clear of obstacles, is an excellent starting place. Of course, what goes down must come up. So picking a day when there is powder or packed powder, rather than frozen granular, will allow for beginning skiers to get their edges in the snow, either with a herringbone or sidestep.

It’s forested here in New England, and sooner or later (probably sooner) a skier is going to need the skills to avoid hitting trees and signs and running into other skiers. Learning to stop on skis and control one’s speed, are critical skills for safe participation. This leads to teaching the all-important snowplow, commonly referred to in kids’ speak, as “the pizza.”

Snowplowing is really quite a complex skill. It requires fine motor control to spread the ski tails while keeping the tips together, and edging the skis just enough to increase friction against the snow, but not have the edge dig in and track. That’s a lot to expect of a pre-schooler. I’ve also found that little ones mostly lack the core strength to keep their sliding skis underneath them as they descend a hill.

Their skis start sliding forward; they fall backwards. It happens again and again. A suggestion for them to put their hands on their knees while going downhill may help. I’ve also descended gentle hills side-by-side with an individual child by holding my ski pole horizontally for him or her to hold onto, but this is trickier than it sounds, because if they pull back on the pole they can still fall, scooting underneath it. My favorite alternative for helping young kids descend a downhill section of trail is the “race car” position. This can work if there are set tracks down the hill. With skis in the tracks, the skier kneels, knees on the front of the skis, hands holding the tips of each ski. In this very low position, the tracks guide the race car skier down the hill. If the speed begins to feel excessive to the skier, the child can just tip over, and being so close to the ground, isn’t much (or any) of an injury risk. (If you’ve been able to picture this race car position, you likely understand why this isn’t much of an option for adults— learn the snowplow if you’re over 7 years old!)

Kids who have learned the snowplow on downhill equipment do have an advantage in learning it on crosscountry skis. The locked-in binding system and much more rigid alpine boots make holding one’s skis underneath them a bit easier. (This rigidity is also partly why the injury rate of alpine skiing is substantially more than for Nordic skiing, however.) Learning and practicing the positioning of the skis and edging them on a carpet indoors can be a big help prior to attempting a snowplow or “pizza” outdoors in the snow.

Kids generally get started in cross-country skiing either with their parents or relatives who ski, or in an organized program. Cross-country is a wonderful sport for families; it can be done and enjoyed through the whole spectrum of abilities, it is very affordable relative to many other winter activities, and there are many sites, both commercial and natural spaces where it can be enjoyed. If you are an adult thinking about getting a youngster started in the sport— great! Make sure they are comfortably dressed for active outdoor play, well fed, and let their interest be the guide on how far you go, and how long they stay outside. While Winter 2019/20

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Cross-country skiing can be a really fun and engaging outdoor activity for young kids. The equipment is lightweight and the binding attachment gives great flexibility for movement. you might be hoping for an hour ski yourself, a young child first starting out may be ready to come in after 10 minutes. Follow their wishes; you want them to like this sport, right?

Remember the perfect learners I described from the kindergarten class—out to have fun experimenting and exploring— rather than be concerned with developing “proper” technique.

What might be labelled “good technique” for adults is not necessarily right for young kids anyway—their bodies are different and their solutions for how to move around on snow can be different. Avoid over-teaching and critique, instead smiles and encouragement with proclamations of “good try, good effort” should dominate.

Lessons for kids are available at many commercial crosscountry centers. At Great Glen Trails, where I work, we encourage parents to wait on a formal lesson until their child has reached at least age 6 for favorable outcomes. This has to do with attention span and experience being in a group learning situation. By the age of 6, most kids have been through a year of school and the formal learning situation it provides. We also, when possible, try to separate kids and adults into different lesson groups. While it can be helpful to have a parent present to manage some children’s emotional needs, we feel that in most cases, we have better success all the way around by having the adults in one class, the kids in another. After the class ends is a

great time for families to reunite, go for a short ski together, and let the kids share with their parents what they learned.

Ski programs for children can be the ideal way to involve a child in the lifelong sport of cross-country skiing. Fortunately in the Mt. Washington area, there are numerous ones, including those through schools, ski centers, and recreation departments.

Kids like being with their peers, and a sizeable group allows for playing games that bring about skill development as well as the all-important fun. See the listing on the following page for general information.

This winter, one of the most enjoyable ski events in New England for children will be hosted at Great Glen over the February 28 through March 1 weekend. The New England Bill Koch League Festival will attract over 400 kids—pre-schoolers up through 8th-graders, with their families—to take part in races and other non-timed skiing activities.

The kids come from all over New England and New York state, and are organized by their geographical district. This is the third time Great Glen is hosting this massive kids’ event, having done so in 2012 and 2016. It is an event to be looked into and registered for, ahead of time. The festival requires over 100 volunteers. Enthusiastic supporters of the children and children

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Local XC Programs for Kids Ski programs can be the ideal way to involve a child in the lifelong sport of cross-country skiing. Fortunately in the Valley, there are numerous, including those through schools, ski centers, and recreation departments.

Bill Koch League - Grades 1-8, at Bretton Woods and Great Glen Trails.

Eastern Slopes Ski Club (ESSC) - Grades 1-6, ESSC runs programs out of the elementary schools throughout the Valley, meeting one afternoon a week for 10 weeks. who love to ski are encouraged to participate by helping to make this event memorable and fun. Or, come up to Great Glen and watch, you’re sure to walk away with a smile on your face!

Get out on a pair of cross-country skis this winter—and bring a youngster. Once on snow, follow their lead; chances are you both will wind up having an engaging and memorable time, one that may kick-off a lifetime affinity for a new sport you can share together.

Sue Wemyss began coaching after competing in the 1984 Winter Olympics in cross-country skiing and continues as Ski School Director at Great Glen Trails. Sue most recently received her US Ski Association Level 100 Coaches Certification for Cross Country.

Rooms & Suites

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Gorham Schools - Grades K-2 on Friday afternoons at the school with Great Glen’s Sue Wemyss. Grades 3-8 meet at Great Glen Trails one afternoon per week.

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Jackson XC - Grades 3-8 can be timed in a Junior Meister format with 1k, 2.5k or 5k course options.

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Exploring the White Mountains

by Snowmobile

By Brian Wade

M

ost winter weekends, holidays, and vacation weeks, our Mt. Washington Valley residents can expect to see an influx in traffic by visitors and second homeowners looking to experience all that the White Mountain Region has to offer. New Hampshire is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts.

From the Seacoast to the Canadian border, our state offers an unparalleled opportunity for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors. In the southern part of the Valley, Ossipee, New Hampshire is credited as the home of the first snowmobile. In 1913, Virgil White patented a conversion kit for the Model T Ford, sprouting the Mt. Washington Valley’s deep roots in snowmobiling.

New Hampshire has over 7,000 miles of snowmobile trails through a public/private partnership.

They span the length and width of the state and are well maintained by local clubs. These trails allow

A recent Plymouth State Economic Impact Study indicated snowmobiling contributes $586 million to the state economy.

Hundreds of miles of groomed riding are available throughout the White Mountain region of New Hampshire thanks to countless hours of volunteer work. The Bear Notch snowmobile system shown here, is one of most unique trail systems in the region. The trail network is a 50-mile closed loop system where all trails are interconnected and almost impossible for riders to get lost. Trails will take riders over Bear Notch Road where you can stop at one of four scenic overlooks for breathtaking views of Mount Washington and the Presidential Range.

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you to ride from the Seacoast to the North Country or from border to border. Local volunteer clubs raise funds to purchase and maintain equipment for the trails within their system.

Snowmobile clubs aren’t just busy at the start of the season. Business begins at the first sign of spring; planning for the upcoming season by meeting with landowners to ensure a continued relationship or to begin a new relationship with a landowner of a proposed or current trail section. These relationships allow riders to enjoy the outdoors at the grace of private landowners. A lot of work goes into maintaining the trails. You may have heard the phrase, “Many hands make for light work.” It’s so true! Through the summer and fall, the work turns

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Brian Wade photo

Brian Wade photo

ABOVE: Snowmobiling has no age boundaries. Riders of all ages can be seen out on the trails: avid trail riders, toddlers in towable trailers behind their parents’ sleds, younger riders on 120cc snowmobiles that move along at a walking pace, and veteran riders out for a scenic cruise. RIGHT: Through the efforts of volunteers who spend hundreds of hours per year clearing, grooming, and maintaining trail systems, small clubs like the Mountain Meadow Riders Snowmobile Club of Conway provide recreational options for many. With the help of state grants, plus snowmobile registration fees, the club was able to purchase a new TUCKER-TERRA 1100 for the 2019/20 season. Among many new upgrades, the new Tucker provides added versatility and fuel efficiency over the previous models.

into a family endeavor that includes brushing trails, raising funds, and planning for the winter ahead.

The state of New Hampshire has over 100 clubs, while the Mt. Washington Valley Region has approximately seven clubs that provide support to the area’s trail system. Most clubs hold monthly or quarterly meetings, plan year-round events, monitor legislation, hold safety workshops, and raise money for charities. Statewide, snowmobile clubs have raised over $3.38 million for Easterseals, over the years.

Many of our local clubs have existed for well over 25 years.

The Scrub Oak Scramblers in Madison, for example, was founded in 1973. For over 40 years, they have maintained a trail system that runs through Madison, Eaton, and Freedom over a span greater than 60 miles. They open their clubhouse doors to guests every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Members ride in via snowmobile or drive to the clubhouse by car and are the ambassadors of the sport. Everyone gathers to enjoy a potluck meal by a warm fire and share stories of past rides and tails from the day at hand. They share trail conditions and plan for trail work and grooming of the trails. This is a never-ending cycle of work that volunteers complete graciously behind the wheel of a groomer, late into the night through various weather conditions. Last winter in New Hampshire, volunteer groomer operators logged 28,000 hours of trail grooming.

Families and Snowmobiling

Our first experience riding with our kids was a success, thanks to friends and family who shared some of these words of advice.

Don’t shy away from riding with your children. You should embrace it and enjoy the adventure as a family. Allow your children

to help plan the route. Is there something they would like to see? Are they interested in the weather? Have them be a part of the planning process. Be advised, kids that are not asleep like to talk and point as they explore the wilderness. Have a signal to stop and talk. If you have the ability to get a modular helmet for your child, it will avoid the frustration of trying to understand an excited muffled child or a frustrated child that needs to take a helmet off for a drink or a bite to eat. Take rest stops to walk and move around. The less you move, the quicker you get cold. It is vital that you dress appropriately. Ski clothes are not snowmobile clothes. Both skiers and snowmobilers dress in layers; however, snowmobile gear is made to take the cold wind all day long.

Snowmobiling has no age boundaries. Riders of all ages can be seen out on the trails: avid trail riders, toddlers in towable trailers behind their parents’ sleds, younger riders on 120cc snowmobiles that move along at a walking pace, and veteran riders out for a scenic cruise. All riders should take into consideration trail conditions, weather, fuel supply, and difficulty of terrain. They should carry both state and local maps, which are available at informational kiosks. Most NH club trail maps can be found at local shops for a minimal charge, which helps fund the maintenance of trails.

Benefits of Joining a Club

Snowmobile registration takes place at the state level; these monies help fund clubs through “aid” grants. Club members receive a $30 discount on registering their sleds for being a club member. The discount is applied to the registrations at a State of New Hampshire OHRV Registration agent. Prior to registering with an OHRV agent, resident and non-resident riders need

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WiseguyCreative.com photo

2019 NH SNOWMOBILE FACTS 7,000 MILES

New Hampshire uses a successful public/private partnership to provide 7,000 miles of snowmobile trails.

28,000 HOURS

Last winter, (2018/19) there were over 28,000 hours of club trail grooming.

43,960 SLEDS

Last winter, (2018/19) there were 43,960 registered snowmobiles in NH.

1,100 STUDENTS

Last winter 1,100 students were certified in OHRV/Snowmobile Safety Classes with 73% taking the online class.

45,000 PEOPLE

The New Hampshire Snowmobile Association holds the annual “Race Into Winter” Grass Drags and Water Cross on Columbus Day Weekend in Fremont, NH. This is one of the largest snowmobile events in the world and draws more than 45,000 spectators from the U.S. and Canada.

$3.38 MILLION

Clubs from around the state have raised over $3.38 million for Easterseals. The NHSA Ride-In was initiated in 1972 and continues to fund Camp Sno-Mo to create life-changing experiences for campers, ages 11-21, with disabilities and special needs.

SOURCE: New Hampshire Snowmobile Association Winter 2019/20

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF RIDING!

GUIDED TOURS & SELF-GUIDED RENTALS

Two Locations for all Ages & Abilities!

BEAR NOTCH SNOWMOBILE RENTALS Bartlett • (603) 374-6000

MT WASHINGTON SNOWMOBILE RENTALS Bretton Woods • (603) 986-6910 73

To Evan’s Notch, Gorham & Berlin

SNOWMOBILE TRAILS

MT WASHINGTON VALLEY AREA, CONWAY, NH

MOUNTAIN MEADOW RIDERS

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SNOWMOBILE CLUB

Trail maps such as this one are available from many of the local clubs listed below.

www.MountainMeadowRiders.com

Vi

Weekly trail conditions report www.nhstateparks.org/activities/ snowmobiling/trail-information.aspx For more info, visit these organizations The New Hampshire Snowmobile Association: www.nhsa.com The Maine Snowmobile Association: www.mesnow.com New England snow depth map www.weather.gov/nerfc/snow_depth_im Lo o

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Ossipee Valley Snowmobile Club West Ossipee, NH • www.ovsc.net

MMR BONFIRE

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Scrub Oak Scramblers Madison, NH • www.sossc.com

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CAUTION!!

THIS AREA NOT GROOMED

WHITE MOUNTAIN REGIONAL CLUBS

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PROPOSED TRAIL TO BEAR NOTCH & LINCOLN SEE HOW YOU CAN HELP AT MMRSC.NET

Snoward Bound Snowmobile Club E. Conway, NH • www.snowardbound.com

Maine registration required beyond this point.

Mountain Meadow Riders N. Conway, NH • www.mountainmeadowriders.com

Subs

Burnt Meadow Snowmobile Club Brownfield, ME • www.burntmeadowsc.org White Mountain Trail Club Bartlett, NH • www.whitemountaintrailclub.com

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Presidential Range Riders Gorham, NH • www.presidentialrangeriders.org

MMR Club Trails

White Mountain Ridge Runners Berlin, NH • www.whitemtridgerunners.com

Snoward Bound Trails

Twin Mountain Snowmobile Club Twin Mountain, NH • www.twinmtnsnowmobile.org

visit mmrsc.net for more info

White Mountain Snowmobile Club Lincoln, NH • www.whitemtsnowmobileclub.org

Proposed Trail

GPS Locations 43°56’39.68”N, 71°09’16.54”W 44°00’16.98”N, 71°07’54.54”W 44°03’47.04”N, 71°09’57.50”W 44°01’14.78”N, 71°07’17.28”W 44°01’35.53”N, 71°07’06.57”W

Legend & Scale

44°01’32.17”N, 71°06’32.65”W

Info Kiosk

Parking

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(in East Conway)

NAD 1927 Zone 19 UTM 100 meter grid system Contour interval 100 feet (30 m)

Scale 1:75,000 (1 inch = 1.2 miles) 74 MWVvibe.com 44°00’45.19”N, 71°06’45.97”W 0 1 mile 2 miles 3 miles 1/2 mile

44°01’05.72”N, 71°06’11.91”W 44°00’35.43”N, 71°05’39.13”W

Food, Lodging & Services shown on our Map:

SMARTPHONE APP - MOBILE SNOWMOBILING TRAILS & SERVICES MAP NH Snowmobile Trails 2020 (iOS/Android, $4.99) • www.nhsa.com The New Hampshire Snowmobile Association (NHSA) has just launched its mobile trail map app, which will help snowmobile drivers navigate the regional trail system. It consists of two offerings: an interactive web map and a mobile map app that can be downloaded to devices.

The app gives you access to the following OFFLINE features, anywhere, anytime, even in areas without cell coverage: • See your location on the map through your phone’s GPS signal • View nearby restaurants, gas stations, hotels, parking, and other services • Access the trails conditions as per the last data connection available • See the distance between two points • Quickly save and load itineraries Check www.nhsa.com for additional information.

MOUTAIN VIEW SERVICE CENTER Servicing all Makes and Models

ASE Certified NAPA Autocare Cindy & Dennis Drootin MANAGEMENT TEAM

(603) 323-8135

307 WHITE MOUNTAIN HIGHWAY CHOCORUA, NH 03817

ProfilePowerSports.com

We’re the largest helmet and accessory dealer in the Northeast! Located just off Corridor #19 across the street from Discount II Mobile and Deli in Conway.

PROFILE POWERSPORTS

(603) 447-5855 • 1319 WHITE MOUNTAIN HWY , CONWAY, NH Winter 2019/20

75

RENTING A SNOWMOBILE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Stay to the right at all times. Snowmobiling is an active ride!

Don’t just steer your machine. Put your body weight forward and lean into the turns to gain more control. Keep your eyes on where you want to go, not on the trees straight ahead!

• Lower speeds = a safer ride!

• Use less brake and less throttle in the corners. Don’t panic and automatically squeeze your brakes. Just ease up on the throttle and maintain control.

• It is no longer considered safe to use hand signals. The only way to maintain control is to keep your hands on the bars for safety.

SNOWMOBILE TOURS AND RENTALS Bear Notch Snowmobile Rentals, Bartlett, NH www.nxtsnow.com • (603) 374-6000 Mt Washington Snowmobile Rentals, Bretton Woods, NH www.mtwashingtonsnowmobilerentals.com • (603) 986-6910 Northeast Snowmobile & ATV Rentals, Gorham, NH / Fryeburg, ME www.northeastsnowmobile.com • (800) 458-1838 Northern Extremes Snowmobile Rentals, North Conway, NH www.nxtsnow.com • (603) 374-6000 Sweet Ride Snowmobiles, Madison, NH www.sweetridesnowmobiles.com • (603) 367-7020

to obtain a NHSA Club membership voucher. A voucher can be obtained from a local club or the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association club membership website, www.nhsa.com.

Guided Tours & Rentals

If you don’t already own a snowmobile, renting can be a good way to spend a few hours or a day on the trails to see if it’s for you. There are a number of businesses in the Valley that offer guided tours by snowmobile or allow you to rent on your own. Being prepared is key, and these outfitters will make sure you have all the information you need to experience snowmobiling safely.

A happy rider is one that will want to ride again and will share with friends and family a great experience. If you have a sled and your friends don’t, it’s a great place to start.

Remember to ride responsibly, dress for the elements, and plan for the ride ahead with a mapped route. Never ride off-trail unless an area is designated, or you have written landowner permission.

If you come across a groomer, pull off of the trail and let them by. It’s much easier for you to maneuver than them.

Thank all groomers. They are VOLUNTEERS! Take some inspiration from Warren Miller to get out there and enjoy yourself this winter, because, “If you don’t do it this year, you will be one year older when you do.”

WHERE LIFE IS GOOD! Enjoy live music every Friday at 5pm **SNOWMOBILERS**

Almost There Sports Tavern & Restaurant (603) 447-2325 • 1287 Route 16, Albany, NH Just south of the Kancamagus Highway

RENT AT

Located on Corridor 19 across from Discount II Mobile & Deli.

(800) 458-1838 or

NorthEastSnowmobile.com

76 MWVvibe.com

We’re all born with it. A desire to connect with nature in a bold way. Wildcat Mountain stands as a monument to those humble souls that seek the pinnacle of outdoor adventure. Deep within, you have always been BORN WILD.

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By Phil Franklin

78

HOW THE SNOW TRAINS PROVIDED A SPARK TO WINTER RECREATION IN THE MT. WASHINGTON VALLEY

I

n 1931, the United States, and the world, for that matter, was deep in the throes of the Great Depression. People were looking for any sort of relief from the hard economic times that befell them. To help address the depressed mood of the time, the Boston & Maine (B&M) Railroad began an “experiment” with the creation of “Snow Trains.” This innovative idea would quickly become a model to advance winter sporting activities across the country.

While the B&M receives the credit for the Snow Trains, the idea for these trains was actually one that was brought forth by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC). However, the B&M Railroad played a huge role in facilitating, promoting, and running these trains. They seized upon a great opportunity that would be the lightning rod for the growth of winter sports in New Hampshire’s “Eastern Slope Region,” today known as the Mt. Washington Valley.

THE ORIGIN OF THE SNOW TRAIN

Trains carrying passengers on winter excursions were commonplace in Europe and Canada. As early as 1868, French railway winter trips to Switzerland brought people to the Alps. Soon after, rail connections were made between Switzerland and Italy, establishing passage between the Swiss and Italian Alps.

German railways brought people from Munich to the Swiss and Austrian Alps. Similarly in Canada, in the early 1900s, a train was organized from Montreal to the Laurentian Ski Club in Shawbridge (currently Prevost), Quebec to deliver winter sports enthusiasts for weekends of fun in the snow. Winter trains were also running in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

In 1930, the AMC had members exploring the new sport of cross-country skiing to add to the established winter activities of snowshoeing and winter mountaineering. According to a 2000 retrospective article titled “The Snow Train Tradition”

Left: With skis and poles in hand, a couple boards a Snow Train bound for New Hampshire (courtesy of the Conway Scenic Railroad-Dwight Smith Collection).

Below: Hundreds of Snow Train riders disembark at North Conway Station heading for the slopes (courtesy of the David Saums Collection).

Winter 2019/20

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<< A SKI SHOP ON WHEELS

The Snow Trains were loaded with passengers and room was provided for their skis and other sports equipment. Often, skiers would be checking their equipment while on the ride north.

The first company to get into the sporting equipment business was the Armstrong News Company. In 1931, working with the B&M, the Armstrong Company “fitted out a baggage car as a rolling ski shop, selling or renting the wooden ‘boards’, leather boots and bamboo poles to passengers,” according to a 2000 MBTA News article. The article goes on to tell of a common practice of “placing a pair of skis across two coach seatbacks and then using a small blowtorch to heat them before applying wax!” Courtesy of the David Saums Collection.

in the MBTA News, AMC member A. John Holden took a trip to the Alps in 1930. He rode aboard the Deutsche Reichsbahn (the German state railway) from Munich to his Alpine destination. Thinking this idea of a winter sports excursion train had potential in the states, he brought the idea to Park Carpenter, the chairman of the AMC Committee on Ski Excursions. They presented the idea to Boston & Maine Railroad general passenger agent, Frederick T. Grant. During the Depression, the B&M Railroad was struggling to attract passengers. Grant saw this idea as a means of increasing the economic state of the railroad.

He decided that the B&M Railroad should promote this idea.

In addition to B&M promotions, the AMC also promoted the idea of a winter sports train. A brief statement appeared as an item of “general interest” in the January 1931 Appalachian Mountain Club publication the Appalachia Bulletin. It read, “If plans at present being considered by the management are adopted, the Boston & Maine R.R. may, as an experiment, operate a special train for ski-runners and snow-shoe hikers for several weeks during the mid-winter season, leaving North Station each Sunday morning at about 8:30 a.m. for such suitable points as

On Sundays, as many as four or five trains brought passengers to North Conway. Because the North Conway railyard was too small to park all of these trains, some were driven to the Bartlett railyard for keeping until it was time for the return trip to Boston.

on the particular week-ends afford sufficient snow for the enjoyment of winter sports.” While downhill skiing was not a popular sport in the early 1930s, other sports, such as ski-running (cross-country skiing), skating, tobogganing, and snowshoeing were hits with outing clubs. Add to that, the winter beauty of the White Mountains, and these trains offered people an opportunity to try new sports in a picture-postcard setting.

To make this sports train adventure successful, a third member was needed on the B&M, AMC team. B&M Railroad provided the trains; AMC reported on snow conditions in New Hampshire. The third component was the weather forecast for the weekends. In stepped meteorologist, E. B. Rideout, of radio

station WEEI. Together this committee met on Thursday to discuss snow and weather conditions for the upcoming weekend. They made a plan for the “best” place to send the Snow Train that weekend. Announcements were made on the following day in the Boston newspapers, on fliers at North Station, and on Rideout’s Friday, 11 p.m. WEEI weather report.

On January 11, 1931, the first “Winter Sports Sunday Train” later shortened to the “Snow Train,” (sometimes errantly referred to as “Ski Trains”), left Boston’s North Station for Warner, NH. It carried 196 people, mostly members of the AMC and Dartmouth Outdoors Club. Ridership on this train expanded and the “experiment” paid off. There were 12 trains run in the 1931 season with total ridership recorded at 8,371. An April–May 1931 B&M Railroad Employees’ Magazine article listed the different destinations of the trains for that season. Following the January 11 trip to Warner, the trains ran every weekend until March 22, stopping at (in weekend order) Goffstown, Canaan, Newport, Epsom, Greenfield, Wilton, East Jaffrey, Laconia, Lincoln, Canaan (again) and Greenfield (again). Ridership peaked

at 1,744 on the Washington’s Birthday train to Wilton. In total, 8,334 people rode the 1931 Winter Sports Sunday Train. B&M had a hit on their hands!

The 1931 B&M Railroad Employees’ Magazine article declared, “A new institution in New England and the first of its kind in the United States—the Sunday Winter Sports Train—has been established by our railroad.” It went on to say, “Even after the arrival of spring it was still going strong with new enthusiasts shouting, ‘Keep her running as long as there is snow, anywhere.’” The train to Lincoln was to be the last for the 1931 season, but popular demand caused the railroad to add on two more weekend trains. With that success in hand, the 1932 Snow Train made its way to North Conway and the winter sports and recreation boom began in our region.

SNOW TRAINS MULTIPLY QUICKLY

While the B&M Railroad is credited with the origin of the Snow Train in the United States, other regional railroads soon established their version of the snow trains to northern regions across the country.

In New England, the New York, New

Haven, and Hartford Railroad started a train in 1935, with destinations in CT and western MA. They would eventually bring trains from New York City through Providence, RI and Worcester, MA that would connect with B&M Snow Trains. Also, in the late 1930s, the Boston & Albany Railroad began running snow trains that also connected with the B&M Snow Train.

Even the B&M saw New York City as a great market for passengers and started the “Ski Lark” train in the late 1940s. The train left Grand Central Station at 8:30 p.m. on Friday evening, bound for North Conway. It would return to Grand Central Station at 8:12 a.m. the following Monday.

This train made its way through CT, MA, and VT before finally coming into North Conway by way of Littleton, Whitefield, and Lancaster, NH.

The B&M Railroad also expanded their service to the North Country by adding snow trains that traveled through Franconia Notch, stopping in Lincoln and Littleton, NH, among other stops.

The North Conway train also made stops in several towns on its route, including Dover and Laconia, NH. On Sundays, as many as four or five trains brought passengers to North Conway. Because the

The 1931 B&M Railroad Employees’ Magazine article declared, “A new institution in New England and the first of its kind in the United States—the Sunday Winter Sports Train—has been established by our railroad.” It went on to say, “Even after the arrival of spring it was still going strong with new enthusiasts shouting, ‘Keep her running as long as there is snow, anywhere.’” With that success in hand, the 1932 Snow Train made its way to North Conway and the winter sports and recreation boom began in our region. Courtesy of the Conway Scenic Railroad-Dwight Smith Collection.

Winter 2019/20

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From left: In 1946, a young couple rides the Snow Train and catches up on the news while others snooze on board; Snow Train riders drink coffee in the Armstrong Company merchandise rail car. Courtesy of the Conway Scenic Railroad-Dwight Smith Collection.

North Conway railyard was too small to park all of these trains, some were driven to the Bartlett railyard for keeping until it was time for the return trip to Boston. In a January – February 1995 article by John Gruber in Locomotive & Railway Preserva-

outlets to advertise these trains. Each year, a Snow Train poster was created.

Hand-drawn by an artist from 1931 to 1950 and done with photographs from 1950 on, these posters depicted people, generally attractive young ladies, on skis

winter sports equipment and clothing.

Reading through the brochures available from the B&M Railroad Historical Society, a history of the trains emerges.

In the early editions, considerable space is given to addressing questions such as

tion magazine, he describes a scene in the late 1930s at Fabyan Station in Bretton Woods where seven 12-car B&M trains transported winter sports enthusiasts from Boston and Worcester for a day in the snow.

in “chic” winter snow outfits.

The B&M Railroad also produced a yearly “Snow Trains” brochure. These brochures were generally 30 to 40 pages packed with information about the winter sports experience, the trains, schedules and fares, accommodations, and winter sports at train destinations. The brochures were loaded with photographs

by Stanley Bauman of Brockton, MA. He was the official Snow Train photographer from 1931 to 1943. As the years went on, they started carrying advertisements for

“What is a Snow Train?”; “Is the winter sports business expensive?”; Where do they [the trains] go?” The early brochures even provided clothing or “costume” advice on what to wear to stay warm, yet look trendy on the slopes or in other winter activities. They also offered advice on what not to wear; for example, high heels for women were strongly discouraged. Each question is addressed in a manner to entice the hesitant reader to join the Snow Train passengers for a fun day or weekend in the snow of the North

As the Snow Trains expanded from one-day excursions on Sundays to weekend trips in the late 1930s, more people came to the region to stay for extended periods. Increased winter sporting activities meant an increased demand for winter sports equipment, accommodations, dining, entertainment, and general shopping.

PROMOTION OF THE SNOW TRAINS

From 1931 to 1956, the B&M Railroad had an extensive marketing campaign to promote the Snow Trains. They enlisted Boston radio, television, and newspaper

82 MWVvibe.com

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NORTHLEDGE TECHNOLOGIES INC. (603) 383-4030 • www.northledge.com Country. The 1937 brochure describes the Snow Train boldly as “Fun – Real fun – Healthy exercise for red blooded folks and pleasant companionships,” as well as, “Your home for a day.” A Boston physician described it as the “Health Train.”

In the 1939 brochure, we see a shift in the marketing approach. Instead of explaining the Snow Train to the readers, the brochure states, “… there is no longer a need for informative matter as to ‘What is this Snow Train’ … “ They advise new readers to find a friend who will “give you first-hand information on how they have fun on the ‘Snow Train.’” The focus of the brochures leans more on where to go and what to do. These brochures tell a fascinating story of the popularity of the Snow Trains.

The trains were also promoted as a safe alternative to driving. B&M’s rationale was why drive on slippery country roads when the trains can get you to and from your destination while you enjoy time with your new friends. Also, on the Sunday trains, trainmen and railroad police watched over the trains while people went off to play. Passengers were told they could leave their valuables, “furs and cameras,” on their seats.

To help promote skiing, and indirectly ridership, in 1937, B&M published a handbook titled the Do’s and Don’ts for Safe Skiing. It was written by Charles Lund, M.D. of the Harvard Medical School, and Charles Proctor, a former intercollegiate champion and Dartmouth Ski Team Captain. The handbook cost 10 cents.

ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF THE SNOW TRAIN

With people flocking to the Eastern Slope Region during the winter months, the economic impact of the Snow Trains Winter 2019/20

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From left: A Snow Train poster of Priscilla Stimpson, 1954 Snow Train Queen, at Intervale Ski Area in Bartlett, NH (courtesy of the Bruce Davison Collection); an undated Snow Train poster (courtesy of Creative Commons 2.0); the 1940 Snow Train brochure cover (courtesy of the Alan MacMillan Jr. Collection); an undated Snow Train poster from Mount Cranmore Skimobile (courtesy of the Bruce Davison Collection).

quickly became evident. Prior to the arrival of these trains, hotels and inns were essentially closed during winter.

Businesses saw patronage only from local people. The arrival of the weekend Snow Trains changed the economic outlook of

the inns and hotels. A column in the 1931 B&M Railroad Employees’ Magazine quotes the New England Council, a business strategy group, proclaiming, “The economic importance to the communities of these excursions is very real … large

sporting equipment business was the Armstrong News Company. In 1931, working with the B&M, the Armstrong Company “fitted out a baggage car as a rolling ski shop, selling or renting the wooden ‘boards’, leather boots and

the region in very positive ways. A February 13, 1937 article in the Boston Globe declared, “More hotels and inns in Northern New England than ever before will remain open during the winter months for the accommodation of the winter sports enthusiasts.” The article went on to state that the B&M hoped to “further stimulate the development of Northern New England as the leading winter sports area in the country.” With this type of forward thinking, the economic impacts of the Snow Trains would be felt far beyond

numbers of excursionists have patronized local inns and restaurants … the amount of products bought in local stores is impressive.”

As the Snow Trains expanded from one-day excursions on Sundays to weekend trips in the late 1930s, more people came to the region to stay for extended periods. Increased winter sporting activities meant an increased demand for winter sports equipment, accommodations, dining, entertainment, and general shopping.

The first company to get into the

bamboo poles to passengers”—according to the 2000 MBTA News article. During the week, the Armstrong rail car was at North Station in Boston, ready to service customers for their weekend snow trip.

The 1937 Armstrong advertisement in the B&M Snow Train brochure began listing snowshoes and toboggans as available for sale or rent, plus a whole line of clothing for winter sports for men, women, and children.

Over time, other companies joined the winter equipment and clothing sup-

The B&M Snow Trains were marketed as family-friendly trains with people riding from ages “six to sixty.” While ridership was predominantly young adults.. the trains were enjoyed by families.. some just out for a Sunday train ride.

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SNOW TRAIN SING-ALONGS

The popularity of the Snow Trains led to the development of some musical, television, and movie entertainment to promote interest in winter sports. In 1946, a song titled “The Snow Train” was written by a husband and wife team, Jesse and V. Bernice Richardson of Waterville, ME. Mr. Richardson, a B&M Railroad engineer, wrote the lyrics, and his wife penned the melody. This song was performed by the musical duo, The Murray Twins. The sheet music for the song was handed out to Snow Train riders on the Sunday Snow Trains. A rare copy of that sheet music, from the collection of rail fan, David Saums, gives us a look at the notes and lyrics to that song.

Lyrics to “The Snow Train” by the Richardsons

ply chain by advertising in the B&M Snow Train brochures. The Oscar H. Hambro Company of Boston and New York City proclaimed themselves as “Maker and Importer of Finer Ski–Equipment”; the James W. Brine Company of Boston began advertising the sale of skis, poles, bindings, waxes, and winter clothing. In a 1939 B&M Railroad Snow Train brochure, G. H. Bass and Company started advertising their Bass Ski Boots, priced from $6 to $14, “comfortable and form fitting” for downhill skiing; Asa C. Osborn Company of Boston also began advertising their Edwin Clapp Ski Boots, “hand cut, hand pegged, hand lasted.” These are just a few of many companies jumping into this new market of winter sports enthusiasts.

Along with the increased availability of equipment over the years, the advertising also announces increased technology in the equipment.

The first example of the celebrity promotion of a product in the B&M Snow Train brochures is seen in their 1940 edition. Northland Ski Manufacturing Company of St. Paul, MN promoted their Winter 2019/20

High up in the moun – tains, Win – ter sports we’ll find … Let’s put on our snow – togs … … And leave the world be – hind …. [chorus] Let’s ride The Snow Train …

Where we’ll have fun to – day … Let’s take a ride on The Snow Train, To moun – tains far a – way Let’s task a day to be hap – py … where all the crowd is gay … We will go up where the snow – peaks, Will thrill us while we play …

There we’ll find the skat – ing and the ski – ing will be fine … to – bog – gan slides will thrill us as we go down ev – ‘ry time …

Let’s take a day to be Joy – ful … Out where the skies are blue … It will be fun on The Snow Train … Rid – ing a – long with you.

The Richardson’s tune was also used as the theme song for a first-of-its-kind public service television program sponsored by the B&M Railroad. The program, which aired on Boston’s WBZ for 15 minutes on Thursday evenings, featured skiing expert Peggy Sayre Marshall. In the program, she would introduce viewers to different Northern New England winter sports locations, as well as interview special guests. The program also provided a brief movie clip of a skiing lesson according to a January 1948 edition of the B&M Railroad Employees’ Magazine.

The January 1948 magazine article also stated that the Richardson’s song was used as the “theme song for the railroad’s new Winter sports moving picture titled, The Snow Train.” A search for this movie, unfortunately, came up empty.

A new song, simply titled “Snow Train” was written by Cambridge, MA songwriter, Arthur Korb in 1948. Vocalist Ray Dorey and the Twin Aires performed the song with the Don Alessi Trio. Played by Boston disc jockeys, the February 1949 B&M Railroad Employees’ Magazine tells us, “The words are set to a catchy tune and fast tempo that are sure to make the song a popular hit with the younger dance set.” As with The Snow Train movie, the Korb version of the song appears to be lost in time.

85

Left: courtesy of the Carl Byron Collection; right: courtesy of the Bruce Davison Collection.

SNOW TRAIN QUEEN

Throughout the B&M Snow Train brochures, photographs of train passengers and skiers were dominated by posed shots of very attractive young ladies. This was obviously done to attract the young men to the train rides and winter sports.

In the 25th anniversary edition of the brochure, the B&M Railroad recaps some of their accomplishments for the winter sports and Snow Train experience. Among them is a note stating, “Another popular Railroad idea was the yearly competition for the ANNUAL SNOW TRAIN QUEEN selected from weekly Queens chosen each Sunday on the Snow Train.” These Queens were also referred to as “Miss Snow Train.”

The selection process for these Queens is first described in the 1948 B&M Snow Train brochure. “Each week the Sunday Snow Train is accompanied by George H. Hill, Official Photographer of the Boston and Maine Railroad. With the assistance of experts, Mr. Hill, each Sunday, selects and photographs ‘The Outstanding Girl of the Week’ and the photographs appear in the Boston newspapers on the following Monday afternoon. At the end of the season a Committee of Boston newspaper photo editors meet and from the photos taken each week they select ‘Miss Snow Train.’ The winner is given a week-end with any companion she chooses, with all expenses for two paid, in the Eastern Slope Region.” The Queen also received a silver trophy as a winner’s prize.

The Snow Train Queens were yet another way the B&M brought attention to their winter sports trains after WW II. While there is no mention of a Snow Train King, the marketing of this winter sporting experience relies heavily on showing photographs of young, healthy looking men and women, all enjoying the train ride and their time in the snow.

While we couldn’t find the names of all of the Snow Train Queens, we did discover some of them. They include:

1947: Miss Virginia R. Englund (pictured top right)

1949: Miss Joanne Wright

1950: Misses Mary Ann and Helen Sweeney (identical twins,

pictured top left)

1951: Miss Jay Coveney

1952: Miss Katharine T. Reagan

1953: Miss Cynthia Quimby

1954: Mrs. Priscilla Stimpson (wife of Dick Stimpson, owner of the

Intervale Ski Area, Bartlett, and reportedly, the last Snow Train Queen)

86

skis with the headline, “Hannes Schneider uses Northland’s.” Schneider was an Austrian skiing expert who came to North Conway in 1939 at the invitation of Harvey Gibson to promote downhill skiing in the Eastern Slope Region. The advertisement highlights that Schneider helped design Northland’s “spectacular FIS model skis.” They even include a “How to Ski” folder with a purchase of their skis.

Now open in the winter months, businesses advertised their wares in the B&M Snow Train brochures. While many of the inns are no longer in business, establishments such as the Eastern Slope Inn, Cranmore Inn, and Eagle Mountain House, to name just three, are still entertaining guests today. To move people from the trains to the hotels and inns, ski areas such as Cranmore provided busses to bring people to their mountain. The Tom H. Harris Taxi Company advertised in the 1956 B&M Snow Train brochure. In an interview with Norman Head of Bartlett, he told of how he and three or four other teenagers working for a small wage and tips, in the mid-1950s, would load the skis of weekenders onto a special rack on the Harris station wagon taxis, go to the inns where they were staying, and unload them.

Each brochure advertised several different ski slopes, such as Mount Cranmore Skimobile, Thorn Mountain, Black Mountain, The Intervale Ski Area, and the Bear Mountain Ski Trail, each offering “Snow Train Specials” for skiers. The 1937 B&M Snow Train brochure even announced a skiing adventure on Mount Washington’s Tuckerman Ravine.

The Snow Trains were an economic boom for the railroad, as well as a major boost to the local economies where the trains stopped. A review of the increasing level of advertising in the B&M Snow Train brochures announcing “special pricing” for Snow Train visitors provides the distinct impression that these trains helped the economics of the Eastern Slope Region through the Great Depression and well into the Baby Boom era.

THE SNOW TRAIN EXPERIENCE

The big question people ask about the Snow Train is, “What was it like to ride on these trains?” The B&M Snow Trains were marketed as family-friendly trains with people riding from ages “six to sixty.” While ridership was predominantly young adults in their 20s and 30s, the trains were enjoyed by families with young children and older adults, some

MWVvibe.com

just out for a Sunday train ride. The B&M wanted to bring people to the winter sports venues, regardless of age.

Many friendships were formed while riding the trains. In a 1932 article written

by Olive E. Anson in the B&M Railroad Employees’ Magazine, she describes a conversation with a “young lady” who said, “On the train, we found many friends.” She went on to say that this particular group of friends would always

to hear them laugh and chat; it keeps me young.” This man stayed on the Sunday train while it was in North Conway, enjoyed the scenery, read the Sunday newspaper, smoked his pipe and ate dinner in the dining car. Other accounts tell of mothers on the train bringing their children north to experience the snow and winter sports.

The trains were loaded with passengers and room was provided for their skis

and more passenger-laden trains. The menu from the 1939 season is headlined with the statement “Anything you want – At anytime of the day.” The typical menu included soups, grill selections, entrées, breakfast options, salads, beverages (non-alcoholic), cigars, and cigarettes.

Snow Train brochures stated that you could have a great meal for just $1. This is in keeping with their low ticket prices (in 1936, the price of a round-trip ticket

congregate at “the second car behind the diner. We started in on the first trip as strangers. Now we are all friends. Those who get here early save the seats for those who get here a little later.” Accounts such as these are commonplace. Anson also described a gentleman who, at the age of 76, was riding the train. He stated, “I like watching the young folks … I like

and other sports equipment. Often, skiers would be checking their equipment while on the ride north. One story in the 2000 MBTA News article tells of a common practice of “placing a pair of skis across two coach seatbacks and then using a small blowtorch to heat them before applying wax!”

A dining car was attached to the larger

from Boston to North Conway was $2.75).

Photographs of people dining show nicely set tables with linen napkins.

An article written by B&M Railroad passenger traffic representative, John C. Alden in the December 1973 edition of the B&M Bulletin, mentions, “Members of the Passenger Traffic Department were assigned to each train in addition to the

A review of the increasing level of advertising in the Boston and Maine Railroad Snow Train brochures provides the distinct impression that these trains helped the economics of the Eastern Slope Region through the Great Depression and well into the Baby Boom era.

Winter 2019/20

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From 1931 to 1956, the B&M Railroad had an extensive marketing campaign to promote the Snow Trains.

They enlisted Boston radio, television, and newspaper outlets to advertise these trains.

Promotional photos from B&M Railroad Snow Train brochures. Courtesy of the Boston & Maine Railroad Historical Society.

regular train crews.” They were on board to help passengers with information about the ski conditions and attractions in the destination town. “On their snowsuits was a red badge reading ‘Boston and Maine – Passenger Representative – Snow Train.’” Another example of B&M Railroad’s service to Snow Train riders.

The B&M wanted to ensure that their passengers had a very positive Snow Train experience. A story from North Conway showed just how far they would go to keep their riders happy. In the Alden article, he tells how the weather forecast for Sunday, March 26, 1939, was completely incorrect.

Instead of snow conditions, a heavy rain came down washing out the winter sports scene for the day. Riders were wet and unhappy. The idea arose to open the local movie theater and let the people enjoy a show, but there was a catch. Sunday blue laws in NH would not allow movie theaters to open. A quick telephone call to the proper state official obtained permission to show the movie. The Snow Train for that Sunday was renamed the “Theater Train.”

Running the Snow Trains on Sunday raised a concern for B&M Railroad officials. From the beginning of this new tradition, they wanted to show the proper respect for the day, while still running the trains. The passenger agents promoted a “dignified” atmosphere among the train passengers. In the 1956 B&M Snow Train brochure, they even have a notation informing passengers of a “Special Snow Train Mass, at North Conway, Our Lady of the Mountain Church, 11:30 a.m., Rev. Leo K. Ryan, Pastor.”

Over time, unfortunately, some train riders developed a reputation for being unruly. In the early years of the Snow Trains, many of the train stops greeted riders with marching bands and horse-drawn sleighs, creating a very welcoming, festive destination atmosphere. Over time, however, the jubilation of receiving the Snow Train riders started to be tempered, as we learn from a comment in the 2000 MBTA

After a seven-year hiatus, the Mass Bay Railroad Enthusiasts, in partnership with B&M, ran a Special Snow Train Excursion from Boston to North Conway on February 29, 1964. Courtesy of the Mass Bay RRE Collection.

News article where “the festive welcomes that the Snow Trains enjoyed in the 1930’s gave way to local opposition, as some passengers often made them into ‘party trains.’” Instead of hitting the slopes on arrival, these riders would hang out in the bars and restaurants of the destination towns until the train left.” A November 23, 1969 article in the Boston Globe quotes a minister referencing train riders of years past, saying, “… many people who took the train to North Conway arrive ‘so drunk they don’t even know where they are.’” As with so many things, sometimes the welcome gets worn out as some of the guests overdo it.

THE ENDING OF AN “INSTITUTION”

During WW II, in 1943 and 1944, Snow Trains were sidetracked in favor of military rail traffic. In 1945, the trains were restarted and the excitement for riding the trains to the Eastern Slope Region and other winter sports areas seemed to be coming back. By the end of the 1940s, however, ridership on the Snow Trains was starting to decline. B&M retired its fleet of large conventional coaches during the early 1950s in favor of the new smaller and lighter Budd Rail Diesel Cars (a.k.a. Buddliners). This was a sign of declining ridership.

There is some discrepancy on when the last B&M Snow Train came to North Conway. A November 23, 1969 Boston Globe article says that “the original White Mountain snow train died in 1950, victim of the automobile.” However, other documentation in the B&M Snow Train brochures and in the 2000 MBTA News article states that the service to North Conway ended in the “late 1950s.” The B&M Railroad HisWinter 2019/20

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torical Society, as well as other B&M rail fans, confirmed that the service ended in 1956. This corresponds to the last year the B&M Snow Train brochure was published.

In the end, a combination of shrinking availability of rail equipment, improvements in the interstate highway system, better highway snow plowing, the increased reliability of automobiles, plus a desire of the sporting public to be more independent and less tied to the train schedules, brought the Snow Trains to an end. In their 1956 brochure, B&M proclaimed that their Snow Train brought over one million people to different North Country destinations, including North Conway, Intervale, as well as points north and west.

In 1964, the Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts (Mass Bay RRE)

In their 1956 brochure, B&M proclaimed that their Snow Train brought over one million people to different North Country destinations, including North Conway, Intervale, as well as points north and west.

organization revived the Snow Train with one-day charters through the B&M Railroad. On Saturday, February 29, 1964, the train, made up of several Buddliners, left Boston’s North Station for North Conway and Intervale. The trip was promoted to people looking to ski, skate, and enjoy the scenery. People were encouraged to bring their cameras, as photo stops were being arranged. The Mass Bay RRE club chartered these once yearly excursions from 1964 to 1972.

The trainman for that very last 1972 Snow Train was Alan MacMillan, Jr. Then, 26 years old, and working for the B&M Railroad, he said in an October 2019 interview he was filling in for another crew member who called out on that day.

Describing the ride, he told how there had been a snow storm raging since the day before, and while the tracks were cleared by a rail snow plow, when the Left: Eastern Slope Region lodging and ski shop advertisements found in the B&M Railroad Snow Train brochures in the 1940s. Courtesy of the Boston & Maine Railroad Historical Society.

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MWVvibe.com

The very last Snow Train, chartered by the Mass Bay Railroad Enthusiasts, arrives at North Conway Station on February 26, 1972. Left: The B&M train order for the final Snow Train. Courtesy of the Alan MacMillan Jr. Collection.

Snow Train, with two diesel engines (#s 1730 and 1751) with eight Buddliners, came up the tracks, there was nothing but snow visible. The train had about 650 to 700 people. The ride to North Conway was full of conversation and laughter. The train stopped in Dover, NH before making its way on the final leg of the trip to the North Conway station. When it arrived in North Conway, everyone disembarked and either went skiing, walked around town, or visited a favorite restaurant. At 5 p.m., the train left for Boston.

MacMillan said the mood of the train passengers on the ride back to Boston was quite different. People were engaged in quiet conversation in an almost contemplative atmosphere as they knew this was the last Snow Train. B&M was abandoning the 29 miles of track from Intervale to Ossipee the very next day. MacMillan rode in the last car on that train as it made its way to Boston. With snow still falling, he, along with the 13 other people on the car, turned their attention out the back of the train. He opened the back door of the train car and turned on the large headlight to illuminate the tracks as the train left them behind. The scene was perfect as the light illuminated an ever-moving scene behind the train. The snow was swirling up in the turbulent air caused by the motion of the train. As the train moved on, the snow resettled on to the tracks turning the two steel ribbons white as they silently disappeared into the darkness beyond the reach of the light. A fitting scene for the end of a â&#x20AC;&#x153;New England Institution.â&#x20AC;?

Winter 2019/20

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CHINOOK OF WONALANCET

By Lauren Clem

How a Wonalancet Sled Dog Became a Breed Loved Worldwide 92 MWVvibe.com

The story of how a local oddity became a favorite of dog enthusiasts starts in Tamworth, specifically the sleepy little hamlet of Wonalancet, that Arthur Walden and his trusted Chinook called home.

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Arthur T. Walden and his dog, Chinook, with the crowd at the 1922 Winter Carnival in Portland, Maine. Photo Collections of Maine Historical Society, courtesy of www.VintageMaineImages.com.

Winter 2019/20

n 1920, a man by the name of Arthur expedition, offering a hint of the advenWalden debuted a new line of sled tures her offspring would have later in life. dogs at the winter carnival in Gorham, His father was a mixed breed of unknown New Hampshire. The “husky half-breds,” parentage, though accounts describe him as he called them, made an immediate as similar to a mastiff or St. Bernard. On impression on the crowd for their good January 17, 1917, the husky gave birth to a trail sense and ability to pull a fully laden litter of seven puppies, including Chinook, sled. In the lead was Chinook, a large, the beginning of Walden’s famous sled tawny-colored dog team. dog Walden had Early on, marked out for Walden realhis strength and ized the breed’s intelligence. potential as both He didn’t a sled dog and a know it then, but family companChinook would ion. Breeding become the father Chinook to Gerof a long line of man shepherds, sled dogs—and Canadian Eskimo a breed bearing dogs, and other his name—that working breeds, would go down in he created a New Hampshire team strong history as the enough to haul Chinook, courtesy Ron Walters collection state’s own confreight but gentle tribution to the enough to be sport. The story around children. of how a local oddity became a favorite The combination allowed Walden to proof dog enthusiasts starts in Tamworth, mote the breed as a working dog while specifically the sleepy little hamlet of also introducing them to guests at the Wonalancet that Walden and his trusted Wonalancet Inn. Chinook called home.

“You wanted a dog who could pull your hotel guests and then at night, sit by The Beginning the fire and listen to Walden play music Arthur Walden, the son of a Boston minis- and tell stories,” said Bob Cottrell, histoter, came to Wonalancet in the late 1800s rian for the Chinook Owners Association to work as farm manager on Katherine and curator of the Henney History Room Sleeper’s Wonalancet Farm. An advenat the Conway Public Library. turer and entrepreneur, he headed west Cottrell, a former Chinook owner to Alaska in 1896 to work in the gold whose own dog died last year, described rushes, where he learned to drive sled Walden as a P.T. Barnum-type characdogs across the frozen wilderness. When ter who never missed an opportunity he returned, he and Sleeper married and to market the new breed. It wasn’t long took up sled dog breeding along with run- before Walden was entering his Chinook ning their farm and inn. team in sled dog races around New Eng The dogs that would become Chiland, founding many of them himself. In nook’s parents came to Walden via the 1922, the first international sled dog race Boston and Maine Railroad’s Whittier from Berlin, New Hampshire, to Canada Station, which still survives today near made headlines around the country, with the intersection of Route 41 and Route 16.

Walden’s dogs, led by Chinook, plastered Chinook’s mother, a Greenland husky, was across the pages as first-place winner. descended from one of the sled dogs on In 1927, Siberian husky breeder Admiral Robert Peary’s 1909 North Pole Leonhard Seppala and Walden raced their

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Karen Hinchy photo

Karen Hinchy, breeder at Bashaba Chinooks, and owner of, from left to right: Conaway, Sakari, Calista, Tikaani, Qaralii, and Nashira. Karen was introduced to the Valley through its rich history as the birthplace of the Chinook breed, and fell in love with the amazing scenery and lifestyle. Dedicated to the conservation of the Chinook breed for future generations, Karen and her Chinooks return to Tamworth as often as possible to walk in the footsteps of Walden and the first Chinook. As you can see, these dogs represent all Chinook ear sets: up, down, sideways, and mismatched.

teams at Poland Spring, Maine. Walden underestimated the speed of the smaller huskies, who beat his Chinooks by a full seven minutes. The event proved Chinooks were not the fastest sled dogs around, but they continued to be a much-loved breed due in part to Walden’s promotion in Tamworth and beyond.

Journey to the South Pole

In 1928, Walden and his dogs joined Admiral Richard Byrd’s expedition to the South Pole, with Walden serving as lead dog driver for 100 or more dogs. Through the winter, teams assembled in Tamworth to train in the fields near Wonalancet Inn, where recreational sled dog racers still practice today. Newspapers around the country featured shots of the teams training on handmade sled gear, much of it created by workers in the Tamworth area.

The teams left Whittier Station on September 14, 1928.

During the expedition, which lasted two years, Chinook was lost

promoting the breed from Chinook’s offspring. Upon returning from Antarctica, he sold the Chinook Kennels name to Milton and Eva “Short” Seeley, who continued to breed huskies and Alaskan malamutes in Wonalancet. The remainder of the breeding stock went to Julia Lombard’s Wonalancet-Hubbard Kennels, where Walden served as kennel director. Eventually, Lombard sold the line to outdoorsman Perry Greene, who moved the breed to Maine.

Karen Hinchy, a New Jersey-based breeder who’s studied the Chinook’s genetic history, described how the breeding policies of the time kept the dogs from spreading and multiplying.

Greene, and to some extent Walden and Lombard, were famous for only selling spayed females to prevent others from breeding their own Chinooks. This meant that as time went on, the breed began to dwindle and lacked the genetic diversity now known to increase a dog’s health. In the 1960s, Guinness World Records named the Chinook the rarest dog in the world, and by the

“You wanted a dog who could pull your hotel guests and then at night, sit by the fire and listen to Walden play music and tell stories,” said Bob Cottrell, historian for the Chinook Owners Association and curator of the Henney History Room at the Conway Public Library. and never seen again. Walden told newspaper reporters the great lead dog had wandered off after losing a fight to a younger dog, though Cottrell cautions all the stories from the time should be taken with a grain of salt.

“Walden was never one to let the facts get in the way of a good story,” he said.

Decline and Revival

With his lead dog gone, Walden turned to building up and

1980s there were only a handful of Chinooks left.

“Without them publicizing, certainly they would’ve had a few generations of lovely companion dogs and that would’ve been the end of it,” said Hinchy.

In 1981, a group of Chinook owners stepped in to implement a new breeding program and save the dog from extinction.

Since then, the number of dogs has continued to rise, though they still suffer from the results of inbreeding. In the 1990s, at the recommendation of scientists, Chinook owners began a

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THE STATE DOG OF NEW HAMPSHIRE In 2008, the seventh-grade class at Roth Lurgio Middle School in Bedford started a campaign to make the Chinook the state dog of New Hampshire. Jen Johnson Wells, their teacher, had been a Chinook owner since 2003, and the students fell in love with the dogs when she brought them to school events.

At the time, 12 other states had official state dogs, most of them without the strong ties the Chinook has to New Hampshire.

The following spring, a bill sponsored by then-Senator Sheila Roberge made it to the state legislature. Johnson Wells and her students attended the committee hearing to make the case for the Chinook. After unanimous votes by the committee and full Senate, the bill moved to the House, where the entire 100-member class came to watch the vote. After voting in favor of the bill, House members turned to recognize the students in the viewing gallery.

“They all stood up and turned around and gave the kids a standing ovation, which was amazing to see,” recalled Johnson Wells.

In June 2019, then-Governor John Lynch came to Roth Lurgio Middle School to sign the bill into law. While there, he got to meet a Chinook—and many excited students.

program of crossbreeding with malamutes, huskies, and other sled dogs in order to maintain the breed’s health. Today, Hinchy is one of several breeders who participates in a similar program overseen by the Chinook Owners Association (COA).

“The good news is Chinooks have been kept out of puppy mills,” she said. “We don’t have anyone looking at Chinooks that have 30 or 40 dogs in a dog yard. So we really rely on people who aren’t necessarily breeders to not neuter a male dog and be open to breeding down the road.”

Coming Home to Tamworth

Today, Chinooks are famous as both sled dogs and household companions. Though some owners are local to the area and familiar with the breed’s history, most stumble across them online, where search engines recommend them as active dogs that also enjoy down time. Hinchy made the find in 2004 while searching for a dog similar to a husky, but without the same boundless energy. Shortly after, she drove up to New Hampshire for an annual gathering of Chinook owners and visited the Wonalancet sites tied into Chinook history.

“It’s actually the first time I had ever been to New Hampshire, and I just fell in love with the White Mountains and the scenery,” she said.

A few years later, she purchased a second home on Chinook Trail, the same road where Walden once ran his kennel. Now, she and her dogs spend their vacations in Tamworth and have become part of the town’s Chinook heritage.

She’s not the only one whose dogs introduced her to the White Mountains. Kim Kramer, another who also lives in New Jersey, had a similar experience of buying property in Tamworth after driving up for Chinook events. The community, Kramer said, is very tight knit, and owners make regular pilgrimages to Wonalancet to meet other owners and revisit the breed’s history. In 2017, Chinooks and their owners gathered on the shores of Lake Ossipee to celebrate the 100th birthday of the original Chinook.

“We were blessed with good snow and great weather and I think we had, across the day, 50 dogs and 80 humans,” she said. “It was just a cool time to be there with all these people who had all of these different interests.”

Kramer is a past treasurer of the Chinook Owners Association, one of two parent clubs for the breed. The COA is associated with the United Kennel Club, which recognized the Chinook as an independent breed in 1991. In 2013, the American Winter 2019/20

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NEW ENGLAND SLED DOG CLUB In 1924, a group of local sled dog enthusiasts gathered at the Wonalancet Farm and Inn in the first meeting of what would become the New England Sled Dog Club. Arthur Walden was chosen as the first president.

The club began hosting races throughout New England, a tradition that continues today. One of the more popular events is the annual race on Chocorua Lake. Co-sponsored by the Tamworth Outing Club, the event traces its roots to 1937 and is considered one of the longest-running sprint races in the world. Conditions permitting, mushers and their dogs take to the frozen lake in early winter to test their skills in sled racing and skijoring against the backdrop of Mount Chocorua.

WiseguyCreative.com photo

This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, January 25 and Sunday, January 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., weather permitting. Admission is free for spectators. For updated schedules and weather conditions, visit www.nesdc.org.

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Kennel Club also recognized the breed, using the Chinook Club of America as its parent affiliation. The two clubs have slightly different standards for the breed, mostly related to the color of a Chinook’s coat, but both are devoted to maintaining the breed’s culture and history.

“It really is like a family,” said Kramer. “Families have squabbles, and we have squabbles occasionally because we feel really passionately that we want the best for this breed.”

Every year, the Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm hosts a winter carnival that includes a showcase of Chinooks.

Last February, Laurel Wilkinson and Patrick Phillips, two Chinook owners who lived on Martha’s Vineyard at the time, traveled to Tamworth to participate in the event with their dog, Rhea. The couple had been looking to open a climatefocused farm and guesthouse and were instantly struck by the countryside surrounding Tamworth village. In September,

Every year, the Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm hosts a winter carnival that includes a showcase of Chinooks.

they moved to a historic farm on Cleveland Hill Road, opening their property—called The Long View—to guests in December of this year.

“To have a farm in Tamworth with so much room for [Rhea] and so much room for us and our ideas to realize them was too much to pass up,” said Phillips.

If all goes well, they hope to begin breeding Rhea for the first time next year. The idea of helping continue a breed that started just down the road is an exciting prospect, one that places them in the heart of Chinook history.

“She might be the first Chinook bred in Tamworth in a long time,” said Phillips.

An Uncertain Future

Today, it’s estimated there are 1,200 to 1,300 Chinooks living around the world, largely due to the power of the internet.

96 MWVvibe.com

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While prospective owners no longer have to stumble across the breed on New Hampshire back roads, there are still concerns. The number of active breeders, said Hinchy, has declined in recent years.

As a result, puppy counts—once topping 130 in a good year—have dropped significantly “We’ve had less than 50 puppies so far [in 2019],” she said. “And last year, I think we had 54 all year. That’s a pretty dramatic decline from 100.”

It’s a concern for John Habermahl, a New York-based owner who serves as president of the COA. While he wishes more owners would be active in the breeding program, he recognizes there’s a time and financial commitment that some people aren’t prepared to take on.

“The demand is there, but it’s just demand for the pet is there,” he said. “Demand for the breeding program, it’s sustainable, but it could also use a little more.”

For Chinooks owners, there’s no question of whether the dog will continue to capture the hearts of dog owners everywhere. For a breed sometimes thought of as Tamworth’s best kept little secret, Chinooks have woven their way into American history, where their devoted humans hope they will remain for many years to come.

“These are sort of America’s undiscovered canine treasure,” said Hinchy. “If we only knew more about them, more people would be interested in them. And we can only use more support in preserving the treasure for the future.

Winter 2019/20

On March 30, 1926, Arthur Walden and his Chinooks became the first team to ascend Mount Washington by dog sled. It was their second attempt after a blizzard ruined their first try earlier in the month.

An entry in the guest register of the Glen House, located at the base of Washington, says it took Walden and his team 11 hours and 30 minutes to ascend the peak and return, though newspaper accounts at the time put the trip at 15 hours.

Among those accompanying them was Joe Dodge, the AMC mountaineer and hut-builder, who would go on to help re-establish the Mount Washington Observatory six years later.

TOP: Courtesy Ron Walters collection.

LOWER: Courtesy of the Glen House Hotel

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Know of an interesting story, past or present, pertaining to the Valley? See something here that may not be accurate? Let us know! Send suggestions or corrections to info@mwvvibe.com.

“The White Mountains” photo

Gorham’s Mount Madison House hotel provided an interesting backdrop for winter fun on the municipal skating rink during the 1920s.

Year-round residents enjoyed tobogganing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and dogsledding, especially before skiing became popular. The Mount Madison House helped the town of Gorham gain fame for being a gateway to the White Mountains.

The Carroll Reed Shop, founded in 1937, was once home to the “world’s largest ski pole.”

U.S. Ski Hall-of-Famer, Carroll P. Reed (190599), first installed the sign outside his store in 1955, quickly becoming a landmark. It was later moved to the left of the building, where it stood until April 2018, when it sustained damage.

Ultimately, it was repaired by Rick Oaks, Al Dubie, and maintenance and lift crews from Cranmore Mountain and reinstalled in June 2019. The new pole is slightly shorter at 18 feet, 9 inches.

www.whitemountainhistory.org photo

Possibly the earliest attempt to accommodate overnight mountaintop visitors in the White Mountains was on Mount Kearsarge in Bartlett.

In 1848, four local men built a small hotel, which was kept open for a few years, but was later abandoned. In 1869, Andrew Dinsmore bought the hotel, repaired it, and apparently ran it until it blew down in 1883. Dinsmore tried rebuilding on a smaller scale, but that venture was also abandoned after a few years.

In 1956, a massive ice storm hit the White Mountain Region and Mount Washington was hit especially hard. Although the old “stage office” on the summit typically gets encased in ice each winter, the chained-down structure was completely buried in ice measuring 15” to 6’ thick. These extreme conditions have justifiably given the mountain the characteristic of having “the worst weather on earth.”

“The White Mountains” photo

Stefi Reed Hastings photo

Mount Washington Observatory photo

Across the highway from the AMC’s Pinkham Notch Camp, the CCC cut a 10-acre practice ski slope beneath the prominent rock feature called Square Ledge, which was ready for the winter of 1936. As skiing became popular in the late 1930s, many novices needed such lowangle practice hills. The Square Ledge area was eventually allowed to grow back to forest and no sign of it remains.

Today the section of Route 302 in Bretton Woods from the Cherry Mountain Road to the area around the Stickney Chapel has few buildings. However, in the late 19th century, there were three large hotels: The White Mountain House, Fabyan House, and the Mount Pleasant House. (The Mount Washington Hotel had not yet been built.)

When the Mt. Washington Hotel opened in 1902, it included a water-powered print shop in a separate building. The shop printed the Bugle of Bretton Woods, a newspaper distributed to guests of the Mount Washington Hotel and the Mount Pleasant House each day at breakfast.

The glossy magazine, Outlook, was published quarterly from 1974 to 1998, for the White Mountain Region Association. The magazine was planned and designed by Homer May, President of Region Publications, Haverhill, NH. Each issue contained well-written articles about New Hampshire’s White Mountains.

As early as 1858, music was written specifically for the Grand Hotels in the White Mountains. Three pieces were written for the Crawford House, one for the Glen House, two for the Mount Pleasant, one for the Kearsarge House, etc. Music was also written about the scenic gems of the region: the Old Man of the Mountain, the Glen, Franconia Notch, Mount Washington, etc.

By the first years of the 20th century, there would be four Grand Hotels in Crawford Notch: The Crawford House, The Mount Pleasant House, The Mount Washington Hotel, and the Fabyan House. There were several other hotels as well: The White Mountain House, The Willey House, The Summit House on Mount Washington, and a few miles west was the Twin Mountain House.

Many of these tidbits of information can be found on www.whitemountainhistory.org.

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