As skiers and riders pulled their gear out of storage ahead of last ski season, no one really knew what to expect. A new and wildly unknown pandemic had stopped the previous ski season in its tracks and upended what we had come to know as “normal.” Rumors of reservation systems, limited lift and … [Read more...]
Castle in the Clouds maintains the grandeur it was always intended to have
Built by a successful shoe manufacturer named Thomas Plant in 1913, the Lucknow Estate was situated on a 6,300-acre property in Moultonborough, New Hampshire, overlooking the Ossipee Mountains. The original estate was extravagant — it featured a 16-room mansion, stables, six-car garage, tennis … [Read more...]
Ripple effect: How and why to join a paddling club
Paddling can be a broad term. For some, the word “paddling” brings to mind a high-energy, fast-paced sport on turbulent rivers — the perfect activity to replace skiing during warmer months. For others, paddling induces thoughts of a more relaxing day on one of Maine’s lakes, watching bald eagles … [Read more...]
Five great off-the-beaten-path hikes in New England
If last summer is any indicator of what this summer might look like, the odds of having to wait for a parking spot to open at New England’s most popular trailheads are high. As social distancing and remote work took hold as the new normal last spring, people throughout the Northeast and nationwide … [Read more...]
Discover 10 family-friendly hikes in New England
As hotter days descend upon the Northeast, many begin to seek refuge in more desirable conditions. For some, this may mean packing up the kids and heading to an air-conditioned movie theater or to your favorite swimming hole — six-pack in hand. But for a majority of die-hard New Englanders, this … [Read more...]
Night skiing options in New England present socially-distant, unique experiences
It’s been nearly a year since the pandemic took hold of the American economy, way of life and ski season. When lifts nationwide stopped spinning in mid-March, many skiers were filled with uncertainty, and to an extent, denial. “We just need to wait this out for a few weeks,” many of us thought. “I’m … [Read more...]
North Conway’s Cathedral Ledge Distillery pays homage to New England’s agrarian heritage
For decades, the Mount Washington Valley has been touted as one of the East Coast’s most renowned ski destinations. But until recently, the region has been off the radar for those searching for craft beers, wines and spirits. In December, Cathedral Ledge Distillery opened its doors in North … [Read more...]
A welcoming vibe helps ski/snowboard brand Weston emerge
Leo Tsuo didn’t anticipate working behind the counter at a small snowboard shop when he was offered a job for Weston in Minturn, Colorado. He had recently returned to his home state after an eight-year stint in New Jersey working on the financial side of a solar start-up and was looking for a more … [Read more...]
How short-term rentals are changing mountain towns
On Jan. 21, 2020, I sat in a gymnasium in North Conway, New Hampshire, listening to resident after resident speak out against short-term vacation rentals in their town. “This used to be such a quiet community,” said one gentleman, echoing what five before him had said. Most who spoke seemed to … [Read more...]
At 83 years old, Cranmore Mountain Resort continues to evolve
When I arrived at Cranmore Mountain in North Conway, New Hampshire, I stared in awe at the peak, which seemed to tower above the Mount Washington Valley. As a 14-year-old southern New Jersey native who spent most days skateboarding with the neighborhood kids, I had never tried skiing or … [Read more...]
Ledge brews up excitement in Mount Washington Valley
Compared to its counterparts in Vermont and Maine, rural New Hampshire isn’t exactly known for being a culinary or craft beverage destination. Hidden in Vermont’s rolling hillside are renowned breweries like Hill Farmstead, The Alchemist and Lawson’s, while Maine has Allagash, Foundation and … [Read more...]
Hail the rail: New England’s mountain railways are your windows into autumn
When the newly constructed Atlantic and St. Lawrence Railroad arrived in Gorham, N.H., in July 1851, the future of the Mount Washington Valley and White Mountains charted a new trajectory. Prior, the region catered largely to commercial traffic and the occasional visitor traveling by stagecoach. And … [Read more...]
