The Silver Fox Inn says welcome with a view and service that make you feel right at home

Waterville Valley Resort acquired the 32-room Silver Fox Inn in 2018. (Waterville Valley Resort)

For couples and families looking to extend their visit to Waterville Valley, the Silver Fox Inn is one of the most popular lodging options in town. More mountain lodge than hotel, this 32-room inn offers convenient access to the slopes and is the perfect jumping-off point for exploring the seemingly endless variety of activities available in the heart of the White Mountains.

“We encourage guests to park their car and explore on foot, skis, bikes or chairlifts,” said Stacey Metivier, director of lodging at Waterville Valley Resort, which acquired the inn in 2018 and operates it alongside a couple of its other properties, Town Square Condominiums and the Conference and Event Center.

Incorporated in 1829, Waterville Valley has a rich history as a farming and lumbering community. In the early 1900s, it became a summer retreat, and in the 1960s, it was developed into a ski resort. Today, Waterville Valley is known as one of New Hampshire’s most popular year-round tourist destinations.

Located a short walking distance from the shops and restaurants, Silver Fox guests can quickly grab a shuttle to and from Waterville Valley Resort or simply explore all the beauty right outside the front door.

“We have views of Mount Tecumseh and Osceola from the outdoor deck, along with a few guest rooms and the gathering nooks, and our daily deluxe breakfast energizes guests for all the activities in the valley,” Metivier said.

Over the next decade, Waterville Valley Resort plans to construct a new gondola that will link the town with the ski resort. The development, when complete, will dramatically change the experience for guests staying in town. Silver Fox guests will be able to walk from the inn to the gondola station at Town Square and catch a ride to the base lodge area, where they can disembark at the mid-station or continue their ride to the summit of Green Peak. 

“The convenience to leave your hotel room, ready to tackle the slopes with all your gear and be dropped at the top of a peak for a first run — never driving your car — is a true ‘wow,’ ” Metivier said. “And the return trip is just as spectacular, catching a view of the activity on the valley floor along with the 360-degree mountain ranges to land in the hub of activity in the quaint ski village we call Town Square.”

The resort offers a wide range of trails for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities, from gentle beginner runs to challenging expert slopes. And with a snowmaking system that covers 100 percent of the trails, visitors will find consistent conditions throughout the season.

The valley comes alive during the winter not only because of the skiing and snowboarding available up the road, but also because of activities like snowshoeing, indoor tennis, swimming, hockey and ice skating. Guests staying at Silver Fox receive a Freedom Pass, which provides access to the White Mountain Athletic Club, tennis, open gym programming at the recreation department, Rey Cultural Center programming and seasonal access to ice skating.

The Waterville Valley Adventure Center maintains 100 kilometers of groomed and tracked cross-country trails that wind through the White Mountain National Forest. The center also offers fat biking and snowshoeing.

The ice arena offers public skating and stick/puck sessions throughout the week. It is also home to a hockey academy and hosts many youth hockey tournaments and camps. The White Mountain Athletic Club offers a range of activities and relaxation options, including indoor tennis courts, saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs and an indoor and outdoor pool.

Metivier said the inn is an important piece within Waterville Valley’s lodging portfolio because of the ease and simplicity with which it provides a relaxing stay for guests in what she called the most beautiful spot in New Hampshire.

What truly sets the inn apart is the personal touch provided by a friendly and attentive staff. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be greeted with a warm smile and a helping hand. The staff is always available to provide recommendations and assistance, whether you’re looking for the perfect restaurant or need help planning your day on the slopes.

“The staff personalizes service, offering a home away from home welcome by getting to know the guests through conversations, discovering the purpose of a visit or suggesting a family outing in the area,” Metivier said. “Our return groups and guests is about 60 percent of our business. Silver Fox is an intimate, quaint place to relax off the mountains, whether it’s winter, spring, summer or fall.”