On the “New Hampshire Made” Trail: Featuring Local Products, Services & Attractions

Like many of you, when we travel we like to dine in unique local restaurants — maybe in a glam establishment, but just as often in a kitschy cafe, stay at historic hotels or cozy inns, meet local shopkeepers who know the story — and oftentimes the artisans — behind the items they sell, visit local attractions, and bring home a piece of local artwork, amazing food, or other memorabilia that will remind us of our vacation or weekend getaway long after it’s over.

As the official visitor information source for the Great North Woods and the Northern White Mountains of New Hampshire, at New Hampshire Grand we have the enviable job of introducing visitors to the diverse range of attractions, lodging, dining, events, and outdoor activities available in Northern New Hampshire.

nhmade-logo-285wide-transAnd, in case you’re not acquainted with New Hampshire Made yet, we’d like to introduce you to this statewide organization that also promotes New Hampshire-made products and services, and familiarize you with some of the northern New Hampshire businesses that are members of both our organizations.

On your next visit to the northern reaches of the Granite State, make it a point to check out these wonderful points of interest. These businesses are well versed in offering the best of “New Hampshire Grand” and “New Hampshire Made.”

COLEBROOK

 

NH_Grand_Best_Of_FiddleheadsAnyone looking for American- and Canadian-made and Fair Trade products will fine a nice assortment of fine arts and crafts and carefully selected gift items at Fiddleheads – A Great North Woods Shoppe. The store has been voted “Best Customer Service” by Colebrook’s Downtown Holiday Shoppers. You’ll also find a small art gallery here, with all of the art created by local artisans.

GORHAM

Auto_Road_vanThe Mt. Washington Auto Road has been welcoming visitors since 1861 when horse-drawn wagons ferried guests to the top of the 6,288-foot peak. Today, you can drive yourself, hop aboard an Auto Road van for a guided tour, or hike to the top. You’ll be awestruck by the road’s spectacular twists and turns and the incredible views. At the summit on a clear day you can see several states, Canada and the Atlantic Ocean! And don’t forget to pick up the coveted bumper sticker that tells the world that you’ve climbed Mt. Washington! Winter adventurers can board the SnowCoach for an exhilarating ride to treeline.

LANCASTER

Fullers2482-2_edited-1There’s nothing like the taste of sweet maple syrup on your pancakes or waffles! Open year round, Fuller’s Sugarhouse, an award-winning, family-owned business, produces over 4,000 gallons of pure maple syrup each year. The store stocks syrup in a variety of sizes, along with maple candy, custom-made gift baskets, and a hand-picked selection of gift items. Fuller’s also ships worldwide, so you’ll never run out!

WHITEFIELD

NH_Grand_Best_Of_Mountain_View_GrandLuxurious accommodations, casual and fine dining, a 6,000-bottle wine cellar, an award-winning spa and panoramic views await guests at the historic Mountain View Grand Resort in Whitefield, where visitors have enjoyed the Grand Hotel’s unique brand of hospitality for over 150 years. This fall, kick back and relax over a glass of wine or a cup of hot chocolate after a day of resort activities, which include everything from visiting the animals at the Mountain View Farm, wine and beer tastings, and cozy campfires to golfing, swimming, tennis, mountain biking, and movies in the resort’s own theater. Hiking trails are nearby, and the Resort is also close to all major attractions.

BRETTON WOODS

MtWashHotelWhether your approach is from the east or the west, your first sighting of the magnificent red-roofed hotel at the Omni Mt. Washington Resort, backed by the majestic Presidential Range of the White Mountains, is a jaw-dropper. The National Historic Landmark was built in 1902 by 250 master craftsmen in the Spanish Renaissance style and has been delighting visitors ever since. Along with the incomparable mountain views, the Resort offers exceptional accommodations in its 200 rooms and guest suites, a full-service spa, and several fine and casual dining options, including two Four Diamond dining rooms. The resort is a outdoor adventurer’s paradise, boasting an 18-hole Donald Ross-designed golf course, year-round canopy tour, Nordic and Alpine skiing, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, sleigh rides and more.

BETHLEHEM

RocksMapleThe Rocks Estate is a great destination any time of year, but it’s especially fun to visit the Christmas tree farm during the holiday season when you can choose and cut your own Christmas tree or select one from the retail lot. Fragrant wreaths and garlands, made on site, are also available.  Spring visitors are invited to take part in the New Hampshire Maple Experience, when the property’s maple trees are tapped and the sap is boiled down into sweet maple syrup. The Rocks is the North Country Conservation & Education Center for the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, and is open year-round.

NH_Grand_Best_Of_WREN“Think Local, Buy Local” is a favorite slogan of the Local Works Marketplace and Gallery operated by WREN, the Women’s Rural Entrepreneurial Network. The Marketplace features the work of over 120 local artists who produce a wide variety of unique hand-crafted and high quality products. Pay the Local Works Marketplace a visit when you are looking for a special gift or something out of the ordinary for yourself. The store stocks an every-rotating display of jewelry, pottery, bath and body products, candles, textiles, baskets, photography, fine art, home décor, toys, and specialty food and wine items. Or visit the Local Works store in the lobby of the Omni Mt. Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods. The adjacent Gallery presents a new show every other month featuring the work of local artists, who have been selected by a juried committee.

 

Winter is Better in New Hampshire’s Grand North!

Plenty of snow has us raring to get outdoors and enjoy all that white gold! If you like to ski, snowboard, snowshoe, snowmachine, dog sled, fat bike, ice fish, or ice skate, head for points north this winter for a wonderful day, weekend or longer visit.

We’ll start you off with a few of our favorites!

Bretton Woods Choose from a Full Roster of Winter Activities at Bretton Woods Ski Area

Mother Nature has dumped over five feet of snow on the Bretton Woods Ski Area so far this season, making for some great runs on the mountain, which boasts an incredible 62 trails, 35 glades, three terrain parks, and 10 lifts for days and days of terrific skiing and snowboarding. Try the night skiing, too!

Just across the road from the downhill ski area is the Bretton Woods Nordic Center with its 100 km of groomed trails through beautiful forested areas and open fields, providing lots of choices for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Both ski areas include knock-out views of Mount Washington and the Presidential Range of the White Mountains, as well as the iconic and much photographed red-roofed Mt. Washington Hotel.

The Bretton Woods Ski Area and Omni Mt. Washington Resort pull out all the stops when it comes to winter activities. In addition to skiing or snowshoeing, bundle up for a fun time dog sledding, take a sleigh ride, go snowmobiling, twirl around on your ice skates, tube down a slick hill, fat bike some trails, let the kids zoom around in their own snowmobile park, try an ascent on the slopeside climbing wall, and be sure to leave some time for the resort’s amazing canopy tour!

Winter Ski Specials:

  • 2-4-1 Wednesdays, when two adults ski or ride for the price of one, during non-holiday periods.
  • $25 Powder & Pasta. Ski or ride from 4-8 p.m. and fuel up with a pasta dinner on Friday and Saturday nights through March, including these holidays — January 14 and February 18-22.
  • $55 Next-Day Upgrade. Available for Monday-Friday next day, non-holiday tickets.
  • MLK Monday Madness. On January 15, celebrate with $60 tickets (must be purchased in advance).
  • Ski NH Weekend. On January 28, first time Alpine ($39) and Nordic ($19) skiers can take advantage of these learn-to-ski packages. Bonus: On January 27 & 28, come to Bretton Woods with lift tickets or season passes for three or more NH ski areas, including Bretton Woods, to be entered into a raffle for a 2017-18 season pass to Bretton Woods to be drawn at the end of the weekend.

Check the website for additional information and more deals! www.brettonwoods.com

 

NH_Grand_attraction_Great_Glen_winter_Tubing_BoyPlan to Get Your Winter Fun On at Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center

Bring the family to Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center in Pinkham Notch for a day of energizing winter fun. Eager to try out those new cross-country skis? Choose from 45 km of groomed and backcountry trails that wind through the most beautiful scenery at the foot of Mt. Washington; most trails are double-tracked for both classic and skate-style skiing.

Snowshoeing is even easier than cross-country skiing, and if you’ve never strapped on a pair of snowshoes this is the place to give it a try. Bring your own or rent a pair at Great Glen.

Kids just love the tubing hill (and aren’t we all kids at heart!). This is tubing done the traditional way: tube down the hill and walk back up. Over and over, for a whole lot of fun!

Fat biking has quickly caught on as a major sport, and winter fat biking is something you should try. It’s especially exhilarating on the Great Glen trails.

Winter Specials:

  • January is Learn to Ski Month. Just $19 every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday (except January 15); for first time skiers only. Includes skis, boots and pole rentals. 1.25 hour lesson.
  • Ski with a Naturalist. Ski with an Appalachian Mountain Club naturalist and learn all about the flora and fauna of Pinkham Notch. Free tour, with purchase of a trail pass. Offered January 13 & 27 and February 10 & 24, 10:30 a.m. to noon.
  • Sunrise SnowCoach Tour. Board the heated coach for a ride up Mt. Washington to treeline for an amazing view of the mountain and the winter sunrise. Offered January 14, and February 18, 21 & 25. These tours fill up fast! Reservations required.
  • Ski with an Olympian. The three, one-hour lesson package ($199) will have you taking tips from Olympian Sue Weymss, the ski school director.

Great Glen Trails has an incredible number of winter programs in progress throughout the season. Check the website (((www.greatglentrails.com))) for more information.

 

MuddyPawsBizDogSledWebMush On! at Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel

The frisky and friendly sled dogs at Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel are born to run and love nothing better than pulling a sled of happy visitors on the beautiful, snowy fields and trails around their Jefferson kennel.

Visitors are encouraged to pet the dogs and help harness them to the sleds. You can even take a turn driving. At the end of a run, it’s traditional to walk the line petting each dog, handing out treats, thanking them for a job well done, and getting some doggie kisses in return!

Winter Tours:

This winter the dogs (and their owners) are loving the snow and have cooked up some exciting excursions.

  • Fido’s Favorite is a 1.5-hour introductory dog sledding adventure, suitable for anyone 2 or older.
  • Mini Mush is a cost-cutting option that is perfect for families and small groups. The 1.5-hour introductory course includes meeting and greeting the dogs, helping to prepare the sleds, short rides, and time at the end to properly thank the dogs.
  • 3-Hour Adventure. For those who want a longer ride time.
  • Musher for a Minute. This crash course is for anyone who has dreamed of handling a sled and team of dogs. For those 12 and older.
  • Howl at the Moon. Experience the thrill of a nighttime sled dog ride. 1.5-hours; for those 5 and older.

Get all the details at https://dogslednh.com/.

 

NH_Grand_Tall_Timber_Lodge_SnowmobilingSnowmobiling in Northern NH Means Miles & Miles of Groomed Trails

Every winter, thousands of people head to northern New Hampshire to zip along the more than 1,500 miles of excellent groomed snowmobile trails that wind through the region — from the deep woods at the Canadian border; over stark and lovely Dixville Notch and onto the shore of Lake Umbagog; to the top of Jericho Mountain in Berlin; under the shadow of Mount Washington in Bretton Woods and Twin Mountain; and along the wide open meadows of Jefferson and Lancaster.

You’ll discover a snowmobile trail for every skill and every expectation, and snowmobile trails that lead you right where you want to go. Many restaurants, hotels, motels and inns have direct access to the extensive snowmobile trail system that crisscrosses the region. Check out www.nhgrand.com for dozens of dining and lodging options to help you enjoy your stay.

Tip #1: Trail conditions are updated each week by New Hampshire State Parks. Sign up so you know about the snow before you go: http://www.nhstateparks.org/Activities/snowmobiling/trail-information.aspx

Tip #2: All snowmobilers must register their sleds in New Hampshire. The fees are considerably less expensive if you join as members of a local snowmobile club. Registration information is available from the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association.   www.NHSA.com

Deals & Details:

  • Tall Timber Lodge. Pittsburg has over 200 miles of groomed trails and you can enjoy them all with the lodge’s All Inclusive Snowmobile Rental Package that includes a daily machine rental along with top notch accommodations for two in a cabin with a fireplace and Jacuzzi, a full breakfast each morning and a nightly three-course dinner. Two options are available. Learn more here. http://www.talltimber.com/tall-timber-all-inclusive-packages/tall-timber-snowmobile-rental-package/
  • Cabins at Lopstick. All 57 comfortable cabins are on or near a snowmobile trail in the Pittsburg trail system. Bring your own sled or rent a Skidoo from Lopstick. Lopstick offers several two- and three-night Ride and Stay Snowmobile packages or can create one to suit your situation. Learn more here. https://www.lopstick.com/packages/ride-and-stay-snowmobile-experience-package/
  • Located right on Route 3 North, Mom’s in Lancaster has everything you need to enjoy your time on the trails, including new and pre-owned sleds, dozens of accessories, parts and service. You can also register your snowmobile here. https://www.momslancaster.com/
  • White Mountain ATV Rental in Gorham can help you out in a jam. Their experts can tune up your snowmobile, fix a pesky problem, and have you back on the trails in no time. http://whitemtatvrental.com
  • Ice Fishing is also popular in the Pittsburg region, and the Cabins at Lopstick (((www.lopstick.com))) can set you up with all you need to enjoy great fishing on Lake Francis (brown trout) and First, Second and Third Connecticut Lakes (cusk lake and brown trout). https://www.lopstick.com/experiences/the-winter-experience/