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NEW HAMPSHIRE SKI AREAS STRENGTHEN ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORTS

NEW HAMPSHIRE SKI AREAS STRENGTHEN ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORTS

NORTH WOODSTOCK, NH, JANUARY 2007 - One of the most alluring attributes of New Hampshire ski areas is the beautiful environment in which they are located. Surrounded by beautiful mountains and lakes, it's logical that ski resorts want to be environmentally-friendly and contribute to the effort to combat climate change. Over the past several years many of New Hampshire's ski areas have begun to embrace and implement policies that will help to ensure these places are here for future generations to enjoy.

Cranmore in North Conway was among the first ski areas in North America to put proactive programs into place. In 2003 it was the first ski area east of the Mississippi River to run its snow grooming and diesel equipment on biodiesel fuel. Since that time Bretton Woods, Dartmouth Skiway, Loon Mountain, Mount Sunapee, and Ragged Mountain have also made the move to biodiesel fuel for their grooming fleets and/or facility heating sources. Several other NH areas such as Pats Peak, Cannon Mountain and the Balsams Wilderness are actively researching making the switch as well.

One of the most effective ways to combat climate change is to reduce the amount of time stationary engines and vehicles idle. With busy drop-off areas and numerous business deliveries, ski areas have large numbers of these vehicles. Ski areas including Bretton Woods, Cranmore, Crotched Mountain, Gunstock, Pats Peak, Jackson Ski Touring Foundation, Loon Mountain, and Ragged Mountain have all initiated anti-idling measures at their resorts. These areas use signage in drop-off/pick-up areas asking guests to turn off their cars as they arrive or pick up friends and family. Business-related deliveries also are greeted with the signage, and policies. Often these delivery trucks burn large amounts of fuel through stationary idling for extended times as the delivery is unloaded, making their regulation equally important.

Among the most basic environmentally-friendly efforts is recycling. The cafeterias at ski areas create a large amount of waste in a short period of time. Bretton Woods and Loon Mountain have recycling containers available for guests.

With such a diverse array of ski areas in New Hampshire, it isn't surprising that many areas have environmental efforts exclusive to their resorts. Crotched Mountain recycles waste oil to heat their base lodge and other buildings on the property. Bretton Woods is expanding Lake Carolyn, a wet land that is a natural habitat for fish and wildlife. Gunstock celebrated its 70th anniversary this winter by giving away 1,500 trees for their customers to plant. Wildcat utilizes Greenwave environmentally-friendly food service products in its dining areas. Ragged Mountain has also started using corn starch utensils rather than plastic, and Loon Mountain has switched from disposable plates and silverware to washable dining plates and utensils. Mount Sunapee buys all its electrical energy through renewable energy certificates that utilize wind-generated energy. Windblown heats its buildings with wood fires from wood that is grown and harvested on their own land.

"New Hampshire's ski resorts have always been concerned about the environment, but the recent scientific reports about the severity of the damage our population seems to be doing to the environment has really sparked these initiatives. By working together and sharing best practices, New Hampshire ski areas will be able to implement many additional programs that help their business protect the environment that we all cherish. With such a drastic increase in efforts over the past few years, it's exciting to see what additional policies our ski areas will have in place over the next few years!", added Alice Pearce, Ski NH's President.

Ski NH is the statewide association representing 38 alpine and cross country resorts and more than 200 lodging properties in New Hampshire. For more information on ski areas, lodging packages, lift ticket deals, and updated winter events at Ski NH mountain resorts, call Ski NH at (800) 88-SKI-NH (800-887-5464) or visit the Ski NH website at www.SkiNH.com. For statewide media relations assistance, visit the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism's media room at www.visitnh.gov under Travel Industry.

HOLIDAY FUN IN THE GRANITE STATE

SNOWY START TO WINTER SETS THE STAGE FOR A FUN HOLIDAY ON NEW HAMPSHIRE'S SLOPES & TRAILS

NORTH WOODSTOCK, NH, December 2007 - This is the type of start to winter that New Hampshire snowsports enthusiasts dream about all summer. The end of the 2007 calendar year has brought several significant snowstorms to the Granite State resulting in scenery and atmosphere you expect to see in a Norman Rockwell painting. The deep base of snow sets the stage for what could be a legendary holiday vacation week.

The past several years New Hampshire skiers and business have suffered through a slow start to winter. Recent Decembers have seen ski areas struggle to open their slopes and trails. This year ski areas are simply struggling to manage the copious snowfall. Several Nor'easters, along with excellent snowmaking weather, have enabled several NH ski areas to open 100% of their trails, with many more planning to be 100% open for the holiday week.

"The conditions are shaping up to be the best we've had for the December holiday period since the winter of 2000/01. It's a win-win scenario for our guests and area businesses and we couldn't be happier!" stated Karl Stone, Ski NH's Marketing Director.

The news is also excellent for lodging properties and restaurants in ski towns around NH that have had slow starts to recent winter seasons. Bob Shaw, manager of Gordi's Fish and Steak House in Lincoln, NH, noted, "Local NH economies thrive on the holiday periods during the winter months, so to know the mountains have a great product to offer visitors this holiday has spirits high."

With so many people likely to hit the snow, special events are planned all week to keep families entertained. These events include terrain park competitions, ski races, fireworks displays, maple syrup sampling on snow, après ski parties, and more. New Hampshire's ski areas also have New Year's celebrations for kids and adults alike. New Year's celebrations are scheduled at Gunstock, Mount Sunapee, Pats Peak, Waterville Valley, Crotched Mountain, Bretton Woods and others. For a complete list of events, the latest on NH's snow conditions, lodging info, ski area facts, maps and everything you need to know to plan your trip, visit SkiNH.com.

Ski NH is the statewide association representing 38 alpine and cross country resorts and more than 200 lodging properties in New Hampshire. For more information on ski areas, lodging packages, lift ticket deals, and updated winter events at Ski NH mountain resorts, call Ski NH at (800) 88-SKI-NH (800-887-5464) or visit the Ski NH website at www.SkiNH.com. For statewide media relations assistance, visit the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism's media room at www.visitnh.gov under Travel Industry.

SKI NH: THE CONDITIONS ARE "UNREAL"

SkiNH sends along this video from Attitash, and Karl reports the conditions are "incredible" and "unreal."  Ahhh...winter the way it should be in New England!