This Week at The Lodge: March 25 – 31, 2012

Here we are at the end of March already … for all intents and purposes cross-country skiing is over, (unless you hit the higher elevations in the backcountry) but downhill remains a Rite of Spring! Wildcat, Mountain is the diehard that is going strong.  If you’re a real adventurer, check out the Snow Bridge up at Tuckerman Ravine, or hike up with your skis and ski down the bowl. 

Not a skier? As we transition into this new season, however, there are many other activities that start coming to the forefront which you will NOT want to miss! Waterfalls, for example! Never have I seen so many waterfalls in an area as I have here in New Hampshire ( … er, well …  except maybe when hubby and I went to Hawaii before our kids were born!).  But barring a trip to the south Pacific, New Hampshire is THE place to be for the best waterfall tours that I know of. This time of year the rivers and streams sound awesome!  We can direct you to a number of beautiful waterfall hikes of all levels, lengths and abilities to get you your “waterfall fix” for the spring. With temperatures warm, and spring snowmelts a daily occurrence, the water is flowing for some great photo-ops and romantic water-side picnics.

Secondly, we are right in the thick of Maple Syrup season, with sugar houses all over Jackson boiling up a storm! Take a sugar house tour, and as a special gift, when you come to The Lodge this week we’ll give you a little jar of syrup to take home as a souvenir!  Isn’t spring ‘Sweet’?!

This Week at The Lodge: March 18-24, 2012

This may be ‘it’ for Cross Country skiing by the end of the coming weekend, but downhill conditions are still great. Great Glen Trails has closed its doors to XC-ers, but Tom Perkins of the Jackson Ski Touring Foundation says deep snow still covers cross country trails in our neck of the woods. Just bring sunscreen and sunglasses! 

There is nothing like downhill  ‘Spring Skiing’!   First there’s the ‘culture’ of it … groups of buddies getting away together to enjoy the exhilaration of a hard day of skiing, and good food at a local pub in the evening.  Then there is the pure comfort of warm temperatures and the birds and scent of springtime that make it extra enjoyable. Combine that with no crowds or traffic, and low springtime rates, and you’ve got a recipe for success!  Until April 1, eat at any of the Valley Originals restaurants for Buy-one-Get the other at Half Price!  Get a special voucher for this at check-in.  If you’re having a hard time imagining snow when your backyard is pushing up daffodils, then take a look at this video snow report from Cranmore!!  Seeing is believing! Hope to see you this weekend!

This Week at The Lodge: March 11-17, 2012

The Lodge Lady has returned, and with her she has brought some spring-like weather!   Having spent a week in the Hudson Valley of New York, where T-shirts, robins and crocus’ were the norm, it was a shock to return to NH and see snow everywhere … even where it WASN’T when I left!  When I departed, my travels took me through Bretton Woods on my way to Route 91 South… and when I left the Lodge, I could not believe my eyes when I got to the OTHER side of Mount Washington!  BARE GROUND! NO SNOW!!  It was a reminder just how idiosyncratic the weather can be around this mountain.  As I passed through the area, I took a photo with my cell phone and texted it to my husband, who had stayed home to mind the ‘store’ while I was away! I knew he wouldn’t believe me, when we had so much still on the ground.  However, when I returned, the Bretton Woods side had received considerable snowfall, and was looking like winter would be hanging around for some time.  This is just a reminder that just because spring has sprung in your neck of the woods, don’t overlook outrageous spring skiing in the mountains of NH.  We may be only a few hours distant, but this time of year, our weather can be WORLDs away!

This Week at The Lodge: March 4-10, 2012

The Lodge Lady is taking a spring vacation this week … a rarity for an innkeeper!  And although when I originally made my plans our reservation calendar looked a bit sparse, my hubby will be hosting  guests nearing the 75% occupancy mark this weekend.  This is unusual for this time of year.  The reason for so many reservations?  Fantastic spring skiing! Cross country and downhill centers alike are seeing record numbers, and the temperatures are delightful.  Come check it out for yourselves!