Two newcomers have joined the spa scene in Mt. Washington Valley. Both the newly re-built Inn at Thorn Hill and the Christmas Farm Inn now offer luxurious full-service spas along with luxury accommodations and fine dining. They join Mt. Washington Valley's spa scene, along with the well known Mountain View Grand Hotel's full-service spa, and The Cut Off, Mt. Washington Valley's premier day spa. A host of healing arts experts round out the offerings for those looking for everything from reflexology to wellness programs, feng shui, and even astrology. Many of the resorts, hotels and inns in the region also offer massage and wellness weekends, making Mt. Washington Valley the ideal destination for those who seek the ultimate in pampering.

After a fire destroyed much of the Inn at Thorn Hill in 2002, owners Jim and Ibby Cooper were devastated, but motivated to rebuild their inn with all the amenities offered by New England's finest inns. In addition to adding beautifully furnished guest rooms and incredible dining facilities, they built a full- service spa. The list of offerings is extensive from invigorating Thai Yoga, neuromuscular and lymphatic drainage massage to facials, parafango body wraps, and pilates conditioning. Weekly yoga classes are offered along with a personal trainer to work with guests in the inn's well equipped fitness room. The Inn at Thorn Hill offers delightful spa lunches, beautifully presented in traditional Japanese Bento Boxes and featuring healthy choices of Asian offerings. There are a host of spa packages from which to choose, offering everything from a half-day of spa pampering to the ultimate two-day spa getaway. For more information, visit Inn at Thorn Hill or call 800-289- 8990.

The Christmas Farm Inn recently opened not only their full service Carriage House Spa, but also an indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna and fitness facility. Both are housed atop the hill that overlooks the Christmas Farm Inn, and offer state-of-the-art facilities for personal relaxation and treatments. A full range of massages, facials, skin care, nail care and spa treatments are available here in luxurious surroundings. Each treatment room features its own relaxing water wall. Treatments range from body wraps to salt glows and there are a large range of massages including warm stone, polarity and reflexology. The pool, jacuzzis, fitness room and sauna are available for no additional charge to inn guests. All spa treatments should be reserved in advance. For a complete menu of spa treatments and their cost, please visit Christmas Farm Inn.

For more information on Mt. Washington Valley's myriad of spa facilities and wellness practioners, visit www.mtwashingtonvalley.org and click on Body, Mind and Spirit, or call 1-800-367-3364 and request your free Tips and Tours Guidebook.

The Annual White Mountain Musical Arts four-day Bach Festival returns to Mt. Washington Valley August 26 through 29, 2004. Approximately eighty musicians, professional and amateur, will gather for the four-day event to perform the great instrumental and vocal works the Baroque master, Johann Sebastian Bach. Most concerts will be held at First Christ Church Congregational at 7pm, although a Sunday morning concert is also scheduled. No tickets are required; however a $10 donation per concert would be appreciated. An all-concert pass with a requested donation of $40 is also available.

The Ninth Annual 24 Hours of Great Glen will be held at the Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center in Pinkham Notch, NH, at the base of 6,288 ft. Mt. Washington on August 14-15, 2004. This event was first held (with just 11 teams) in 1996 and was one of the first of its kind. Since its early days the event has grown to include hundreds of riders, an expanded course, and the ever changing Plunge. The Plunge? That's where the most spectators hang out to watch riders walk, run, ride, fly, slide, and spill their way down this particularly steep section of the course. This is a wonderful spectator event, and for those who love the spills and chills of mountain biking, a perfect place to bring the family for the weekend. The campground will even have a temporary McDonald's restaurant and playland, and there's plenty to do for the kids too. Volunteers are always sought.