4th ANNUAL WINTER CARNIVAL BRINGS 75+ ON AND OFF THE SLOPES CELEBRATIONS It’s “Snow Much Fun” in the Mt. Washington Valley every winter, and the 4th Annual Winter Carnival is shaping up to be the best one yet. This year’s Winter Carnival will again coincide with the New Hampshire school vacation week and will run from February 24 – March 5, 2007 offering a packed schedule of more than 75 on-and-off-the slope events and activities. Mt. Washington Valley’s Winter Carnival kicks off with an acoustic musical performance and fireworks at Cranmore Mountain on February 24th, and features such infamous events as the Annual Chocolate Festival on February 25, and Chilly Chili Cookoff and the Parade of Lights in North Conway on March 3. This year, Winter Carnival goers are no longer required to purchase buttons. Many events are free, however to participate in on-mountain events a lift or trail pass may be required. Generally, there is no fee to spectate. For a complete schedule of events and lodging packages, visit Mt. Washington Valley. or call 1-800-DO-SEE-NH 9800-367-3364) for a Winter Carnival brochure.

WILDCAT TO INSTALL NEW ZIP RIDE Wildcat Mountain recently announced plans to install a new ride that will operate year-round called the exciting ZipRider. Expected to be installed by June, 2007. The ZipRider is a zip-line cable ride based on the familiar concept of the back yard zip line. The ZipRider trolley is a device designed to brake automatically while the rider, who is strapped securely into a comfortable harness, descends cable gradients ranging from 5-40%. At Wildcat the ZipRider will be designed with two cables, so two people can ride side-by-side. It will run from the Cheetah Race Trail and descend 2,100 feet over the trails, tree-tops, and the Peabody River to a landing platform located on the northern most point of the main parking lot. Riders will travel at speeds of up to 45 miles per hour on a 12% grade, on cables suspended at heights of up to 70 feet. The Snowcat Triple Chair will provide lift service to riders to access the top of the ZipRider, just a short distance from the top of the Snowcat Chair. For further information, please visit Ski Wildcat. or call 1-888- SKI WILD!

MT WASHINGTON VALLEY CHAMBER’S SALUTATION TO THE SNOW GODS RESULTS IN SNOW IN THE MOATS Pulling out all the stops to make the snow fall, the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce presented a Salutation to the Snow Gods January 24 in Schouler Park, North Conway. Snow Seeds (a.k.a. snow transported from Colorado) were offered to Ullr, the Norse Snow God, in a snow dance performed by Charlene Sullivan, of Symmtree Yoga, with a back drop of blue cloudless skies. Shortly after the offering of snow seeds, clouds formed and snow began falling over the Moat Mountain Range in Mt. Washington Valley. Throwing all convention to the wind, the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce concluded that Snow Salutations and snow seeds were the answer to a low-snow winter.

HEARTS OF JACKSON INN TOUR: Cross country skiing, hearts, valentines and more Jackson Ski Touring Foundation in partnership with twelve village inns will be presenting the “Hearts of Jackson” inn tour on Sunday, February 11, 2007 from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Participants can ski, snowshoe or drive from inn to inn, stopping along the way for a surprise “heart” themed treat or gift. You will be greeted with warm hospitality by the local innkeepers, and will have an opportunity to tour the different inns. Maps will be provided and a small commemorative gift will be given to all participants of the tour. With February Heart Month in mind, Jackson Ski Touring and the village inns have committed to donating a portion of the proceeds from the “Hearts of Jackson” Tour to the American Heart Association. Sign-up for the Hearts of Jackson Tour will be limited to 150 people; reservations are recommended. A trail pass is required for those who are skiing or snowshoeing, and registration for the tour will be at the Jackson Ski Touring Base Lodge that day. The cost of the tour is $25 per person which includes a trail pass, and a small commemorative gift. There is no charge for the children’s workshops featured during the afternoon, however space reservations are required. To sign up for the Heart Tour, call the Jackson Ski Foundation at (603) 383-9355 or e-mail the Touring Center at info@jacksonxc.org. For a list of lodging packages at participating inns, go to Jackson XC and click on the preferred lodging link.

DATING IS AN “UPLIFTING” EXPERIENCE AT BLACK MOUNTAIN Speaking of matters of the heart, Black Mountain will host a pre-Valentine’s Day Speed Dating on the Lifts event Saturday, February 10 from 2:00-4:00pm. Register in the Lostbo Pub for as many date rides you can get in. The only rule is that you ride with someone you have never met. Afterward, all participants are invited to meet back in the pub at 4:00pm for an après ski party hosted by the Babes of Budweiser who will decide who had the best pick-up line. The winner of the best pick-up line will receive a romantic overnight stay at Jackson’s Snowflake Inn complete with chocolates courtesy of Bavarian Chocolate Haus, a dozen roses provided by Hill’s Florist, and a bottle of Freixinet Sparkling wine from Martinetti Distributors, so start the creative juices going for your most creative speed dating ploy. Best of all, ladies will ski free at Black Mountain from 12:30-4:00pm. For more information, visit Black Mt.

SWEETHEART’S EVENING XC/SNOWSHOE TOUR AT BRETTON WOODS Enjoy a romantic Valentine's evening by taking your sweetheart out on a ski or snowshoe excursion around the Bretton Woods golf course. The perimeter trail will be open for candlelit skiing or snowshoeing between 7:00-9:00 pm. Afterwards, cozy up by the fire while warming yourselves with a cup of hot chocolate and scrumptious chocolates. Resort guests may pick up their complimentary passes at the Nordic Center. The public is warmly invited and may purchase a $20 ticket that includes a trail pass, rentals, hot chocolate, and chocolates. Call 603-278-3320 for details. Bretton Woods.

ATTITASH WINTER WEEK FEATURES NICKELODEON This season, Nickelodeon has teamed up with Attitash and Rossignol to make skiing and snowboarding extra exciting for kids with exclusive Dora the Explorer skis, SpongeBob skis and SpongeBob snowboards. Attitash has filled President’s Week with Dora and SpongeBob activities, including a family T-ball game on the snow with Dora and a photo opportunity with Dora and SpongeBob on Tuesday, February 20. Thursday, February 22, enjoy Kids Karaoke and pose for photos with Dora and SpongeBob. Then, on Friday, February 23, participate in a Jellyfish Relay and enjoy Nickelodeon Movie Night at the Attitash Grand Summit Hotel. The President’s Week Nickelodeon events promise to bring fun for the whole family. For more information, and a complete schedule of events, visit Attitash, and click on events or lodging.

MT WASHINGTON VALLEY ANNUAL CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL Featured on MSNBC as one of the best gourmet XC tours in the country, the 18th Annual Mt. Washington Valley Chocolate Festival, presented by MWV Ski Touring and Ragged Mountain Equipment, will take place Sunday, February 25 from 11am-4pm. This popular event encourages outdoor enthusiasts to ski, snowmobile, snowshoe or even drive from inn-to-inn to enjoy favorite chocolate treats including fondue with fresh fruit, homemade peanut butter cups, fudge, cookies of all kinds, and hot chocolate plus many more chocolate concoctions. Dieters, no need to worry, this event is good for the waistline as calories are burned in transit (for all but drivers!). Since this edition of the E-Traveler is dedicated to the heart, this event fits right in by incorporating heart-healthy exercise too. Don’t miss it. For more information, visit Cross Country Ski NH or call (603) 356-9920.

CALLING ALL LITTLE PRINCESSES FOR A NIGHT AT THE BALL A highlighted event of the Mt. Washington Valley Winter Carnival will be the first Snow Princess Night at the North Conway Grand Hotel presented by Ruthie’s Flower Shop. This wonderful event gets underway at 6:30pm on February 25th. Children four to twelve are invited to attend a whimsical evening of dancing, fun and fantasy. Make your child’s dream come true with the chance to twirl and show off their beautiful dresses, highlighted by a visit from the Fairy Godmother. This will be a priceless memory for Moms and Dads and their kids who love tales of Cinderella and Fairy Godmothers. The cost of the ball is $10 per person. Pre-registration required. Snow Princess application. For more information, contact 603-447-8878

WEAR RED AND GET 50 PERCENT OFF AT GREAT GLEN TRAILS In honor of February Heart Month, Great Glen Trails will offer 50 percent off trail passes and rentals plus a Go Red dress pin to anyone wearing red February 2nd and 3rd. So dig out those red sweaters and jackets, don your red gear and do something good for your heart at Great Glen Trails February 2-3, 2007. For more information, Call 603-466-2333 or visit Great Glen Trails.

SLEIGH BELLS RING ARE YOU LISTENING? Sleigh bells & candlelight are all you need to kindle the warmth of romance in at the Inn at Ellis River in the heart of Jackson’s winter wonderland. Enjoy two nights lodging, gourmet breakfasts each morning, afternoon refreshments, a ride in an Austrian Sleigh, a candlelight dinner for two at the Christmas Farm Inn, and champagne and chocolates (or fruit and cheese). What more could you need to warm the heart this February? The package including tax is $399 for traditional rooms, $459-499 for fireplace rooms and $559-$659 for jacuzzi and fireplace rooms. Pamper yourselves even more and add a massage package with spa goodies for only $99 with two half-hour massages at Moondance Massage or $149 for one hour massages. Stay, sleigh, and snow play throughout the ski season at the Ellis River House. For more information, visit www.innatellisriver.com or call (800)233-8309 for reservations or more information.