“There are so many layers of things and people to connect with in Mt. Washington Valley.”

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“Whether you’re a lawyer; a doctor; a teacher; a local bartender or ski lift operator; guide or mechanic, we all have a lot in common."

We’re all here for the lifestyle. We may not be the same person, but we’re here for the same reason. We live in the Mt. Washington Valley because we can balance work with the lifestyle, and that’s a big reason as to why Liz loves living here. 

• If she lands on Attitash Mountain Resort, she’s going to first spend her morning cross-country skiing at Bear Notch Ski Touring Center. It’s only on the way to Attitash, of course. This way she can skip the morning rush, and enjoy a quiet morning Nordic Skiing for an hour or two, and still get to the mountain by 11am, to ski the rest of the day.
  
  Bear Notch Ski Touring Center is 100% dog friendly, and 100% an authentic New England experience. It’s run by longtime locals, and is rustic, warm, and welcoming. It’s trail that runs along the Saco River is so long and consistent, which gives Liz and her pup the space to get a great workout in.
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• What's great about that question is that it applies to the summer as well. Liz can wake up in the summer and ask herself which mountain bike trails she wants to ride. There is a handful of non-profits that work to maintain mountain biking trails, and building new ones throughout the year. Groups like the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust (USVLT), Tin Mountain Conservation Center, Ride NoCo provide biking trails with public access.
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• Bookmark the Mountain Bike parks found at Cranmore Mountain, and Bretton Woods, and bike trails at Great Glen Trails, for riding on closed loops trails. Bike rentals are available as well.

• On her way to Attitash, she’ll duck into Andes Ski Shop, a local gem that’s been around since the early 1990’s providing local ski tuning, waxing and repair, and quality equipment. One thing it’s definitely noted for is its comical and fun sign. It always has something sarcastic to say, and changes with each week and current event. It’s been known to show sayings along the lines of “Get Your Head Out Of Your App, And On The Mountains,” Or “Satisfy Your Valentine With A Wax!” One could say: outside of its industry expertise, Andes' sign is its biggest draw!
  
  Liz likes to stop there and say hello the folks behind the counter. She knows they’re always good for some local intel and opinions on terrain and weather. They’re always bringing in new gadgets and gear that I find myself needing, and they are one of the best in the valley for ski tuning!
  
  

• At the end of the day, Liz and her friends are stopping at Moat Mountain Smokehouse and Brewing Co., where she lays claim to the “best nachos in the valley,” its Long Horn Nachos. Skiing and nachos go hand in hand, and these nachos are fantastic. The pulled pork, the sour cream, the homemade BBQ sauce - it all goes into the perfect bite.
  
  
• If her pup is still in need of some attention after its action packed morning, she’ll pack her up in the car and head over to Settlers Green. Yes it’s an awesome place to shop, with over 60 brand-name stores with outlet shop prices, but there is also always something going on there. It’s not just a shopping plaza, it’s a destination.  In every season it’s a great dog-friendly place to walk your dog, and check out its public art walk.
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• Liz also makes a stop into Four Your Paws Only, a truly dog-friendly experience. Not only will you find a wide array of pet supplies, toys, clothing, and food; you'll also find a pet bakery. The staff and owners at Four Your Paws Only bake treats fresh to order using human grade ingredients. Each cookie is hand cut the old fashioned way (with cookie cutters, not machines) and individually decorated also by hand in a creative style of our own. Its famous bakery case is always stocked full of a wonderful selection of seasonal themed treats and classic old favorites.

Liz also believes that as someone who enjoys and gets so much use out of the area’s natural resources that she owes some amount of time and money to non-profits that take care of it. As an employee at Tuckerman Brewing Company she spear-headed the adoption of Boulder Loop Trail, and was trained as a Trail Crew Leader to lead the trail clean-up.

She’s also supportive of Ride NoCo, a nonprofit dedicated to trail maintenance and the building of new trails for mountain bikers.

If you’re looking for that insider information on how best to spend your day in Mt. Washington Valley, Liz is a great resource. Grab a bagel from Bagel’s Plus, and head to the ski mountains. Chances are you’ll see her there! Of course we all want to live like a local when we’re on vacation. This is a great way to just that!

Get to know our locals, attend their favorite events, grab a drink at their favorite bar, support their favorite local shop, and donate to the non-profits they support. The more you do that, the more local you’ll become!

For complete trip planning resources and information, explore this site, visitmwv.com, or call 800-367-3364 (800-DO-SEE-NH) to talk to a Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce rep.  To learn more about New Hampshire vacations, go to www.VisitNH.gov.