How does Tyler and his family that’s so connected to outdoor fun spend a day in the valley? Outdoors, of course!

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• First it’s a day that starts with no complaining! And how could it when Anne and Tyler’s two sons, Nelson and Levi, are gearing up for day of riding?!
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• In the summer it’s riding gravel roads and in the winter its riding down Kandahar, their favorite ski trail at Cranmore Mountain.
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• Of course the first stop they make is at Frontside Coffee Roasters, where Tyler and his wife, Anne grab a fresh maple latte, and breakfast sandwiches for the whole crew to keep them fueled for a day of fun.
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• After a morning of riding, the Ray family might find themselves at a local swimming hole to cool off, and of course, all trails end at Trails End Ice Cream, where the cones are SO BIG! This ice cream shop - with two locations, a shop in Intervale by the Scenic Vista, and a kiosk in Settlers Green - has been serving up cones for avid outdoor recreators for over 20 years. They know that even if you order a kiddie cone or large frappe, the only way to go is with sky-high scoops!
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• If Anne and Tyler are able to sneak a date night in, you’ll find them at Thompson House Inn. A true farm-to-table restaurant, that sources much of the ingredients found on its menu from its 5-acre farm, and three green-houses.
  
  The head chef, and co-owner, Jeff Fournier is a James Beard nominated chef, and Thompson House Inn has been recognized throughout the country for its innovative take on providing heart-felt, homemade cooking to its guests. You’ll find a farm-stand and market as well on Thompson House Inn’s property, where you can buy fresh vegetable and many of Chef Jeff’s homemade concoctions.
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• Thompson House Inn is also part of The Valley Originals - a network of over 20 locally owned restaurants that give back to the Mt. Washington Valley community, and focus on fresh food and great ambience, with the owner always on-site to welcome you. You can find an array of restaurants ranging from Indian to Irish, to ski pubs, to casual fine dining, and more when you dine at restaurant that’s part of The Valley Originals!
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• With access to the outdoors fueling their lifestyle, for Tyler, Anne, Nelson, and Levi, protecting the White Mountain National Forest where so much of their lives are spent outdoors is not only important, but imperative.
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• Within their scope of work, they regularly fundraise for both of their non-profits, Granite Outdoor Alliance, and Granite Backcountry Alliance. They also support the MWV Housing Coalition - because where there is economy, there also needs to be workers. This coalition works to ensure that Mt. Washington Valley residents have access to an adequate supply of affordable rental and sale housing.

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Tyler Ray, and his wife, Anne, are Maine natives, and raising their kids in an area that reminded them of their New England upbringing was important to them both. So they laid roots in North Conway, New Hampshire.

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Having regular access to the outdoors made Tyler and Anne realize that life behind a desk - especially on a powder day - just wouldn’t work for them. We all have to work, but we all need to play too. Mt. Washington Valley, NH is proof that you can live a high quality life in a rural setting. There is opportunity here, to be able to do what you love inside and out of the office.

With that, Ray found opportunity in what he loved the most, and founded Backyard Concept, LLC. He became his own boss with a hybrid of a company that envelops a law office, consulting agency and a non-profit management firm. Most notably under that umbrella lives the non-profit Granite Outdoor Alliance, which addresses New Hampshire’s need for responsible land conservation and smart infrastructure development, as a way to support its thriving outdoor economy.

New Hampshire’s natural resources make it a prime destination for visitors and locals alike to hike, bike, climb, ski, and more. And while its crown jewels like the White Mountain National Forest, and Saco River make North Conway such a popular hub for seasoned and novice outdoor enthusiasts, this popularity also comes at a cost.

‍Granite Outdoor works to provide a platform on a local, state and national level for sustainable outdoor recreation that will not only be profitable, but also be protected and preserved for years to come.

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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.

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