Fall Foliage Reports

WHITE MOUNTAINS REGION (Updated 10/27/11)

The White Mountains region is mostly past peak, but a drive to this area now will not completely disappoint leaf peepers, as there are still some bold yellows and oranges to be seen. What remains are mainly muted colors, including rust and gold, with the addition of a new color – white! Snow is in the forecast, which will brighten up the landscape, especially the mountain summits. It’s nearly time for the ski season, so make plans to visit this region for some of the best skiing in the east. Will this be your year to try downhill or cross country skiing? How about snow tubing, dog sledding, or winter hiking? Not a skier? Check out the day spas in this region, and relax in a bubbling hot tub or enjoy a massage as you watch the snow come down outside.



GREAT NORTH WOODS REGION (GRAND NORTH) (Updated 10/27/11)

Fall has come and gone in the Great North Woods region. Despite some remaining faded gold and oranges in the lower elevations, and occasional yellows in the hillsides, the area is past peak and most of the leaves are on the ground. Now is the time to enjoy the panoramic views through the bare trees, or act like a kid again by raking up a pile of crunchy leaves and jumping in! Remember to wear blaze orange if you go hiking right now, as hunting season is on. As the temperature drops and snow begins to fall, consider visiting this region for excellent snowmobiling tours. Find a secluded cabin, stoke up the fire, and enjoy the peace and quiet.

LAKES REGION (UPDATED 10/27/11)
While many leaves have dropped in the Lakes region, there is still some color to be seen. Look for muted yellows, gold, some oranges and even some remaining soft reds all around the area. Occasional bright oranges and yellows can still be found along the waterways. As fall makes its change into winter, this region offers some great cold weather sports, including ice fishing, ice skating, and ice sailing. The lakes and ponds here provide beautiful winter scenery once they freeze over, so bring your camera as you travel through this area during the frosty cold months.






This map is from Yankee Magazine.  

Loon Mountain Invests $1.4 Million to Add More Snowmaking, Four New Trails, and New Park Locations

LINCOLN, NH – After investing $20 million in the past five years to add more terrain, uphill capacity and state-of-the-art snowmaking and grooming technology, Loon Mountain continues its commitment to providing a great guest experience in 2011-2012 with a $1.4 million investment to add four new trails (an additional 17.5 acres), and an additional 170 of the latest technology Low-E tower snow guns.
In the past two seasons, Loon has added 600 highly-efficient Low-E HKD tower snow guns to its arsenal, increasing overall snow production by as much as 150%, and maximizing snow output at a wider range of temperatures. For skiers and riders, this means more terrain open earlier, more snow and better conditions all season. Loon has the largest installation of these state-of-the-art, highly-efficient snowmaking guns in North America.
A new Prinoth “Bison” grooming machine has been added to Loon’s fleet, which also includes a Prinoth “Beast,” added last season. The “Beast” features 40% more grooming surface and pushing power than a standard machine, as well as state-of-the-art technology to provide the best snow surface possible.
Four new trails debut at Loon this season: Upper and Lower Twitcher and Jobber, which are expert trails on South Peak; and Dropline, a novice trail and the new home of Loon’s Burton Progression Park. The new trail names are all logging terms that follow the naming convention of many of Loon’s classic trails, such as Walking Boss, Flume and Ripsaw. Upper and Lower Twitcher and Jobber will add even more terrain variety on South Peak.
This winter, the parks lineup changes with new and improved locations on the mountain. The Burton Progression Park, formerly on Little Sister, has been moved to a new trail called Dropline located off Bear Pause, next to Grand Junction. Little Sister Park has been renamed as Springboard Park and moves to the trail formerly known as Race City. Springboard – in addition to Brookway Extension and Flying Fox – showcases some of the mountain’s best jibs and intermediate features. NASTAR will move from the former Race City trail to a new location on Lower Twitcher on South Peak. Missing Link Park, the natural park that debuted last winter and features elements made from materials from the surrounding woods, moves to skiers’ right of the new Dropline trail. The signature Loon Mountain Park – consistently ranked by Transworld Snowboarding as a top park in the East – stays put in its location off the Seven Brothers lift. Readers of Transworld Snowboarding voted Loon Mountain Park a top 3 park in the east again this year.

Loon plans to open for the 2011-2012 winter season in early to mid November. New England Passes are available at preseason prices through October 10. For more information and to purchase New England Passes visit www.loonmtn.com.

Activities Schedule October 21-29, 2011

Friday, Oct. 21st 2011

8:00PM             Movie Night — (FREE EVENT)

Saturday, Oct. 22nd 2011

10:00AM           Apple Picking and Lunch at Windy Ridge Orchard & Bath Covered Bridge($17 per person or $25 per person if we travel by bus)

Join us as we head west of Lincoln to Windy Ridge Orchard in North Haverhill, NH.  We will have lunch there at the Cider House Café. All sandwiches are made from locally produced products. After Lunch we will head over to Bath to visit the oldest General Store in America, The Brick Store, as well a 50/60’s style ice cream shop called At the Hop plus the Bath Covered Bridge which is the longest covered bridge enitely in New Hampshire.

8:00PM             Movie Night — (FREE EVENT) See Friday for details

                                                      Monday, Oct. 24th 2011

9:00AM             Day Break Update at Pollard Brook (FREE EVENT)

Join our Adventure Concierge for a fun and informational gathering where we will update you on all of our activities, local events and answer any questions you may have! Complimentary donuts!

2:00PM             See the Kanc ($5 per person)
Join Eric as he takes a ride over the famous Kancamagus highway. This is a trip to get guests oriented with the area. We will make stops at: height of the land overlooks, Sabbaday Falls(conditions permitting), Rocky Gorge, and Albany Covered Bridge.. This trip is designed to show you spots along the Kanc that might be of interest later in the week.

8:00PM             Movie Night — (FREE EVENT)

Tuesday,  Oct. 25th 2011

10:00AM           Lunch at Windy Ridge Orchard & Bath Covered Bridge($17 per person or $25 per person if we travel by bus)

Join us as we head west of Lincoln to Windy Ridge Orchard in North Haverhill, NH.  We will have lunch there at the Cider House Café. All sandwiches are made from locally produced products.  After Lunch we will head over to Bath to visit the oldest General Store in America, The Brick Store, as well as the Bath Covered Bridge which is the longest covered bridge entirely in New Hampshire.

3:00PM             Fadden's Sugar House and General Store (FREE EVENT)

We will head over to North Woodstock and meet with the Fadden Family and see how they make Maple Syrup. You will be able to observe the process in the modern facility as well as see an example of the way it was done in the good ole days.

5:00PM             Wine and Cheese Social (FREE EVENT)

Come down to the Main Lobby and enjoy a delicious cheese platter, as well as a glass or two of wine!   Eric will be there to answer any questions you may have, but this is simply an event for guests to socialize with each other.

8:00PM             Movie Night — (FREE EVENT)

Wednesday Oct. 26th 2011

8:45AM             COG Railway ($45 per person. Trip includes transportation to and from the Cog)

Join Eric  as we head up to the famous Cog Railway. This railway chugs up the side of Mt. Washington all the way to the top where you can experience “the world’s worst weather” At the top you will get magnificent views on a nice day, and at the very least, you will get to stand on the tallest mountain in the northeast.

4:00PM             Decoupage Plates ($4 per plate)
Come down to the Fun Factory, and be sure to bring your vacation photos, to make a commemorative plate! You will decoupage your pictures on to the back of a glass plate, so that your vacation at InnSeasons will never be forgotten.

8:00PM             Movie Night — (FREE EVENT)

Thursday, Oct. 27th 2011

10:00AM           Everywhere and Nowhere Tour ($10 in Van - $20 in Bus)
Join Eric as he heads through northern NH in search of foliage, and other scenic sights. This trip doesn't go anywhere in particular, but you are likely to see foliage, covered bridges, scenic overlooks, waterfalls, and other things you would have never seen without this trip!! If more then 10 people sign up you will travel in the famous Moose Tour Bus.

5:00PM             Bingo Night ($1 per card)

                        Join Eric in the Fun Factory for some Bingo. 

8:00PM             Movie Night — (FREE EVENT)

Friday, Oct. 28th 2011

8:00PM             Movie Night — (FREE EVENT)

Saturday, Oct. 29th 2011

10:00AM           Hike the Basin (FREE EVENT)

Join Eric on an easy stroll through the Basin. The Basin itself is a small waterfall and rock formation also known as the Old Man on the Mountain’s Foot.  From there we will either hike through the “Baby Flume” or up the Basin Cascades Trail. Both of which have very nice waterfalls and scenery.The trail will probably be muddy so boots or other sturdy footwear is highly recommended NO SANDALS!

8:00PM             Movie Night — (FREE EVENT) See Friday for details

Riverfire in Berlin on Oct. 22, 2011

Just as the nights are getting colder in New England, the City of Berlin will be warming things up with one of the best fall festivals around—RiverFire! On Saturday, October 22^th, come to “the city that trees built” to catch a full day of fun, ending with some dramatic fires on the river.

Voted “Best of NH 2007” by New Hampshire Magazine, RiverFire burns bigger and brighter every year, and this year there are some fun new activities for everyone. Starting at 1:00pm, the gates of the Northern Forest Heritage Park, 961 Main Street, Berlin, NH will open to activities and vendors for visitors of ALL ages. Admission to the park is FREE.

This year there will be hot air balloon rides, and a children’s bouncy village with inflatable houses. Admission to the bouncy houses, as well as many other children’s activities and a classic hayride will have a fee. For adventurous folks 13 and up, a 2-acre haunted village called “Horrorfest” will be presented by Theatre North. Enter if you dare for an admission price of $8!

At dusk, the Androscoggin River will be lit up with fires that appear to be floating on the water! The blazes will actually burn on the historic boompiers that dot the river. These piers were used during the height of the logging era, when they separated and guided the many trees that were sent down the river to the mills of Berlin. For RiverFire, these old piers will be stacked with skids, which when set aflame create a dynamic contrast of light over the dark waters. Take a walk along the bridge and admire the wonderful glowing carved pumpkins. It is a spectacle you won’t want to miss! FMI: 603-752-6060 or find RiverFire Berlin, NH on Facebook.

RiverFire promises to be the hottest event of the season!