White Mountains Attractions and Businesses report record setting holiday weekend

(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED STATES - October 10th, 2016 - NORTH WOODSTOCK, NH - Blazing fall foliage coinciding with the Columbus Day weekend put restaurants, lodging facilities and attractions throughout the White Mountains on a recording setting pace, as tens of thousands of people descended on the region for the annual fiery display.

“This year’s colors are even more magnificent that last year, and last year’s were spectacular,” said Jayne O’Connor, president of White Mountains Attractions in North Woodstock. “It goes to show that Mother Nature is predictably unpredictable about her fall foliage and no matter what, visitors from around the world will come to see it.”

Overcast skies did not put a damper on activities. At the Conway Scenic Railroad in North Conway, some excursions were sold out.

“The Notch Train (from North Conway to Bretton Woods) has been sold out since last Wednesday,” Manager Susan Logan said Sunday. “We had 10 groups today and lots of individual travelers from our far domestic markets and from all over the world.”

Added railroad President Russ Seybold, “I expect that, based on the business thus far this weekend, we will be close to last year’s remarkable numbers.”

O’Connor said many businesses with whom she spoke reported an noticeable uptick in the number of international visitors.

“My guests have traveled near and far to enjoy this amazing holiday weekend.  I have people here from all over the country - Massachusetts, New York, Idaho and California - and from all over the world - Israel, the Netherlands, and Australia,” said Lynne Gruskowski of Green Village Cabins in Lincoln. “The leaves are absolutely beautiful, the weather has been perfect, fall is in the air and it's glorious.”

While parts of the White Mountains had peak foliage over the holiday weekend, other areas of the region, like the Mount Washington Valley, will see the strong colors come on over the next few days.

“This is absolutely the best Columbus Day weekend in years,” said Jeffrey McIver, president and general manager of Mountain Club on Loon Resort and Spa. “Visitors are totally enjoying themselves.”

The White Mountains Attractions Association was founded in 1958 as a co-operative destination marketing organization for the region and the 17 attractions within the White Mountains, including Alpine Adventures; Attitash Mountain Resort; Cannon Mountain; Clark's Trading Post; Conway Scenic Railroad; Cranmore Mountain Resort; Flume Gorge; Hobo Railroad, Loon Mountain, Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves;  Mount Washington Auto Road; Mount Washington Cog Railway;  Polar Caves Park; Santa's Village; Story Land; Whale's Tale Water Park and Wildcat Mountain.

For information about New Hampshire’s White Mountains, visit visitwhitemountains.com or call 800-346-3687.

###