The Resort Insider

The Visit Waterville Valley Resort Insider is updated on a weekly basis to keep you informed and up to date with everything happening around Waterville Valley. From events and activities to deals and specials, make sure you check the Resort Insider so you don’t miss out anything happening in town!

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

LOCAL BUSINESS HOURS OF OPERATION

COMMUNITY NEWS

Waterville Valley Resort Association

Change is afoot that will affect the viability of our Waterville Valley Resort Association (dba Waterville Valley Business Association and aka Visit Waterville Valley). Waterville Valley’s lodging operators have created a new organization, the Waterville Valley Lodging Association, and WVRA’s volunteer board of directors is working hard to determine the best course forward.

I’m not here to argue the pros or cons of the WVLA.  But this is my little community newsletter, so...

I have been a strong supporter of the WVRA since its inception 30 years ago. In my 45 years working in Waterville Valley, I have worn a lot of hats, including working for WVRA in one capacity or another for many years. My various responsibilities have included intra-community communications, and I produce the weekly Resort Insider activities calendar, business hours report, and community newsletter, all under the auspices of the WVRA.

What the heck is the WVRA and why should I care?! It is a unified organization comprising Waterville Valley shops, restaurants, realtors, non-profits, recreation venues, services, inns and lodges, and the Town of Waterville Valley. Just about every business in town is a member of WVRA and a couple from out of town, like Melcher & Prescott and the Central NH Chamber of Commerce.

WVRA was formed 30 years ago by a diverse group of businesspeople who were justifiably worried that the ski resort owner at the time was only marketing Waterville Valley during the ski season. Businesses struggled to independently create and fund marketing and advertising programs. They realized that the power of one, if fearless and focused, is formidable, but the power of many working together is better. And WVRA was born.

WVRA went to work representing ALL businesses, developing a comprehensive marketing plan to promote Waterville Valley during the non-skiing months – spring, summer and fall. Initially, its mission was to get people into Waterville Valley and emphasized ‘heads-in-beds’ at the lodges. Since those early days, the mission expanded to include enhancing the economic, cultural, educational and recreational opportunities of Waterville Valley’s property owners, residents and visitors.

Each year, WVRA members elect nine directors. Every WVRA member has an equal vote, and that was intentional. Every business, however big or small, for-profit or non-profit has a voice. There are directorship positions representing five business segments:

1 director from the ski resort

2 directors from the inns/lodges

2 directors from the venues

3 directors from businesses and/or non-profits

1 director from the Town of Waterville Valley

WVRA utilized marketing and PR professionals. In recent years, Waterville Valley Ski Resort’s marketing team has been WVRA’s advertising agency and marketers. WVSR’s team has used everything in its marketing tool belt to help build brand and brand awareness to attract visitors to our four-season community and promote all member businesses, including heads-in-beds.

One of WVRA’s most successful marketing tools and strategies included the development of the Freedom Pass (previously known as Summer Unlimited), an activities-included pass to create added value for vacationing guests. Waterville Valley recreational venues like the White Mountain Athletic Club and tennis center, Snows Mountain chairlift, Corcoran Pond boat rentals, Adventure Center bike rentals, and Recreation Department open gym programs, and climbing wall all offer their product at a significant discount to create a robust and affordable amenities package for our guests. Non-Freedom Pass businesses can enjoy the promotional opportunities by participating as a Freedom Pass Perk.

One of the reasons you should care about WVRA is that it has worked behind the scenes, often quietly and without acknowledgement, to provide financial support to numerous nonprofit organizations, funding and sponsoring events and activities, and creating and hosting community-building and guest-enhancing programs and events. For years, WVRA’s board talked about bringing on an events coordinator and hosting activities and events to help enhance the guest experience and beef up long-standing events. The plan finally came to fruition this year with the hiring of an events operations director. The Summer Unplugged series debuted with plans to continue with a Winter Unplugged series of activities. Not only were these activities and events open to Freedom Pass guests, but to visitors, property owners and residents.

It's too early to tell what’s next. I hope that the new Waterville Valley Lodging Association finds a path to successfully increase hotel occupancy while concurrently supporting the rest of the community.

I am proud to have worked with many devoted and passionate volunteer board members over the years. They have consistently shown their dedication to Waterville Valley through tireless service, positive attitudes and a strong commitment to our entire community.

I wish to publicly thank the board – past and present – for the friendships and support. I don’t know what the future holds for the WVRA’s mission, programs, and activities, but as I count down the days until my own departure, I also want to thank all of YOU reading this epistle. YOU are valued contributors to our vibrant community. YOU help our businesses, big and small, stay afloat, especially when the vacationing guests return home. YOU are valued Waterville Valley marketers. YOUR word-of-mouth influence is one of the best marketing tools, and can influence future guests, visitors and property owners. And, of course, big thanks to business owners for investing in Waterville Valley and for your perseverance, hard work, determination, resilience, leadership and commitment to our community. None of us would be here if there was no ski resort, no hotels, no Town Square, no provisioner, no restaurants, no shops, no services, nothing to do. We all need each other to maintain a vibrant community.  

Thanks for reading,

Jan

P.S. Opinions expressed herein are my own and not the opinions of WVRA, WVLA, WVSR, or any other business or organization.

WVRA News

The annual community social and WVRA membership meeting was held on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at the Conference Center. A large crowd enjoyed food, libations, music by Stas and an opportunity to honor five long-time employees.

Host, Tom Gross, inducted Arpie Beaman, Butch Cushing, Ed MacLennan, Diane Vermeersch and Ann Whitehouse into WVRA's Roll of Honor. Tom Gross was also surprised when Brooke Wakefield, Recreation Director, presented him with a cut crystal award and thanked him for his years of service to WVRA and the Waterville Valley community.

The following were elected to the WVRA board of directors for a one-year term:

Tom Gross, President

Abby Guinan, Vice President

Brooke Wakefield, Secretary

Wendi Rathgeber, Treasurer

Leah Elliot

Tina Newcomb

Tom Prendergast

Chip Roper

Leslie Rosewarne

Waterville Valley Historical Society News

Cheers to outgoing president Reggie Breeckner, and welcome to incoming president Patty Furgal. Reggie can still be reached via email at wvhistorybuffs@gmail.com. Patty can be reached at pfurgal@watervillevalleyhistory.org.

Renew your WVHS Membership – OR join! It’s just $25 for a year. Consider adding a donation while you’re at it. Do both right here >>> bit.ly/join-WVHS .

Over 500 guests enjoyed the summer/fall WVHS trolley tours. WVHS had 12 dedicated volunteers lead the tours this year. New guides are welcomed. Learn more by emailing info@watervillevalleyhistory.org.

The WVHS-sponsored “Great Waterville Scavenger Hunt” wrapped up over Columbus Day weekend. This year’s theme was “Who, What, When of Waterville.” The hunt was conceived by Carole Flegel, who crafted 14 clever rhyming clues that led participants to the “where and when” destinations. Carole is already contemplating the theme for next year’s hunt.

 Historical Resource Inventory Survey – WVHS archivist Rick Kipphut continues working on this project, reaching out to owners of Waterville properties that are over 75 years old and that retain historical or architectural significance. There are currently 62 properties that fall into the 75+ and 50+ year category. Learn more at bit.ly/3LqA6po .

Oral History Project – Led by Reva Gertel, the team has recorded interviews with a number of people. If you’re interested in helping videotape or edit interviews, email info@watervillevalleyhistory.org.

Power Outage Map

The recent power outages have been impactful to everyone. Use this link to see where power is out and how many customers are affected >>> nhec.outagemap.coop. Get more information on outages >>> www.nhec.com/outages-safety. Create a NH Electric Coop SmartHub account to report an outage. You can use the SmartHub app to sign up for real time updates on power restorations. You can also text OUT to 8559603075. Once you’ve reported your outage, text STATUS to 8559603075 to see if a restoration time has been assigned or changed. While reporting through SmartHub and staying up to date through texts are the fastest ways to send or receive information, the NHEC Control Center is staffed 24/7/365 and Member Solutions are happy to help. Call 855-960-3075.

Thursday Field Trips

Hop in the Recreation Department van on Thursdays in November and visit some unique New Hampshire locales. Pack a picnic lunch for a visit to The Rocks on Nov. 6, The Fells in Newbury on Nov. 13, and Canterbury Shaker Village on Nov. 20. Get the scoop online at wvrd.recdesk.com/community/calendar.

 Snowman Needle Felting

Sip, laugh and create your own needle felted snowman and bring the holiday magic to life at the Valley Pub on Thursday, Nov. 6, from 6-8 p.m. Get the deets at bit.ly/4nhkhyE.

 Sip n’ Paint

Paint, sip and relax at the Golden Eagle Lodge on Thursday, Nov. 6, from 6-8 p.m. “Bear in the Woods” Get the scoop at bit.ly/4njJAQH.

 Community Dinner

The Waterville Valley Elementary School PTO’s annual harvest dinner will have an Italian theme this year. Bring your friends, family and neighbors to the Recreation Department on Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 6-8 p.m. for a delicious meal prepared by Coyote Grill. Early bird pricing is $20/person, $15/child under 14. Order a take-home pumpkin or s’more pie for $15. Purchase tickets at bit.ly/waterville-supper.

 Blood Drive

Mark your calendar for Saturday, Dec. 27. The Waterville Valley Historical Society and Recreation Department are hosting a Blood Drive from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Rec. During the upcoming season of giving, please consider giving the gift of life. Book an appointment by calling 800-733-2767 or online at redcrossblood.org.

GOT NEWS?  Shoot me an email at jstearns@waterville.com.

Information contained herein is subject to change, error or omission. Some activities may have rain locations. Check social media and/or onsite signage for notifications.