Border War! Vermont vs. New Hampshire Skiing Part 14 – Cranmore Mountain
NORTH CONWAY, NH – Take the family atmosphere of Pat’s Peak, mix in the mountain vibe of quintessential ski town North Conway, and add a heaping dose of plentiful White Mountains snow all season long, and you get Cranmore Mountain. Started in 1937 from humble beginnings, but dreaming big dreams from the outset, Cranmore’s history is an index of the successes and downturns that faced all smaller northeast mountains as they progressed through the latter half of the 20th century. Yet throughout the tumult of modern economic times, Cranmore thrives. Steady growth, well-focused new ownership, wise diversification of activities, and a long-term outlook have provided financial stability of late. And of course – location, location, location – North Conway is gateway to the White Mountains wonderland, and Cranmore is just a few short blocks off the town’s main drag, still to this day an historic jewel of New England’s winter scene.
HISTORY – TRAINS, SLEIGHS, AND SKIMOBILES
It was January 1937, and Harvey Gibson, a New York City industrialist, investor, and financier who had prospered, decided to try his hand at turning North Conway, New Hampshire into a winter destination. According to NewEnglandSkiHistory.com, Gibson purchased 1,667 foot Cranmore Mountain and [with] the North Conway Chamber of Commerce started a fundraising campaign to begin carving out ski trails and slopes. At the same time, Gibson led a separate investment group that acquired the Hotel Randall in North Conway that August. Renaming it the Eastern Slope Inn, the team renovated the hotel and set it as the centerpiece of year-round outdoor activities.
Posted from JayFlemma.com
