22nd Annual Chocolate Festival

(MWVSkiTouring Press Release)-- One of winter's most popular events, the 22nd Annual Chocolate Festival will be held on Sunday, February 27th. Bring your friends, bring your family to cross country ski, snowshoe, or drive between trailside chocolate stops from 11 am to 4 pm and then visit other area businesses for more chocolate. This annual event presented by
the members of the Mt. Washington Valley Ski Touring Foundation along with area businesses is a fundraiser for this intown Nordic and Snowshoe Center providing groomed trails connecting North Conway Village and Intervale.

The last Sunday in February, also known as the "Sweetest Day on the Trails", is the one day of the year when chocolate indulgence is guilt free! Every year hundreds of chocoholics travel between 12 and 15 kilometers of gently rolling network trails stopping along the way to enjoy chocolate prepared in a variety of ways. Participants
have enjoyed everything from chocolate fondue, handmade chocolates, cookies of all kinds, chocolate-dipped strawberries, chocolate fountains, brownie sundaes, and cupcakes to the classic hot chocolate topped with whipped cream. Visit every trailside stop and enter a drawing to win a $200 Gift Certificate to use at any of
these trailside businesses before the 23rd Annual Chocolate Festival on February 26, 2012. If the full distance of the tour is too much for you to travel on skis or snowshoes, there will be a shuttle circulating continuously from 1 - 5pm stopping at select locations to give you a lift just when you need it the most.

The Special Event Festival Pass includes a daily trail pass and admission to Ten Trailside Chocolate Stops, including the Whitaker Woods Meeting House and Three Additional Area Chocolate Stops. Chocolate Festival passes are $20 for adults and children if purchased in advance, and $25 if purchased the day of the event. Get an early start on your chocolate tour, avoid the crowds, and SAVE by purchasing your ticket in advance online, or at the Touring Center. The Chocolate Festival Brochure and Trail Map with all details will be available the day of the event at any trailside stop.

The Ten Trailside Chocolate Stops, listed by location beginning at the Northern end of the trails, include:

Riverside Inn Bed & Breakfast, Old Field House Country Inn Suites and Townhouses, Touring Center located at Ragged Mountain Equipment, 1785 Inn, Mountain View Estates, Adventure Suites, Stonehurst Manor, Local Grocer at Red Carriage Commons, Eastern Inns, and Whitaker Woods Meeting House. This southern most stop of the tour in North Conway Village offers parking at the John Fuller School, tickets, and a great way to begin your day. After your visit to the trailside stops plan to visit these additional Three Area Chocolate Stops. While you are in the northern area of the network, stop at the Sugar Shack at 100 Acre Woods located across Route 16-302 from Town Hall Road in Intervale between 11 am and 5 pm. Then take Hurricane Mountain Road to the Buttonwood Inn on Mt. Surprise offering some delectable homemade chocolate treat between 1 pm - 5 pm. After leaving the Buttonwood Inn, cross Hurricane Mountain Road on to Kearsarge and continue on to the Vintage Baking Company for a rich, homemade hot chocolate on the porch topped with one of their homemade marshmallows - a nice way to end the 'Sweetest Day on the Trails'.

There will be three trailside restaurants open for lunch and refreshments for those interested in something to eat or drink when chocolate is not enough! Moat Mountain Smokehouse and Brewing Company opens at 11:30 am, 1785 Inn will offer soup, salads, flatbread pizza and drinks from 11 am - 4 pm, and the bar in the Library Lounge at Stonehurst Manor will be open. Their chocolate martinis are a certain hit!

Limited parking is available at each of the stops along with the John Fuller School, and NH Electric Cooperative located next to Ragged Mountain Equipment. Many participants take the chocolate tour with friends and leave a second car at the end of the trail. If you need a ride back to your car, there will be a complimentary shuttle running continuously from 1 pm - 5 pm with stops at the Whitaker Woods Meeting House, Stonehurst Manor, Riverside Inn Bed & Breakfast, Touring Center, 1785 Inn, and Adventure Suites.

For online ordering, complete and up-to-the-minute Festival details, visit www.MWVSkiTouring.org or for tickets, rentals and information visit the Touring Center located at Ragged Mountain Equipment, 279 NH Route 16-302 in Intervale or call 603-356-9920.