Jul 1, 2003 | Marmot, Summer 2003

What’s Up This Summer

Mount Washington Alpine Resort’s newest attraction promises to be a real high this year.

The Resort will set up a bungee trampoline near the Eagle Express Chairlift, where visitors will be able to practice trampoline tricks without the fear of getting hurt.

For $5, people will be strapped into the bungee trampoline apparatus for two minutes of jumps and tricks.

“Trust me, two minutes is a lot of jumping,” says Don Sharpe, Resort Director of Business Services. Sharpe discovered the fun of bungee trampolining while researching new ideas for summer activities at Mount Washington.

Also new this year will be weekly theme dinners, every Saturday evening at Fat Teddy’s; everything from Cajun food to halibut, salmon to shrimp and mussels.

There will be a new look to Fat Teddy’s this summer, as the Resort is renovating the bar and grill for the first time since 1999. Resort Public Affairs Director Dave Hampshire said the renos could happen late in the summer season, so Fat Teddy’s will be ready for the winter opening sometime in December.

The Eagle Express chairlift will operate under new expanded hours this year, opening at 11 a.m. and closing at 8 p.m. through July and August.

Moonlight chairlift rides are the most popular events happening at Mount Washington. Most times a piper will play Scottish bagpipe music at the summit, and blankets are provided for those who wish to enjoy the mile-high moon. A special dinner will accompany some of these special chairlift rides, Hampshire said.

Mile high festivals have become a fixture at Mount Washington, and this year will feature a new twist along with the mainstays like the Wine Festival, Mountain Luau and Beer Fest. On Aug. 16, get “High on Chocolate” with the Resort’s first-ever Chocolate Festival.

“That one’s all about chocolate,” Sharpe said. Bernard Callebaut chocolate, Hot Chocolates from downtown Courtenay, chocolate trees, chocolate strawberries – even a chocolate fountain – will delight chocolate lovers. The event includes a huge selection of samples, too.

“We’ve got just a ton of events happening,” Sharpe said. “The mountain will celebrate its 25th Anniversary next winter.”

And perhaps the biggest event that will happen this summer, according to Hampshire, is that for the first time in 25 years, the washrooms are getting an upgrade.

“My thing for next winter is to say we have 12 new bowls,” Hampshire joked. Mount Washington was the first ski area on the Island to have indoor washrooms.

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