It’s a chilly day to be a bird here at the Darby Field Inn that’s for sure! Today brings us little snow but lots of beautiful ice dripping from the evergreens. We have about four inches of snow or so on the ground, but sadly that is not enough to break out the sleigh just yet. It will however make for some stunning photography for those shutterbugs out there.

Today is January 1, 2007. New Year’s Day. All the weekend guests have left and we have a few moments to sit and reflect on our hopes and dreams for the new year. Not just for our business, but also for each of us individually. What are our aspirations? What lofty resolutions will we set (and okay…most likely break…)? Some of us would like to do more Yoga and become healthier. Others will need our help quitting that smoking habit or losing a few pounds.
What is important to remember about our resolutions is that it is not in success that we will find fullfillment, but rather in the attempt. Every time we attempt to better ourselves in any way, shape or fashion, we cannot help but grow and learn. What more can we ask from any year than to expand the horizons of our bodies, minds and souls?
Ah, enough resolution talk.
This weekend brought many friends old and new to our inn. The fire burned bright, Hadley (a canine legend here at The Darby) popped by for a visit and enjoyed the Patriot’s game with our guests, and we kept the homefires burning in our fieldstone fireplace in the living room. All in all a cozy, comfortable and pleasant New Year’s weekend for all.
Here’s wishing all of you, wherever you are, the happiest of all new years and we do hope that you will come and enjoy this beautiful home with us during the coming year.
Very Truly Yours,
Marc Donaldson, Innkeeper
(and staff!)

Ho! Ho! Ho! Wow things are hopping here! This coming weekend is The Cookie Tour and then it’s holiday time! We’re ready here at the inn. Our decorating diva, Waneeta, has been up to her old tricks and the place looks great! Our multi-talented breakfast chef, Alan, has been climbing around outside and he’s put up wonderful trim for this beautiful old house. Everything looks so nice!

Speaking of things that are “nice” we’d like to remind our faithful readers that it’s time to start chanting for SNOW! Mount Washington is covered with snow and now it’s our turn!

Everyone! All together now!! SNOW! SNOW! SNOW! That’s the spirit! Spike is literally chomping at the bit to get hitched to his sleigh and the skis are practically dancing in the hallway! They’re making so much snow in the ski areas that it looks like a blizzard up there! Trails are opening up daily and the early birds are already on the slopes.

I almost forgot to mention-New Year’s Dinner is booking up fast so if you are in the mood for a feast give us a call at 800-426-4147 or 603-447-2181 and get your dinner reservation in now! Joe will be in full swing in the kitchen and the evening will bring on some outstanding culinary treats!

Hope to see you all soon! And remember, “SNOW! SNOW! SNOW!”

Still no snow (winter of 05 in the picture), but I want to hear all you fans of the fluffy stuff chanting, “Snow! Snow! Snow!” We got teased today with a few scattered flurries! Not fair! We want more!

Wow! We just got the calendar of local events for our area for the winter and I can’t even begin to type everything that’s going on. Since all you skiers and boarders most likely know the incredible abundance of events for you here in the Whites, I’ll move on to activities other than the two biggies.

Close your eyes for a moment. Picture a field covered in pure, undisturbed white snow. In the middle is a lake of ice ready and waiting for you. You lace up the skates and go gliding along hand in hand with your honey. Under the winter sun, with a nip in the air you find yourself feeling alive. Winter’s blahs are gone and replaced with a renewed spirit of romance as you find yourself becoming part of the wonder of Winter.

Maybe skating isn’t your thing. Betcha haven’t built a snowman in a while have ya? Give it a shot yourself here on our wide open fields or come on up January 26th through the 28th to and see how the masters do it! Our neighboring community of Jackson holds its annual N.H. Snow Sculpting Competition the end of January and you won’t believe what they can do with snow! Puts a whole new perspective on “Frosty”!

How about casting away those winter traffic jam blues with a snowmobile tour through the amazing trails all throughout the mountains! Check out LilMan Snowmobile Rentals to do some real “dashing through the snow”!

When you’re done with all that winter fun in the valley lean back on our comfy sofa in front of a roaring fire. Put your feet up. Relax. How about a nice glass of wine or maybe some hot cocoa to warm those bones? We’ll take care of you. We’ve got just what you need. Peace and quiet in here and all the joys of winter waiting for you out there. Come on up for a visit. We’d love to have you as our guest

Winter’s chill is in the air (Winter 2005 to the left!). A quick glance at Mount Washington’s snow-covered peaks will let you know that snow is on it’s way to the valley. So far there have only been a few squalls here and there in the valley region, but it’s enough to stir the blood for those of us chomping at the bit for a sleigh ride!

Taking a look around the valley there is plenty to do in the winter. Of course everyone knows that skiing and snowboarding are always popular winter pursuits here in the mountains, but not all of us have the skill required to survive a zesty downhill run. Yours truly could only hope that whoever is behind me on the slopes is a medic! For those of us who don’t ski or board there are plenty of other opportunities for winter fun.

Snowmobiling is an exciting way to enjoy winter. Locally there are many places with clearly marked trails and beginner instruction. Some places offer self-guided trails and others with more complicated trails offer guided excursions. It’s a great way to see the wonders of winter.

Another wildly fun and low to no expertise way to get a winter rush is Tubing. Picture yourself flying down a groomed hill in a big rubber tube with the cold air rushing your cheeks! It’s like being a kid all over again!

If the stillness of the winter woods draws you in then snowshoeing and cross country skiing might just be for you. The hush of snow laden fields surrounds you and above you is that very special crystal blue sky that comes with winter in New England.

Of course there is one pastime that has and will continue to amuse snow bunnies of every era or skill level…snowman building. There is just something about rolling a huge snowball and then another one and then another one and putting it all together with a corn cob pipe and button nose that brings out the kid in all of us. Here at the Darby Field we have plenty of open spaces for you to bring your snowman to life!

Don’t forget to enjoy the sound of sleigh bells and cuddle up in a warm blanket on a sleigh ride while you’re staying with us!

Finish your snow fun off with a dinner in our spectacular dining room!

Hope to see you soon!

Winter peeks her head over the tops of the mountains right about now. Mount Washington, at its peak, glitters with fresh coat of snow almost daily. The Winter People are gassing up the sleds, polishing the skis and digging out the mittens. There are snowmen out there just waiting to be born into the winter wonderland that is The Mount Washington Valley in this cold season. A few flurries now and then tease us with just a taste of winter’s frosting, but like all good natives, we close our eyes and hope that tomorrow brings more.

It’s amazing how much people can miss here in The Whites if they fall into the “I don’t ski” trap. Winter isn’t just for daredevils and kids around here. There are joys of the season for all. You can see that joy just starting to twinkle in Spike’s eyes as the cold air hits his nose and puts a spring in his mighty step.

So who, you ask, is Spike? If you’ve ever had a sleigh ride here at The Darby or taken a summer stroll up the hill, you have most likely met our local celebrity horse. Spike is a huge Belgian with amazing strength and an even more amazing personality. I guess Spike is what you’d call a “people horse”. He loves the snow, the people and being able to show off his incredible strength and agility.

Aelwen and Oonaugh are two eight year old Welsh Cobbs currently aiming for the premiere spot in the sleigh ride arena. Having only reached working maturity last year, the young-uns have a lot to learn from master Spike before he’ll resign his near royal status as Sleigh Horse. They are working hard and learning fast though. These girls are tough and strong and they like to prove it.

Come enjoy a sleigh ride at the Darby and meet these amazing animals. Snuggle under a toasty blanket and let Kim and his brilliant team show you that New England winter is more than ski slopes and ice. It’s a postcard beautiful world glittering in the moonlight as gentle flakes kiss rosy cheeks and the boughs of pines bend gracefully with the weight of a million diamonds of snow.

Now that is winter.

The foliage is fading, but the view will still take your breath away! The mountain sides are alive with crimson and gold. There’s a crisp nip to the air letting the natives know to polish up those snow boots and dig out the warm woolies. We’ve been fortunate the past few days to have bright sunshine and seasonable temps during the day and also have it just chilly enough outside at night to make you want to take advantage of that fireplace in our common room.

The Amazing White Birch

Wow. If you think there’s nothing much to look at nature- wise in New Hampshire after the foliage is gone, you need to explore the potential in the amazing White Birch.

The White Birch is a rarity in that it photographs better without it leaves than with them. The long, slender trunk sways in the wind as it’s many sparkling branches reach out as if pointing toward the winter sun. Coupled with the rich blues of the sky, the image summons in the colder weather and the glorious snow.

The birch, in the spirit of all things traditional New England is as practical as it is beautiful. The Algonquian Native Americans made good use of this natural beauty. From it’s bark came rattles, torches, moose calls, wigwams, canoes and many types of containers. Bark cut-outs or stencils were used to decorate. The bark also served as a type of paper for the native peoples. Birch bark makes wonderful tinder for campfires. The birch even had the amazing ability to save the natives from famine as it’s bark can be boiled and eaten as food.

Come visit and explore the photographic potential of this New England wonder. We’d love to meet you!

Good Morning!
Wow! The colors are just unbelievable! All the leaf peepers are in town and there is much excitement all over the village. Take a ride on the Conway Scenic Rail for a real local taste of the foliage. Don’t forget we have lots of packages to make things easy for you!
Hope to see you soon!

How to explore Mount Washington

Fall/Winter 2006

The Mount Washington Auto Road
The hours for the auto road are varied during the fall season. Generally the auto road is open until 4PM until the end of October, but be aware that the weather on the mountain is not the weather you see here. It’s about 30 degrees colder on the summit than it is here. In August of 2006 there was snow on the mountain! We recommend that you call ahead to
603-466-3988 to make sure that the drive you have planned is going to happen. Remember the roads are narrow in spots and if the staff at the Auto Road says the drive is not a good idea for that day please understand it’s because we want our area guests to remain safe. The further up the mountain you get the colder it gets. Ice can make the auto road treacherous. Call first to ensure your plans will go off without a hitch!
Take Route 16 North past the junction of 16A & B.
Keep following 16 North and you will come to the Auto Road.
Estimated travel time is about 1 hour.

Auto Road Snow Coach Tours
Visit the world above the treeline this winter aboard the Snow Coach! Look down on the 5,500 acre Great Gulf Wilderness area and over the majestic peaks of the Northern Presidential Range!
For ticket information call 603-466-2333.
The Snow Coach operates out of the Auto Road location.

The Cog Railway
The drive over to Bretton Woods is a good hour from here, but the Cog is well worth it!
The Cog operates year round for both skiers and non-skiers to enjoy the mountain.
It’s a 3 hour round trip to the summit. After October 30th the train goes to Waumbek Platform and not to the summit.
The trip to Waumbek Platform is 1 hour roundtrip.
Call 603-278-5404 for reservations and more information.
Take Route 16 to 302 West to Bretton Woods.

Winter Hiking on Mount Washington
Winter hiking on the mountain is not recommended unless you are a VERY experienced hiker and have an experienced guide with you. The hike can take up to 15 hours and temperatures can vary as much as 30 degrees. We recommend Boulder Loop (snowshoes may be required), Tuckerman Ravine Trail is about 2 miles and is okay for the inexperienced hiker. Please make sure you are properly dressed. Snow, ice and weather conditions change rapidly here in the winter.
Be properly prepared and leave us your hiking plans and emergency contact numbers.