This was just 2 weeks ago from in front of my office in Intervale. If I could find the picture I took looking 180 degrees in the opposite direction you would see that Cranmore Mountain looked as colorful (and snow-free) as you see all the mountains North of my Keller Williams Real Estate office. What is really amazing, and the weather has just not let up enough for me to get snow covered versions (yet), is that Cranmore Mountain Resort opened for skiing, at a reduced rate due to limited trails, yesterday November 17, 2018. 15 yrs here as full time residents and 3 part time while I rounded out my retirement with the State of MA, and this is the earliest that I can remember the local, North Conway, mountain opening.
It is also the earliest I can remember having substantial snow pack starting on my own property. The deck, yard and hill are all crunchy with at least 3 inches of snow. I don’t really expect my yard to stay covered. Temps went up to 47 degrees F just yesterday as well. But given the right circumstances, the higher altitudes and just the right balance of temps and humidity could make this the base of the entire ski season. The Mount Washington Valley could use the win with a super fun and long ski season.
I suspect that incredibly long and snowy winters fuel my real estate business in unique ways. Every Winter I offer early listing specials when I can see walkways getting so tight that some of even the hardiest New Englanders have had enough, and I get calls! At the same time, ski families and winter sports enthusiasts come up more often, spend more on expensive lodging, and decide to take the leap of faith… Hoping that they will be able to replace the pics from the 80s and 90s (and 00s?), that line the ski chalets and condos, with pictures (or hologram projectors?) of their own young families enjoying their second home in The White Mtns, these are the winter buyers that come because of snow. And then there is this last winter’s story from 1 couple that came up from CT; ‘We are ready to retire, and it was this year or next. We just got so much snow there this year and no where to put it! We finally decided to buy space! Fluffy white snow in the Mtns is better than dirty slush any day!’ Personally, I won’t argue that.
Posted By Bill Barbin – Real Estate Broker at Keller Williams Lakes and Mtns North Conway NH – Intervale office – White Mountain Group. Call or text Bill at 603-986-0385 or email me at bill@ilovenorthconway.com
