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The 33rd ANNUAL CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL -
Sunday, February 26, 2023 is SOLD OUT.


Join us for the Sweetest Day on the Trails!

Chosen as one of the "11 Delicious Chocolate Tours Around the World"

LOTS OF CHOCOLATE -
Participants in the last event held in 2022 enjoyed dozens of different chocolate treats prepared by many area businesses including trailside members and other nearby businesses.

Don't Miss the 2023 Event ...
Mark Your Calendar for Sunday, February 26, 2023

Wow... it is exciting to think this event has been gaining popularity for more than thirty years! People come from great distances to cross country ski, snowshoe or drive from inn-to-inn along the trails of our 45 KM network to enjoy the spectacular scenery, warm hospitality, and great chocolate treats at stops throughout the network, most located along the trails.

Known by many as the 'Sweetest Day on the Trails", this may be the only day of the year when chocolate indulgence is totally guilt-free! Chocoholics cross country ski or snowshoe the trails to enjoy chocolate prepared every way imaginable. Many return year after year to enjoy the Chocolate Festival, often returning with a larger group of friends each time!Trailside businesses prepare a variety of goodies from hundreds of pounds of chocolate!

Chocolate Festival treats

These are some of the treats served for the 2022 Festival participants. Gluten-free dark chocolate cupcakes with white chocolate ganache topped with chocolate dipped strawberry were offered at The Buttonwood Inn (top left). These homemade Belgian Chocolate Cups (top right) used to serve hot chocolate topped with whipped cream have become a tradition at the Samuel O'Reilly House, one of the stops just a short walk from the trails. The Bavarian Chocolate Haus offered both dark and milk chocolate nonpareils topped with raspberry crunch (bottom left) at Adventure Suites. For the first time, a s'mores buffet was offered by Veno's Specialty Foods & Meats at Ragged Mountain Equipment. Their homemade vanilla and chocolate marshmallows made them extra special. Chocolate truffles, cupcakes of all kinds, brownie sundaes, chocolate cookies and even chocolate stout were just some of the treats enjoyed at stops throughout the tour.

More treats await the chocoholics that have completed the tour!
Present your Festival pass on the day of the event to other participating North Conway area businesses for more special offers. Scroll down for the 2023 list with details.


Click to view the Festival Map online. Every participant will have a Festival map and brochure for each trailside business to validate to confirm your stop. Visit each of the trailside stops to enter the drawing for a $200 gift certificate to be used at any participating member business.

Tickets will be limited and only available to purchase online
or by making a lodging reservation with one of our member lodging properties. When making your reservation, be sure to request your nonrefundable tickets at the same time. Your tickets will be held for you until check in.


Sorry, all season pass holders must purchase the Festival Pass
to enjoy the chocolate treats!

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
   

 


Festival Links:
   
 
Chocolate Stops
Festival Tickets
Festival Trails & Map
Shuttle & Parking
Equipment Rental
Trailside Food & Beverage
Lodging Packages

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Tickets:
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COST OF FESTIVAL PASS: $45 per person

The tickets available for this event are now sold out.

This event is a fundraiser... tickets are non-refundable.

Your actual tickets have been mailed to the address provided on the order along with the Festival Brochure and Map. Be sure you submit your correct address. Please keep your tickets safe and don't forget them when you come to the event!

 
         
      2023 EVENT DETAILS
 
             
  2023 Chocolate Stops:
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There will be a number of trailside chocolate stops that will be offering chocolate treats from 11 am - 4 pm. Other area businesses offering their chocolate specialty to Festival ticket holders will be listed along with their times of service.

2023 TRAILSIDE CHOCOLATE STOPS: Open from 11am - 4pm

Visit each of these stops to enjoy the trailside treats.
the Touring Center at Ragged Mountain Equipment

    featuring chocolate prepared by Veno's Specialty Foods & Meats

The Starlight Lodge
Adventure Suites
   featuring chocolate prepared by the Bavarian Chocolate Haus and much more!.
   White Horse Saloon will be open from 11am serving pub food and libations for purchase
   including chocolate martinis.

The Local Grocer
   Also a great place to grab lunch in their café along the trails!
Cathedral Ledge Distillery

Eastern Inns
Whitaker Woods Meeting House
 
  featuring NH's #1 chocolate chip cookie prepared by the Mystic Sugar Bakery

OTHER AREA STOPS: Be sure to include a visit to these businesses for some great chocolate!
Buttonwood Inn on Mt. Surprise - winner of BedandBreakfast.com's Best Food Award for 2009 -10 is well worth a visit between 1 - 5 pm. Travel Hurricane Mt. Road for a short distance off Route 16 then turn left at the sign to the Buttonwood Inn.
Cranmore Mountain Lodge - be sure to make time to visit our newest lodging member and chocolate stop. Located on Kearsarge Road just before Intervale Cross Road.
Samuel O'Reilly House - stop by to visit this lodging member located on Route 16 just minutes fromthe trails in Whitaker Woods between 1 - 5 pm.
Sugar Shack at 100 Acre Woods conveniently located on Route 16 between the northern stops and the Touring Center. They will be open from 11 am - 4 pm on Festival day.
Ledge Brewing Company located across from the Sugar Shack on Town Hall Road. They will be open from 11 am - 4 pm on Festival day serving chili prepared with chocolate. Their beer will be available for purchase by the pint or tasting size. I'm sure it will be great with the chili!
White Mountain Indoor Golf located along the path to Ledge Brewing Company. If you are a golfer or know someone who is, you've got to stop for a visit and some chocolate prepared by McKaella's Sweet Shop. Sign up for their drawing of a free hour on one of their simulators for up to 4 people to play one of the over 75 best golf courses in the world. Great fun to do a Ski and Tee activity in the winter!!!

 
       
     
   
   
       
       
       
       
             
  Festival Trails & Map:
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FESTIVAL TRAIL SUGGESTIONS:
Skiers and snowshoers can decide which trails they want to utilize for going between stops.  
Between the Sugar Shack, Ledge Brewing and Ragged Mountain the Intervale Trail is the only way.
From Ragged Mountain to the lower end of the network the shortest link is the Intervale Trail to the Pasture Trail to the 1785 Trail.
From the 1785 Inn or Stonehurst Manor, take the Powerline Trail to Whitaker Lane then Bancroft Loop.  The Bancroft Loop will take skiers directly to the Whitaker Meeting House.

Click to view the 2023 Festival Map

 
 

Total distance is approximately 15K or 9K if you ride the shuttle between the Touring Center and the Starlight Lodge..

 

   
     
     
     
     
     
             
  Shuttle & Parking:
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Our complimentary shuttles will operate from noon - 5 pm.

Watch for the yellow school buses which will begin a continuous loop at noon. One will begin at the John Fuller School parking lot next to the Whitaker Meeting House heading north and the other will begin at the Touring Center and head south. Other stops will be the Starlight Lodge, Ledge Brewing Company, and Adventure Suites.. Be sure to check back for updates to the stops.

Watch for the yellow school buses! The shuttles will accommodate skiers and snowshoers but space is not available for pulks or sleds of any kind.

Planning is Important:
Whenever possible, ride the shuttle as early as possible in the day as seats are in great demand towards the end of the event. It is also helpful if you can plan your ride to get you to the next stop rather than occupy a seat for several stops.

Parking: There is a limited amount of parking at each of the trailside stops. Additional parking is available next to the Touring Center at Ragged Mountain Equipment in the NH Electric parking lot. Limited parking is available at the Whitaker Meeting House with overflow space available at John Fuller School and public parking area bordering Whitaker Woods trails.

 
       
       
       
       
       
       
  Equipment Rental:
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Availability of cross country skis and snowshoes has been greatly impacted by the current supply and demand issues. If you don't have your own equipment, please try to bring rental equipment with you and not depend totally on area availability. Information on rental status will be updated as the event approaches so please check back.

Rentals of cross country ski packages and snowshoes will be available at Great American Ski Rental in North Conway Village (603-356-6040), and REI in North Conway (603 356-0475).
 
       
             
  Trailside Food & Beverage:
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In addition to the complimentary chocolate treats offered during this event, there will also be a few stops that will be offering food and beverage for sale for those who might want something that is not sweet!. Two members will

  • The Local Grocer Cafe is open from 8am - 3pm offering organic breakfast and lunch, smoothies, juices, and coffee drinks with plenty of vegan and gluten free options.
  • Whitehorse Saloon at Adventure Suites serving pub food and libations will be open from 11am - 10pm
 
       
             
  Lodging Packages:
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Festival tickets are also available from any of our Lodging Members.
When you contact them to make your room reservation be sure to ask them to add Chocolate Festival tickets. Tickets will be available when you check in for your reservation in February. Remember ... the tickets are non-refundable. If you cancel your room reservation, the ticket cost will not be refunded.
 
       
             
  Questions???
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If you still have questions about this event that has not been answered, you can send us an email or call the Touring Center at (603) 356-9920.  
       
             
 

Mt. Washington Valley Ski Touring & Snowshoe Foundation PO Box 646 Intervale, NH 03845
A Nonprofit (501 (C)(3) Organization
603-356-9920 (seasonal) E-mail: ski@MWVSkiTouring.org

A member of the White Mountain Nordic Ski Association
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