Cranapalooza - It's a Festival at Cranmore

Fireworks light the skies over Cranmore during Cranapalooza. Download hi-res version.

NORTH CONWAY, NH - When the sun goes down in North Conway and the lights illuminate the trails of Cranmore Mountain, in Mount Washington Valley, NH, the festivities begin. Saturday nights from December 26 through March 10, 2010 (plus New Year's Eve 12/31 and Wed. 2/17), guests will enjoy a variety of events throughout the resort in addition to top-to-bottom night skiing and tubing. Cranapalooza is a festival of music, entertainment and games with North Conway's favorite penguin, C-More.

As guests finish up a day of skiing and riding or arrive for the nighttime festivities, they can enjoy activities beginning at 2pm. Activities change weekly and include fireworks on select dates, games with C-More, magicians and puppets, fireworks, face painting, hypnotists, live entertainment, hot chocolate and s'mores around the fire pit and Apres Ski with live music in Zip's Pub.

Another popular activity coming back for this winter is the spectacular fireworks display set off over the slopes. Fireworks will light the skies at 7:30pm on Dec. 31, Jan. 16, Jan. 30, Feb. 13, Feb. 20 and Mar. 6.

"Cranapalooza is an event packed with entertainment for all ages combined with the magic of the night," said General Manager Ben Wilcox. "Everyone loves fireworks, kids and adults alike. We find the whole town comes out to watch them - it's a real festival feel to the entire evening when the fireworks are on display."

Returning this year is the New Year's Eve edition of Cranapalooza. It is Mount Washington Valley's best family New Year's scene, with children's entertainment, live music and fireworks. Be sure to purchase a special New Year's Super Slider ticket which includes night skiing, snow-tubing and Fun Zone admission.

New for this year is the addition of C-More's Happy Birthday Party, every Saturday afternoon. Kids whose parents preregister online at www.cranmore.com/birthday can enjoy birthday cupcakes and time with our mascot penguin to celebrate their birthday.

Cranapalooza lift tickets are just $25 from 2 - 8 p.m. for all ages. Night skiing is offered on 11 trails and 3 lifts for all ability levels, including the Darkside and Other Side Terrain Parks, Beginner Basin, South Slope, North Slope, Hurricane and more. Cranmore's top rated Arctic Blast Tubing Park is also open Saturday and holiday evenings.

Cranmore has been operating for 72 consecutive years in the heart of North Conway Village, NH. In 2009, Cranmore was named Tourism & Hospitality Business of the Year by Business NH Magazine. Snoweast magazine readers recently rated Cranmore #5 for best ski area and #3 for best terrain parks in the East.