Even as people hunker down indoors, New Hampshire’s outdoors still beckons and can be quite safe. Just don’t expect the buildings to be open.
That includes fancy places like ski lodges, which are closed even at the few ski areas that are still open, as well as the most rustic of lodgings: The Appalachian Mountain Club, Randolph (N.H.) Mountain Club and Dartmouth Outing Club have closed their mountain huts to visitors.
“These facilities have no heating or running water, and the handwashing and sanitizing recommended for public accommodations by the CDC cannot be accomplished,” says signs posted by the Randolph Mountain Club, a nonprofit group that runs four huts and shelters in the Northern Presidential Range. “In the interest of public health we should aim to minimize contact and closeness between people at our four camps.”
Dartmouth Outing Club has stopped reservations at all its rustic cabins in western New Hampshire, those open to the public as well as those limited to the college community, while AMC has shut everything, including the full-service Joe Dodge Lodge in Pinkham Notch and the two of its famous high mountain huts that stay open with a caretaker in winter.
AMC also has halted all programs and is offering refunds, “even those designated as non-refundable,” although its website points out that people can shift the advance payment for canceled events “to a tax-deductible donation to support AMC’s mission.”
Most ski areas in the state have closed due to the virus, including Mount Sunapee Resort in Newbury, N.H., which shut when its owner, Vail Resorts, closed down last weekend.
On Wednesday, the state-owned Cannon Mountain Ski Area was open with lifts running but will be closed the rest of the season. So many skiers showed up at once on a sunny day with $29 lift tickets for state residents that long lines formed at the ticket windows, prompting the governor to pull the plug on the season.
“It has become clear today that large amounts of public congregation is occurring at Cannon Mountain,” Sununu said. “With the weekend quickly approaching, I have instructed Cannon management to cease operations by end of business today.”
A few resorts held out and announced Wednesday that they would close, including Gunstock, Bretton Woods and Waterville Valley. While the lifts were running earlier in the week, virtually all buildings were closed, with outdoor areas and some takeout food available. The only exception was the bathrooms were kept open.
Most state parks are open for winter hours, which means that many facilities such as public bathrooms are closed until the start of the 2020 season, whenever that might be. As of Wednesday, according to parks spokesman Brent Wucker, there is one bathroom open at Monadnock State Park and one at Hampton Beach State Park. The lodges at Coleman State Park in Coos County are open, but close for mud season April 9.
The state-owned Seacoast Science Center is closed, although its outdoor hiking areas are open.
Fortunately, it’s turning to spring, so walking, hiking, biking and other outdoor activities are available for those going stir-crazy from social isolation. Just stay 6 feet away from everybody else!