Chocolate Festival Near Mount Washington State Park

This has definitely been the hardest post I’ve ever had to write. It was torture.

I have been sitting here drooling for the past hour, reminiscing about my experience at the 23rd Annual Mount Washington Valley Chocolate Festival.

Nestled in the shadow of Mount Washington State Park, Intervale, New Hampshire opens its nordic ski trails and local businesses to chocolate lovers around the world every February. Last year, I went to the festival on a New Hampshire Outing Club trip through my school.

I was instantly enamored by the combination of cross country skiing, fresh air, and of course, chocolate. The trip was fun, but I this year I wanted to bring my boyfriend, Chris, who doesn’t go to UNH. On a bright Sunday morning, we headed north to a day of chocolate heaven.

Each stop on the trail was at a different local business. We visited everything from hotels to grocery stores, stuffing ourselves with chocolate along the way.

One of my favorite stops was for ice cream sundaes with homemade chocolate sauce.

Taking an unnecessary break from the chocolate, Chris and I went to a maple syrup shack. I can still smell the sugar!

Steam from the maple syrup process.

Maple syrup shots!

The day got more sinfully good as it went on.

Drumroll please….

Well, my stomach is officially growling!

All smiles after a day of chocolate! Have you been enjoying the last of the snow in NH State Parks?

Theresa Conn, New Hampshire State Parks Winter Intern

Hi all! My name is Theresa Conn, and I’m a sophomore Environmental Conservation Studies major at the University of New Hampshire. Growing up in suburban Massachusetts, my family always ventured north to Lake Winnipesaukee and the White Mountains to hike and relax. When it came time to look at colleges, UNH was an easy choice; between its great location, variety of majors, and college-town feel, I was instantly hooked. In the Environmental Conservation program here, I’ve been learning about New Hampshire’s diminishing natural resources. The more time I spend in nature, the more I realize how important it is to conserve the natural spaces we have left. Keeping parts of New Hampshire wild is critical for the health of the planet and ourselves. What I’m interested in exploring while writing this blog are the people and stories behind the parks. Be it talking to hikers on the trails, going out with animal trackers to learn about wildlife, or meeting with the stewards who protect our lands, I want to know who’s out there and why. People are the force that drives land protection, and I hope that I can share their stories using film, photography, and journalism. Grand intentions aside, I can’t wait to find new ways to enjoy the long winter months. Staying pent up inside is boring, and I’m excited to find ways to get outside like dog sledding, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing. I’m ready to explore all that New Hampshire State Parks have to offer, and look forward to sharing my adventures with you!

Theresa Conn, New Hampshire State Parks Winter Intern

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