Even as people hunker down indoors, New Hampshire’s outdoors still beckons and can be quite safe. Just don’t get close to other people or expect the buildings to be open.
On Wednesday, the remainder of the state’s ski areas closed down because they were drawing crowds of people looking to get outside.
The closures of buildings include some of the most rustic of lodgings that hold just a few people: The Appalachian Mountain Club, Randolph Mountain Club and Dartmouth Outing Club have closed their mountain huts and cabins 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 has also 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 independent Pat’s Peak in Henniker and Crotched Mountain in Francestown, 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.”
Hours later, the rest of the resorts that remained open, including Waterville Valley, Gunstock and Bretton Woods, shut down their operations for the remainder of the season.
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.
Outdoor areas are still available at Concord parks, but little else. Beaver Meadow Golf Course has closed, as have the four community centers – City Wide, Green Street, Ward Street Ward House and Merrimack Lodge. All programs are canceled for the next several weeks.
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 six feet away from everybody else!
