Press Kit Releases | Looking Ahead
Keep up to date with all the latest happenings at Mount Washington Resort.
For more information, contact:
Irene Donnell | Director of Public Relations
publicrelations@mountwashingtonresort.com | 603.278.3366
A NEW ERA FOR MOUNT WASHINGTON RESORT
~A New Full-Service Spa, Meeting Space, Kids’ Alpine Club, Refurbished Golf Courses and More are in the Works~
BRETTON WOODS, NH – Mount Washington Resort has entered a new phase of its storied life. In June 2006, the Resort was sold to Celebration Associates and Crosland, Inc., and came under the management of new Resort President, Patrick Corso. Under the leadership of Corso and the development and operating team, a grand vision for the future of the Grande Dame is beginning to unfold. “Our goal will be to build on the solid foundation which was established by the previous owners of Bretton Woods and The Mount Washington Hotel,” says Corso.
Corso, who has overseen the restoration of such legendary properties as Pinehurst in North Carolina and The Homestead in Hot Springs, VA, is overseeing the Resort’s many significant renovations and enhancements which are scheduled to take place over the next few years. Extensive restoration of the 900-foot wrap-around Veranda, Great Hall and Dining Room totaling $2 million was completed in May 2007. An Adventure Desk located in the Great Hall was added as part of the project. It offers advice and planning for each guest to create customized itineraries based on personal preferences. In response to the growing demand for meeting space at the Resort, an expansion will result in approximately 20,000 additional square-feet of meeting space. It will be designed to comfortably host meetings of any size, from the most intimate of groups up to 1,000-person events. “We looked to create a building which complements the existing structures, while preserving the legendary views from the South Veranda,” says Corso. A 25,000 square-foot, full-service spa and salon also broke ground on July 18, 2007. Completion of the new spa and meeting space is slated for December 2008.
PATRICK CORSO
RESORT PRESIDENT & CEO
Having joined Mount Washington Resort as Resort President and CEO in 2006, Patrick Corso brought to this new position more than 30 years of esteemed resort and hospitality experience. In this current role, Corso is responsible for positioning Mount Washington Resort as the preeminent historic and year-round resort destination in New England.
When the resort was acquired in June of 2006 by Celebration Associates and Crosland, Inc., the new owners appointed National Resort Management Group, LLC, of which Corso is a founder and managing partner, to market and operate the property. Corso and his team oversee more than 900 acres of land and other assets including the 18-hole Mount Washington golf course designed by Donald Ross, an adjacent nine-hole course, an equestrian center, Nordic ski center, and more. A full-scale renovation project totaling $50 million is currently in progress. Mount Washington Resort includes The Mount Washington Hotel, Bretton Arms Inn, The Lodge, and The Townhomes.
MATT MASSEI
GENERAL MANAGER
As General Manager of Mount Washington Resort, Matt Massei manages a staff of more than 400 team members, overseeing the property’s 365 rooms, food and beverage operations, reservations, retail operations, and a diverse range of outdoor activities.
“We are indeed fortunate to have secured Matt as our General Manager,” says Pat Corso, Resort President. “Matt was a key member of the Pinehurst team during my tenure there as president. His leadership is a welcome addition to Mount Washington Resort as we continue our quest to become the premier New England four-season destination resort.”
After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Richmond, Massei began his 15-year relationship with Pinehurst, a luxury golf and spa resort in North Carolina as an assistant golf professional in 1991. Two years later, he joined the resort’s award- winning Golf Advantage School team as an instructor, a position he held until the opening of the No. 8 Centennial Course in 1996. As Head Golf Professional and Club Manager of the new course, Massei was responsible for the day-to-day management of No. 8, as well as a golf shop and restaurant on the course. During his five-year tenure, Massei saw both the 1997 and 1998 PGA National Club Professional Championships successfully staged at the Centennial course.
MOUNT WASHINGTON RESORT RENOVATES ITS
NAMESAKE GOLF COURSE
BRETTON WOODS, NH, November 5, 2007 – Mount Washington Resort, nestled among nearly 800,000 acres of White Mountain National Forest, has begun an extensive restoration of its signature Mount Washington Golf Course. Designed by legendary golf course designer, Donald Ross, the course originally opened in 1915. Nearly an entire century later, golf architect Brian Silva is using Ross’ plans to execute a thorough restoration which will bring the course back to the brilliance of Ross’ original vision. Seeding on the greens and fairways began in early August of this year with the course slated to open officially in August 2008. The Mount Washington Course’s restoration is part of a $7 million golf restoration and expansion project returning the Resort’s two courses to championship golf standards.
THE MOUNT WASHINGTON HOTEL WELCOMES FRESH DESIGN AND ENHANCEMENTS AS PART OF A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR RENOVATION
BRETTON WOODS, NH, July 25, 2007 – The Mount Washington Hotel, the historic all-season property located at the base of 6,288-foot Mt. Washington, is in the midst of an extensive renovation which includes an array of additions and enhancements such as a new spa and meeting space opening in December 2008. The latest changes include a recently-completed, $2 million dollar restoration to the Hotel’s 900-foot wrap-around Veranda, Great Hall, Dining Room and the addition of a new Adventure Desk in the refurbished Great Hall. Fresh designs, new furniture and noteworthy decorations adorn the hotel’s Great Hall and pre-function areas which highlight the importance of the resort’s natural setting. The designers in charge of this highly-anticipated makeover, Beaty + Brown, created a visible juxtaposition between the elegance of the resort and its majestic, rugged mountain backdrop in order to bring the magnificent surrounding area into the heart of Mount Washington Resort. Guests are encompassed by a sense of the outdoors while enjoying the relaxed yet sophisticated indoors. The resort’s deep history is honored throughout as elements of the past are woven into the many new design details.
MOUNT WASHINGTON RESORT BREAKS GROUND ON
NEW MEETING SPACE AND SPA
BRETTON WOODS, NH, July 18, 2007 – Today at Mount Washington Resort, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the property’s newest additions – new meeting space, which will bring the Resort’s convention center to a total of 30,000 square-feet, and a full-service, 25,000 square-foot spa and salon. Both the meeting space and the spa are set to debut in December 2008. Resort President, Pat Corso and Managing Partner, Charles Adams, were both on hand to celebrate this event, which is a significant part of an extensive, $50 million renovation project ongoing at the property.
MOUNT WASHINGTON RESORT REDEFINES ITSELF AS A LEADING
PROPERTY FOR MEETINGS & CONFERENCES
BRETTON WOODS, NH – Mount Washington Resort, while a leader in the ski and family markets, is also redefining itself as a noteworthy location for meetings and conferences. In response to the growing demand for meeting space at the Resort, an additional 20,000 square-feet of conference space broke ground in July 2007. The new space will be designed to comfortably host meetings of any size, from the most intimate of groups up to 1,000-person events.
LOOKING FORWARD TO SUMMER: MOUNT WASHINGTON RESORT
OFFERS STIMULATING ACTIVITIES FOR SUNNY DAYS
BRETTON WOODS, NH – Mount Washington Resort offers guests an exciting roster of outdoor activities to keep them occupied through the summer months, ranging from fly fishing in the Ammonoosuc River to exploring the hillsides on a mountain bike. Tennis on red clay courts; four swimming pools; croquet, badminton, bocce, volleyball, horseshoes, digglers, scenic chairlift rides, kite flying and guided hikes and nature walks are also activities that guests can enjoy in the summer months.
Mount Washington Resort’s Adventure Center located in the Alpine Base Lodge features the latest recreational opportunities. Guests can work with Adventure Guides to create customized activities that are ideal for families. Clinics include everything from tennis, golf and hiking to horseback riding and fly fishing. Guests can opt to coordinate their customized activities prior to arrival or can meet with Adventure Guides upon check-in.
MOUNT WASHINGTON RESORT FACT SHEET
Location: Mount Washington Resort is located at the base of the stunning 6,288-foot Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast. The Resort is also surrounded by nearly 800,000 acres of the White Mountain National Forest. Guests can easily access the Resort as it’s an easy two-to-three-hour drive from Boston, Montreal and Providence and a six-hour drive from New York.
Resort Profile: Mount Washington Resort includes The Mount Washington Hotel, a grand masterpiece of Spanish Renaissance architecture, built in 1902; Bretton Arms Inn, a restored Victorian Inn built in 1896; The Lodge, ideally suited to family vacations with spectacular views of the Presidential Range and The Townhomes, which are fully furnished two-to-five-bedroom accommodations featuring full kitchens and fireplaces. The Resort offers splendid seasonal activities such as tennis on red clay courts, horseback riding headquartered in the restored Victorian stables and fly fishing in the Ammonoosuc River during the summer months; and alpine and Nordic skiing and snowboarding, ice skating, ice climbing and snow tubing, sleigh rides and winter hiking trails during the winter. Extensive dining options, diverse shopping experiences and top-level conference facilities are also available.
BRETTON WOODS FACT SHEET - WINTER 2007-2008
BRETTON WOODS - ALPINE SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING
SUMMIT ELEVATION 3,100 Feet
VERTICAL DROP 1,500 Feet
BASE ELEVATION 1,600 Feet
TRAILS AND GLADES 101 total: 67 trails and 34 glades
SKIABLE ACREAGE 434 28% Easiest, 38% More Difficult, 25% Most Difficult, 9% Expert
SNOWMAKING 92% of Trails
AVG. ANNUAL SNOWFALL 200+ inches
SEASON LENGTH Early November to Mid April
EXPOSURE North/Northeast
LIFTS Rosebrook Summit Express high-speed detachable quad chair, Zephyr high- speed detachable quad chair, Bethlehem Express high-speed detachable quad chair, West Mountain Express high-speed detachable quad chair, Learning Center Quad chair (complimentary), Fabyan’s Express triple chair, B-Lift double chair, Red Carpet surface lift, Wonder Carpet surface lift.