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The Balsams Wilderness Dixie Notch, NH 03576 |
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The Balsams Wilderness is a magnificent 15,000 acre private estate located
high in New Hampshire's White Mountains. Since 1866, The Balsams has been
welcoming resort guests to Dixville Notch and providing them with all-inclusive
American plan hospitality. Today guests visit during two distinct seasons of the
year. During the winter this classic destination provides guests with a non-site
alpine ski area offering 13 trails on two slopes, a snowboarding half-pipe, and
full-service base lodge; a 85 kilometer cross-country trail system; designated
snowshoe trails; ice skating; a natural history program with guided tours; three
rooms of live entertainment; plus, a variety of events to include lectures, parlor
games, concerts, movies and night club shows. The choice-of-menu table d'hote
dining celebrates a award-winning cuisine and wine cellar renowned in the resort
world. In the summer, The Balsams, a grand family destination, is known as "One
of the best golf resorts in America." The Balsams Wilderness American plan is the ultimate vacation. One rate covers it all from early morning exercise to the last dance of the evening. Guests freely enjoy the facilities, programs, and accommodations that are provided with personal care by a staff which outnumbers guests. Guest service at The Balsams is considerate and friendly. The Balsams has operated continuously since first opening as the Dix House - a rustic and charming twenty-five room inn established by local innkeeper, George Parsons. Built just after the Civil War, the original inn honored the name of the town's founding father and first landowner, Colonel Timothy Dix. A ptriot of the American Revolution, Dix lost his life in battle during the War of 1812. His attorney and business partner, Daniel Webster, took over Dix's land holdings in 1813. Webster sponsored the town's first settlers, the Whittemore family. These hardy pioneers shared their hearth and home with the wayfarers on the old Coos Trail through Dixieville Notch. Weary travelers were refreshed by the Whittemore's home-style hospitality. Their quaint, personal kind of innkeeping was a common style of accommodation on the early New England Frontier. This generous family-style accommodation of overnight guests evolved naturally into a more sophisticated destination resort hospitality - soon popular throughout the land and known as "the American plan." In his 1869 White Mountain Guide, S.C. Eastman cites an earlier explorer's prophetic description - Dr. Jackson…speaks of the Dixville Notch as more Alpine in its character than any other pass of our New England mountains, and predicts that its grandeur will yet make it a place of large resort. In 1895 a wealthy Philadelphia inventor and industrialist, Harry S. Hale, purchased the Dix House (where he had been a longtime summer guest) and renamed it The Balsams. Hale's creative spirit was prolific, and he steadily expanded and enhanced the resort's facilities and accommodations. By 1918 Hale realized his final vision for The Balsams with the completion of the Hampshire House - still called the "new wing." This elegant addition effectively doubled the overnight capacity of the resort to 400 guests. Today full-house guest numbers remain unchanged. There is no condominium or second home development on the property. As the modern era of downhill skiing was evolving throughout northern New England, long-time owner, Neil Tillotson, developed the on-site ski facilities. The Balsams Wilderness opened for the first time in the winter of 1966-67. The old world elegance and romance of a classic grand resort melded seamlessly with the energy and conviviality of a modern ski resort. Ski Magazine called The Balsams Wilderness "one of the 12 poshest ski hotels." Unlike modern hotels, each guest room at The Balsams has its own ambience. The décor throughout the hotel is gracious, and planned carefully in keeping with New England tradition. The Balsams has been recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of America's treasured historic hotels. Since 1866, the resort has had only six owners. The current hosts have been in place since 1971. As former seasonal employees, they practice a distinctive style of hands-on management. Staff members are largely native to the area and have many years of experience here. They oblige guests with friendly, considerate service.The managing partners measure success by the rate at which guests' return. Guests cite three primary reasons why they "come home" to the Notch so frequently: (1) the value afforded by the all-inclusive American plan; (2) the capable staff and courteous service; (3) the superb food. A critical element of every resort's hospitality offering is the pleasing quality of the dining experience. At an all-inclusive resort, guest appreciation of the food service takes on an even greater significance - the food and its preparation, service and ambiance must be excellent. Chef Phil Learned, CEC-AAC, is one of the four managing partners and is acknowledged nationally as a leader in the culinary profession. At The Balsams Wilderness there are always more things guests want to do than time to do them. There are three rooms of live entertainment throughout the winter season. Evenings are fun here. Join apres ski festivities in La Cave, dance to lively band music in the Wilderness Lounge. See wide-screen films in the movie theater, and nightclub shows in the Switzerland of America Ballroom. Play billiards, pocket-pool, ping-pong, and video games. There are visiting speakers, occasional chamber music performances, and special events. Evening entertainment activities are complimentary to registered guests. Some of the most enthusiastic guests of The Balsams Wilderness are children. There is always so much to do, so many new experiences to try. Every attraction is so handy and so well planned. The entire resort environment is safe and very well attended, yet it invites children to explore new adventures and to feel a genuine sense of freedom. Every day an ever-changing selection of activities and events is posted by the energetic recreation staff. Guests are often eager to see what they will find on the daily list. A host of indoor activities, games and contests, family events, tours, craft and culinary demonstrations and winetastings are offered. Outdoors guests play broomball and ice-skate. There are several shops and boutiques at The Balsams Wilderness and many more in neighboring communities. The billiard parlor, the supervised game room, the library, and the television room all provide particular pleasures for guests. Of course, numerous nooks and secluded spots can be found easily for reflection, reading or quiet conversation. Whatever the choice of activity, it is complimentary to registered guests. |
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